The “Voice of Hanoi” Youth Singing Competition – 2023, jointly organized by the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports in collaboration with the Hanoi Music Association, aims to discover young singing talents for the Vietnamese music scene at large and specifically for the capital city of Hanoi. This competition serves as a wholesome and beneficial platform for music enthusiasts, contributing to shaping aesthetic preferences within the youth and the citizens of the capital.
On the morning of September 7, at the Kim Dong Cinema (No. 19 Hang Bai, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi), with the approval of the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports, the City Cultural Center, in coordination with the Hanoi Music Association, hosted a press briefing to launch the communication activities for the “Voice of Hanoi” Youth Singing Competition – 2023.
The competition has garnered attention from delegates and media agencies.
A cultural performance to celebrate the event
The press briefing saw the presence of Central and Hanoi City delegates, including People’s Artist Quang Vinh, former Director of the Performing Arts Department, and Deputy Permanent Chairman of the Hanoi Music Association, and co-chairman of the competition’s organizing committee. Also in attendance were Ms. Nguyen Lan Huong, Head of the Mass Arts Department (Department of Grassroots Culture), Mr. Hoang Quoc Viet, Head of the Cultural and Arts Office (City Propaganda Committee), Dr. Musician Le Trong Nin, from the Cultural and Arts Department of the Central Propaganda Committee. Delegates from the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports included heads and deputies of various offices and units, Ms. Ly Thi Thuy Hanh, Director of the City Cultural Center, and Deputy Permanent Chairwoman of the Competition Organizing Committee. Guest delegates and specialists included Musician Truong Ngoc Ninh, former Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports, as well as singers and musicians who matured from the “Hanoi Singing Talent” competition and representatives from the Centers for Culture, Information and Sports of districts, towns, and municipalities.
Regarding the competition, Deputy Permanent Chairwoman of the Organizing Committee, Ly Thi Thuy Hanh, shared that the “Hanoi Young Singing Competition” was first held in 1990 and continued until 2007, showcasing outstanding voices such as Meritorious Artist Thanh Tam, singer Tung Duong, singer Luu Huong Giang, singer Nguyen Ngoc Anh, singer Phuong Nga, and singer Ngoc Khue, who were warmly received by the audience. After years of hiatus, in 2023, the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports decided to revive the competition, presenting it once again to the capital’s audience with the theme “Voice of Hanoi,” aiming to resonate within the young community.
Deputy Permanent Chairwoman of the Organizing Committee, Ly Thi Thuy Hanh provided information to the press.
The “Voice of Hanoi” Youth Singing Competition – 2023, jointly organized by the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports in collaboration with the Hanoi Music Association, aims to discover young singing talents for the Vietnamese music scene at large and specifically for the capital city of Hanoi. The competition provides a wholesome and beneficial platform for music enthusiasts, contributing to shaping aesthetic preferences within the youth and the citizens of the capital. It offers an opportunity for exchange, learning, and the realization of musical dreams for young talents. Additionally, the competition serves as a platform to honor songs written about Hanoi, tunes that have lived on in the hearts of Hanoi’s music-loving public, songs that breathe the spirit of the times, praising the “Civilized – Cultural – Modern” Capital City with the aspirations of the youth.
With the theme “Voice of Hanoi,” this year’s competition is dedicated to Vietnamese citizens currently residing, studying, or working in Hanoi, aged between 16 and 25, with a passion and talent for singing. According to the Organizing Committee, the “Hanoi Singing Talent” competition seeks exceptional voices of all ages and is organized in even-numbered years; whereas the “Voice of Hanoi” Youth Singing Competition is held in odd-numbered years, targeting the youth of the capital, especially those within student organizations from high schools, colleges, and universities across the city, as well as the Centers for Culture, Information and Sports of districts, towns, and municipalities.
The Organizing Committee joined discussions.
During the press briefing, the Organizing Committee engaged in discussions, addressing feedback on the competition’s novelty, the benefits it brings to participants, and concerns about the prizes, considering that other competitions in Hanoi may offer higher rewards. Deputy Permanent Chairwoman of the Organizing Committee, Ly Thi Thuy Hanh, acknowledged the concerns raised by the media, recognizing the relatively modest prize structure. However, she explained that the awards were determined in accordance with Resolution 03 of the Hanoi Party Committee, which sets the prize levels for competitions in the capital. From the Committee’s perspective, after widespread communication efforts, the Committee is exploring collaboration with sponsoring entities to establish additional prizes for participants, both in terms of competition and associated activities, providing opportunities for contestants to engage in various rounds. Currently, over 200 participants, primarily students, have registered for the competition.
People’s Artist Quang Vinh, the Co-Chairman of the Organizing Committee, also stated that the “Voice of Hanoi” Youth Singing Competition aims to focus on the grassroots, aspiring to create a musical space for young talents and collectively contribute to the cultural industry’s development in the capital. Therefore, the significance of the competition extends beyond monetary prizes; it plays a pivotal role in building brands, subsequently opening doors of opportunity for the youth. Following the competition, the Organizing Committee will provide professional support to contestants, accompanying them in the realm of music. The Hanoi Music Association is currently compiling a collection of new songs about Hanoi, and contestants in need of fresh works related to Hanoi are encouraged to contact the Hanoi Music Association. Throughout the competition, the Organizing Committee, along with experts, will guide, advise, and assist contestants in selecting songs, arranging musical accompaniment, and choosing performance attire.
Media organizations, the press, professionals, and guests contributed their opinions.
Participants in the “Voice of Hanoi” Youth Singing Competition – 2023 go through three rounds: The Pre-qualification Round takes place on September 17, where contestants perform one self-selected song from one of the three music genres: Classical, Folk, and Pop. The Semi-final, scheduled for October 4, requires contestants to perform two songs: one self-selected from the genre registered in the Pre-qualification Round and one compulsory song about Hanoi. The Final Ranking and Award Ceremony, expected on October 20, entails contestants performing one self-selected song from the genre registered in the Pre-qualification Round. Contestants are encouraged to prepare background music and visuals for their competition entries.
Venue: The Pre-qualification Round and Semi-final are held at Kim Dong Cinema – the City Cultural Center (No. 19 Hang Bai Street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi). The Final Ranking and Award Ceremony takes place at Au Co Arts Center – Vietnam National Music Song and Dance Theatre (No. 8 Huynh Thuc Khang Street, Ba Dinh, Hanoi).
Contestants can register directly at the Exploitation and Event Organization Division – the City Cultural Center (No. 7 Phung Hung, Ha Dong, Hanoi); Kim Dong Cinema (No. 19 Hang Bai Street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi); or via email at thanhamhanoi2023@gmail.com.
Based on the evaluation results of the Jury, the Organizing Committee will award prizes to contestants in three music genres: Classical, Folk, and Pop, with prize structures including First Prize, Second Prize, Third Prize, Consolation Prize, and Special Consolation Prizes. Additional prizes may be awarded by the Sponsor (if any).
Ngoc Tram