VOV gears up to host K-Pop Contest 2019

With plans in place to launch Voice of Vietnam (VOV)’s K-Pop Contest 2019, there are high hopes that the event will significantly contribute to fostering cross-cultural exchanges between Vietnam and the Republic of Korea (RoK).
A press briefing on VOV’s K-Pop Contest was held in Hanoi on September 30.
A press briefing on VOV’s K-Pop Contest was held in Hanoi on September 30.

Tran Nhat Duong, Deputy Head of VOV3 (Music information and entertainment channel) made the statement at a press briefing about the contest held in Hanoi on September 30.

Mr Duong, who is also acting as deputy head of VOV’s K-Pop Contest 2019, noted that the event aims to discover fresh talent and help audiences understand more about the music and culture of both Vietnam and the RoK, in addition to providing a platform for talented young people.

Kim Hyo-jae, CEO Sublime Entertainment Concert Company, noted that the contest is expected to serve as a bridge connecting the people of both countries.

The RoK is renowned for being home to plenty of talented producers and choreographies with plenty of experience, it is therefore hoped that they can help to develop talents capable of debuting in both Vietnam and the RoK.   

The judges will be made up of famous singers and composers from both nations. Among them will be Yang Jung-seung, also known as Midas Son, who is a producer for many well-known Korean singers such as Kim Jong-kook, Kim Bum-soo, MC The Max, and Lee Sun-hee.

Furthermore, choreographer Lee Won-woo will also be a judge in the contest. He played a key role during the “Love yourself” concert by the band BTS in 2018 and in the music video for “Idols”, also by BTS. 

National broadcaster VOV will host the K-Pop Contest which will begin in October 2019 and run until January 2020.

Entries will be submitted between October 1-20 with the organisers able to receive soundtracks or video clips through CDs or videos. Each contestant will be able to send one or two Korean songs recorded on mobile phones, cameras, or specialized equipment. 

Each entry requires a full name, telephone number, individual photo, and a Facebook link. Contestants can send their entries directly to VOV3 channel at 58 Quan Su street, telephone number: (04) 3826 5064, or VOV5 channel at 45 Ba Trieu street, Hanoi, telephone number: (04) 3826 6809. Alternatively entrants can e-mail: gionghathaytienghan@gmail.com.

As many as, 25 selected entries will progress to the preliminary round which is set to take place in late November.

The semi-final round will be held at VOV’s Theatre in December.

The final night is set to take place in Hanoi in January 2020. Either the Hang Day stadium or the Quan Ngua competition hall will host the event.

The song contest will be split into two categories depending on age, including nine to 16 and 17 to 25. Entrants can be Vietnamese or foreigners living and working in the country.

Contestants will also be allowed to sing Korean songs in a modern style. Organizers encourage contestants to compose new pieces in the Korean language.

The finale of the contest will be broadcast live on VOV’s radio channels, VOV.VN, along with television channels. including Vietnam Journey, VTC, VOV3, and VOV5.

The winner will receive a cash prize of VND50 million whilst the second-place prize will be awarded VND30 million.

The three third prizes will be given VND20 million each, whilst those receiving the five consolation prizes will be given VND10 million each.

The most popular contestant will also receive VND10 million.

Entrants who make it through to the final round will be trained in vocal techniques, and stage skills by Korean experts. Aside from their appearance, they will also make their debut on VOV’s radio and television channels, as well as in domestic and foreign media. 

The song contest is being co-organised by VOV, the Broadcasting Development JS Company, and Sublime Entertainment Concert Company.

The event is held as part of a range of activities to commemorate 27 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the RoK (1992-2019), and one year since the first Korean language program broadcast on VOV5. 

VOV

Other News

Ta Xua named Asia's leading emerging tourism destination 2026

Ta Xua named Asia's leading emerging tourism destination 2026

In recent years, Ta Xua, dubbed "the paradise of clouds", has emerged as one of the mountainous destinations attracting strong interest from young travellers, particularly for its spectacular sea of clouds stretching across the mountains in the northwestern region.

Digital transformation key to preserving, promoting ethnic cultural values

Digital transformation key to preserving, promoting ethnic cultural values

Training local young people in filming, audio recording, digital storytelling, data preservation and responsible use of AI can help build a new generation of cultural custodians. This, in turn, can help transform cultural heritage into a resource for economic development while contributing to the country’s broader development.

Indigenous culture becomes tourism asset in northern highlands

Indigenous culture becomes tourism asset in northern highlands

With growing recognition of indigenous knowledge, customs and cultural values as unique assets, ethnic communities in the northern mountainous region are shifting from simply providing tourism services to becoming creators and owners of tourism products, confidently telling their own cultural stories

UNESCO ready to work with Vietnam to implement International Decade of Culture for Sustainable Development initiative: Representative

UNESCO ready to work with Vietnam to implement International Decade of Culture for Sustainable Development initiative: Representative

Jonathan Wallace Baker, UNESCO Representative to Vietnam, noted that the official proclamation of the 2027–2036 period as the "International Decade of Culture for Sustainable Development" comes at a particularly important moment. As the international community works to accelerate progress towards the 2030 Agenda while beginning to consider what comes after 2030, the Decade provides a ten-year framework to strengthen the place of culture in development.

Traditional culture finds new life in contemporary Vietnam

Traditional culture finds new life in contemporary Vietnam

Under Resolution 80-NQ/TW, dated January 7, 2026, November 24 was designated Vietnam Culture Day, to be observed annually. The occasion aims to give the public opportunities to participate in, create and enjoy cultural activities, helping spread positive values and foster pride in Vietnamese culture.

Vietnam prioritises MICE tourism as strategic product

Vietnam prioritises MICE tourism as strategic product

For the MICE tourism sector in both Ho Chi Minh City and Vietnam, growth can no longer be driven merely by increasing the number of events; instead, the focus must shift to enhancing the value of each event and the competitiveness of each destination.

Potential of ethnic minority women's football

Potential of ethnic minority women's football

Women’s football movements in local communities have been quietly growing, but they’ve now built up enough momentum to inspire organisers to launch the first Vietnam Ethnic Minority Women’s Football – VTV Cup in 2026.

Phong Nha - Ke Bang named among Vietnam's 11 most beautiful destinations

Phong Nha - Ke Bang named among Vietnam's 11 most beautiful destinations

According to the magazine, boat trips into Phong Nha Cave and strolls through Paradise Cave (both family-friendly) offer a tantalising glimpse of their astonishing scale, but the real adventure lies deeper within the park, where cavers wade through underground rivers and weave among stalagmites.

Tourism seeks new growth momentum under Resolution 26

Tourism seeks new growth momentum under Resolution 26

Tourism effectiveness should be measured not only by visitor numbers and revenue, but also by spending, length of stay, repeat visits, job quality, visitor satisfaction and environmental carrying capacity, said experts.

Vietnam welcomes nearly 2 million international visitors in August, up 19.7% from July and 18.4% year-on-year. (Illustrative photo: VNA)

Vietnam tourism maintains strong growth, expands international markets

The National Statistics Office under the Ministry of Finance reported that Vietnam welcomed nearly 2 million international visitors in August, up 19.7% from July and 18.4% year-on-year. The figure represented 63.6% of the tourism sector’s full-year target of 25 million arrivals.

First ladies of Vietnam, Myanmar visit Van Phuc silk village

First ladies of Vietnam, Myanmar visit Van Phuc silk village

Ngo Phuong Ly, the spouse of General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam, said the two countries share similarities in silk weaving and can enrich their cultural heritage through exchanges and experience sharing.