Meritorious Artist Viet Hoan (right), member of the jury, performed with singer Thu Huong from Czech at the press conference announcing the contest. – VNS Photo Toan Toan

The Viet Nam Association for Rights Protection of Music Performing Artists (APPA) will host the contest in collaboration with the Vietnamese Association in Poland to connect Vietnamese people around the world and raise awareness of the country's culture.

“The contest has two missions, protecting Vietnamese culture, songs and language; and reminding people of the roots,” said People’s Artist Thanh Hoa, chairwoman of the APPA.

The contestants will perform two songs including a original folk song of ethnic groups and localities such as quan họ (love duets) or hát văn (spiritual singing). The other is selected by themselves.

The final will feature 31 singers selected from Vietnam, Thailand, the Czech Republic, France, Hungary, Poland, Russia and Germany.

“They all have beautiful voices and nurture special love for the country, they pay for themselves to travel to Poland to attend the contest,” said Hoa.

With theme of Tôi Yêu Tiếng Nước Tôi (I Love My Mother Tongue), the contest doesn’t look for new talents in singing, but to honour singers with good voice and patriotism, she added.

The contest was held for the first time in the Czech Republic last year.

Singer Le Trong Viet from the Czech Republic, winner of the first edition, said after the singing contest, he became more willing to perform Vietnamese songs abroad.

“I always have an awareness of protecting the mother language, it’s a responsibility for my children, family and the community where I live,” he said.

“The language is a key factor to remind oneself of the roots and the homeland. I hope that my children who were born abroad are still fluent in Vietnamese, love the country and will return to the homeland,” said Viet.

VNS