VietNamNet Bridge – Performances of the Sao Mai singing contest will be broadcast live on channel VTV3 from this Sunday.

The first show will present contestants from the North while the next two Sunday shows will present singers from the centre and south.

Three finalists will be chosen at the three regional finals in each of three music categories – pop, folk and chamber. The 27 finalists will then gather for the national final round, which will be held in Hue from August 8 to September 4.

Prizes will be presented at the closing night on September 4, including for the "most favourite singer", as voted by audiences.

Held by Viet Nam Television, the biannual contest is said to have launched careers or built reputations for the likes of Trong Tan, Khanh Linh, Ngoc Khue, Ha Linh, Ho Quynh Huong.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News