VietNamNet Bridge – H'Zina Bya of the Tay Nguyen (Central Highlands) province of Dac Lac has won a national singing contest organised by HCM City Television with 44.29 per cent of the audience vote.

At the Ngoi Sao Tieng Hat Truyen Hinh (TV Singing Star) contest, the 23-year-old HCM City Conservatory student sang Nguyen Cuong's Cho Nong Nan Bay Len (Flying with Love) and Em Muon Song Ben Anh Tron Doi (I Want to Live by Your Side Forever) with girl band Mat Troi Do, and Dick Krajan's Nong Nan Cao Nguyen (Passionate Highlands).

Composer Ho Hoang Binh, one of the judges, said her style and voice were appealing and evoked feelings of passion and youthfulness.

Do Xuan Son of the Hai Phong Culture and Arts College was the runner-up with 27.89 per cent of the votes.

He sang Nguyen Hoai Anh's Anh (You) along with Thanh Ngoc, Tuong Van's Tu Khuc Mua Dong (Winter's Prelude), and The Duy's Moi Tinh Dau (First Love).

Singer Thanh Thuy, another judge, said Son created a romantic atmosphere but could not create sympathy among viewers.

Doan Phuong Thao of Quang Nam Province finished in third place with 27.87 per cent of the votes.

The finals featured 12 contestants who performed in eight shows held since November 4.

They had to sing songs on selected topics and from certain music genres, including revolutionary songs and songs eulogising Thang Long-Ha Noi and HCM City.

Viewers around the country voted for their favourite contestants.

This year more than 1,300 contestants took part in the preliminary rounds held in Ha Noi, Da Nang, Dac Lac Province, Can Tho and HCM City last month.

HTV has held the contest for people aged between 16 and 25 since 1991.

It will hold a concert at the Hoa Binh Theatre on December 5 to celebrate the contest's 20th anniversary.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News