Certified the best: Luu Hien Trinh wins this year's HTV's Tieng Hat Truyen Hinh (TV Singing) contest at the grand finale on Friday. — VNS Photo Ly Vo Phu Hung.

HCM CITY (VNS)— Luu Hien Trinh of Hai Phong City has won the annual Tieng Hat Truyen Hinh (TV Singing) contest organised by the HCM City Television (HTV).

Trinh, a 21-year-old student of the Viet Nam National Academy of Music. impressed judges with her well-trained voice, confidence and emotional performances, defeating seven other finalists – four men and three women – in a month-long final round.

At the grand finale held at the HTV Theatre last Friday, Trinh performed contemporary folk song Con Quay (Top) composed by Luu Thien Huong, one of the judges.

She also sang a duet "Mong Anh Ve" (Hoping for Your Return) by composer Duong Cam with pop singer Duc Tuan.

Singer Thanh Thuy, one of the judges, commented that Trinh showed courage in choosing a new and difficult song, and she was successful in performing it.

She was awarded 19.9 points out of a total of 20 by the judges.

Y'Jalin Ajun of the Tay Nguyen (Central Highlands) province of Dak Lak was the runner-up with a score of 19.79 points.

The contestant impressed the judges and the audiences with his strong voice in a composition by Nguyen Cuong – Xon Xang Menh Mang Cao Nguyen Dak Lak (Immense Plateau of Dak Lak).

He also showed his soft side when singing with singer Thanh Thuy a romantic song – Phuong Hong (Flamboyant) about school love, with music composed by Vu Hoang and written by Do Trung Quan.

Ajun won the Favourite Performer prize with 27.3 per cent of the audiences' vote.

Tran Tuan Hoa of Ha Noi finished third place with 19.73 points. He sang a solo Me (Mother) by Phu Quang, and a duet, Ru Doi Di Nhe" (Lullaby to Life) by late composer Trinh Cong Son with singer Thanh Lam, also a judge at the contest.

The winner received VND100 million (US$1,000) in prize money, while the first and second runners-up got VND60 million and 40 million respectively.

In the final, the contestants performed songs in different genres and on selected topics, including patriotic as well as folk and pop compositions.

This year's contest attracted 1,200 participants aged 16 to 28 in the preliminary rounds held in September. — VNS