Raising her voice: Twelve-year-old Huynh Thi Ngoc Anh of HCM City, who is visually impaired, performs at an audition of The Voice Kids broadcast on VTV3. — VNS Photo Pham The Danh

HCM CITY  (VNS) — When summer comes, big television stations like HCM City Television (HTV) and Viet Nam Television (VTV) launch several programmes for children and teenagers.

Last week, HTV and its partner Dong Tay Promotion announced that it would air Vu Dieu Tuoi Xanh, a Vietnamese version of the UK's TV dancing show Baby Ballroom, to find promising dancers aged six to 14. It will take place during the summer.

Nguyen Hai, project manager of Dong Tay, said: "Summer is a free time for kids, so the young dancers feel free and comfortable showing off their dancing interests and talents."

He said adults might like the show as well because it would remind them of their childhood.

After auditions in HCM City and Ha Noi this month, 18 pairs of boys and girls will enter the final which will air at 9pm every Sunday on HTV7 channel from July 13.

They will compete in different dance genres, including sport, hip hop, contemporary and ballroom, for eight shows.

The judges are choreographer John Huy Tran, dance sport champion Nha Khanh, and emcee Tran Thanh. They will decide whom to eliminate every week and the final winner.

Meanwhile, VTV in collaboration with Cat Tien Sa Company hosts another dancing show called Buoc Nhay Hoan Vu Nhi (Dancing with the Star Kids) for children aged six to 13, which will be broadcast in July.

Both enterprises are working to produce a second season of the TV singing show Giong Hat Viet Nhi (The Voice Kids), which kicked off early this month.

Children aged 9-15 are eligible to participate.

Veteran Vietnamese singers and composers Lam Truong, Cam Ly, Luu Huong Giang and Ho Hoai Anh will be the singers' coaches.

The programme is being broadcast on VTV3 every Saturday night.

"Young talents are trained by the best Vietnamese dancers and singers," Hai said, adding that the coaches have provided wise advice to help them succeed in their career after the show.

Last year, The Voice Kids discovered 11-year-old Phuong My Chi, the runner up. With her sweet voice, the girl has issued her latest album Que Em Mua Nuoc Lu (My Hometown in Flood Season) featuring songs about love for the country. It has received a warm welcome from listeners.

TV show producers said they were trying their best to make the programmes suitable to young contestants and make them feel comfortable.

Speaking at a conference to announce the second season of The Voice Kids in April, Lai Bac Hai Dang, director of the season, said the organisers would talk with contestants' parents about any problems so they can help their children overcome difficulties.

Do Thanh Thao, a mother of an 11-year-old boy in Bien Hoa City, said: "My son and I like watching The Voice Kids, but the producers need to make changes to make the programme exciting and attract young audiences. It is nearly the same as The Voice, the version for adults." — VNS