Turning point: Trong Tan (left) became famous after wining the Ha Noi Vocal Contest in 1997. The contest will be back next month after a five-year hiatus. — File Photo

HA NOI (VNS)— A vocal contest will be held as part of celebrations for the 60th anniversary of Ha Noi's Capital Liberation Day on October 10 in 1954.

To Van Dong, director of Ha Noi Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, announced this at press conference on Thursday.

The contest, which began in the 1980s, will be for youngsters 16 years and older who are studying and working in Ha Noi. It has not been held for the past five years.

About 60 contestants will be selected during qualifying rounds from August 25 to 31. Semi-finals will be held on September 13 and 14.

The top 10 vocalists will be given basic lessons in singing and performing skills before competing at the final night at Friendship Culture Palace on October 2. The night will be aired live on Ha Noi television.

The finalists will be invited to study at the Ha Noi Arts College.

Jurors include musician Truong Ngoc Ninh, singer and head of Ha Noi Arts College Minh Anh, musicians Giang Son, Hong Kien and Nguyen Duc Cuong and music reporter Ngo Ba Luc.

"The contest will focus on Vietnamese songs, particularly those dealing with Ha Noi," said musician Ninh, one of the founders of the contest.

"The contest discovered talent that has become the A-list singers of Viet Nam, including Hong Nhung in 1987, My Linh in 1993, Trong Tan in 1997 and Tung Duong in 2003".

This year's winner will receive VND100 million (US$5,000). — VNS