Warm up the vox its Sao Mai Diem Hen

The four rounds of the contest will be broadcast live o­n Vietnam Television (VTV). In the first round, a five member jury will vote for contestants after viewing entrant’s music videos.

Those chosen for the first round will then go though a rigorous talent testing round, performing without accompanying music, with judging based o­n technique, performing skill, and appearance in public. The first round will run for 10 days in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

The 12 best singers will move to the second round. They will train with professional singers and appear o­n music shows every Saturday, which will be broadcast o­n VTV3. After the second round, the best six will move to the third round. Two of them will be chosen by the judging panel, and four will be chosen by the audience.

The cream of the crop singers will then appear at a final gala to duke it out over three awards; o­ne from the panel, o­ne for audience favourite, and o­ne for the most promising singer. Contestants can choose from pop, rock, hip hop or folk for their performances. Three members from the panel will comment o­n each contestant’s performance as soon as they finish singing.

Trinh Le Van, producer of the contest said, “We retain the right to change the rules or schedule of the contest at any time. Any contestants who break our rules will be forced out of the event.”

He further explained that organisers want to avoid another scandal, like the o­ne involving Hong Nhung at Sao Mai Diem Hen 2004 contest.

Van further revealed that organisers are having trouble finding suitable emcees and locations for the event.