2026 Chinese Song Contest launched to boost cultural ties
VOV.VN - The Vietnam Musicians’ Association, in collaboration with the China Cultural Center in Hanoi, has officially launched the 2026 Chinese Song Singing Contest, with a view to enhancing cultural and tourism exchanges between the two nations.
The contest, organized under the theme “Singing Touches the Heart - Resonating Vietnam-China Friendship,” is held under the direction of the Vietnam Union of Literature and Arts Associations and the Chinese Embassy in Vietnam, and executed by AMG Music and Entertainment Joint Stock Company.
The event marks a key milestone in bilateral cultural cooperation, in line with the "Vietnam-China Tourism Cooperation Year 2026-2027." It follows the Joint Statement issued during the state visit to China by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam in April 2026, in which both sides pledged to carry out the 2023-2027 cultural and tourism action plan and encourage art groups to expand exchanges.
The contest is open to Vietnamese citizens aged 15 to 45, including pupils, university students, and language trainees, while excluding Chinese nationals. Applicants may perform solo or in groups of up to five members with a maximum combined age of 150.
Contestants are required to perform in Mandarin Chinese, selecting contemporary songs with positive themes praising love, friendship, and peace, or traditional Chinese folk songs. The contest consists of preliminary, semifinal, and final rounds. Notably, the grand finale will feature a cultural exchange segment where Chinese artists perform Vietnamese songs in Vietnamese.
The prize structure features three first prizes (Gold Medals) worth US$1,940 each, five second prizes (Silver Medals) at US$775 each, and seven special awards valued at US$194 each, alongside online voting categories.
Online registration opened nationwide on October 30, 2026, with regional deadlines set for November 15 (Central region), November 18 (Southern region), and November 20 (Northern region).
More than a purely vocal playground, the event is expected to discover prospective artistic talents, create a vivid language-practice space for Chinese-language students and trainees, while promoting positive cultural interchange between the young generations of both nations.
Vietnam-China friendship through music: Highlights from 2026 cultural exchange
VOV.VN - The 2026 Vietnam-China friendship singing festival took place at Voice of Vientam (VOV) headquarters on October 30, bringing together artists from both countries for an evening of music celebrating cultural diversity, mutual understanding and the longstanding friendship between the two peoples.
