Vo Minh Lam, Ho Ngoc Trinh, Thu Van sit in the hot seats of "Golden Bell of Traditional Music 20th

Võ Minh Lâm, Hồ Ngọc Trinh, Thu Vân ngồi ghế nóng — From left to right: People's Artist Ho Ngoc Trinh, Meritorious Artist Vo Minh Lam, Meritorious Artist Ngoc Doi at the press conference

On the afternoon of July 21, HTV organized a meeting with the press and artists, contestants participating in the 20th "Golden Bell of Traditional Opera" contest in 2025. Ms. Diep Buu Chi, Deputy General Director of Ho Chi Minh City Television, said: "Exactly 20 years since its first broadcast in 2006, "Golden Bell of Traditional Opera" - the contest to select traditional opera and reformed opera singers on television organized by Ho Chi Minh City Television has entered its 20th season with a series of innovations.

Not only renewing the competition format and increasing interaction with the audience, the Organizing Committee also affirmed its determination to revive new vitality for the nation's traditional art form that is looking for a place in the digital age.

Golden Bell of Southern Folk Songs surpasses 20 years mark

At the press conference, the Organizing Committee announced many important improvements. According to director Nguyen Minh Hai - Head of HTV Arts Department, who has accompanied the competition for 20 years, this year's changes in the organization are aimed at meeting the increasingly high tastes of the public, while also elevating the new generation of cai luong artists: "We are not only looking for a vọng cổ or cải lương singer, but also directing artists to social work. As people working in the arts and culture, we need to put social responsibility first, thereby promoting stage skills and having an integrated mindset" - Mr. Nguyen Minh Hai emphasized.

In particular, the composition of the Jury was also clearly announced, ensuring expertise and diverse perspectives: The professional jury for the Selection round includes: People's Artist Ho Ngoc Trinh, Meritorious Artist Vo Minh Lam, Meritorious Artist Thu Van - all three will also participate in the Coaching Board.

The final round of professional judges includes: People's Artist Thanh Nam, People's Artist Trong Phuc, People's Artist Phuong Loan. In addition, there are guest judges such as: Meritorious Artist Thoai My, director - Meritorious Artist Kim Phuong... and Artist Chi Tam is the powerful guest judge of the Selection round.

Innovation from the audition round: Technology enhances art

From the beginning of May to the end of June, the Organizing Committee received nearly 180 clips for the audition round - an increase compared to last year. Notably, after three years of implementing the online competition format, contestants have mastered the technology: investing in modern filming equipment, professional frame composition, not only paying attention to the singing part but also polishing the entire visual part - something that was overlooked in previous seasons.

Along with that, instead of just filming the comment section like before, this year, for the first time, the Organizing Committee organized 6 livestream sessions for the judges to directly advise and even demonstrate to the contestants.

People's Artist Thanh Nam commented: "I think this format will help many candidates "transform", edit and improve their exam papers, and at the same time create an effective channel of interaction between candidates and the program."

Positive interaction

If in previous seasons, the selection round only had 28 contestants singing traditional songs solo, this year, 32 contestants were drawn into pairs – forming 16 pairs – to perform excerpts of reformed opera (4 pairs each night, from July 22 to 25). This is the first time the contest has included excerpt performances right from the first round.

"A highlight of this year's season is the comprehensive change in the mechanism for selecting contestants for the finals. If in the past, the judges directly selected 8 contestants and 1 contestant was voted by the audience, then this year: Each professional judge will separately select 2 contestants that they rate highest after each competition night. The list of 8 contestants for the finals will be compiled and only announced when the program airs in August, creating a high level of suspense" - Director Nguyen Minh Hai said.

"The 9th contestant was chosen through a reverse format: Guest judges selected 4 "breakthrough" faces in 4 competition nights, announced on the fanpage, and the audience will decide the 9th contestant to enter the final round" - Mr. Nguyen Minh Hai emphasized.

The combination of expertise and community voting in a new way makes every minute of broadcast bring a feeling of anticipation, surprise and excitement. These improvements have marked the 20-year journey of HTV to bring the "Golden Bell of Traditional Music" playground into a new era.

"From a television program, "Golden Bell of Southern Opera" has become a popular cultural institution, contributing significantly to the preservation and development of Cai Luong with the breath of the times" - People's Artist Trong Phuc said.

Some images of the 20th "Golden Bell of Traditional Music" press conference in 2025: