LTV Singing Festival Ready for Audition Round

Comprehensive preparations underway

On the afternoon of September 29, Lam Dong Newspaper and Radio - Television held a meeting to review preparations for the first LTV Singing Festival 2026.

Participants discussed professional arrangements, finance, sponsorship, communications, logistics and event services while reviewing preparations for the festival's three competition rounds.

The Organizing Committee plans to establish four working subcommittees: the Professional Subcommittee; Finance and Sponsorship Subcommittee; Communications Subcommittee; and Logistics and Event Services Subcommittee.

The division of responsibilities is intended to ensure coordinated implementation of everything from receiving applications and organizing the competition to preparing facilities, communications and financial arrangements.

The Professional Subcommittee will advise on the content and scripts for the three competition rounds; receive and verify registration documents; manage contestant information, performances and running orders; and advise on the establishment of the judging panel, judging criteria and score sheets.

It will also be responsible for consolidating and safeguarding competition results, as well as coordinating music rehearsals, practice sessions, preliminary rehearsals and technical rehearsals.

One issue highlighted by the leadership of Lam Dong Newspaper and Radio and Television was the need to review the list of songs submitted by contestants, the origins of the works and matters related to copyright and related rights.

The use of musical works in performances, recordings, broadcasts, live television programs and digital-platform distribution must comply with relevant regulations.

Creating favorable conditions for contestants

For the audition round, relevant units are continuing to assess potential venues, facilities, sound systems and technical infrastructure.

According to the Organizing Committee, venue selection must take into account the participation conditions of contestants from both inside and outside the province while meeting technical and organizational requirements.

The audition is scheduled for November 1–10, 2026, followed by the semifinal on November 20–21, 2026.

The two rounds are expected to be held at facilities of Lam Dong Newspaper and Radio and Television. The specific venue for the Audition is still being assessed and will be finalized later.

Concluding the meeting, Nguyen Phi Long, Deputy Director of Lam Dong Newspaper and Radio and Television, asked relevant units to focus first on successfully organizing the audition before completing arrangements for the semifinal and final.

The subcommittees were asked to develop detailed work plans, assign responsibilities to individual members and coordinate proactively throughout the process.

Before each competition round, the Organizing Committee will review progress and organizational plans to address emerging issues in a timely manner.

Three rounds, 10 finalists

Under the festival regulations, the competition consists of three rounds: audition, semifinal and final – awards Ceremony.

At the audition, each contestant performs one self-selected song with an instrument provided by the Organizing Committee, either an electronic keyboard or guitar.

The judging panel will assess the performances and select contestants with high scores, taking into account professional quality and the number of registered contestants, for the Semifinal.

At the semifinal, contestants perform two self-selected songs with the festival's band. Based on the professional results, the Organizing Committee will select 10 contestants for the Final.

At the Final, each contestant performs two songs: one self-selected song and one song about Lam Dong, accompanied by the festival's band.

The finalists will also receive support for dance performances appropriate to the content of their competition pieces.

The Final and Awards Ceremony is scheduled for 8:10 p.m. on December 29, 2026, at the outdoor stage at Lam Vien Square in Xuan Huong-Da Lat Ward, Lam Dong Province.

Prize structure and audience voting

Under the regulations, the first prize is worth VND50 million, while two second prizes are worth VND30 million each, three third prizes VND20 million each and four consolation prizes VND10 million each.

The prizes include cash awards and certificates, while the first-prize winner will also receive a trophy.

In addition to the main prizes, the Organizing Committee will present three special prizes, each worth VND5 million:

• Best Performance of a Revolutionary Traditional Song;
• Youngest Finalist;
• Most Popular Contestant.

The Most Popular Contestant will be selected through an online voting system organized for the finalists.

Each of the 10 finalists will receive VND1 million in support.

The Organizing Committee will also award VND5 million in total to five audience members who correctly predict the first-prize winner, based on the results recorded by the voting system.

Expanding communications across digital platforms

Alongside professional preparations, communications have been identified as a key task in organizing the festival.

The Communications Subcommittee will provide information before, during and after the festival through print and online newspapers, radio, television and digital platforms.

Planned content includes news reports, articles, features, photographs, video clips, behind-the-scenes coverage and interviews.

The subcommittee will also manage the audience voting system and coordinate communications benefits for organizations supporting the festival.

At the meeting, the leadership of Lam Dong Newspaper and Radio and Television called for the prompt completion of the festival's visual identity system for consistent use throughout the event.

The organization will also strengthen communications across social media platforms to expand the festival's reach among potential contestants and the wider public.

Opening opportunities for new voices

The festival is open to Vietnamese citizens aged 16 to 36, born between 1990 and 2010, based on the year of birth recorded on their identity card or birth certificate at the time of registration.

Contestants must have good conduct and a healthy lifestyle, must not be under investigation or prosecution by law enforcement authorities, and are responsible for the accuracy of their registration documents.

Individuals who have won first, second or third prizes at national-level vocal competitions or the Sao Mai competition, formerly known as the Vietnam Television Singing Competition, are not eligible to participate.

According to the Organizing Committee, the festival aims to discover new talent and provide young singers with an opportunity to showcase their abilities, gain performance experience and connect with audiences.

Registration remains open until October 31, 2026.

Applicants must submit the official registration form, a photocopy of their identity card or birth certificate and one 4 x 6 cm color photograph.

Contestants can register online through the Fanpage of Lam Dong Newspaper and Radio and Television, submit their applications by email at tienghattruyenhinhlamdong@gmail.com, or complete the online registration form using the festival's QR code.

The first LTV Singing Festival 2026 is supported by Nam A Commercial Joint Stock Bank (Nam A Bank).

From now until the audition, the Organizing Committee will continue to finalize professional, venue, technical, logistics and communications arrangements to ensure that all competition rounds are held according to schedule.