100 million VND for the winner of the Golden Rice Award 2026

As scheduled, the Golden Rice Ear singing competition, organized by Ho Chi Minh City Radio and Television Station, has kicked off its search for promising vocal talents to strengthen the Cai Luong (Vietnamese traditional opera) stage nationwide.

Nguyen Thi Hong Toan, winner of the Golden Rice Award 2025 - Photo: L. DOAN

This year, the Golden Rice Award enters its 33rd season with many new changes, promising exciting competitions.

The golden rice stalk expands the space.

The Golden Rice Award 2026 is open to contestants who are Vietnamese citizens aged 16 to 50 and who love Cai Luong (Vietnamese traditional opera) and Don Ca Tai Tu (traditional Southern Vietnamese folk music).

To win the 100 million VND grand prize, contestants will go through the Seed, Sowing, Seedling, Heading, and Golden Rice rounds.

While in previous years contestants performed Vọng Cổ songs and excerpts from Cải Lương opera, in this new season, participants showcase their abilities through a variety of pieces from the 20 traditional Southern Vietnamese folk music genres, with increasing difficulty levels in each round.

Contestants, judges, and narrators will engage in conversation, interaction, dialogue, and exploration of the subject matter, helping the audience understand more about the fundamental characteristics of Southern Vietnamese folk music.

Contestants compete in the final round of the Golden Rice Award 2025 - Photo: LINH DOAN

The competition rounds are now held in open spaces, instead of just in the station's theater as before, which helps to broaden public access and spread this traditional art form to a wider audience.

The competition spans across provinces and cities throughout all rounds, not just the preliminary round like in previous seasons. Registration closes on May 12th.

LINH DOAN

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/100-trieu-dong-cho-quan-quan-bong-lua-vang-2026-20260428000550889.htm