The 20-year shining journey of "Golden Bell of Traditional Music"

The winners of the "Golden Bell of Traditional Vietnamese Music" competition and the contestants of the 2025 "Golden Bell of Traditional Vietnamese Music" competition pose for a photo with the production team of the documentary film "Golden Bell Shines Brightly". (Photo: LINH BAO)

According to journalist Tran Hien Phuong, Deputy Head of the Arts and Culture Department of Ho Chi Minh City Television, the "Golden Bell of Traditional Vietnamese Music" competition, launched in 2006, was considered a groundbreaking step for the station at that time.

For the past 20 years, the competition, organized by Ho Chi Minh City Television in collaboration with Saigonbank, has become a launching pad for hundreds of young talents, contributing to preserving and spreading the vitality of Cai Luong (Vietnamese traditional opera).

After 20 years, the "Golden Bell of Traditional Vietnamese Music" competition is not only a prestigious platform but also a launching pad for many artists to embark on professional careers, while simultaneously rekindling a love for traditional art in the hearts of the public.

Attending the premiere of the documentary film "The Golden Bell Shines" on the afternoon of September 25th, Meritorious Artist Ngoc Doi was deeply moved to see images of herself during her participation in the 2007 competition.

“Back then, I was a country girl who loved the Cai Luong plays broadcast on the radio. Knowing that I loved Cai Luong and had a bit of a singing voice, people encouraged me to enter the 'Golden Bell of Cai Luong' competition, and I was lucky enough to win the Golden Bell prize on my first trip to Ho Chi Minh City,” shared Meritorious Artist Ngoc Doi, winner of the 2007 Golden Bell Award.

Director of the documentary film "The Golden Bell Shines Brightly," Le Thi Thuy Trang, interacts with viewers at the premiere. (Photo: TFS)

The documentary "Golden Bell Shines Bright" was produced to commemorate the 20-year journey of the competition, honor the singers who have participated, and especially to celebrate the unwavering passion and creativity passed down from generation to generation.

The film not only portrays the artistic journey but also conveys the message: "20 years of 'Golden Bell of Traditional Vietnamese Music' - a place to ignite passion."

This is how Ho Chi Minh City Television - TFS Film Studio expresses its gratitude to its audience, while also spreading the enduring values of Southern Vietnamese Cai Luong (traditional opera) to today's generation.

Film director Le Thi Thuy Trang said: “In making the film, we had to consider what the important milestones in the 20-year journey of 'Golden Bell of Traditional Vietnamese Opera' were so that when included in the film, they would leave a lasting impression on the audience. Viewers will not only meet the outstanding singers of the program but also see documentary footage, behind-the-scenes images, and touching memories from contestants, artists, and the dedicated crew.”

Appearing in the documentary "Golden Bell Shines," the heartfelt words of Meritorious Artist Hoang Thanh helped the audience and fellow artists better understand the work and feelings of musicians and instrumentalists in the orchestra—the unsung heroes who play a crucial role in honoring the voices of the contestants.

"There were times when we saw that the contestants weren't in sync with the orchestra, and we felt sad and worried. We didn't want to eat; we just focused on practicing to help the contestants' performances improve," shared Meritorious Artist Hoang Thanh.

Meritorious Artist Thu Van, "Golden Bell of Traditional Opera" 2009, performs at the film premiere. (Photo: TFS)

Through "Golden Bell Shines," viewers witnessed the growth of many artists who were once contestants in the competition. After a long and arduous artistic journey, with the "Golden Bell of Traditional Vietnamese Music" competition as a springboard, many contestants have now been awarded the titles of People's Artist and Meritorious Artist by the state. Many others continue to work alongside the program in different roles and positions: coaches for the contestants.

Having won the first season of "Golden Bell of Traditional Vietnamese Music" at the young age of 17, Meritorious Artist Vo Minh Lam is currently a coach for contestants participating in the 2025 competition.

It can be affirmed that the "Golden Bell of Cai Luong" award served as a stepping stone for Vo Minh Lam to advance further in his artistic career, securing a firm position in the city's Cai Luong scene and, most importantly, in the hearts of his fans today.

Returning to "Golden Bell of Traditional Vietnamese Music" as a coach, Vo Minh Lam shared that he focuses on guiding contestants to identify their strengths and weaknesses, so they can choose excerpts that suit their talents. This is also what contestant Vo Minh Lam received from the artists who came before him in the first season of Golden Bell 20 years ago.

The champions of "Golden Bell of Traditional Opera" interact with the audience. (Photo: TFS)

Beyond simply reflecting on the past, the film also raises questions for the present and future: how can Cai Luong (Vietnamese traditional opera) continue to shine and reach younger audiences in the digital age?

Therefore, it can be affirmed that "Golden Bell of Traditional Vietnamese Music" is not just a competition, but an artistic journey closely connected to the cultural and spiritual life of the people of Southern Vietnam in particular and the whole country in general.

Mr. Cao Anh Minh, General Director of Ho Chi Minh City Television Station, said that despite many difficulties, the station is still striving to ensure that "Golden Bell of Traditional Vietnamese Opera" continues to resonate, reaching audiences who love traditional Vietnamese opera and cải lương (reformed opera), especially young audiences, so that through the program, young viewers will appreciate the beauty and charm of this traditional art form, characteristic of the southern region.

"The Golden Bell Shines Brightly" is not just a documentary film, but also a solemn and emotional memoir about the journey of preserving and spreading the Vọng Cổ folk song over the past 20 years.

The film serves as a bridge between memory and the present, between traditional art and the younger generation, contributing to affirming the enduring vitality of Southern Vietnamese cải lương (traditional opera).

The film officially premiered on the HTVm app at 2:30 PM on September 25th. Simultaneously, audiences nationwide can also watch the complete film on TFS and Tiệm phim digital platforms. This will be an opportunity for the general public, especially those who love cải lương (Vietnamese traditional opera), to look back on the 20-year journey of the "Golden Bell of Traditional Opera" competition.

LINH BAO

Source: https://nhandan.vn/chang-duong-20-nam-toa-sang-cua-chuong-vang-vong-co-post910736.html