Won the 20th "Golden Bell of Traditional Music" award

Đặng Thị Thùy Dương đoạt giải — From left to right: Mr. Duong Anh Duc - Head of the Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Department of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee, contestant Le Thi Ha Nhu (Silver Bell Award), Mr. Nguyen Phuoc Loc - Deputy Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee - Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front of Ho Chi Minh City, contestant Dang Thi Thuy Duong (Golden Bell Award), Meritorious Artist Ngoc Doi (Training Board) and contestant Vuong Quan Tri (Bronze Bell Award) at the 20th Golden Bell Award Ceremony - 2025

On the evening of September 28, despite the heavy rain, a large audience was present at the Ho Chi Minh City Television Theater to cheer for the Final Ranking Night of the 20th "Golden Bell of Traditional Music" Contest in 2025 organized by Ho Chi Minh City Television (HTV).

The atmosphere in the auditorium heated up every minute with the audience's excitement and the fierce competition between the three best faces of the season: Thuy Duong, Ha Nhu and Quan Tri.

Three historical roles – Three emotional journeys

In this decisive round, the contestants demonstrated their ability to transform into historical characters, requiring depth of acting and stage presence: Thuy Duong chose the role of Empress Thuong Duong in the excerpt of the same name by author Quoc Khanh, expressing her inner, tragic and profound torments in the context of a turbulent royal court.

Quan Tri transformed into Tran Binh Trong, the steadfast and indomitable character in the excerpt "The Spirit of Tran Binh Trong" by authors Duong Linh and Huynh Minh Nhi, leaving an impression with his efforts to overcome himself when he was 16 years old and tried to portray the role of a national hero.

Ha Nhu brings the image of Ngoc Quyen, both strong and filled with historical sentiments in the excerpt "The Night Before the Royal Day" by author Vo Tu Uyen.

In just four weeks of the final round, all three contestants have made clear progress: more stable singing voices, deeper ability to handle character psychology, and especially confidence when standing on the big stage.

Results: Dang Thi Thuy Duong (HCMC) won the 20th Golden Bell Award in 2025 (worth 150 million VND); Le Thi Ha Nhu (Vinh Long) won the Silver Bell Award (worth 80 million VND) and Vuong Quan Tri ( An Giang ) won the Bronze Bell Award (worth 50 million VND).

Jury and Coaching Board – Generation Bridge

The final night's jury included big names of the reformed theater: People's Artist Thanh Nam, People's Artist Trong Phuc, People's Artist Phuong Loan, People's Artist Huu Quoc, and People's Artist Que Tran.

The professional jury members and guest judges all gave many compliments and highly appreciated the learning spirit and efforts of the young contestants when approaching the challenging historical roles. At the same time, they analyzed the weaknesses in singing and acting and gave advice to the contestants to clearly recognize their limitations.

The audience also paid special tribute to the artists in the coaching staff, who came from the "Golden Bell of Traditional Opera" stage and have now become prominent names on the stage: People's Artist Ho Ngoc Trinh, Meritorious Artist Vo Minh Lam and Meritorious Artist Ngoc Doi.

It was their dedication to passing on their profession that contributed to elevating the competition performances, bringing a youthful breath to the final night while still preserving the traditional vọng cổ identity through three historical excerpts.

The contest has received valuable support from its sponsor for the past 20 years, Saigonbank, a unit that has been appreciated by the public and artists of Ho Chi Minh City for its persistent sponsorship of the contest, contributing to discovering and training the next generation of artists for the Cai Luong stage.

Press Council Award – Recognizing New Prospects

This year's Press Council, consisting of veteran journalists who love the reformed theater, has selected a young face with outstanding potential to receive the Special Vote Award.

This is an encouragement for young artists who have passion, courage and ability to go the long way in their career. The Press Council voted for contestant Nguyen Tan Dat to receive the Press Council award.

In the song selection round, three contestants continued to touch the hearts of viewers when choosing songs praising the spirit of artistic work, love of the profession and patriotism.

Celebrating 20 years of Golden Bell of Traditional Music – The journey to keep the passion alive

This year's final ranking night has a special meaning as it takes place on the occasion of the national theater industry joyfully celebrating the Traditional Day of Vietnamese Theater (August 12th of the lunar calendar). On this occasion, HTV organized the 20th Anniversary of the Golden Bell of vọng cổ journey, looking back on a journey of attachment, preservation and development of vọng cổ in the heart of a modern city.

Throughout the season, the contestants focused on competing and had meaningful experiences: visiting veteran artists, interacting with young students and especially the exchange trip with naval soldiers of Region II (Ba Ria - Vung Tau).

This is the way for young artists to better understand the social responsibility of those working in culture and art. Contestant Le Thi Ha Nhu was awarded the contestant with outstanding experience.

Honoring contributions to vọng cổ

On this occasion, the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City awarded certificates of merit to the Ho Chi Minh City Television Station, Saigon Bank for Industry and Trade - Saigonbak and individuals, artists, musicians... who had outstanding achievements in organizing and implementing the program "Golden Bell of Traditional Music" on the occasion of the 20th anniversary.

The Press Jury received a certificate of merit from the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee for their outstanding contributions during the 20-year journey of accompanying the contest. In particular, the journalists who have contributed to spreading the value of vọng cổ were honored, including: Journalist Thanh Hiep (Nguoi Lao Dong Newspaper), Hoang Kim (Thanh Nien Newspaper), Le Thuy Binh (SGGP Newspaper), Linh Doan (Tuoi Tre Newspaper) and Minh Tam (Ho Chi Minh City People's Television Station).

"The 20th Golden Bell of Traditional Opera (Chuong Vang Co) Final Ranking Night - 2025 is a place to honor young talents in the field of reformed opera and a place to honor a 20-year journey of preserving national cultural heritage" - People's Artist Minh Vuong commented.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/dang-thi-thuy-duong-doat-giai-chuong-vang-vong-co-lan-thu-20-2025-19625092818175015.htm