Co-organised by the Department of Performing Arts and the Vietnam Musicians’ Association, the contest received entries from 650 contestants and 35 art groups across the country.

Earlier, the National Traditional Musical Instrument Solo and Orchestra Competition 2020 is scheduled to take place in September, in Buon Ma Thuot City, Dak Lak Province.

However, due to the complicated developments of the COVID-19 epidemic, in order to ensure the safety of epidemic prevention measures, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism decided to hold the contest in five provinces and cities, including Buon Ma Thuot City, Dak Lak Province (September 18-19); Ho Chi Minh City (September 21-23); Thanh Hoa City, Thanh Hoa Province (September 25-26); Vinh Yen City, Vinh Phuc Province (September 28); and Hanoi (September 30 to October 2).

In addition, the contest will be broadcast live on Youtube for the first time.

The contest is open to all groups of artists or individuals who teach or perform traditional musical instruments at public and non-public art clubs and art training institutions nationwide.

The judges will include talented musicians, artists, art researchers and managers who have made contributions to the development of performing arts, especially regarding traditional music instruments.

It aims to honour, preserve and promote the value of music and traditional instruments, thus contributing to enriching Vietnamese culture.

The competition also offers a chance for participants to meet and learn from others’ experience.