Hanoi (VNA) – The ASEAN+3 singing contest 2019,the second of its kind, has been officially launched, open to professional popsingers aged 18-35 from 10 Southeast Asian nations with a view to promotingcultural exchanges in the bloc.

The organising board will receive applications from March 1until May 3.

Contestants should register on the website www.aseansongcontest.com or send twosong records enclosed with English subtitles and registration forms to theemail aseansongcontest@gmail.com.

Organised by Radio “The Voice of Vietnam”, the contest willtake place in Ha Long city, in the northern province of Quang Ninh from July26-29. The semi-final and final rounds are scheduled for July 27 and July 28,respectively.

Guest singers from China, the Republic of Korea and Japanwill perform on the final night.

The contest will be live broadcast on the VTC3 and VietnamJourney television channels, VOV3 and VOV5 radio channels, and the VTC Nowapplication.

On the sidelines of the event, contestants and invitees willhave a chance to enjoy the beauty of UNESCO World Natural Heritage site Ha LongBay and visit Quang Ninh’s modern museum where Vietnam’s history, culture andnature are on display.

The first event of this kind was held in the centralprovince of Thanh Hoa in 2017, with 19 contestants and invited guests takingpart.

Darlin Joy Baje from the Philippines won first prize, whileNi Ni Khin Zaw from Myanmar and Thu Lan from Vietnam took second place.

Two third prizes went to Pham Tien Manh from Vietnamand Alvir Anthony Subrado from the Philippines. –VNA