China-Vietnam friendship singing contest promotes ties

"Several singers have had their careers take off after the contest. They are loved by people in both countries," said Peng, considering that those singers have now become cultural bridges connecting China and Vietnam.

According to Nguyen Hai Linh, acting director of Au Co Art Performing Center in Hanoi, the contest this year attracted greater attention from the public, with the number of contestants at the preliminary round exceeding 100.

"Many of them are driven by their passion for Chinese music and culture to sign up for the competition," he said, adding that contestants this year have very good performing skills, diverse in styles and genres.

As an artist, Linh expressed his hope that more similar cultural events can be held to bolster cultural exchanges, deepen the friendship ties between the two countries and bring the two peoples closer to each other.