HCM CITY — Twenty-two leading bands of the Vietnamese rock music scene will compete in a reality TV music show called "Rock Viet" which will choose the best rock band in the country.

Bands like Aqua Band, Phach Ca, Giấy Gấp and Brainwave promise to bring audiences exciting performances in the show.

The show will include two foreign bands, Umbrella and Coastal Connection, whose members have lived and worked in Viet Nam for several years.

“Rock music has existed around the world for a long time and has never cooled down. Rock Viet is an opportunity for rock fans to enjoy a new and unique show made just for them,” Trịnh Ba Linh, the show’s general director, told local media.

Rock Viet brings together veteran singers Phương Thanh and Đỗ Hoang Hiep as coaches.

Thanh found her desire to sing in 1991. She participated in local singing contests and later performed at music clubs in the city.

The 48-year-old singer is known for her powerful and skillful voice. She shot to fame in the 1990s and 2000s with hit songs such as Mot Thời Đã Xa (One Time) released in 1999, Khi Giấc Mơ Về (When the Dream Comes Back) in 2000, and Vì Em Yeu Anh (Because I Love You) in 2003.

Thanh received several Lan Sóng Xanh (Blue Wave) awards for best singer over a 10-year period. She has released 40 albums, featuring pop and rock music.

In 2021, she introduced a new album Trống Vắng (Lonely) in 2021 featuring hit songs mixed in acoustic rock style.

Hiep is a lead vocalist for the five-member rock band Ngũ Cung (Pentatonic) which was formed in Ha Noi in 2007. The band shot to fame after winning the talent contest "Rock Your Passion" in the same year.

It is popular for its exceptional music, playing rock with ethnic and classical music instruments.

Ngũ Cung has performed at numerous rock concerts and festivals in Viet Nam like Rock Storm and Monsoon Music Festival.

Rock Viet will air on HCM City Television’s channel HTV at 7.30pm every Saturday, beginning on December 11. — VNS