Hanoi (VNA) - Music reporters gathered in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to select the nominees for the annual musical awards by the Vietnam News Agency’s The Thao & Van Hoa (Culture & Sport) newspaper.

The judges include music critics and columnists from newspapers, magazines, television, radios and online publications. Based on the shortlist provided by the organising board, the reporters put forward five nominations in each of the nine categories, including producer of the year, song of the year, music video of the year, new artist of the year, album of the year, liveshow of the year, music series of the year, musician of the year and singer of the year.

The reporters also had the chance to suggest their own nominations which were not included on the shortlist. This is the first time judges have been invited to vote directly for artists and acts at the Vietnam News Agency’s offices in Hanoi and HCM City. Five official nominations will be announced by the Culture & Sport newspaper at the end of this month. 

"Unlike previous years where we sent ballot papers by email, this year we want the reporters to come to vote for their nominations directly," said journalist Huu Trinh, one of the organisers. "It is also an opportunity for the reporters to discuss their nominations.”

The annual Devotion Music Awards began in 2004 to promote Vietnamese music and honour artists who have made significant contributions to the music industry.-VNA