LookAtVietnam – Thanh Thuy may have been the happiest artist at the HCM City Television (HTV) Awards ceremony last Saturday, as she took home two awards for Favourite TV Serial Actress and Favourite Dramatist.

Say cheese: Singer Dan Truong (left), who received the highest number of votes at the HTV Awards 2009 for Favourite Male Singer, with actress and singer Minh Hang at the awards ceremony.

“TV serials are receiving lots of love from audiences,” Thuy said, in tears when she received her first prize.

Also at the event, Dan Truong broke two records at this year’s awards, receiving his third Favourite Male Singer award, keeping his winning streak alive since the inaugural HTV Awards in 2006, and receiving more than 53,000 votes, the contest’s highest turnout.

Truong said he will withdraw from the HTV Awards next year to give other young singers a chance to be honoured.

The three girls in May Trang also won their second award in a row for Favourite Music Band.

The award for Favourite Female Singer was granted to Ho Ngoc Ha, who was also given the organisers’ and sponsors’ awards for Most Friendly Artist, given out to an artist who is actively involved in the station’s charitable community activities.

The 100-episode TV series Mui Ngo Gai (The Scent of Sage Leaves), the first TV production made between Viet Nam and South Korea, got two awards for Favourite TV Serial Actor, granted to Luong The Thanh, and Favourite TV Serial Supporting Actor, granted to Le Khanh.

Phuong Dung, who has worked as a comedian for 30 years, finally grabbed her first award for Favourite Comedian.

Viet Nam’s southern traditional art form, cai luong (reformed opera) still receives attention from audiences, pulling in nearly 4,800 votes for Thanh Ngan to help her win the award for Favourite Cai Luong Artist.

The HTV Awards 2009 contest was organised by HTV and Dong Tay Promotion and recognises performers who have made contributions to the development of the station during the year.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News