‘Historic' move ends reality dance contest

Unrestrained: Thu Thuy (left) and Ngan Khanh are joyous after winning the Buoc Nhay Hoan Vu competition on Saturday night. — Photo tuoitre.vn

This is the first time in the competition's history that two top prizes have been awarded.

The result did not raise many eyebrows since most of the audience expected one of the two pairs to win the final, as they had taken turns to win the The Most Favourite Couple vote week after week.

Throughout the competition, the two couples not only staged beautiful performances, but also showed amazing technique, surprising all judges and delighting the audience.

In the finale at the HCM City's Nguyen Du Gymnasium, Ngan Khanh and her dance mate Kris were energetic and creative as expected, going airborne as they danced to the Earth Song by Michael Jackson.

They also did justice to the Shakespearean tragedy that befalls the beautiful Desdemona at the hands of her despotic lover Othello in another presentation featuring rumba, pasodoble and contemporary dance that judge Hong Viet said was "the best ever performance of Buoc Nhay Hoan Vu to date.

Alongside the golden prize, the couple also bagged the The Most Creative Couple title.

Unfolding tragedy: Ngan Khanh and her dance mate Kris perform a dance based on the Shakespearean drama Othello. — Photo baohomnay.com

A strong rival of Khanh, Thu Thuy and partner Daniel presented a very sophisticated and romantic ballet dance as they moved to Whtney Houston's mega-hit, I Will Always Love You. Thuy's ballet dance skills "can compare with any other professional dancer", judge Tran Ly Ly exclaimed.

Both couples received the highest score of 40 from four judges. The audience vote matched that of the judges with a difference of just 0.01 per cent, organisers said. While Khanh received 30.31 per cent, Thuy got 30.30 per cent.

With little to choose between their scores and the audience's vote, the judges made the "historical" decision to award both finalists the golden prize.

The finale also featured drama actress Thanh Van and her dance mate Atanas, who won admiration for coming up with exciting ideas.

The mother-of-two had many members of the audience in tears as she presented the painful emotions of a mother who has lost her child.

With an audience vote of 29.5 per cent, Van scooped the silver prize.

While the two finalists won VND150 million (US$7,100) each, the runner-up got VND120 million ($5,700).

The reality show is produced by the Viet Nam Television and the Cat Tien Sa Media and Television Company.