Kim Tử Long Says Trí Khang’s Unplugged Voice Is Perfect for a Mekong Drinking Night

Trí Khang’s deep, distinctive voice again caught the attention of Kim Tử Long at the first final-round night of Chuông vàng vọng cổ 2026 on September 6.

Khang performed in the team led by coach Hồ Ngọc Trinh, alongside Huỳnh Văn Tánh and Nguyễn Thị Mỹ Duyên. Their medley focused on central Vietnam, including songs about Thanh-Nghệ-Tĩnh, heritage regions and the central coast. As a native of Khánh Hòa, Khang’s performance carried a connection to his home region.

Kim Tử Long said it was difficult to find a voice as low and unusual as Khang’s, while praising his mature phrasing. He imagined Khang singing without accompaniment on a moonlit night in the Mekong Delta, with friends gathered around a table and a guitar or đờn kìm. “It would be the perfect drinking snack, and the drinkers would be overcome by the pleasure of listening,” he said.

Judge Phượng Loan compared Khang’s voice with that of veteran artist Điền Tử Lang and said it suited older roles. Trọng Phúc called the voice beautiful, unusual and plainspoken, but said Khang still needed stronger highlights and more stage experience. The judges felt he remained timid and had not yet learned to project the full spirit of the song.

All three contestants from Hồ Ngọc Trinh’s team advanced. Mỹ Duyên received the highest score, 95.75, after judges said she had improved significantly and delivered a sweet, confident performance. Four other contestants also moved on: Huỳnh Kim Tho, Trần Văn Khiêm, Nguyễn Phú Yên and Võ Thị Bé. Lâm Chí Ngoán and Nguyễn Thị Ngọc Như did not receive enough points to continue.

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It would be the perfect drinking snack, and the drinkers would be overcome by the pleasure of listening.