After the first season with unexpected success and controversy, the local version of Dutch singing reality show “The Voice Kids” will officially kick off starting Apr 15.

The online preliminary round of the competition, intended for kids aged from 9 to 15, is running from February to April 15.

Those interested can enter gionghatvietnhi.com.vn for detailed information and application.

The direct preliminary round will take place in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and Da Nang from Apr 15 to May 5.

The show’s first Blind Auditions are set to air in June.

The first season of “The Voice Kids Vietnam” was well received as it showcased the stunning singing voices and performing skills of young contestants such as Phuong My Chi, Nguyen Quang Anh and Linh Lan.

My Chi has been a singing sensation among the audiences and netizens with her haunting folk songs.

However, the show also ended in September last year with certain controversy as before the finale, two dispatches thought to be issued by the Thanh Hoa Department of Education and Training and Thanh Hoa’s Dong Son Ward People’s Committee  were shared online. In the documents, the authorities called on local officials, teachers and students to vote for Quang Anh. Anh was later named champion.

The documents instantly drew ire from netizens, who expressed their strong disagreement with the authorities’ involvement with a kid’s entertainment show.

Concern was also raised if adults interfered in a kid’s playground too much, and if the adults’ ambition to win overpowered the children’s dream of just being onstage and singing.

The show also attracted criticism for its use of adult songs and the loss of the young contestants’ innocence to some extent.