Vietnam Television’s (VTV) popular game show Vua tiếng Việt is entering a new era. On September 11, 2025, VTV officially announced that NSND Xuân Bắc, the beloved host who helped define the show’s identity for four consecutive seasons, will not be returning as master of ceremonies for the upcoming fifth season. Instead, the familiar microphone will be passed to BTV Sơn Lâm, a seasoned presenter with more than 15 years of experience on VTV’s airwaves. The show’s first episode under new stewardship is set to air on September 12, 2025, at 9 PM on VTV3, marking a significant moment for both the program and its devoted audience.
The news, shared across multiple platforms including VTV3’s official fanpage and the show’s own social media, quickly sparked a wave of speculation among fans. Names like Ngọc Huy, Tuấn Tú, Công Tố, Thành Trung, Lê Anh, Nguyên Khang, and Trần Ngọc were floated as potential replacements. However, it was Sơn Lâm who ultimately garnered the most attention and, as it turns out, the coveted role. In a behind-the-scenes video posted to the show’s fanpage, Sơn Lâm playfully teased, “I will reveal a ‘secret’ about the new season of Vua tiếng Việt,” before confirming, “It’s me, the new host of Vua tiếng Việt.”
This transition is no small matter for the show’s loyal following. Since its debut in 2021, Vua tiếng Việt has stood out for its mission to honor and promote the richness, depth, and subtlety of the Vietnamese language. Through a series of challenges involving vocabulary, grammar, and proverbs, the program has celebrated the beauty of the national language, drawing in viewers from all walks of life. Xuân Bắc, with his signature blend of charm, wit, and erudition, became synonymous with the show’s spirit. According to VietNamNet, his ability to master the stage and connect with both players and the audience was instrumental in establishing the program’s unique brand.
For Sơn Lâm, stepping into such well-worn shoes is both an honor and a source of anxiety. “When I received the invitation to join the program, I was overjoyed to the point of trembling, but also… a bit nervous,” he admitted in interviews with several outlets including Tuổi Trẻ and VietNamNet. “The joy comes from the fact that not everyone has the opportunity to stand on a stage already beloved by so many viewers. The nerves are because, after four seasons, Xuân Bắc’s image has become a hard-to-replace standard for the host’s role.”
Sơn Lâm is no stranger to the demands of live television. Over the past decade and a half, he has left his mark on a variety of VTV programs, from “Điểm tuần” and “Chuyện nóng” on Chuyển động 24h to “Việc tử tế” and numerous arts and commentary shows. His hosting style—often described as witty, deep, natural, and humorous—has helped make news segments more approachable and engaging, a quality that many hope will translate well to the unique format of Vua tiếng Việt. As Baogiaothong notes, his light sarcasm and charm have endeared him to viewers, making him one of the network’s most popular editors and presenters.
Still, the pressure is undeniable. The show’s format, which requires not just entertainment skills but also a strong command of the Vietnamese language, puts both the advisory panel and the host under the microscope. Xuân Bắc, despite his popularity, occasionally faced criticism from viewers for factual missteps related to language content. This reality is not lost on Sơn Lâm. He told Tuổi Trẻ Online, “I remind myself to preserve the soul of the game show: honoring the richness of Vietnamese, making each word and sentence come alive. At the same time, I turn pressure into motivation to be more meticulous with every line I deliver, every rule I explain, every reaction on stage.”
Rather than trying to outshine or replace his predecessor, Sơn Lâm is determined to chart his own course. “No matter how hard I try, I cannot be a copy of Xuân Bắc, but I can be the best version of Sơn Lâm,” he stated candidly. On his personal social media, he reflected, “Why should I try to surpass the ‘shadow’ of a successful program? That shadow is the love audiences have for the show’s previous version. I just need to respect what has passed and continue the journey with my own rhythm.”
The audience’s expectations are sky-high, and Sơn Lâm is well aware of the challenge. He sees both the weight of Xuân Bắc’s legacy and the benefit of inheriting a program already cherished by viewers. “The pressure is facing the high standards set by Xuân Bắc. But the good fortune is stepping onto a stage that already has so much love from the audience, paved by an artist I deeply admire,” he told VietNamNet. He hopes that each Friday night, viewers will not only tune in for entertainment but also find themselves laughing and falling a little more in love with the Vietnamese language.
The show’s producers, too, are looking forward to this new chapter. They emphasized that while the host’s role is crucial, the heart of Vua tiếng Việt remains its celebration of language—its richness, humor, and the deep connection it fosters among Vietnamese people. The program’s unique blend of competition and cultural pride has made it a staple since its 2021 debut, and both the production team and its new host are eager to keep that tradition alive.
As the curtain rises on season five, all eyes will be on Sơn Lâm to see how he navigates the delicate balance between respecting the show’s storied past and infusing it with his own personality. If his previous work is any indication, viewers can expect a thoughtful, lively, and authentic approach—one that honors the program’s mission while bringing a fresh energy to the stage. “I hope that every Friday night, on VTV3, the audience will both watch, laugh, and love Vietnamese a little more,” Sơn Lâm shared with Tuổi Trẻ Online.
With a new host at the helm and a loyal fanbase eager for the next chapter, Vua tiếng Việt stands poised to continue its journey as a beloved celebration of language, culture, and the enduring connection between words and people.
