Vietnamese television fans received unexpected news this week as NSND Xuân Bắc, the beloved host of "Vua tiếng Việt" (King of Vietnamese), will no longer be at the helm of the popular language game show starting with its fifth season. The announcement, made by VTV3 on September 10, 2025, has sparked both nostalgia and curiosity about the show’s future direction, as producers have yet to reveal who will step into the coveted MC role.
For four seasons, Xuân Bắc’s presence was inseparable from the show’s identity. According to Dân trí, "MC Xuân Bắc has left a deep impression with his witty, intelligent, and charming hosting style, contributing to the program’s resounding success." Viewers have grown accustomed to his quick humor and lively manner, often crediting him as a key ingredient in the show’s appeal and longevity. As VTV3’s official fanpage put it, "Season 5 of 'Vua tiếng Việt' will continue that journey with a brand new face in the MC position."
The news of Xuân Bắc’s departure was first shared on the evening of September 9, 2025, and quickly became a hot topic among Vietnamese TV audiences. Social media buzzed with speculation, with names like Lê Anh, Sơn Lâm, Thành Trung, Tuấn Tú, and Trần Ngọc thrown into the ring as potential successors. However, the production team has remained tight-lipped, only promising that the new MC will be revealed during the broadcast on September 12, 2025, leaving fans on the edge of their seats.
Behind the scenes, the reason for Xuân Bắc’s exit is a matter of professional commitments. As Dân trí reported, his responsibilities as Head of the Performing Arts Department have made it difficult for him to continue dedicating time to the demanding role of MC. A source close to the production shared, "He has left an impression with the audience. Many people mention 'Vua tiếng Việt' and immediately think of artist Xuân Bắc. But hopefully, the new face will also contribute to the next season’s success."
"Vua tiếng Việt" first aired in 2021, quickly becoming a staple for language lovers and trivia enthusiasts across the country. Produced by Vietnam Television (VTV), the show was designed to honor and promote the beauty and richness of the Vietnamese language through a series of engaging rounds. Each episode challenges contestants with vocabulary, grammar, and folk sayings—elements that highlight the depth and versatility of Vietnamese. The competition is structured around four main rounds: Phản xạ (Reflex), Giải nghĩa (Explanation), Xâu chuỗi (Linking), and Soán ngôi (Throne Challenge), each with increasing levels of difficulty.
Throughout its run, "Vua tiếng Việt" has not only celebrated linguistic prowess but also created memorable moments for both contestants and viewers. On February 7, 2025, the coveted "throne" was claimed by Võ Thị Thu Hiền, a 42-year-old resident of Hanoi, in a fiercely contested episode. In the most recent season, contestant Hoàng Trọng Sang, a 36-year-old communications specialist with a background in journalism, took home the grand prize of 320 million VND, further cementing the show’s reputation for rewarding both knowledge and quick thinking.
Xuân Bắc’s tenure as host is widely credited for bringing a sense of warmth and relatability to the program. His ability to inject humor and keep the atmosphere light, even as the competition heated up, endeared him to audiences of all ages. As Tien Phong described, "He is loved by the audience for his humorous and lively hosting style." For many, his departure signals the end of an era.
Still, the show has not been without its challenges. Over the years, "Vua tiếng Việt" has faced criticism from language experts and attentive viewers for occasional errors in questions and answers. Hoàng Tuấn Công, a respected researcher and author of a well-known Vietnamese dictionary, pointed out that the show’s limited reference materials have sometimes led to mistakes. "The errors stem from the scripting stage. The team didn’t anticipate what could arise outside of the script and couldn’t handle hot situations on the stage," he noted. These criticisms have not gone unheard. Leadership at Vietnam Television has reportedly convened with responsible parties to address these fundamental errors and provide answers to concerned audiences. Their goal: to ensure the show continues to uphold its educational mission and maintain public trust.
Despite these hiccups, "Vua tiếng Việt" remains a beloved fixture on Vietnamese television. Its unique blend of entertainment and education has sparked renewed interest in the nuances of the Vietnamese language, drawing in both young and old. The program’s format, which explores everything from idioms to proverbs and wordplay, serves as a reminder of the language’s richness and the importance of cultural preservation.
As the show prepares to enter its fifth season, anticipation is running high. The absence of Xuân Bắc leaves big shoes to fill, and the identity of the new MC is a well-guarded secret. Will the next host bring a fresh perspective while honoring the legacy of their predecessor? Audiences are eager to find out, and the upcoming season promises to be a pivotal moment in the show’s history.
For now, fans can only speculate and reminisce about the moments that made "Vua tiếng Việt" a household name. As the program embarks on a new chapter, it carries with it the hopes of continuing to inspire a love for language, curiosity, and learning. Whether the new MC can capture the same magic as Xuân Bắc remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the journey to celebrate Vietnamese language and culture is far from over.
The stage is set for change, and all eyes are on VTV3 as the next episode draws near.
