From the Himalayas to Bangkok: Nepal Takes Its First Steps onto the Eurovision Stage
Nepal will choose its first ever entry for the Eurovision Song Contest Asia on 7 October on Nepal Decides, with 11 artists competing for a place on the stage in Bangkok this November. After a hard stretch of political turmoil and natural disasters, this is Nepal's chance to send the world a message of hope and write its own story through music.
The Eurovision Song Contest is the world's longest-running annual international televised music competition. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) launched it in 1956, and since then it has built a lasting legacy that celebrates the diversity of Europe through music, culture and performance. Now this European staple is turning east, to the multicultural melting pot of Asia.
The Eurovision Song Contest Asia makes its debut on 14 November 2026 in Bangkok, Thailand. Eleven countries will take part in the first edition: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, the Philippines, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam.
This isn't Eurovision's first flirtation with Asia. Australia has competed since 2015, when it first entered on a special invitation. But the dream of an "Asiavision" has been anything but smooth, with years of delays, postponements and cancellations. Finally the hype has become real, and Asia-Pacific has a stage to show itself to the world and build a legacy of its own.
Nepal will choose its artist and song on 7 October 2026 on Nepal Decides, broadcast live on Himalaya TV and streamed on YouTube. Eleven acts will compete to become Nepal's first ever Eurovision representative, and every entry can be heard on the official Eurovision Song Contest Asia YouTube channel:
- Allam Aadesh, "Project Byakta" (YouTube)
- Amit Baral, "Sundar Sansar" (YouTube)
- Amrita Limbu, "Madhos Raat" (YouTube)
- Beyond, "Control" (YouTube)
- Bullet Flo x Preeti Kaur, "Golden Danfe" (Instagram)
- Meghna Gewali, "Kanchi Nani" (YouTube)
- Nirmala Ghale, "Mero Message Ko Answer Khoi" (YouTube)
- Pratik Himal Rai, "Ananta Maya" (YouTube)
- Prithvi Khanal, "Dhumba Talai Ma" (YouTube)
- RC Rimal, "Maya Bistarai" (YouTube)
- Suraj Tamang, "Gorkhali Keto" (YouTube)
We don't yet know how the voting will unfold or who will be chosen to carry Nepal's voice to Bangkok. But we have faith that Nepal will decide right, and send a song that truly represents the country as it stands today.
Nepal has recently been hit by political turmoil, climate disasters and natural disasters, and it will be one to watch. Even Nepal Decides was pushed back four weeks after flash floods struck the north of the country in August.
Music transcends language. In a world where the biggest and loudest voices are heard first, this is Nepal's chance to send the world a different message. Not one of sadness and despair, but one of hope. It's a message young boys and girls can hear, feel and believe: even in darkness, the dimmest light can shine the brightest.
Only the test of time will answer the bigger questions about this contest. But as the world prays for Nepal, I pray that Nepal can stamp its own narrative on this stage and build a legacy of its own.
CityVision TV will continue to follow the Eurovision Song Contest Asia with great interest.