Launched in 2003 and staged annually by the Foundation for Cultural Promotion each 13 December in honour of late President Kaysone Phomvihane's birthday, the National Khene Competition aims to raise awareness among Lao people, especially the younger generation, about the musical traditions prevalent in their culture. In addition, it aims to reveal the rhythms and sounds of original khene music, while promoting new sounds in order to expand the musical use of the instrument. The first prize winner of the competition receives a khene plus a cash prize of four million kip, the second prize winner gets a khene and two million kip, and the third prize winner gets a khene and one million kip. In 2004 all three top prize winners came from Vientiane.