Recently, on the occasion of its 69th founding anniversary (January 16, 1956 - January 16, 2025), the Vietnam Circus Federation announced the opening of its new performing arts centre.

A circus act on a square stage.

Participants at the launch ceremony were entertained with a special circus programme entitled ‘Colourful Stage’.

For the first time, on a square stage with an area of 140 sq m and a capacity of 300 guests, circus lovers witnessed the unique combination of aerial acrobatics, juggling, tumbling, and balancing acts.

The acts were supported by a large LED screen and modern projection technology and sound system.

The square-shaped stage has shown superiority compared to the available round stage of the circus federation as it can create more flexible scene changes in a large closed space.

Director of the Vietnam Circus Federation, Tong Toan Thang, said that the stage of the new performing arts centre is designed according to the multi-functional theatre model, which can meet the specific requirements in circus performances and many other art forms.

The federation hopes that this space will act as a meeting venue for circus and many other art languages such as symphony, opera, ballet, ‘cheo; (traditional opera), and ‘cai luong’ (reformed opera), which are not yet facilitated by other places.

According to People's Artist Tong Toan Thang, the square stage has been equipped with many special functions.

The front of the stage is a mobile stage that can be turned into a water tank to create water spray effects and host water music performances.

The auditorium is designed so that artists can perform aerial acrobatics everywhere, and is also feasible to become a vivid film studio with 3D mapping technology that allows the reproduction of vivid images.

While the traditional round stage of the Vietnam Circus Federation serves the general public, the square stage of the new performing arts centre targets smaller group of audience such as family groups, businesses, diplomacy, the elderly.

Located in a prime location inside the Vietnam Circus Federation’s headquarters at 67-69 Tran Nhan Tong Street, Hai ba Trung District, Hanoi, the new performing arts centre possesses an airy space with a spacious car parking area and is expected to become an artistic destination for domestic and international tourists.

Visitors will not only enjoy high-quality artistic products but also learn about the development journey of Vietnamese circus through exhibits at the traditional space. Dining services and assorted cultural experiment are also on offer for visitors.

The federation is working with businesses to diversify its products and services for tourists.

For example, audience at a circus show about the Central Highlands can enjoy traditional dishes and shop unique souvenirs imbued with the cultural identities of Central Highlanders.

According to circus artists, they faced certain difficulties in adapting to a square stage; because the square stage is smaller, it requires more accuracy in timing with sound and lighting effects while delivering the performance.

In the immediate future, the federation will work with theatres and art units under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and call for social investment sources to further promote the newly launched performing arts centre.

The centre plans to host the Ionah show, a unique experience combining modern dance, theatre, circus, music, visual and light effects; the ‘Weekend in Italy’ programme, which features symphony, chamber music and circus together; and new events such as ‘Pho show’ and ‘Bami show’.

The launch of the performing arts centre by the Vietnam Circus Federation is not only expected to offer art lovers with more interesting products but also contributes positively to the development of Vietnam's cultural industry.

Vietnam wins gold medal at International Circus Festival

Vietnamese circus duo Hien Phuoc and Thanh Hoa from the Phuong Nam Art Theatre have won a gold medal at the Kazakhstan International Circus Festival 2023, held from July 26 to 30 in Almaty city.

Bringing the cultural space of the Central Highlands to the circus stage

The Vietnam Circus Federation has recently introduced to the public, a circus play entitled ‘Flame of Love in the Plateau’. Through the language of the circus, combined with many other art forms, the play creates a cultural space imbued with the identities of the Central Highlands region.

Vietnamese circus brothers perform in Milan after setting last world record

Circus artists Giang Quoc Co and Giang Quoc Nghiep performed their signature head-to-head balancing act on the streets of Milan, Italy after setting the final world record of their career.

Vietnamese circus brothers set new world record

Vietnamese acrobatic brothers Giang Quoc Co and Giang Quoc Nghiep set a new world record with their head-balancing act in Milan, Italy on February 3.