Ho Chi Minh City unveils Phu Tho circus theater, named among world’s top 9 circus venues

The event was organized by the Ho Chi Minh City Arts Center to promote the new venue and test technical operations at the theater.

First performance set for April 30

At the introduction, architect Nguyen Huu Phung told visitors that the project had been envisioned by the city for many years.

It is considered one of the world’s top nine circus venues in terms of acrobatics standards.

The project has a total investment of VND1.395 trillion (US$53 million), including two basement levels and 12 above-ground floors, with a total area of 31,600 square meters.

Visitors registered for the April 18 tour were invited into the main stage, which has 2,000 seats.

The front rows can be easily removed to expand the stage space for large-scale performances.

The venue is designed not only for circus and puppetry, but also for various art forms such as music, cai luong (Vietnamese folk opera), drama, and hat boi (Vietnamese classic opera), serving both domestic and international audiences as well as tourists.

Director Tran Duoc of the Ho Chi Minh City Arts Center said the unit is rehearsing under the direction of the Department of Culture and Sports to stage its first performance at the venue on the morning of April 30.

The 90-minute program will feature a variety of performances and will be free of charge for audiences.

Maximizing potential of new iconic venue

During the morning of April 18, visitors not only explored the 2,000-seat main stage but they were also introduced to a smaller 300-seat theater on the eighth floor.

At the main stage, audiences watched rehearsals by circus and puppetry performers, featuring acts such as roller skating, hoop spinning, balance on rollers, circus performances on water, water puppetry, and traditional puppetry.

Many were impressed when, during a rehearsal of 'The Mysterious Land' performance, the stage lowered, and water gradually rose onto it, rather than being manually filled as in the old circus venue at Gia Dinh Park.

New modern technologies introduced by experts also drew strong interest from visitors.

Mai Anh, a resident of Binh Phu Ward, said it takes her about 15 minutes to travel from home to the theater.

Upon hearing about the free tour and experience program, she immediately registered for her family.

Mai Anh said circus performances are easy to watch and highly engaging.

The city’s new modern venue would not only improve the quality of circus programs but also create opportunities for international troupes to perform, allowing audiences to enjoy world-class shows without traveling abroad, she added.

Nguyen Phi Son, deputy director of the Ho Chi Minh City Arts Center, expressed his happiness that local artists now have a modern and well-equipped venue.

He noted that even at the smaller venue in Gia Dinh Park, the center had produced acclaimed programs, and that the new theater would unlock further creative potential.

“This is not only a place for circus and puppetry, but also a shared home for artists across the city and different art forms,” Son said.

“With the city investing in a modern cultural facility, it is our responsibility to make the best use of it to serve the public.”

Both Son and artist Bich Lien said that, alongside excitement, there are concerns about how to quickly master and operate modern technical equipment effectively.

This requires training personnel to use the equipment proficiently to ensure smooth performances.