HCMC's story-telling circus show sells out fast

Since the Lunar New Year holiday in late January, social media has been flooded with images and videos of the show "Vung dat ky bi" (The mysterious land), performed at Gia Dinh Park Circus by Phuong Nam Art Theater.

"Gia Dinh Park Circus" trended on TikTok in February, with most reviews praising its immersive storytelling, unlike traditional circus acts.

"It's no longer just animals, clowns, or acrobatics. Instead, this show tells a story, leading the audience into a new world," said Rubi Lee, a HCMC resident.

A performance from the show "The mysterious land". Photo courtesy of Ho Chi Minh City Circus

The storyline is based on a village suffering from a severe drought. The villagers believe in a legend, which suggests that drumming with sacred offerings can summon rain. To save their land, the village chief initiates a competition to select the strongest person to embark on a quest.

The chosen individual must retrieve five elemental stones - metal, wood, water, fire, and earth - which represent the five fundamental elements in Eastern philosophy. The performance takes the audience through five mystical journeys.

Rubi discovered the show online and was surprised it was at a venue she had visited years ago. Impressed by its scenes, she tried to buy tickets but found only edge seats available.

Initially scheduled for 10 days during Tet, the show was extended due to high demand, with each 800-seat performance selling out. Currently, it runs at 8 p.m. on weekdays and at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. on weekends.

"Due to high demand, the theater added four shows on March 1-2 and 8-9, all now fully booked," a representative said.

The management is considering two additional performances on March 15-16 to meet demand.

Director Nguyen Quoc Cong said the performers were surprised by the show's unexpectedly large local and tourist audience.

Performers blend acrobatics, acting, and choreography in sync with the music. Photo courtesy of Ho Chi Minh City Circus

Cong shared that the production took two years and involved 24 artists.

Commissioned by HCMC authorities, it aimed to offer a fresh entertainment experience with investments in stage design, props, and training.

The show reinvents circus techniques with aerial acts, modern staging, and expressive storytelling, aligning with global trends.

The 6-meter-tall stone figure featured in the show. Photo by Rubi Lee

A key factor in the show's success is its open recording policy, allowing audiences to share clips online while avoiding spoilers.

Thu Trang, a HCMC resident, discovered it through social media and compared it to Cirque du Soleil's KÀ in Las Vegas.

"Ticket prices range from VND150,000 to VND350,000 ($6 to $14), cheaper than the tickets for circus shows in Las Vegas, yet equally spectacular," Trang said.

Pham Anh Vu, Deputy General Director of Viet Tourism, emphasized the need for more performances like this to enhance visitor experiences. With limited art shows in Vietnam, he sees them as key to boosting destination appeal.

He noted that in Siem Reap, Bangkok, and China, such performances have thrived for decades.