A scene depicting the camaraderie of soldiers, featuring hula hoops, horizontal bar balancing, and unicycles. Beyond circus techniques, the program integrates music, singing, and choreography.

The "Spirit of Vietnam" circus show is running at the Central Circus Theater from 29/8 to 2, 5 and 6/9, coinciding with the 81st National Day anniversary. People's Artist Tong Toan Thang, director of the Vietnam Circus Federation, serves as the artistic director for the program. The show aims to tell stories of nation-building, honor history, and celebrate Vietnamese culture and people through circus arts.

The performance opens with an act evoking national origins, stirring the atmosphere with music and an aerial silks performance by artists Thanh Tuan and Thu Huong.

A highlight of the show is the "Spirit of Dong A" performance, honoring the Tran dynasty warriors and incorporating horse circus.

An artist performs a balancing act, demonstrating leg flexibility. Using a mat as a prop, she combines hand and foot movements for simultaneous spins.

Artists guide pigs performing tricks, rolling mats; geese pulling small carts; dogs and goats jumping through hoops. A buffalo on stage transports viewers back to rural areas.

Beyond historical reenactments, the program celebrates the cultural beauty and people of Vietnam. The beauty of H'Mong women is showcased in an aerial silks act. Before the finale, two artists perform a spin and release confetti, creating a stunning effect.

The first performance on 29/8 saw the Central Circus Theater filled with a diverse audience of all ages.

The animal circus act is one of the most applauded by the audience.

The daring "wheel of death" act features young artists. The audience watches with bated breath as they leap both inside and outside the wheel, even jumping rope and being blindfolded while the wheel spins.

Artist Tong Toan Thang stated that the team developed a script to introduce audiences to the beauty of Vietnamese culture through circus arts.

The first performance on 29/8 drew a diverse audience of all ages, filling the Central Circus Theater. After the show, many people lingered to take photos with the artists. Audience member Nguyen Thi Lien, 73, from Hanoi, attended with her daughter-in-law and grandchild. According to her, the program created a heroic atmosphere, and the artists showcased many techniques that delighted the viewers.

Giang Huy - Phuong Linh