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| A scene from the poetic dance performance “Hue street vendor” |
Creativity and dedication to the craft
When dancer Tam Thuan executed a difficult yet graceful move, leaping into the air and gliding down to the stage floor in the performance ‘Hue street vendor’, many in the audience were in awe. Such choreography demands intense training and courage.
People’s artist Bach Hac, President of the Dance Artists’ Association, shared: “Dance is a tough profession, but every achievement brings immense happiness. That’s the kind of dedication to the dance that anyone in dance must possess.”
Tam Thuan is not alone. Nearly all dancers of the Hue Dance Artists’ Association share a deep, burning passion. People’s artist Ha The Dung, Vice President of the Ho Chi Minh City Dance Artists’ Association, was pleasantly surprised during cultural exchanges between Hanoi, Hue, and Ho Chi Minh City to see new signs of vitality in Hue’s dance scene: “It was truly surprising to see that recently, Hue’s Dance Association has produced several talented choreographers and performers. They are bold, confident, and know how to innovate.”
Currently, the Hue Dance Artists’ Association has 52 members, including 10 who are also members of the Vietnam Dance Artists’ Association. Besides veteran choreographers such as Cao Chi Hai and Bach Hac, the Association boasts a strong lineup of next-generation choreographers like Mai Trung, Dieu Hy, Anh Hong, Hong Nham, Phan Hoang, Khanh Hiep, and Tam Thuan. Some have advanced their skills through self-training. Two members, choreographers Phan Tuan and Bach Mai, have earned Master’s degrees in Performing Arts from the Hanoi Academy of Theatre and Cinema.
Among the performers are talented artists like Van Hoang, The Tue, Phong Thuy, Kim Tuyen, Le Huyen, Hai Ly, and Thu Thuy; among them are young faces: Tam Thuan, Quoc Phong, Hoai Nam, Pham Loc, Hoai Bo, Anh Tuyet, Quynh Nhu, Xuan Anh… Impressively, choreographers from local theaters and cultural arts schools have participated in workshops for young choreographers and performers, helping to establish a core group leading Hue’s growing dance movement. Regardless of the stage, they light it up with passion, cherishing every move, not only preserving the traditional essence of Hue dance but also paving the way for an inspired and vibrant future.
In the past five years, the dance scene has never been more active. Almost every festival, professional or local celebration, features dance performances. Each move, whether traditional or contemporary, carries the breath of Hue, both nostalgic and refreshingly new.
A standout performance is the poetic dance Hue street vendor, staged by the Association in August 2024, which moved audiences. It was a colorful visual and auditory feast that vividly recreated the familiar image of street vendors, a symbol of daily life and cultural identity in Hue. The fusion of poetry and dance in the setting of old yet aspirational Hue left director Van Thanh, Chairman of the Hue City Theater Association, exclaiming: “This performance proves that contemporary Hue dance is an inexhaustible source of energy, not only reflecting the past but also boldly reaching for the future.”
Dedication and cultural impact
The Dance Artists’ Association has established itself as a vital contributor to the cultural life of contemporary Hue. Dance has featured in major Festival programs such as the Nam Giao Offering Ceremony, Xa Tac Esplanade Ritual, Royal Night, and the Literature and Arts of the Capital, etc., as well as in local festivals like Cau Ngu Festival, Sinh Village Wrestling, Huyen Tran Temple Festival, Lang Co - legend of the sea, Thuan An Calling, and Impressions of Bach Ma… More recently, religious and cultural festivals like the Hue Nam Temple Festival, Vesak day, and commemorations of village founders and craft ancestors have invited dancers to perform in the very heart of rural communities.
From cultural festivals in Hue to cultural weeks in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang, Ninh Binh, Phu Tho, Nghe An, and Thanh Hoa, Hue dance has captivated hearts. But beyond that, Hue dancers have also carried the name of their city to the international stage through exchanges in countries like France, the U.S., Japan, and South Korea. They are not merely performers, but ambassadors of art, carrying the responsibility of preserving national culture while bringing Hue closer to global friends.
In recent years, the International Dance Festival has been held in Hue, including the 2024 edition. It is regarded as a grand gathering of global choreography, providing a valuable opportunity for Hue dancers to exchange and learn.
Hue dance is gradually becoming a new source of vitality. Every step taken by its artists is filled with pride, responsibility, and aspiration to contribute.