When "mermaid" from fairy tale becomes attractive job in real life

No longer only in Andersen's stories, the image of the mermaid is gradually coming to life through mermaid diving, a unique combination of sports, performance and art. In Vietnam, this new profession not only opens up a creative direction for the entertainment industry but also reflects the journey of passion and perseverance of people who dare to dream and dare to do.

When mermaids step out of fairy tales

In popular culture, the image of mermaids is associated with romantic and fantasy stories. But in many countries such as the US, Japan or the Philippines, this image has become a form of performance with special appeal. Water parks, aquariums or beach resorts often organize mermaid shows to serve audiences, especially children.

A mermaid show at the water park. Photo: NVCC

In Vietnam, the concept of “mermaid profession” is still quite new. Only since 2018 has mermaid diving been introduced by a few small groups, mainly combining diving techniques and performing arts. Participants put on a mermaid tail weighing from 3 to 5 kg, dive deep and hold their breath underwater to recreate soft, magical movements. Behind those sparkling footage is a process of physical training, breathing control skills and the courage to face risks.

Experts say mermaid diving is essentially a variation of freediving. Performers do not use oxygen tanks at all, relying only on endurance and breathing control. This makes occupational risks always close at hand. A freediving instructor said: "Not everyone can pursue it, because in addition to technique, performers need great passion to persevere."

It is noteworthy that the mermaid profession does not stop at performing but also opens up a path for training and experience. At workshops, from children to adults can wear a mermaid tail and practice swimming underwater. This is not only an entertainment activity but also helps many people become more attached to swimming, an important survival skill in modern society.

Currently, Vietnam has a long coastline and a growing system of aquariums and water parks. If properly invested, mermaid shows can completely become a unique tourism product, attracting domestic and foreign visitors.

The Journey of a “Real-Life Mermaid”

From that panorama, it is easy to see the silhouettes of pioneering individuals who are quietly building their careers. In particular, the case of Dang Ngát, a former female swimming champion, is a typical example. Ngát transformed into a mermaid to demonstrate to participants in the mermaid experience workshop in Ho Chi Minh City.

Dang Ngát, a female athlete and swimming instructor, demonstrates a mermaid diving workshop.

Born in Hanoi and raised by the water, Dang Ngát has been a high-achieving athlete since the age of 14. The path to professional sports opened up before her, but she chose to also work as a swimming teacher while studying at Bac Ninh University of Physical Education and Sports. Her love for water was part of her childhood and also the foundation for her later steps.

In 2023, when she first learned about mermaid diving, Ngát realized that this was not simply a disguise but a way to turn fairy tale characters into reality. With some young people, she co-founded the group "Mermaid Village", organizing classes, workshops and performances in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City as well as many big events such as Bao Son Paradise Park, Lotte Aquarium West Lake...

To maintain her sparkling image underwater, Ngát and her colleagues have to endure many hardships, from carrying tails weighing tens of kilograms, holding their breath for long periods of time, to wearing waterproof makeup that causes skin irritation. She even nearly had an accident due to exhaustion during the performance. But overcoming the dangers, Ngát still persevered in her profession, considering the eager eyes of children as the greatest “spiritual trophy”.

According to the sharing, the cost of pursuing this sport is not small. A mermaid tail costs from 2 to 20 million VND, while the income from each performance is only enough to cover basic expenses. However, for Ngát and many people in the group, the motivation does not lie in finance but in the desire to bring joy and magic to the audience.

This uniqueness opens up development prospects. In the context of the Vietnamese entertainment industry looking for new forms, mermaid diving promises to become an interesting "piece", both connected with fairy tale culture and creating a visual experience for the audience.

However, for this profession to have a sustainable foothold, strategic steps are needed, which are to build specialized stages, standardize training programs, enhance performance safety and widely promote. It is a difficult but promising path. For Dang Ngát himself, the belief in that future is always clear: "I believe that one day soon, mermaids will not only be a fairy tale but will become a real art form, recognized and respected by society."

In a world full of pressure and pragmatism, perhaps dreams like these will contribute to enriching spiritual life, so that everyone believes that fairy tales still have a place in real life, especially those with innocent eyes who believe that mermaids are real.

baotintuc.vn

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/khi-tien-ca-tu-co-tich-tro-thanh-nghe-hap-dan-trong-doi-thuc-post882522.html