Meritorious Artist Thu Huong:

After outstanding performances and numerous prestigious awards in international competitions, Meritorious Artist Thu Huong, along with her partner, Meritorious Artist Thanh Tuan, frequently appears in performances of the Vietnam Circus Federation, leaving audiences in awe and admiration. Meritorious Artist Thu Huong shared her journey of over 20 years of relentless effort, rigorous training, and aspiration to contribute to the advancement of Vietnamese circus.

Meritorious Artist Thu Huong - Meritorious Artist Thanh Tuan

- How did artist Thu Huong get into circus arts, given her family's tradition in traditional Vietnamese opera (cheo)?

- My grandfather was the late People's Artist Bui Dac Su, former Director of the Vietnam Cheo Theatre, so from a young age, my family wanted me to pursue traditional arts, learning to play musical instruments and sing. But one time, after watching circus artists perform, I was completely captivated by the magical feeling on stage. At the age of 11, my grandfather took me to audition for the Vietnam Circus and Variety Arts College. I was fortunate enough to be selected and determined to pursue it. The early days of learning circus arts were a real challenge. I had to run all day, practice flexibility exercises until I cried, and repeat a movement hundreds of times. But the more I learned, the more I loved the profession. Circus arts gave me the feeling of conquering my own limits.

- Having been involved in the profession for over two decades, what do you remember most about your journey in pursuing circus arts?

- Perhaps it was those times when I stood on the brink of giving up the profession, but then managed to keep going thanks to my love for the stage. In 2016, just a few months before the International Circus Festival in Hue , I broke my foot. When the doctor said I might not be able to continue in the profession, I cried a lot. But then, thinking about having to leave the stage, I couldn't bear it. After a period of casting and rehabilitation, I tried to train again and finally managed to participate in the competition that year. The gold medal I won after that period is very special to me, because it's not just an award, but also a victory of willpower. The circus profession has given me strength, courage, and an unyielding spirit.

- Your performance of "Duo Love," with your husband, Meritorious Artist Vu Thanh Tuan, won a Gold Medal at the Almaty International Circus Festival in Kazakhstan in 2025, a Silver Medal at the International Circus Without Borders in Russia in 2025, and most recently, the Silver Elephant Award at the Golden Elephant International Circus Festival in Spain in 2026. Behind those moments of triumph, there must have been a process of arduous training, right, artist?

- To create a complete performance for an international competition, we had to go through a very rigorous training process, meticulously planning everything from technique to artistry, music , lighting, etc. With "Duo Love," the most difficult move was me hanging my hair above while Thanh Tuan filmed below, suspended by his teeth. This is a technique very few artists in the world can perform. We both had to practice for months. Many people see it on stage as beautiful and romantic, but behind the scenes, there's a lot of pressure and risk. Just a small mistake could cause injury. I think the greatest blessing is that my co-performer is also my husband. When performing at height, a feeling of safety is very important. Having someone who understands and accompanies you in both work and life is incredibly precious.

- Meritorious Artist Thu Huong and Meritorious Artist Thanh Tuan are considered the "golden couple" of Vietnamese circus. What benefits has working together brought them both?

- We met when we were studying at circus school, then we became a couple and got married. I think it's hard for outsiders to fully imagine the pressures of being a circus artist. Every day involves intense training, frequent pain and injuries, and being away from home when touring or competing internationally. Because we're in the same profession, we understand and empathize with each other. Especially on stage, the chemistry and trust between two people are extremely important. What makes me happy is that after many years, we both still maintain our passion for the profession. We always remind each other not to be complacent, to continue creating and raising the difficulty of our acts.

- Having consistently conquered international arenas, where do you see Vietnamese circus standing on the world circus map?

- I think Vietnamese circus has developed very strongly in recent years, both domestically and internationally. When participating in major competitions, we have the opportunity to learn and interact with artists from all over the world. But what makes me proud is that international friends really enjoy performances that are distinctly Vietnamese. Performances like "Quan Ho Swing," "Duo Love," or "Sword Balancing on the Swing" are all popular because they combine difficult techniques with the unique characteristics of Vietnamese circus.

- Despite receiving numerous long-term international performance invitations and winning many major awards, she persistently continues to perform for domestic audiences, especially children. Why is that?

- I've always thought that participating in international competitions or conquering new heights is about self-improvement and serving the audience back home. The Vietnamese audience, especially the children, is the reason I want to stay in this profession for the long term. Every time I see them intently watching, laughing, or cheering at a difficult act, I'm reminded of my own feelings as a child when I first saw a circus. Perhaps it is from a performance like that that a love of art will be nurtured in some young child.

Currently, besides performing, I'm also studying to prepare for the future when I'm no longer performing on stage. I want to continue in this profession, supporting and passing on my experience to young people. I hope that Vietnamese circus will have more and more talented young artists, continuing to bring the image of Vietnam to the world stage.

- We sincerely thank Meritorious Artist Thu Hương!

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/nghe-si-uu-tu-thu-huong-mong-muan-dua-hinh-anh-viet-nam-vuon-xa-tren-san-khau-the-gioi-976488.html