Ho Chi Minh City: Close-up of Phu Tho Multi-purpose Circus and Performance Theater worth nearly 1,400 billion VND

"After the merger, Ho Chi Minh City has a population of up to 14 million people, so the inauguration and operation of Phu Tho Circus and Multi-purpose Performance Theater has great significance, contributing to improving the spiritual life of the people, serving the goal of building a civilized, modern, and humane city," Vice Chairwoman of Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Tran Thi Dieu Thuy emphasized.

To celebrate the 80th anniversary of National Day September 2 and to welcome the 11th Congress of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee (term 2020 - 2025), on the morning of August 19 in Ho Chi Minh City, the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee and the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Culture and Sports solemnly held the inauguration ceremony of Phu Tho Circus and Multi-purpose Performance Theater, with a total investment of nearly 1,400 billion VND.

Attending the ceremony were Deputy Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee - Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Ho Chi Minh City Nguyen Phuoc Loc, Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Tran Thi Dieu Thuy, Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Culture and Sports Tran The Thuan, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium and many artists.

Vice Chairwoman of Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Tran Thi Dieu Thuy speaks at the inauguration ceremony

Photo: QUYNH TRAN

It is known that, thanks to the support of the Belgian government , since 2003, the leaders of Ho Chi Minh City have assigned the Department of Culture and Sports of Ho Chi Minh City to plan the construction of a multi-purpose circus and performance project, with an area of 10,000 ^m2 located at Phu Tho racetrack (Lu Gia street, old District 11). The project was designed by Afmea Circus Group (Belgium), a very experienced unit in this field, with the hope that when completed, it will be the most modern multi-purpose circus and performance in Southeast Asia.

However, due to various reasons, the project was "stalled" for a long time. It was not until October 31, 2019 that the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee issued an approval decision and the project started on April 25, 2023, and was topped out on September 6, 2024.

Phu Tho Circus and Multi-Purpose Performance Theater - a new typical cultural institution of Ho Chi Minh City

Phu Tho Circus and Multi-purpose Performance Theater is located on Lu Gia Street, Phu Tho Ward, in the Phu Tho Sports - Cultural Complex, with an area of 10,000 ^m2 , with a total investment of 1,395 billion VND. The project is classified as Group A, level I, with 2 basements and 12 floors above ground, with a total height of 57.5 m. The total floor area is nearly 29,500 ^m2 , including: 2,000-seat main auditorium with a central stage, 24 m high ceiling, integrated with modern sound - light - stage mechanics, meeting complex performance techniques such as flying trapeze, hanging, controlled falling on the raised and lowered stage floor system, lake, ice rink.

Phu Tho Circus and Multi-purpose Performance Theater has a modern scale and architecture according to international standards and is one of the typical new cultural institutions of Ho Chi Minh City.

Entrance to circus performance hall

2,000-seat main auditorium with central stage, 24 m high ceiling

Central performance stage

Guests visit the circus performance center

Photo: QUYNH TRAN

Phu Tho Multi-purpose Circus and Performance Center has an auditorium and a 300-seat practice room on the 8th floor, fully equipped with training, acrobatics, and aerial performance equipment – meeting the standards of a practice stage. An exhibition and conference area on the 10th floor, a large-capacity dining and kitchen area on the 11th floor, and a multi-functional rooftop terrace that can operate F&B services, sightseeing, and organize outdoor events.

The technical highlight of the project is the 52m-span floor system on floors 6, 7, and 8, which requires advanced construction solutions to ensure maximum safety and stability for operating a heavy-duty stage. The traffic flow - escape and fire protection system is designed to international standards, ensuring a safe and convenient experience for audiences and artists.

Sharing the joy with the people of Ho Chi Minh City when one of the typical new cultural institutions of Ho Chi Minh City came into operation, Vice Chairwoman of Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Tran Thi Dieu Thuy requested the managing unit to urgently train highly skilled engineers and operators, because the equipment of Phu Tho Circus and Multi-purpose Performance Theater is very new and modern. "We must quickly develop a project, call for open bidding for the project so that it can operate itself in the next 5 years, move towards autonomy, and at the same time plan to organize the first performance in 2025 so that the stage is constantly lit, creating a space for dedicated artists to perform, serving the public and tourists...", Ms. Dieu Thuy emphasized.

Ground floor of Phu Tho Circus and Multi-purpose Performance Theater

On every floor you can see Ho Chi Minh City from above, there are many ideal photo spots.

Phu Tho Circus and Multi-purpose Performance Theater has a modern scale and architecture according to international standards.

Photo: QUYNH TRAN

The Ho Chi Minh City Civil and Industrial Construction Investment Project Management Board is committed to building the project into a multi-functional performance - training - event organization complex, where leading stage technical standards and optimal architectural solutions converge, serving both performing arts and operating large-scale events.

In the next phase, the construction unit will continue to provide technical support so that the beneficiary unit can effectively use the equipment and technology of the 2,000-seat performance stage and 300-seat auditorium; organize the handover to put the project into operation on schedule, officially serving the audience from the end of the year.

The Phu Tho Circus and Multi-Purpose Performance Theater model will combine core content (circus, puppetry, multimedia performing arts) with diverse events such as musicals, ballets, concerts, festivals, television programs, conferences, exhibitions, etc.; adding international standard space for high-tech performance types, from traditional to contemporary, and will be the "stage of great works" of international art troupes.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/tphcm-can-canh-rap-xiec-va-bieu-dien-da-nang-phu-tho-gan-1400-ti-dong-185250819130224261.htm