Thousands of visitors flocked to Nguyen Hue Pedestrian Street in downtown Ho Chi Minh City to enjoy a number of “fusion” performances, which combine international modern street art with traditional Vietnamese folk culture.
Called “Ho Chi Minh City Street Show”, the new program is scheduled weekly from 8pm - 9pm every Saturday and Sunday night along the pedestrian streets, according to the city’s tourism department.While the main stage on Nguyen Hue street was decorated like a colourful city bus, the “foreigner” street of Bui Vien was decorated to present an active and lively city. As many as six different stages along the pedestrian mall designed in the city’s typical street style will have different performances at the same time.The weekend shows not only feature common street arts like magic and singing but also traditional arts such as folk songs and gong dancing.The creative combination between flash mob dancing with Vietnamese traditional musical instruments is similar to another street corner with a combination of hip-hop music and someone playing a Vietnamese monochord instrument.
Meanwhile, the performance of Nanta, a South Korean non-verbal comedy show that incorporates traditional samul nori rhythms, represents the casual climate of street arts.
The theme of the show will be changed every month and “Summer Heat – Relief” is the theme of June.“I like the exciting climate of the show, it is so stimulating,” said Thanh Phuong, a student at Ton Duc Thang University.Shari Finch, 32, from Australia said, “It is amazing, it is the first time I have experienced such things. I like it very much”.
According to Bui Ta Hoang Vu, Director of Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, besides regular performances, the weekly event is also expected to hold street art competitions in preparation for the larger ambition of organising an international street art festival.
Story: Nguyen Oanh Photos: Thong Hai
