National Magic Festival 2023 opens in HCMC

Dozens of veteran and young magicians are performing at the fourth National Magic Festival 2023 in HCM City, which opened November 8. 

The three-day event is organised by the city’s Department of Culture and Sports, in co-operation with Vietnam Theatre Artists’ Association and Việt Nam Circus Federation. More than 40 acts of various magic genres will be performed. 

Young artists from 11 magic clubs from cities and provinces such as HCM City, Hanoi, Da Nang, Vinh Long and Ba Ria- Vung Tau are highlighted. Featured artists Tran Dung and Nguyen Viet Duy of the HCM City Gia Dinh Magic Club are leaving a strong impression on audiences.

The club offers shows and training for children and teenagers, while poor students and children from open houses and shelters receive free courses. 

“The tastes of Vietnamese youth now are Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok, and video games. Circuses with acrobats and clowns and magic shows have taken a back seat,” said Tran Dung. “For only a 15-minute performance on stage, magicians have to sometimes spend a decade practicing their routine."  

“I hope the National Magic Festival 2023 will attract crowds so that magicians can develop their art,” said Meritorious Artist Thanh Thuy, deputy director of Department of Culture and Sports, a member of the organising board. 

The festival is free to people at the Tran Huu Trang Cai Luog Theatre in Tran Hung Dao Street and HCM City Opera House at Lam Sơn Square in District 1.