Stirring display: A Vietnamese hoop performance combined with belly dancing won Supporting Prize and wowed the audience at the second Indochina Circus Talent Competition held in Vientiane, Laos. — VNS Photo Hoang Minh Khanh

HA NOI — Vietnamese circus artists returned from the second Indochina Circus Talent Competition with eight prizes, including the top prize for an acrobatic performance named Ngay Hoi Tay Nguyen, or Central Highlands Festival.

The Vietnamese troupe presented six performances in the competition, which was organised at the Lao National Circus in Vientiane with the participation of hundreds of artists from Viet Nam, Laos and Cambodia.

The competition, which ended last week, was held for the first time in Ha Noi last year.

Artists competed in various performances including fire hoop spinning, juggling, women's double trapeze male and female lifting and somersaulting on a suspended net.

The event aimed to develop the talent of young circus performers, provide them with opportunities to learn and share experiences with each other and improve their skills to international levels, said Hoang Minh Khanh, principal of the Viet Nam Circus and Variety Arts College.

The performance of Vietnamese artists who combined belly dancing and a hoop performance received a stirring reaction from the crowd, and won Supporting Prize.

The idea for the performance came from Khanh, who also directed the performance with belly dancer Van Anh.

"The audience even made us perform it twice. The Vietnamese artists expressed their ability, creation and passion that won over both the jury board and the audience," Khanh said.

"After the success of the performance, I will co-operate with dancer Van Anh to develop more circus acts combined with belly dancing to perform for the public," he said. — VNS