Dancers of the HCM City Ballet Symphony Orchestra and Opera (HBSO) performs in ballet dance The Rite of Spring choreographed by Dutch artist Joost Vrouenraets. Photo courtesy of HBSO

HCM CITY – The 2020 National Contest for Talented Dancers begins today at HCM City’s Military Theatre.

The contest is co-organised by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism’s Department of Arts Performance and Việt Nam Dancers’ Association, in cooperation with the HCM City and Hà Nội’s Department of Culture and Sports.

The event aims to identify new talented dancers, according to the organisers.  

It is also a chance for young talents to meet and share their experiences, and improve their performance skills so they can bring Việt Nam dance to the region and the world.

More than 100 dancers from professional troupes and freelance performers aged above 16 will take part in preliminary rounds in HCM City on October 9 and 10 and Hà Nội on October 13 and 14.

Contestants will compete in two categories for individuals, ballet and contemporary dance.

Categories for individuals and groups will include traditional, folk and contemporary folk dance, and street dance like hip hop, popping, breakdance, looping, and wacking. 

Contestants can choose to perform their own choreographed works.

They can use works by other choreographers, but not winning works from dance and choreography contests held by the Department of Arts Performance and Việt Nam Dancers’ Association.

The final round and awards ceremony will be held at the Hà Nội Opera House on October 17.

All performances from the contest will be uploaded to the department’s YouTube channel called Nghệ Thuật Biểu Diễn Việt Nam (Việt Nam’s Arts Performance).—VNS