On the occasion of the official visit of Danish royal family to Vietnam from November 2 to 6, People’s Committee of Hanoi City and the Danish Embassy organized the first street festival from 2.30pm to 9pm on November 3, 2009 in Ly Thai To Garden, Hanoi.

The garden became a big stage with four corners for different art genres. Vietnamese dance group Big Toe and Danish Uppercut performed at one corner for modern dance and hip-hop. While Vietnamese artist Dao Anh Khanh and his friends showed their creativity at one corner for experimental art. One corner for traditional music and dance hosted performances of artists from Thang Long Ca Tru (ceremonial singing) Club. Meanwhile, Vietnamese circus artists and Batida troupe attracted audience at the rest corner for circus and dramatics.

The artists took turns to perform with the audience watching all the performances. When artists from the Thang Long Ca Tru Club were performing, others like Big Toe created graffiti or Vietnamese circus artists performed without music. When Big Toe was performing, ca tru artists showcased and introduce their traditional instruments. The performance at 7pm in the big stage with the participation of many of the artists was a highlight of the festival. Singer Tung Duong, Vietnamese circus artists, young dancers and Danish artists performed their best acts.

The director of festival Tri Minh said that this event brought different kinds of art to closer to people. Each performance took about 20 minutes and the audience had chance to understand more about the art through talking with the artists about ca tru, circus, jazz and hip hop. The audience could even practice the art they like.  He added “The street festivals are very new in Vietnam. This one will draw attention and prepare people for the next one in 2010 which will celebrate the 1,000th anniversary of Thang Long - Hanoi.