“A O” was staged from the idea of a team of mainly expatriate Vietnamese artists, including Nguyen Lan, Nhat Ly and Tuan Le who tried to introduce Vietnamese culture and lifestyle through a modern art performance. It is their second circus play, after “Lang toi” – the first Vietnamese circus play which was shown all over the world with 300 performances mainly in Europe during the years, from 2009 to 2011. If “Lang toi” focused on the art of circus and performance with rural cultural features, “A O” presented the art of installation and performance with images closely connected with Lang (village) and Pho (city) during the urbanization process. 

Since it was performed in Ho Chi Minh in February 2013, the show that lasts only an hour, has received great applause from the expert circle and the audience. It is an hour of pure fun with acrobatics, dance, theatre and music based on Vietnam’s transition from rural to urban life.

Bamboo is a core feature of Vietnamese rural life. And bamboo is the delightfully simple foundation for the collection of props around which the “A O” performance unfolds.

The stage, which depicted countryside landscapes in Vietnam and locals’ daily activities, was covered with bamboo baskets of various sizes as the actors came out to strut their stuff.

Live traditional music accompanied the “A O” parade of visual treats. It was a great way for the uninitiated to experience some of the wonderful melodic twists of Vietnamese music and added spontaneity and vitality to the show. The traditional music in harmony with the melodies of a singer and mixed with circus art saw the audience smile and clap their hands enthusiastically.

The most infectious feature of “A O” was the exuberant energy of its young cast. That energy was bursting off the stage throughout the show. The show had actors from the city’s three circus troupes, stunt performers and street hip-hop dancers who showed their talents with interesting acts, such as flying around the stage using only ribbons from the ceiling and their own brute strength and blending their bodies. All in all, the show left the audience in awe of what they were seeing, a rare thing compared to other more typical performances.

The stage is covered with bamboo baskets that remind viewers of a familiar countryside scene in Vietnam. Artists use bamboo baskets to show the image of a turtle. The  art of installation and light performance create an impressive stage. A circus performance with bamboo baskets and ladders. Màn tung hứng với thúng, mủng và thang tre của các nghệ sỹ xiếc. A unique performance by female artists. “A O” show introduces foreigners to Vietnam, a country rich in culture and traditional values.

“A O” show tells a series of stories describing the life and daily activities of people in the Mekong Delta from the past until now. Viewers can see the images of southerners going to the market together, how they make rice, and many others. The last part sees stories of a new city through activities of the youth as well as conflicts of an urbanized land with tenements in poor condition, people who are curious and looking into others’ lives, the horns beeping from motorbikes, buses and cars, and street dance performances of teenagers.

“A O” show is like a long trip through different periods of Vietnam seeing different traditions which are still alive. The show becomes a typical tourist product introducing foreigners to Vietnam, a country rich in culture and traditional values with industrious and diligent people.