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More than 100 circus artists taking part in the first International Circus Festival in Ha Long city. Source: Ha Long Circus Festival

At the opening night on November 15.

The event sees the participation of more than 100 artists from 20 countries and territories around the world, including Mongolia, Cuba, Ethiopia, Canada, Moldova, Brazil, Germany, Russia, the US, Japan, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam.

A wide range of attractive events is being held during the festival, such as a street circus art parade, a circus competition, a gala of special circus performances, a seminar on ‘circus with potential for tourism development’, and an international culinary festival. In addition, many well-known Vietnamese singers will give performances at several activities.

The artists marched and performed down the streets on November 13, and thousands of locals and tourists gathered to enjoy the parade.

The artists will perform various shows till November 17.

The jury of the World Circus Festival - Ha Long 2019 consists of seven members from Vietnam’s and the World’s Circus Associations.

A performance by a German circus artist at the first International Circus Festival in Ha Long city. Photo: VNA

Artists at the street circus art parade. Photo: VNA

Photo: baoquangninh.com.vn

Photo: baoquangninh.com.vn

On November 14, a workshop on circus art and tourism development was held as part of the festival.

Peter Dubinsky, one of the festival’s judges, said international circus festivals had been held in other countries to promote local tourism.

“In many countries, circus festivals have become a tourism highlight for locals and visitors,” he said.

“Quang Ninh has a great opportunity to develop circus into a tourism product,” he said. “I think Quang Ninh needs contributions from media to host the festival in years to come.”

According to Nguyen Thuy Yen, deputy director of Quang Ninh's Tourism Department, over the past five years, the number of tourists to the province and income from tourism have grown considerably.

The province expects to receive 14 million visitors this year, a 14 percent increase against the year, including 5.7 million foreigners.

Total tourism revenue is forecast to reach 30,000 billion VND (1.3 billion USD)./.