Street artists compete for prizes, adulation in HCM City

Street scene: A street art contest held on Nguyen Hue Pedestrian Street in HCM City attracts thousands of residents and tourists. - VNS Photo An Phuong

Among 260 videos submitted to the organisation board in the last 12 months, 16 individuals and groups were chosen to perform and compete for prizes worth a total of VND300 million (US$13,293).

Nguyen Tan Thanh, a five-year-old who performed in the magic show, wowed the crowd by swallowing balloons and making a rabbit appear out of fire.

“My friends and I were having dinner nearby when we saw many people watching the show,” said Ngoc Cong, 31, of HCM City. “It was difficult to have a good view, but we managed. They were all so talented!”

“It’s magical how street artists can bring everyone together,” he added. “I love the idea of performing in an open space. The arts should be for everyone to enjoy.”

Thu Huyen, 28, who also caught the show, had brought her son to watch the hip-hop dances, but was “thrilled to see the other performances, especially an artist playing instruments with his eyes. I seriously had no idea how he did it. Bravo!”

The contest, which encouraged street artists to promote their skills to the public, was open to anyone with the passion to perform.

Nguyen Ngoc, a 27-year-old violinist from the Nguyen Hoa Minh ensemble, told Tuoi Tre newspaper that though she initially studied to be a preschool teacher, she later decided to pursue a career in music.

Ngoc said that she had felt nervous and embarrassed when she first began performing on the street or at restaurants, but she eventually got used to the crowds.

“I have fun doing what I love,” she said.

Linh Truong, 26, who lives in Boston in the US, said “everything seemed so bizarre”.

“We have dancing performances here and there in parks or outside shopping malls at home, but we don’t usually have as many activities as this,” she said.

Unlike other contests, the Street Art event was held in an outdoor setting so that everyone could visit for free and support the performers.

Ha My, 40, said she had not planned to watch the show, but decided to take a look.

“Though I still have a lot of work to do tonight, you know, Tet is coming, so I enjoyed all the performances. I got a shot of energy, so I think I can survive the night!”

After the Monday night finale, an awards ceremony was held on Tuesday morning at Tuoi Tre newspaper’s office.

Since the first prize could not be determined, the panel of judges decided to hand out three second prizes, which went to Net Viet Band’s Don Xuan repertoire, The Crazy Kids Club’s Ngay Xuan Long Phung Sum Vay song, and Duong Hoa Team’s rock and hip-hop performance.

Two third prizes were given to Sai Gon Flavour’s breakdance performance and Tran Thi Nhat Ha - Quang Binh’s Duyen Phan song.

The winners of the consolation prizes were Nguyen Huu Duc, Kim Tuan, Nguyen Van Thuong, Nguyen Hoa Minh and Co Ba La Band.

The top three audience vote-getters were Tran Minh Phuong, who sang “Nho Bien Nha Trang”, Thanh Hau – Kim Mo, who sang Tinh Ngheo Co Nhau, and Nguyen Van Ly, who miraculously turned coconut water into other beverages.

The event was held by Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper, Sen Vang Entertainment and the HCM City Centre of Arts Performance and Cinematography.