Hard act: Quoc Co and Quoc Hiep perform at the circus festival

Quoc Co and Quoc Hiep won the medal in the Suc Manh Doi Tay (Strong Arm) event, in which competitors perform a series of 23 gymnastic-like disciplines.

Artists from nine countries, including Viet Nam, competed for 14 medals.

In addition, Ho Chi Minh City-based circus artist Tran Dinh earned a "contribution prize" and a group of artists from Laos was named the judge’s favourite.

People’s Artist Tam Chinh, who sat on the judging panel, said she was stunned by the physical prowess and precision of the performers.

"The technical expertise of the artists was incredible," Chinh said, adding that she was disappointed that more artists from abroad did not attend the event.

"Mongolia and Cuba sent just two performers each. Russia and Ukraine, just one."

Chinh blamed the lack of international participation on the fact that no cash prizes were on offer. Viet Nam’s Culture, Sports and Tourism Ministry however subsided participants’ air tickets and accommodation.

Meritorious Artist Vuong Duy Bien said the goal of the event was not competitiveness but friendship.

Vu Ngoan Hop, director of the Viet Nam Circus Federation, said the event had been a great international success. After the festival, a number of Vietnamese performing artists were invited to attend international festivals. The Suc Manh Doi Tay duo was invited to attend a festival in Spain in 2011, while Du Sieu Nhan (Superman Swings) was invited to France later this year.