Despite their dazzling looks and spellbinding stunts on stage, circus artists in Vietnam are paid poorly, face numerous health risks, and even suffer life-threatening, debilitating conditions from their lifelong dedication to the “fatal passion.”

Apart from poor pay, circus artists are highly prone to occupational illnesses.

Many of them have accidents, which could leave them paralyzed for the rest of their life and cut their circus performing career short.

Ngo Thi Tuyet Hoan, of the Muong ethnic minority, was a successful circus trapeze artist with over 20 years of experience.

She was also one of the troupe leaders at the Vietnam Circus Federation.

One fateful day in August last year, a two-meter fall during one of her routine training sessions left Hoan paralyzed from the waist down.

The accident was a devastating blow to the 36-year-old artist, who gradually came to terms with the fact that she could no longer stand up, let alone perform circus stunts.

Initially, Hoan depended entirely on her new husband, Nguyen Duc Tai, also a veteran artist in the federation, for simple daily routines, including taking a shower and going to the restroom.

Tai later devised an apparatus to help his wife get around their tiny house more easily and do simple tasks on her own.

Tai struggles hard on his meager income to support themselves and cover Hoan’s medical bills.

“We circus artists are all aware of the profession’s perils. After repeated falls and injuries, including serious ones, in contrast to our meager salaries, many of us say we will switch to other jobs, but few actually do so,” Hoan shared.

Now one year into recovery after her accident, Hoan has recently returned to the stage on her wheelchair, where she keeps performance records and helps her colleagues stage new stunts.

“If I could ever stand up and walk again, I would surely resume my circus performing career,” she shared wistfully.

According to veteran artist Vu Ngoan Hop, director of the Vietnam Circus Federation, up to 90 percent of circus artists suffer occupation-related illnesses. Common conditions include broken limbs, fractured bones, spine curvature, hemorrhoids, and stomachaches, while bruises and bleeding occur on a daily basis.

Several artists have also faced life-threatening trauma and suffered debilitating injuries following serious accidents.

Female artists also make sacrifices, as contortionists are advised not to have babies.

Young artist Giang Quoc Co and his brother, Giang Quoc Nghiep, paid a costly price for their internationally award-winning performance “Suc Manh Doi Tay” (The Strength of the Arms), in which they perform various technically-demanding stunts with their arms and hands.

Over the past eight years, the brothers have suffered countless falls and serious injuries.

They return to the stage before they even fully recover.

Meanwhile, artist Nguyen Van Hoan, an animal circus artist, revealed that most animal trainers have lung and respiratory illnesses.

They also face daily risks of attack by large animals such as elephants, horses, bears, tigers, and lions.

Despite their strenuous practice and high health risks, the artists have yet to earn deserving salaries or allowances for high-risk occupations.

A troupe leader earns as little as VND5 million (US$235) a month, according to Hop, the circus federation director.

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