Gilbert has carried the title Etoile, or leading star, since 2007 for her role in the Nutcracker. Bullion earned the title last year for his outstanding performance in La Bayadere.

Together with Vietnamese dancers such as Cao Chi Thanh, Diem Quynh and Phan Luong, they will perform six European classic ballet pieces and one adopted from the Vietnamese story Mi Chau’s Wedding.

It is about Princess My Chau of the Au Lac nation (208-179 BC). She loved and married the son of her father’s enemy and unintentionally revealed the country’s secrets.

Her love turned to tragedy when Au Lac was occupied and she was beheaded by her father.

It was debut by Vietnamese artists on the occasion of Hanoi’s 1,000^th anniversary last year.

The programme was choreographed by Jean-Paul Gravier and Bertrand’d At, Director of the France National du Rhin Theatre during one month of intense work.