Nine “tuong” plays, with subjects ranging from history to modern folk tales, will be performed by seven top “tuong” companies, including the Vietnam “Tuong” Theatre, the Hue Royal “Tuong” Troupe and the Dao Tan Tuong Troupe.

To encourage talented young artists, only these under the age of 40 will be allowed to take part in the festival this year.

"This regulation was set to give young artists an opportunity to perform on the stage, and to ensure there are enough opportunities youths to take main roles," said Vuong Duy Bien, director of the Art Performances Department under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Vietnam “Tuong” Theatre director Hoang Khiem approves of the regulation: "The board limits the participation age so that the theatres will give main roles to the young generation. Young artists have to strive to promote careers. At the moment, there are many talented young people in the theatre, such as actresses Loc Huyen and Phuong Thanh and actors Dinh Long and Duc Manh."

The jury will grade the artists based on their performances, not based on the quality of the plays.

The two plays the Vietnam “Tuong” Theatre will bring to the festival are Son Hau and That Hien Quyen. Son Hau is about a power struggle in an ancient Chinese royal court. That Hien Quyen focuses on describing social ethics through stories shared among members of a family.

The festival, organized by the Culture Ministry's Arts Performances Department, takes place every two years.