Taking place in Ha Noi and Ninh Binh, AYTF 2025 will showcase a rich fusion of contemporary and traditional art forms, blending theory with practice to foster artistic growth.
A celebration of cultural exchange and creative exploration
A key highlight of the festival is the AYTF Residency 2025, themed ‘The Right to Be Human’. This residency will bring together 24 young artists from 11 Asian countries, including Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Viet Nam, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka.
Alongside invited guest artists, participants will engage in immersive activities, exploring traditional Vietnamese arts such as dance, singing, and performances within community cultural spaces.
The programme also includes workshops, seminars, and collaborations on intercultural theatre projects, promoting sustainable artistic exchange across Asia.
Through these experiences, young artists will forge connections, strengthen their artistic identities, and nurture the leadership qualities essential for long-term creative endeavours.
Renowned Vietnamese artist Nguyen Nhat Ly, founder of Phu Sa Lab, will engage participants in an insightful discussion on his Seaphony project—an indigenous Southeast Asian wind orchestra—as well as his broader artistic experiments in Viet Nam and his vision for a vibrant regional music scene.
Meanwhile, members of Dan Do Lab will contribute to the opening ceremony, offering a mesmerising fusion of Vietnamese puppetry, bamboo arts, and local storytelling in dialogue with international influences.
The Dan Do Lab creative space in Ha Noi will also host experimental music programmes and workshops, enriching the artistic exchange.
Strengthening regional artistic connections for the future
One of AYTF’s defining features is the creative collaborations between young artists from different countries. Together, they will develop theatrical works with diverse intercultural elements.
This collaboration will provide young Vietnamese artists with opportunities to experiment with new forms of expression, break down language and cultural barriers, and expand their artistic expression while retaining their personal and national identities.
Performances at the festival will reflect the unique artistic flavours of each participating country, interwoven with innovative interpretations born from the residency exchanges.
Additionally, in-depth seminars on the role of theatre in community development and sustainable artistic projects will equip young Vietnamese artists with the tools to forge long-term international partnerships.
Since its inception in 2016, AYTF has played a pivotal role in building a transnational youth arts community, using theatre as a universal language to connect creative aspirations and personal narratives.
More than just a festival, AYTF champions the comprehensive development of young artists, focusing on leadership, project management, and social impact through art.
Previously hosted in Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, and India, the festival has cultivated a vibrant network of young talents across Asia.
This year, AYTF 2025 is being co-organised by ToLo Puppet Theatre and Direction Agency (Viet Nam), and Buds Theatre (Singapore).
Viet Nam’s debut as host of the festival marks a significant milestone in the integration and development of its young theatre artists, formally connecting them to the broader Asian youth theatre network.
The relationships formed during AYTF may pave the way for future artistic exchanges, festival invitations, and cross-border collaborations.
Beyond performances and workshops, AYTF 2025 serves as a catalyst for innovation in artistic thinking, encouraging young Vietnamese artists to explore new creative methods and step outside their comfort zones. It also provides a valuable platform to showcase Viet Nam’s rich traditional art forms to international audience.
The festival will conclude with a closing performance at Phu Sa Lab in Ninh Binh, where 24 young artists will collectively raise the voice of identity, celebrating cultural connection through theatre, music, and regional solidarity.
This poignant finale will symbolise the enduring impact of the festival—not only on Vietnamese artists but also on the wider Asian youth arts community as it continues to flourish amid deepening global integration.
