For the first time, a Vietnamese dancer was given the opportunity to participate in the tango World Championship - World World Cup de tango in Argentina - the hometown of this sport. In the final result, Ms. Alice Nguyen Thi Thanh Phuong (47 years old, Ho Chi Minh City) successfully entered the semi-finals.
In Vietnam, tango is still a fairly new name to the majority of people. Originating in the 1880s in Argentina's slum neighborhoods, tango is still preserved, developed strongly and has become a vivid symbol of Argentine culture. More than that, this sport also reaches out to connect the cultural bridge between countries, helping art lovers around the world get closer together.
Imbued with the ideals of tango, Alice Thi Thanh Phuong realized the changes from within after going through the days of practice and testing. From an office worker to an athlete, along with the achievements she has achieved, she still cherishes many plans with the great passion of her life.
The "dream" journey
How did you come to terms with tango?
- I arrived at tango quite late. My starting point was just working at a regular coffee shop in Ho Chi Minh City. In 2007, I accidentally got to know tango and practiced at a normal intensity like exercising and playing sports every day. At that time, tango was not widely exploited by the media in Vietnam.
In 2017, I had the opportunity to train in Argentina. This is a rare opportunity for me to get closer to and learn about tango from the masters. When returning to my hometown, I also willingly share all my knowledge and experiences with friends in the tango Vietnam community.
However, at that time, because I was still busy with office work, tango seemed like a joy to beautify my daily life. After 20 years of practicing tango, I was lucky to participate in more tango-related activities in Asian countries as well as in Argentina.
Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, my old job was later stopped. And, I changed, at the age of 41.
Having switched to a new job at such a late age, how did you motivate yourself?
- When I was ready for a new version of myself, I started thinking that with the knowledge I had acquired, why not develop a stronger tango in Vietnam.
However, at that time, I was not anyone. Because I have not achieved any results, I have decided to try my hand at professional competitions in regional countries. My first championship was awarded in a small competition in Bali, Indonesia.
After the pandemic passed, I continued to register for competitions and won prizes in countries such as the Philippines, China, and Indonesia.
Last May, thanks to winning the 2025 Philippine qualifiers, Louie (Philippines) and I were given the opportunity to compete in the quarter-finals of the 2025 Tango World Championship in Argentina.
From 245 pairs in the quarter-finals, we have made efforts to reach the semi-finals with the remaining 124 pairs. For me, it is not only a great honor but also profound lessons learned right in the "capital" of tango Argentina, as well as a motivation to contribute to building a stronger, more connected tango Vietnam community.
You must have had many difficulties when you first "swed out to sea"?
- The biggest difficulty for me during the training days preparing for the Tango World Championship 2025 is the language. Because Spanish is the official language in Argentina.
Because I study and practice with other contestants, I always try to feel the spirit that the teachers pass on, but I cannot fully understand it. If the class time is 1.5 hours, the time that the teachers shared can last up to 1 hour.
Because to learn tango, before learning dancing, it is necessary to know the thinking and ideals of this sport. A tango dance's success or failure depends entirely on the dancer's feelings, the harmony and understanding between yourself and the other person.
Putting the difficulties aside, what I bring back from Argentina is extremely valuable for my upcoming journey and for the tango Vietnamese community in general.
For a connected community
What makes you so passionate about this sport?
- First, tango is a therapy that helps me heal and develop myself. In the past, I was very hot-tempered, but in this sport, although there were 2 people, only 2 legs were allowed on the floor. If you are hot-tempered and want your partner to do as you want, the tango game cannot be done. Therefore, that hot-temperedness had to calm down to get along with her co-star.
Second, I find this subject full of humanistic values. All members want to develop a strong community together, spread positive thinking and civilized politeness.
Indeed, after 20 years of pursuing tango, I no longer look at the glamorousness of dresses withline-edge seats or the jumping shoes on the catwalk. Instead, I look at the changes of a person.
Is tango practice easy for all generations and ages, Sister?
- According to my research, tango has been developed for more than 50 years in Japan with 300 training locations per day, in Korea for nearly 30 years and in Taiwan (China) for about 20 years. These are veteran Asian countries in the " tango village" and are gradually being loved by today's students and taking time to practice.
And, even the elderly can completely practice this sport. Tango does not require athletes to be flexible but requires high artistic appreciation, as I said above.
How do you feel about the tango Vietnam community?
- This year is the 8th consecutive year that I have organized an event to connect tango enthusiasts together. Since 2016, the number of participants seems to have remained the same, including international friends, ranging from 150 - 200 people.
The reason why the tango community in Vietnam has difficulty increasing the number is because I know that to study this subject, it costs a lot. I myself have also sold my house to be able to fully pursue my great passion.
In Vietnam, tango is still not as developed as dancesport. At first, because I wanted to get more training, I even used my money to fly to Singapore to study.
I believe it is never too late to make a new start. If tango tuition fees are too expensive, I will use my own knowledge to share, use the relationships I have to invite foreign teachers to teach. All of this promises a strong tango Vietnam community.
Argentine Ambassador Marcos A. Bednarski sent his congratulations to dancer Alice Thanh Phuong. The ambassador was also very impressed when many Vietnamese people love and perform tango performances right on the streets. On the upcoming tango World 11.12 day, the Argentine Embassy will organize a tango dance night at the National Library of Vietnam (Hanoi). Some valuable photos and documents about tango in Argentina - tango's hometown - will be presented to the National Library of Vietnam.
