Originally established in 1985 as an offshoot of the Việt Nam Song Dance and Music Theatre, this national company comprises 50 dancers and some 30 freelance performers. It works in three main areas – song, dance and artistic design – and has been commissioned by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to develop modern song, music and dance. The company has its own 400 seat theatre but this is used mostly for practice, most of its 170 annual performances being held in major venues in Hà Nội and elsewhere throughout the country. Each year it spends two months overseas presenting mainly traditional work, in contrast to its performances in Việt Nam which in line with its brief are focused on more modern work. Countries visited in the past include the USA, Canada, Germany, France, Italy, Korea, China and Russia.