According to a spokesperson for the municipal Department of Culture and Sports, the Da Nang authorities have decided to stop hosting the 1^st International Theatre Institute (ITI) World Performing Arts Festival as originally planned.

The main reason seems to be that the local authorities could not raise enough funds for this international event. Hence, the city has no choice but to use 15.3 billion VND from its budget to organise this international event on a smaller scale than originally planned.

Another reason is thought that this event sees a modest number of participating foreign troupes and organising venues.

As planned, the first-ever ITI World Performing Arts Festival is expected to attract 20 foreign troupes with around 1,000 artistes in total from 90 ITI member nations, plus 10 domestic troupes. The arts performances will be organised at the Trung Vuong Theatre, the Nguyen Hien Dinh Tuong Theatre, a main stage at the East Sea Park, and outdoor stages along both banks of the Han River.