The Central Circus Troupe was originally set up in Houaphanh Province in 1966 with technical assistance from Hà Nội Secondary School of Circus Arts. Trained by Vietnamese, Russian, Mongolian and Chinese experts, it served to entertain Pathet Lao troops at the front until 1975, when it was relocated to Vientiane and established as a national company.

Throughout the late 1970s and 1980s the circus attracted large audiences in Laos, and during this era the company toured extensively to China, North Korea and the former Eastern Europe.

At the height of the troupe's popularity in 1991 the Central Circus Arena was constructed with Soviet aid in Ban Savang, Vientiane. Unfortunately since the subsequent demise of the former Soviet Union the company has fallen on hard times, facing a decline in audience support and lacking the funds to develop its work.