A water puppet show is well-known as one of the most attractive cultural show in Hanoi. Visitors can easily get an unique experience with it at the Thang Long Water Puppet theatre in the center of Hanoi, near Hoan Kiem Lake. This attraction is originally from northern Vietnamese villages where the theater was played with puppets in the water. The show became increasingly popular and also came to Hanoi.
Short history
The water puppet show has a long long history around 1000 years ago, where the farmers are major at the field and happy with the annual rice harvest. In a period of peace and prosperity, folk singing and dancing at village festivals is the best way for them to relax and enjoy their traditions. This provided the perfect opportunity for talented artists to perform puppet shows on land and in water.
The tradition of the water puppet shows is that rice fields were underwater and that villagers made entertainment by standing in the deep water with the puppets above the water. At the time, simple stages were built around flooded rice fields aimed at puppeteers entertaining their audience. Bloodsuckers and other related problems associated with prolonged standing in turbid water were fairly normal.
This tradition is unique to North Vietnam but has recently found fame on stages all over the world; so it’s a rare treat to see the puppets perform in their original location at the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre. Performances are accompanied by a Vietnamese orchestra playing traditional music using drums, wooden bells, horns, bamboo flutes and cymbals. There are also authentic Vietnamese operatic songs telling the story that is being acted out by the puppets. Most of the shows recount Vietnamese folk tales and legends with topics including the celebration of the rice harvest depicted in a humorous fashion.
Water Puppet Theater
Shows at this modern theatre are performed in a pool of water as the stage for the puppets. The puppets are controlled by no more than eight puppeteers hiding behind a bamboo screen. The renowned Thang Long Water Puppet show is considered to be one of the cultural highlights of Northern Vietnam dating back to a tradition that first started in the Red River Delta.
Today’s performances usually include a number of short sketches rather than one long story, taking the audience on a journey of ancient village life, agricultural harvests and dances of mythical creatures. Most shows also feature the famous Legend of the Restored Sword of King Le which tells the tale of Hoan Kiem Lake and the giant tortoise. The live music plays an integral part of the show with singers often shouting words of encouragement to the puppets.
The most famous place in Hanoi where you can attend a water puppet show is in the Thang Long water puppet theatre, next to Hoan Kiem Lake, in the center of Hanoi. The theatre is modern and shows are around 15 short performances within a one-hour show.
Price: 100,000 VND – 150,000 VND
Address: 57B, Dinh Tien Hoang Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
Shows: daily 3:00 PM, 4:10 PM, 5:20 PM, 6:30 PM, and 8:00 PM
There are daily water puppet shows at 15:30 – 17:00 – 18:30 – 20:00 – 21:15 and Sunday at 9:30
Tips for visiting the Thang Long theatre
1. Buying tickets
Tickets for this show are sold out well in advance, so it is wise to get your tickets as quickly as possible. You can head to the theatre in the morning to purchase a ticket for an later afternoon show. Apart from the general admission price of VND 100,000, there are extra camera or video costs if you want to photograph or film the show.
2. Seating
It is wise to pay a little more to sit closer to the (water) stage, because the theatre is large and the puppets themselves are not that big.
3. How to get there
The theatre is right in the Old Quarter, so is is best way to walk from you hotel in the old town. If your accommodation is too far on the outside or you are coming from another sight outside the city center, you can consider taking a taxi. Keep in mind though that the streets around the Thang Long theatre, Hoan Kiem and the Old Quarter are closed to motorized vehicles in the afternoon of every weekend.
4. Things to do in the area
The Thang Long theatre is right next to Hoan Kiem lake, so this is a great opportunity to walk around here. It is also only 100 meters from the Ngoc Son temple, which is located on an island in the lake. If you want to visit this temple, don’t go after a late water puppet show, because the bridge to the island closes at 6 in the evening.
5. Other water puppet shows in Vietnam
If you don’t have the time to visit a water puppet show in Hanoi, you can consider going to another theater in Vietnam. Below are some of the best places to enjoy a show across the country:
Vietnam Puppet Theatre
361 Trường Chinh St., Thanh Xuân District, Hanoi
Hội An Theatre
548 Hai Bà Trưng St., Hội An
Huế Water Puppet Theatre
8 Lê Lợi St., Vĩnh Ninh District, Huế
Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theatre
55B Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai St., District 1, HCMC
Museum of Vietnamese History (outdoor)
2 Nguyễn Bỉnh Khiêm St., District 1, HCMC
