Water Puppet Theatre
Across Vietnam · January – December
A uniquely Vietnamese art form performed nightly in Hanoi and HCMC — easy to book and perfect for a rainy evening.
About this event
What it is
Water puppetry began in the rice fields of the Red River delta nearly a thousand years ago. Puppeteers stand waist-deep behind a screen and control wooden puppets on the water's surface, accompanied by a live orchestra of drums, strings, and folk songs.
Where to see it
The Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre beside Hoan Kiem lake in Hanoi is the best-known venue, with shows several times daily. In HCMC, the Golden Dragon Theatre on Nguyen Thi Minh Khai runs the same tradition. Both sell out on weekends.
Practical tips
Shows run about 50 minutes and tickets are inexpensive — book the same day at the box office or online. Sit in the middle rows for the best view of the water stage. Kids love it, and the stories need no Vietnamese to follow.
Photos
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