Hotline: +84 985 237 882
- SG$ Singapore Dollar
- A$ Australian Dollar
- £ British Pound Sterling
- C$ Canadian Dollar
- € Euro
- MYR Ringgit Malaysia
- US$ United States Dollar
- đ Vietnamese Dong
Water puppet theatre Hanoi offers a captivating cultural experience that showcases the rich heritage of Vietnam. Performed on a water stage with colorful puppets, these shows blend traditional art and folklore in a unique way.
Before you experience the Water Puppet Theatre Hanoi performance, it's helpful to understand the rich history and artistry behind this unique Vietnamese tradition. Water puppetry is more than just entertainment; it's a captivating blend of storytelling, music, craftsmanship, and cultural heritage.
Origins and History
Water puppetry, or "Múa rối nước" in Vietnamese, originated in the 11th century from the rice-farming villages of the Red River Delta. Deeply tied to Vietnam’s wet rice civilization, this folk art was traditionally performed during festivals, celebrations, and special occasions such as the Lunar New Year. Over time, it evolved from a humble village entertainment into a distinctive form of traditional Vietnamese performing art.
Performance and Artistry
Water puppet shows are performed in a waist-deep shallow pool of water, where puppeteers stand behind a bamboo screen. Using long bamboo poles and submerged strings, they bring to life vibrant wooden puppets that appear making them dance, glide across the water's surface.
These puppets are hand-carved and lacquered to withstand long periods underwater. Each puppet is a miniature work of art, painted in vivid colors and crafted to depict everything from animals and peasants to deities and legendary creatures.
A traditional Vietnamese orchestra accompanies the show, featuring drums, wooden bells, cymbals, horns, monochord, gongs, and bamboo flutes. The live music and singing not only set the rhythm for the puppets’ movements but also act as the voice of the story, enhancing both the mood and narrative flow.
Themes and Stories
Wondering "what is the story behind the water puppet show in Vietnam?" The narratives of water puppet shows are deeply rooted in Vietnamese folklore and daily life.
Daily Life: Scenes depicting the daily activities of farmers, such as rice planting, harvesting, fishing, and tending to livestock. These scenes showcase the close relationship between the Vietnamese people and the land.
Festivals and Celebrations: Lively depictions of traditional festivals, including boat races, buffalo fighting, and communal dances. These scenes are often accompanied by vibrant music and colorful costumes.
Folktales and Legends: Stories featuring mythical creatures like dragons, unicorns, and fairies, often embodying timeless lessons and subtle humor.
Historical Events: Some performances may include scenes based on historical events or legendary figures from Vietnam's past.
Chu Teu—a cheerful, witty farmer who serves as the show’s narrator. His satirical observations and playful commentary helped the audience better understand the unfolding stories.
Cultural Significance
Water puppetry is far more than just a form of entertainment; it's a vital part of Vietnam's cultural heritage. For centuries, it has served as a way to preserve and transmit folktales, legends, and traditional values from one generation to the next.
Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre is an ideal cultural destination that attracts large numbers of domestic and international tourists during their visit to Hanoi. Here, visitors will fully enjoy the top water puppetry performances - an art form that only exists in Vietnam.
.jpg)
About Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre
Address: 57B Dinh Tien Hoang Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
Capacity: About 300 spectators
Performance: 50 minutes
Ticket price to see the Water Puppet Theatre Hanoi
Standard tickets: 100,000 VND (~3.88 USD)
Economy tickets: 150,000 VND (~5.82 USD)
VIP tickets: 200,000 VND (~7.76 USD)
Note that ticket prices may change over time. It is best to check the official website for the latest information.
The show schedule at this Hanoi water puppet theatre is as follows:
Monday to Saturday: 13:45, 15:00, 16:10, 17:20, 18:30, 20:00, 21:15
Sunday: additional morning show at 09:30
You can explore more:
The Lotus Water Puppet Show offers a creative blend of traditional water puppetry with elements of modern music and dance. It showcases performances by master artisans from renowned puppet-making villages across Vietnam.
.jpg)
About Lotus Water Puppet Theatre
Address: No. 16 Le Thai To Street, Hoan Kiem District
Capacity: 250 person
Duration: 50 minutes
Schedule time: Daily performances are held at 2:45 PM, 4:00 PM, 5:15 PM, and 6:30 PM. Private shows can be arranged upon request.
Ticket prices: 80,000 - 100,000 VND/person (~3.06 - 3.88 USD)
Hoa Sen Water Puppet Theatre in Hanoi offers unique presentations of Vietnam's rich cultural heritage through traditional water puppetry performances.
For a more immersive and artistically curated water puppet performance, consider visiting the Vietnam National Puppetry Theatre. Renowned for its dedication to preserving and evolving traditional puppetry arts, the theatre regularly stages water puppet shows that skillfully blend time-honored techniques with modern storytelling and stagecraft.
About the Vietnam National Puppetry Theatre
Address: No. 361 Truong Chinh Street, Thanh Xuan District
Capacity: 400 person
Duration: 50 minutes
Schedule time: Showtimes may vary, so it’s best to check the schedule in advance
Ticket prices: 150,000 VND/person (~5.82 USD)
The Vietnam National Puppetry Theatre is well-known for offering high-quality performances that showcase not just water puppetry but also other traditional puppet forms. This venue is great for those who are interested in exploring the broader art of Vietnamese puppetry.
As a place that attracts domestic and foreign tourists 365 days a year, Thang Long Water Puppet Theater in Hanoi has produced many water puppet shows with many different forms and genres. These works are closely associated with the country's renovation process and are worthy of becoming the quintessence of Vietnamese culture. Among them, the most prominent and attractive to tourists are the typical performances that deeply honor the art of Vietnamese water puppetry.
In ancient times, royal examinations were held every 3 to 5 years to recruit talented individuals. Those who passed were honored with ceremonial garments and allowed to return to their hometowns in a formal "homecoming procession" to pay tribute to their ancestors and teachers. This tradition was not only a special royal favor but also a reminder to all to cultivate virtue and talent in service of the country and its people.
Dragons and phoenixes are sacred animals that hold an important position in Vietnamese folklore and culture. If the dragon is the embodiment of strength and majesty, the phoenix is graceful and agile. Their duet often symbolizes faithful and enduring love in marriage.
This dance invokes sacred energy and conveys profound spiritual messages. The Four Sacred Creatures—Dragon (Long), Unicorn (Lan), Turtle (Quy), and Phoenix (Phuong)—are believed to bring luck, prosperity and longevity. These revered creatures are also commonly seen in Vietnamese temples and pagodas.
This water puppet act depicts a group of mischievous boys joyfully playing in the cool river during summer. It captures the carefree essence of rural childhood and evokes nostalgic memories of simpler times.
The unicorn is one of the Four Sacred Animals in Eastern beliefs and symbolizes good fortune. In this performance, the unicorn dance expresses wishes for a prosperous, happy, and peaceful life for Vietnamese farmers.
This dance draws from the ancient Vietnamese origin myth of Lac Long Quan and Au Co, who gave birth to a pouch of 100 eggs. From these, 100 children were born—50 followed their mother to the mountains, 50 followed their father to the sea. The eldest later became King Hung, founding the first Vietnamese dynasty. The dance celebrates this legendary lineage and the spiritual ancestry of the Vietnamese people.
This performance captures the tranquil rhythm of rural life through the image of a young boy tending his buffalo. The soft, lingering notes of his flute evoke a heartfelt longing for home, especially poignant for those far from their native land.
Based on the legend of Hoan Kiem Lake, this piece tells the story of national hero Le Loi. After a decade-long resistance, he defeated foreign invaders and became king in 1428. While sailing on the lake, a golden turtle emerged to reclaim the sacred sword once given to him. The king returned the sword, and thus the lake became known as Hoan Kiem (Returned Sword Lake).
Boat racing is a vibrant tradition during Vietnamese festivals. This act re-creates the exciting, competitive spirit of traditional boat races, highlighting teamwork, energy, and festive joy.
This water puppet scene vividly portrays the daily life of Vietnamese farmers—plowing, planting rice, irrigating, and harvesting. It honors the hardworking spirit and resilience of rural communities across generations.
To make the most of your Water Puppet Theatre Hanoi experience, here are a few insider tips:
Although you can buy tickets at the box office, we recommend booking in advance, especially during peak tourist seasons or on weekends. Popular shows, especially at the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre, tend to sell out quickly. Booking online through the theatre’s website or a trusted tour operator like Asia Mystika, which is popular with international visitors, will help you book water puppet shows in Hanoi quickly and reliably.
If you're traveling with Asia Mystika, most of our Hanoi city tours include a scheduled stop at the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre, ensuring that you'll receive full assistance from your guide throughout the experience.
Getting to the theatre a bit before the show starts offers several advantages. It allows you time to get your bearings, find your seats without rushing. More importantly, you’ll avoid the last-minute crowd and have a quiet moment to take in the atmosphere before the show begins.
While the visual spectacle of a performance at the Water Puppet Theatre Hanoi is captivating in itself, your understanding and appreciation will be greatly enhanced by having some familiarity with the stories being depicted. Many performances draw upon traditional Vietnamese folktales and legends. Doing a bit of research beforehand on common themes and characters can make the show even more meaningful. You can easily find information online or in guidebooks.
If you have the option, try to select seats closer to the front of the stage. This will give you a better view of the intricate movements of the puppets and the expressions on their faces, allowing you to fully appreciate the skill of the puppeteers. However, even seats further back usually offer a decent view, as the stage is designed to be visible from all angles. The most important thing is to choose seats that suit your budget and comfort level.
As with any theatrical performance, it's important to be respectful of the performers and your fellow audience members. Turn off your mobile phone or silence it completely before the show begins. Avoid talking or making unnecessary noise during the performance, as this can be distracting to others and detract from the overall experience. Refrain from using flash photography, as it can be disruptive to the performers and other audience members. By being mindful of these simple courtesies, you can contribute to a more enjoyable experience for everyone.
By following these tips, you can maximize your enjoyment of a Water Puppet Theatre Hanoi performance, ensuring that it becomes a truly memorable part of your Hanoi experience.
To elevate your Hanoi adventure and ensure it's perfectly tailored to your interests, consider the expertise of Asia Mystika. We specialize in crafting tailor-made experiences that go beyond the ordinary, allowing you to delve deeper into the cultural tapestry of Vietnam. Our local experts provide invaluable insights, unlocking hidden gems and authentic encounters you might otherwise miss. With Asia Mystika, you can travel with confidence, knowing that you're in trustworthy hands and that every detail is meticulously planned. And our dedication to value for money ensures that your investment translates into an enriching and unforgettable journey.
Discover our exceptional Vietnam tour packages and let us help you create a truly personalized adventure:
With Asia Mystika, journey through Southeast Asia and Vietnam to experience rich cultures, where every story and person creates unforgettable memories. Travel is not just exploration, but a way to spread understanding, compassion, and peace for a better world.
Check out what our customers say about us on Tripadvisor!
Contact us for a personalized travel itinerary according to your preferences:
Hotline/Whatsapp: +84 86 622 7878
Email: sales@asiamystika.com
About Us
Destinations
Travel Styles
Travel Guide
Blogs
News
