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Hanoi water puppet show is a performance not to be missed on any Vietnam trip. This folk art helps tourists get a closer exposure to Vietnamese culture, traditions, and history.

Water puppetry has long been a traditional art form of Vietnamese people in the Red River Delta. Watching a Hanoi water puppet show is hence regarded as one of the top things to do during a Hanoi travel journey. Dating back to the 11th century, this long-tradition art offers a great way to tell Vietnamese folktales and folklores.

 An overview of Hanoi water puppet shows

History of Vietnam water puppet shows

Water puppetry is a special folk art created by the people living in the Red River Delta in Northern Vietnam. This art form dates back to the 11th century. A water puppet show Vietnam used to be held at a village’s communal pond. There would be a small pavilion amidst the pond, which was like the backstage for the artists when they performed the show. 

In a Hanoi water puppet show, puppets are made of wood and then lacquered to be waterproof and durable. During the show, the puppets are controlled via a bamboo rod and strings hidden under the water surface by puppeteers standing behind the stage.The performance of the puppets on stage usually comes along with “Cheo” singing – a traditional folk music of the Northern people. Indispensably, the show also involves several instruments, such as drums, monochord, cymbals, flutes, horns, gongs, etc.

Hanoi water puppet show story

The puppet shows are usually about the daily life of rural people, as well as the stories of legends and historical heroes. It shows many things about the Northern people’s customs and traditions. Watching a Hanoi water puppet show is hence a great way to better understand the local culture and history. 

The latest Hanoi water puppet show tickets

Nowadays, water puppet shows are no longer something that you can easily find in a random village. The fast pace of life has kept the locals from practicing and enjoying this art form. Still, visitors can come to Hanoi water puppet theaters to watch the shows. 

Each water puppet theater Hanoi has its own schedule and ticket price level. It is advisable to look up information about the theater in advance to pick the most suitable Hanoi water puppet show times and prices.

Generally, the ticket fee for a Hanoi water puppet show ranges between 60,000 and 150,000 VND (approximately 3 to 8 USD).

The 4 most famous places to enjoy water puppet show in Hanoi

Hanoi has many water puppet theaters that offer authentic puppet shows. If you are looking for the best water puppet show in Hanoi, visit one of the four reputable theaters below:

Thang Long Water Puppet Theater

• Address: 57B Dinh Tien Hoang Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
• Schedule: 
  • Monday to Saturday: 1:45 PM, 3:00 PM, 4:10 PM, 5:20 PM, 6:30 PM, 8:00 PM, 9:15 PM
  • Sunday: 9:30 AM, 1:45 PM, 3:00 PM, 4:10 PM, 5:20 PM, 6:30 PM, 8:00 PM, 9:15 PM
• Ticket price: 
  • 100,000 VND/adult 
  • 60,000 VND/kid below 1.2 meters tall
  • Surcharge of 20,000 VND/camera and 60,000 VND/camcorder 

Situated near Hoan Kiem Lake, Thang Long Theater is the most famous place to watch Hanoi water puppet shows. There are shows available daily, with seven to eight shows each day. The puppeteers in Thang Long are well-trained, highly qualified, and very creative, bringing excellent performances in every single show.

Not only delivering Vietnamese culture and traditions via puppet shows, Thang Long Water Puppet Theater also delivers classic western performances like Russia’s “Swan Lake” and Spain’s “Bullfighting” with water puppetry.

Lotus Water Puppet Theater

• Address: 16 Le Thai To Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
• Schedule: 2:45 PM, 4:00 PM, 5:15 PM, 6:30 PM
• Ticket price: 
  • 80,000 VND/standard ticket 
  • 100,000 VND/VIP ticket

Lotus Water Puppet Theater is another outstanding place that offers brilliant puppet shows in Hanoi. It is also known as Vietnam Contemporary Art Theater or Viet Culture Space. Lotus water puppet show Hanoi is performed by experienced artists and musicians from traditional craft villages. The show is a new breath, which has both traditional and contemporary styles.

Canh Dieu Water Puppet Theater

• Address: 19B Ngoc Ha Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi
• Schedule: 9:00 AM, 10:10 AM, 11:15 AM, 3:30 PM , 4:45 PM, 6:00 PM, 7:30 PM
• Ticket price: 
  • 100,000 VND/adult
  • 70,000 VND/kid

Located on Ngoc Ha Street near many famous attractions like Ba Dinh Square, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Thang Long Citadel, Temple of Literature, etc., Canh Dieu Water Puppet Theater is a familiar place to enjoy a puppet show Hanoi. Here, tourists can immerse themselves in the rustic vibe of the northern countryside while watching skillful puppeteers performing. 

Vietnam National Puppetry Theatre (Central Puppet Theater)

• Address: 361 Truong Chinh Street, Thanh Xuan District, Hanoi
• Schedule: 
  • 8:00 PM every Saturday
  • Performance on request available 
• Ticket price: 120,000 VND – 250,000 VND/person, varying on each show

Central Puppet Theater is the largest puppetry center in Vietnam built to preserve and develop this traditional art. There are two stages for Hanoi water puppet shows here: one inside the theater and one at “thủy đình” (a stage in the pavilion amidst the pond). Not only offering performances, artists of Vietnam National Puppetry Theater also bring water puppet shows to different parts of Vietnam and other countries. 

Article source: Vinwonders

Image source: (collected from google)