Water Puppet Show
Where to Enjoy: Thang Long Water Puppet Theater (293 seats)
Duration: 45 minutes for each show
Address: 57C Dinh Tien Hoang Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi (Opposite Hoan Kiem Lake)
Best suited for: Hanoi Old Quarter Exploring Tour (especially in the evening), Vietnam Classic Tour, Hanoi Day Tour, Northern Vietnam Tour...
Schedule: 5 shows each day (starts from 15.00, 16.10, 17.20, 18.30, 20.00)
Why to Add this Show to Itineraries
- Always considered the must-see show in Vietnam
- Spend only about 1 hour enjoying the traditional Vietnam art performance
- Located at the center of Hanoi Old Quarter, near Hoan Kiem Lake, which can be combined with food tour, cyclo tour, sightseeing tour at Hanoi Old Quarter.
- The theatre is new with large capacity suiting even big group
Highlights of Water Puppet Show
- The great combination of traditional music, lively lights, folk songs and unique water puppet
- The traditional stories with climaxes of Vietnam daily life in the past attached to the civilization of wet rice agriculture
- The myths in Vietnam history related to the 4000 years of history
- The master of puppet controlling skills from the artists
Water puppetry is a tradition that dated back as far as the 11th century when it originated in the villages of the Red River Delta area of Northern Vietnam. When the rice fields would flood, the villagers would entertain each other using this form of puppet play.
The puppets are made out of wood and then lacquered. The shows are performed in a waist-deep pool. A large bamboo rod supports the puppet under the water and is used by the puppeteers, who are normally hidden behind a screen, to control them.
The traditional water puppet show is selected from more than 400 traditional folk water puppet shows. A traditional Vietnamese orchestra provides background music accompaniment. Singers of Cheo (a form of opera) with origin in Northern Vietnam sing the songs which tell the story being acted out by the puppets.
See our Clients' Reviews
A wonderful experience and incredible show. We recommend getting the audio translation headset--really helped us to understand what was happening. The only unfortunate bit was the volume of audience members taking photos and video with flash and/or entirely blocking the view of people behind them.
I suspect that they would do this regardless of the rules, but would have appreciated a no flash photo and no video policy. It was hugely disruptive to an experience that would otherwise be quite immersive.
Another thing to note is that there are pyrotechnics early on. These are really great, but if you have breathing difficulty, may be problematic. The smoke hung in the air throughout. That said, incredible performance, great value, essential experience.
I recently had the pleasure of attending a show at Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre Hanoi and it was an absolute delight! The puppeteers were incredibly skilled, creating an enchanting performance that was both unique and colorful. I found myself laughing out loud at the antics of the puppets, and I can honestly say that it was one of the most enjoyable experiences I've ever had! Highly recommended!
We really enjoyed the show at this unique Water Puppet Theatre which is centrally situated near Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi’s Old Quarter. The skill of the puppeteers is quite remarkable. If you can afford it go for the most expensive seats at the front for the best view.
This is a CULTURAL experience. There's lot of history to Vietnamese Water Puppets. Definitely pay for the English translation explanation headset of what you're seeing. It helps. For the Internet generation, I don't know if this is entertainment. We enjoyed the show. It's not long, less than an hour. The puppeteers end the show by showing themselves.
Fantastic colourful and very clever show. The stage (water pool) is quite low down so would recommend a seat near the front. The musicians and narrators are set higher up in each wing. The only thing I has an issue with is that (apparently) you are allowed to take photos and video. I had to ask the person in front of me to put her phone down because it was obscuring my view, and looking around the theatre the there were plenty of other phones raised.
We had a wonderful time watching the Thang Long Water Puppet show in Hanoi. It was a captivating performance of traditional legends and historical tales, with colorful puppets, live music and amazing water effects. The puppeteers were very skilled and expressive, and the theater was cozy and comfortable. I highly recommend this show to anyone who wants to experience a unique and ancient art form of Vietnam.
This is not your typical puppet show. The puppets are controlled by skilled puppeteers who hide behind a bamboo screen and make the puppets dance on the water. The show features colorful scenes from Vietnamese folklore, history and everyday life, accompanied by live music and singing. You'll be amazed by the creativity and craftsmanship of the puppets and the puppeteers. The show is suitable for all ages and lasts about an hour. Don't miss this opportunity to see a traditional art form that has been preserved for centuries.
Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre Hanoi is a unique and enchanting experience. The puppets are colorful, the music is fun, and the stories are captivating. The show is an amazing combination of traditional art and modern technology. The performers are incredibly talented and make the show even more enjoyable. The theatre is beautiful and the atmosphere is truly magical. It's a great way to learn about Vietnamese culture and appreciate the art of water puppetry. Highly recommended!
This is amazing show. Dancing puppets in the water. I think this is only one place in the world you can see. But the ticket is sold-out quickly, espectially Friday - Sunday. It is recommended to book at the earliest at ticket counter in front of the theater.