An introduction about Vietnamese Water Puppetry

The origin of water puppetry in Vietnam is from the country's agricultural activities. The puppet performing has its roots in the rice fields of the Red River Delta. The eurythmic movements of the puppets, along with traditional folk music and representative characters in the stories make water puppet a beloved art in Vietnam. Reading the introduction about Vietnamese water puppetry, you are unfolding a plenty of elements in Vietnamese culture such as sculpture, painting, folklore, traditional music and instruments, literature, architecture and painting. All these elements are reflected on the puppet characters, the stage, music, etc. The input of these elements make the Vietnamese water puppet show captivating and memorable to the spectators. 

Origins of Vietnamese water puppetry

Vietnamese water puppetry history dates back to the 11th century. Vietnamese farmers created this performance to entertain after farming seasons. Each village comes with a puppetry ward. When it comes to the competition between villages during festivals, the puppeteers tried to make more appealing puppet and performing skills. This folk entertainment was brought to the royalty during the dynasties of Ly, Tran, Le, Tay Son and Nguyen. The show was introduced to the King, royal mandarins as well as foreign emissaries. 

The puppetry gradually evolved into a more sophisticated art form. Vietnamese water puppetry has been an intangible cultural heritage of Vietnam since 2018. Thanks to an enthusiastic preservation and promotion, this folk art of Vietnam is popular to domestics and internationals.

Water puppet performances

Watching the Vietnamese water puppet show, the audiences can see only moving puppets but puppeteers. Waist-deep water places such as ponds or paddy fields are chosen to be stages for performing the Vietnamese water puppet show. These days, they can create a stage in the theater or at the home of the artisans. The puppeteers stay hidden behind the bamboo screen to control the puppets by bamboo rods and string. With their skillful techniques, the puppeteers make the puppets move smoothly, make splashes of water, etc. The traditional lively music is another element that makes the show more interesting. The movements of the graceful wooden puppets convey stunning emotions. Then, watching a Vietnamese water puppet show during your Vietnam holiday trip is a must do. 

The puppets and puppetry

The Vietnamese water puppetry depicts folks in daily life or the fantastical. It comes with folk characters such as Uncle Teu - a famous comedic storyteller in Vietnam, farmers with their agricultural works, traditional fishing activities, daily lives and mythology. The Vietnamese puppet show also includes familiar animals such as the buffalos, cats, mice and the spiritual mascots like dragon, phoenix, turtle and unicorns. 

Fig tree and jackfruit trees’ woods are chosen to make these puppets as their lightweight can make the puppet floating easily on the water. The wood is processed with different stages such as carving, polishing, lacquered and painting to become a puppet. The puppets, with height from 30 - 70 cm, appear colorful, cheerful and typically representative. 

Where to watch the Vietnamese water puppet show in Vietnam

The puppet shows can be found in villages of the Red River Delta during traditional festivals. The artists also bring it to theaters. Vietnamese and foreign visitors can watch the Vietnamese water puppet show in the theaters in Vietnam in the main cities such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Hoi An, Hue, Nha Trang.

Watch water puppet show in Hanoi

Watching a Vietnamese water puppet show is undeniably a highlight of any Vietnam as well as cultural tours Indochina. As the water puppet wards are mainly located nearby the capital Thang Long or Hanoi, visitors mainly see the show when visiting Hanoi. Some venues to enjoy the Vietnamese water puppet show in Hanoi include Thang Long Puppet Theater, the museum of Ethnology, Vietnam national puppet theater, Lotus water puppet theater, etc. If the big theaters come with so many people, you can visit a water puppet artisan - Phan Thanh Liem. He offers a visit and private introduction to his family story, the puppet making, and performs the puppet show in his mini theater. 

Venue for water puppet show in Ho Chi Minh City

If you are seeing only the south of Vietnam, there are venues to watch the Vietnamese water puppet show in Ho Chi Minh City: Rong Vang water puppet Theater, Phuong Nam Theater, Ngon Restaurant in Thao Dien Village, Dau Homemade restaurant. 

Water puppet show in Hoi An

In Hoi An, you can watch the puppet show at the Water Puppet Theater Hoi An at 548 Hai Ba Trung Street. 

Some tips to check before watching the Vietnamese water puppet show

Depending on the venues and the seat locations, the ticket prices are different.

The theaters and places perform the puppet shows at different schedules and timing. Then, you should check well on the timing.

Some theaters apply surcharges for photography and filming. You might be asked for this if any. 

The Vietnamese water puppet show is performed in around 45 minutes.

Vietnam water puppetry reflects a valuable culture in northern Vietnam which is communal activity. Watching this show when traveling in Vietnam, you definitely will get an immersive experience of Vietnamese culture.