Thang Long Water Puppet Theater

Theatre in Hanoi

CC BY-SA 3.0 / Gryffindor

The Thang Long Water Puppet Theater in Hanoi is dedicated to preserving the ancient Vietnamese art form of water puppetry, known as Mua Roi Nuoc, which originated in the Red River Delta of North Vietnam. Historically performed in shallow, flooded paddy fields and ponds, water puppetry is a significant cultural event in Vietnam, with theater troupes traveling worldwide to participate in cultural exchanges and art festivals.

In this traditional art form, puppets are mounted on poles concealed under a shallow pool of water, creating the illusion of movement on the water’s surface. Performances depict scenes from everyday life in a typical Vietnamese village and elaborate tales from rural Vietnamese legends and myths. The puppets, crafted from lacquered wood and brightly colored, are brought to life with unique special effects using light and water.

The performance is accompanied by an orchestra playing traditional Vietnamese instruments such as drums, flutes, and the Dan Bau, a single-stringed instrument similar to a harp. Songs and stories are performed in Vietnamese, but the expressive puppets convey the narratives effectively, making the stories enjoyable even without understanding the language. Notable performances include the Dance of the Fairies, Dance of the Dragons, and the Legend of the Restored Sword.

Each show lasts about an hour. Cameras are allowed, and visitors sometimes receive CDs of the music or VCDs of the performance when they purchase tickets.

The Thang Long Water Puppet Theater appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Hanoi!

This website uses affiliate links which may earn a commission at no additional cost to you!