A unique form of performance art originating in the Red River delta area in the 11th century, traditional Vietnamese water puppetry (mua roi nuoc) is one of region’s most captivating art forms.
Originally performed by villagers to amuse themselves among
the paddy fields during flood season, today the puppet shows are performed to grand
scale on a specialist stage with a handcrafted water pool and the accompaniment
of a traditional Vietnamese orchestra.
Out-of-view, puppeteers hide waist-deep deep in water, using
large bamboo rods to support the lacquered wooden puppets while making them
elegantly dance across the water in displays of ancient folklore.
This is without doubt one of the most magical, entrancing 40 minutes you are likely to spend in Hanoi. A must see.
Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre, 57b Dinh Tien Hoang (Old Quarter) 3 p.m. – 4.10 p.m. – 5.20 p.m. – 8 p.m. every day 100,000 VND/150,000 VND/200,000 VND
