The Water Puppets of Hanoi: A look At One Of Vietnam’s Oldest Traditions
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Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, has a deep history that spans over 1,000 years. Though it hasn't always held the title of the national capital, it has consistently served as the cultural center of the country. Today, Hanoi is a dynamic, fast-paced city that has fully integrated with the modern world. While the city looks towards the future, it has also made it a priority to preserve its past. Centuries-old architecture can be found scattered throughout the city. Restaurants serve dishes that have been staples of Vietnamese cuisine for over a millennium. It seems that everywhere you go in Hanoi, there is a reminder of the Vietnam of old. One of those reminders has emerged as one of the best things to do in Vietnam: Vietnamese water puppetry.
What is Vietnamese Water Puppetry?
Water puppetry is an art form that has been a part of Vietnamese culture since the 11th century. The wooden puppets used in water puppetry are hand-carved and painted with bright colors, made to represent various characters, including mythical figures, animals, and scenes from the everyday life of Vietnamese people. They are made from fig wood and covered in a waterproof coating to ensure they can live a long life in the water. These puppets are then controlled by puppeteers who stand behind a bamboo screen and operate them using long rods while wading in the water. This creates the illusion that the puppets are moving freely and magically across the surface. The performances are accompanied by live traditional music, including songs and folk tales, that tell a story as the puppets glide on the water's surface.
A Vietnamese Water Puppet plays an instrument at Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre.
The History of Water Puppetry in Vietnam
The Origins of water puppetry in Vietnam begin in the rural villages of the Northern part of the country, particularly around the Red River Delta, just over an hour away from Hanoi. It is said that water puppetry was initially performed by farmers to celebrate the harvest and amuse themselves during the rainy season. Faced with flooded fields, performers adapted to the conditions they were faced with and turned traditional puppetry into something new and unique to Vietnam. From the flooded fields, the idea of using the puppets in the water was born. It soon served not only as entertainment, but also as a means of storytelling, with themes rooted in Vietnamese folklore, Vietnamese royalty, mythology, and the daily lives of villagers. These stories were passed down through generations with the use of the puppets. As the art form gained popularity, it began to be performed in towns and cities, eventually making its way into the cultural fabric of Hanoi. Today, it stands as a symbol of Vietnamese cultural identity, cherished by locals and admired by tourists.
Vietnamese royalty portrayed during a water puppet performance.
What a Water Puppet Show in Vietnam Is Like
Attending a water puppet show is an experience like nothing else you’ll find in Vietnam. As the audience settles into the dimly lit theater, the sounds of traditional Vietnamese music fill the air and a variety of different puppets emerge from behind the bamboo curtain over the course of the hour long show. Each puppet dances gracefully on the water's surface and each performance tells a story, reflecting the values, customs, and humor of Vietnamese people. The performances typically depict scenes from the rural life of Vietnamese farmers and fishermen, historical legends revolving around Vietnamese kings and queens, and folk tales from the countries past. While most water puppets depict humans, some depict animals regularly seen on the Vietnamese countryside like water buffalo, ducks, and foxes. Other puppets depict mythical figures like dragons and the Phoenixes. There are several Water Puppet Theaters in Hanoi and each one puts their own spin on the art form. Some take a more humorous approach while others tell a more serious narrative. Modern twists like pyrotechnics and smoke machines are utilized at some theaters while others keep it more traditional. Certain venues even have human performers interact with the puppets while others hide them behind the bamboo curtain, maintaining the illusion that the puppets have a life of their own. The difference in performances is a good excuse to catch multiple Water Puppet shows during a trip to Vietnam.
A smoke machine being used during a show.
Where to See Water Puppetry in Hanoi
The heart of Hanoi is home to several venues where visitors can experience the magic of water puppetry. The most famous of which is the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre, located on the rim of Hoan Kiem Lake. Hanoi's most famous theatre offers daily performances, and is the most popular water puppet show in all of Vietnam. The Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre ticket prices start at 100,000 Vietnamese Dong (4 USD) and go all the way up to 200,000 Vietnamese Dong (8 USD) for VIP seats.
Other places in Hanoi to see Vietnamese water puppets in action are the Vietnam National Puppetry Theatre, which features other traditional Vietnamese art forms in addition to water puppetry, and the Lotus Water Puppet Theatre. Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre is the most traditional out of the three, while the Lotus Theatre and Vietnam National Puppetry Theatre have both put a more modern twist on their shows with pyrotechnics, performances with fires and TV monitors explaining the backstories of each performance in English.
A water puppet band performs at the Lotus Water Puppet Theatre.
Another way to experience water puppetry close to Hanoi is to visit Dao Thuc Village, an area about an hour north of Hanoi. In Dao Thuc, there are several workshops where the puppets for the shows in Hanoi are crafted. It’s a great way to get an understanding of how water puppets are made and the history behind the centuries old art-form. Visitors to Dao Thuc may even end up with a water puppet of their own.
Water puppets for sale at Dao Thuc Village.
One of the most rewarding parts of visiting the great country of Vietnam is experiencing it's history around every corner. This ancient country has undergone significant triumphs and hardships over the years, shaping Vietnam into what it is today. You can see the storied past of this great Asian nation reflected in its cuisine, its architecture, and the cultural traditions it has managed to preserve for centuries. Vietnamese water puppetry is not only a great way to spend a night out on a trip to Hanoi, but also a great way to connect with the roots that have made Vietnam such a special place.
Water puppet puppeteers.