Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre — Attraction in Hà Nội

A visit to Hanoi is incomplete without experiencing a traditional water puppet show. For many, including myself, this captivating art form is best witnessed at the venerable Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre, located conveniently near Hoan Kiem Lake. While not a "long" show in the sense of being exceptionally lengthy (most performances are around 45-60 minutes), the experience is rich, unique, and leaves a lasting impression. Stepping into the theatre, you're immediately transported to a bygone era. The stage, a pool of water, is the star, cleverly concealing the puppeteers who stand behind a screen, manipulating their intricate wooden puppets with long rods and strings. The skill and precision involved are truly remarkable, making the puppets appear to dance and glide effortlessly across the water's surface. The narratives, while often told in Vietnamese, are universally understood through the expressive movements of the puppets and the lively traditional Vietnamese music that accompanies the show. Live musicians and vocalists sit to the side of the stage, providing the vibrant soundtrack and often adding comedic or dramatic flair. You'll witness vignettes depicting rural Vietnamese life – rice farming, fishing, buffalo herding – alongside mythical tales of dragons, phoenixes, and legendary heroes. The segment featuring the playful dancing fairies and the majestic dragon emerging from the water are particularly memorable. One of the most charming aspects is the palpable sense of history and cultural preservation. This isn't just entertainment; it's a living tradition passed down through generations. The artistry in the hand-carved puppets, the precision of the puppeteers, and the evocative traditional music all combine to create an authentic cultural immersion.

I had a little uncomfortable experience, though.. I was asked to give my tickets to confirm something by a few of the staff members during the show. Wasn't explained why, but I was a bit embarrassed, as I had to stand up and had to look for the tickets in the dark. But there wasn't any explanation or apologise offered or didn't get our tickets back either as I normally collect them as souvenirs. Anyway, it could be anything. But I would recommend the show to locals...

The water puppet show in Hanoi, Vietnam, is a mesmerizing cultural experience that brings to life a traditional art form dating back to the 11th century. Held at the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre, this unique performance features intricately crafted wooden puppets that dance on water, skillfully manipulated by hidden puppeteers. The show is accompanied by live traditional Vietnamese music, including the use of bamboo flutes, drums, and cymbals, which adds to the vibrant and enchanting atmosphere.

The storytelling is both humorous and poignant, depicting rural Vietnamese life, historical legends, and folklore. Even without understanding the Vietnamese language, the visual spectacle and the expressive movements of the puppets make the narratives engaging and easy to follow.

One of the highlights is the play of light and water, which creates a magical ambiance, making the puppets appear to glide and float effortlessly. The coordination and skill of the puppeteers are truly impressive, showcasing a deep mastery of this age-old tradition.

The theatre offers different seating prices: 100,000 Vietnamese dong for the last row, 150,000 Vietnamese dong for the middle row, and 200,000 Vietnamese dong for the front row. Despite the tiered pricing, you can sit just about anywhere and get a good view, so there's no need to worry too much about your seating choice. Additionally, you can pay 50,000 Vietnamese dong for an audio guide, which is highly recommended. While you can still enjoy the music, visuals, and live performance without it, the audio guide provides valuable context, explaining what each story is about. Though it doesn't translate verbatim what the puppets are saying, it offers a quick narrative either before, during, or after each performance, significantly enhancing your understanding.

Overall, the water puppet show in Hanoi is a delightful and culturally rich experience, offering a glimpse into Vietnam's heritage and artistry. It is a must-see for anyone visiting the city, providing entertainment and insight into the country's rich cultural tapestry.

loved when the puppet performers came out at the end...

We visited the Water Puppet Theatre today and had a few thoughts that we felt important to share in case it is useful for other visitors.

We booked via getyourguide and had to go to a local agent nearby the theatre to collect our tickets, which was quick and easy, and meant we didn't have to do any queuing. We did the VIP section and got seats D13 and D14. I'm 5ft11 (180cm) and struggled a little with my leg room as some people have noted. Just be aware if you're tall!

The audio guide in English we both took and I am glad as it gave a little context to what was going on, but I think it could be improved to give more detail as it was a little incomplete feeling. There seemed to be so much storytelling in Vietnamese through dialogue and song that, while beautiful, didn't translate so we felt like we missed a lot of the stories. Would I recommend paying the relatively small fee for it though? Yes, absolutely.

The artistry was beautiful, the musicians, singers, and of course, puppeteers were all incredibly talented and masters of their craft, but the only way I would recommend seeing this show would be by trying to go very early or the day before and book front row seats. Even in row D our view was obscured by audience members and their phones. As a Brit used to Western theatre etiquette it was astounding to me that there were phones/photography/video allowed and even someone using a flash film camera the entire time. It was endlessly distracting and infuriating as you don't (or I don't) pay to watch a live theatre show through someone else's phone screen.

I know my rating isn't really reflected in the performance which was honestly very impressive and entertaining, but I missed so much and really really wish that there was at least limited phone use. I have no issue with people taking a quick photo then putting their phones away once or twice during the performance if not having photos taken at all isn't something they want to enforce. It ruined our experience. I'd only encourage people to go if they get the front row to avoid this...