Hanoi Water Puppet Show – Vietnam’s UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage

The capital Hanoi is a central exploration for majority tourists whenever they set their foots to Northern Vietnam. Besides many tourists activities to discover such as delicious cuisine, majestic and impressive historical landscapes, Hanoi is proud to have water pupet show which is cultual art for tourists. The shows usually perform about fairytale and legends of Vietnam’s history. In 2010, Thang Long Hanoi water pupet show is recognised by UNESCO world intanglble cultual heritage. Each year, Hanoi welcomes over 150,000 visitors to discover water pupet theatre to enjoy cultivation and civilization shows of this S-shaped country. Nowadays, Hanoi water puppet show become the signifcant cultural symbol of Vietnam.

1. Historical background of Hanoi Water Puppet Show

With over 1000 years rich history of Hanoi, there are diverse culture to preserve and develop and water puppet show is the hightlight. In the past, water puppet show was first introduced to the public in the watery stage rice paddies after the harvest or during holidays. Nowadays, puppets perform at large theatres in front of domestic and international audiences. The shows usually talk about many interesting fairy tale such as Thach Sanh, Thi Mau goes to pagoda, Tam Cam, The story of the axes, etc….After watching the shows, audiences will understand and learn many interesting legends of Vietnam.

2. The art of making water puppets

The vibrant puppets might be regarded the essence of Hanoi water puppet shows. Most puppets are made from fig wood, which is light and floats better on water. Each puppet will take craftsmen a week to carve and paint. The puppet’s body is what keeps it floating.

The typical themes of the water puppet shows are Vietnamese farmers’ daily lives (cultivating and catching fish), communal fun (swimming competition, dragon dancing), and historical legends.

In order to control the puppets in water surface, the artisans must be masculine and skillful. They will stand in the water to control the puppets. Various shows will be introduced to visitors when they enter to the theatre. Water puppet show become the pride of Vietnam history.

3. Where to find the water puppet show

Water Puppet show is increasingly popular , you can find many locations which is organise thẹ shows to visitors especially in northern Vietnam. In this article, we will share some recommendations of famous water pupet show theaters to visit below:

* Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre: 57B, Dinh Tien Hoang Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi

Thang Long Water Puppet theatre is the best choice for international and domestic customers. This is the only place performs 365 days/ year for audiences with mostly fully booked schedule daily. The professional team at this theatre has impressed many visitors about this pupet art. With afforable price on tickets and convinient location in center, travelers can enjoy the show ulmost.

* Lotus Water Puppet Theater: No 16, Le Thai To street, Hang Trong, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi.

Lotus Water Puppet Theatre is the second choice for many travelers want to enjoy the show in Hanoi. With also a convinient address which is located in the center to make it easy for transfer, audiences can travel to theatre enjoy different shows in a day. The artians are professiomal and passionate about what they do so whenever you come here, you will feel the fun almostphere at this place.

* Canh Dieu water puppetry show: No. 19B, Ngoc Ha Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi

Our next puppet show theatre is Canh Dieu which is near by Ho Chi Minh mausoleum. Especially, this place also attracts large number visitors come daily to watch the show. Each performance usually last for 50 minutes, audiences come to this theatre also impressed by the professionlism and friendliness services.

4. Prices on tickets of Water pupet show

Depending on what type of ticket you will purchase or what theatre you will come to enjoy the puppetry shows, the prices are dfferent in each ticket. They are showing the seats of visitors at theatre. For example, if you purchase the VIP ticket, you will get the front seats for watching the performances.

The table bellow will show you the different prices at each theatre for water puppetry.

5. What to expect in a show at Hanoi Water Pupet Show?

Coming to water puppetry show, visitors will expect many impressive, professional and passionate artisans behind the stage with puppets perform in surface water.

Performances will reappear the legends and folktale of Vietnam’s history.

• Water puppets: These special pupets are made by woods and lacquered to make them water proof. The puppets themselve beautiful crafted like mythical creatures, various animals, etc.
• Music visual: The stage will brightly be shining with different lights which control by artisans. Addtionally, musical instruments will play during perforance like drums, material arts, etc… especially there will be the mixed voices of artians.
• Storytelling: Behind the stage, the artisans will speak loudly to large audiences about our proud history, culture, custom and old legends through arts music.

On the stage, different shapes, colors and decorations of puppets will perform in front of a large audienenes. Behind the bamboo curtain will be the stage for artians with long strings to control the puppets.

Each show typically lasts around 50 minutes. Locals and international customers would expect this duration for each show. Interestingly, audiemces can interact on the stage with puppets when the artians request.

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