Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre | Traditional Art | Hanoi

Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre | Traditional Art | Hanoi

Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre

Water puppetry is a tradition that originated in Vietnam at least 1,000 years ago in the villages of the Red River Delta area of northern Vietnam.

The shows, which appeal to all ages, are charming, picaresque entertainments accompanied by a traditional Vietnamese pit orchestra.

The puppets are made out of wood and then lacquered. The shows are performed in a waist-deep pool.

A large rod supports the puppet under the water and is used by the puppeteers, who are normally hidden behind a screen, to control them. Many of the acts have spoken dialog as well, but it isn’t necessary to understand the words in order to appreciate the scenes.