Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre
Mua Roi Nuoc Vietnam, 57 Dinh Tien Hoang Street, Hanoi, Vietnam
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The Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre is an institution in Vietnam, a cultural experience that completes any visitor's trip to Hanoi. The puppet theatre is located at Dinh Tien Hoang Street, on the north end of the Lake of the Returned Sword, Ho Hoan Kiem.
The art of water puppetry came as the result of having too much free time. Developed by the rice farmers when the rice fields are flooded, water puppetry was a folk art that would have died with time twenty years ago, if not for a recent cultural revival that brought it back to life. The result not only resuscitated the art, it also provided an avenue to earn much needed hard cash for Vietnam's fledgling tourism industry.
Performance in progress at the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre.
Having experience the folk art of different Asian countries, I enjoyed the water puppet performance, although what we saw at Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre has been made grander for tourists, with the accompaniment of a traditional orchestra and narration in English. Watching it, I cannot help wishing for the opportunity to watch a similar experience, perhaps somewhere in the Vietnamese countryside, away from all the city embellishments, to see the art in all its simplicity, in its true nature. Nevertheless, what we got at Thang Long was sufficient glimpse into the artistry of the people of Vietnam.
How to go to Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre
Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre is located on 57 Dinh Tien Hoang Street, on the northern bank of the Lake of the Returned Sword, a short distance from the Fountain. its front facing Ly Thai To Street. If you are coming from Ho Hoan Kiem, the Lake of the Returned Sword, you can reach it by passing through Indira Gandhi Park. Alternatively, you can take Trang Tien Street all the way till you see the Municipal Theatre in front of you, then turn left into Ly Thai To Street. Sofitel Metropole is on your left.
The puppet theatre.
Retelling the story of the Lake of the Returned Sword through puppetry.
The performers coming out to greet the audience at the end of the show.
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