The must-see "water puppet show" in Vietnam – puppeteers perform waist-deep in murky water

Mr. Liang, a senior tour guide at Hongyi Travel Agency specializing in Vietnam, explained that the history of Vietnam’s water puppet shows dates back a thousand years. Back then, in the Hanoi area, the annual flooding of the Red River greatly affected the lives of residents who relied on agriculture and fishing. During flood seasons, when work was impossible, life became unbearably dull. So, some people began playing with small wooden figures in the water as a form of entertainment.Later, this evolved into building makeshift stages in the river, using bamboo poles and ropes to control the puppets’ movements. Over time, with advancements in technique, it became a popular folk art performance. Today, it is recognized by Vietnam’s Ministry of Culture as a traditional cultural show.

These water puppet shows can be found from northern Vietnam to the south. Aside from theaters, similar performances are also commonly staged in museums. Not understanding Vietnamese isn’t a problem, as the stories can be understood through the puppets’ movements. The rich body language of the puppets comes from the puppeteers behind the curtain, who perform waist-deep in water throughout the show. When the curtain falls, they stand up in a line from the pool to take a bow, earning thunderous applause from both local and international audiences.

 
 
▲ Various puppets, in sync with the ripples of the water and the rhythm of the band, perform one folktale after another. (Photo / Reporter Chen Ziyin)

%Puppeteers can only be seen from below, performing while submerged in the water where the puppets are operated.%