Water Puppet Theatre

On my last night in Hanoi, I attended a water puppet show, the city’s most famous attraction. Water puppet shows originated in the Red River Delta during flood season. Farmers would use wooden puppets to perform stories of ancient Vietnamese folklore in the flooded rice patties. Now of course, they are performed in enclosed pools with the puppeteers standing waist-deep in water and directing puppets attached to horizontal poles. I know it all sounds a bit complicated but watch the video to get a better understanding for yourself. Double click on “Water Puppet Show” on the top right of this page.