Water Puppet Theater (Múa Rối Nước)
The water puppet theater is a unique Vietnamese art form that exists nowhere else in the world. It originated in the 11th century in the flooded rice fields of the Red River Delta, when farmers moved their entertainment to the water during the flood season.
The technique is fascinating: The puppeteers stand waist-deep in water, hidden behind a bamboo curtain. They control the 40–50 cm tall, lacquered wooden puppets using long bamboo rods and strings beneath the water's surface — the mechanics remain invisible to the audience. The puppets swim, dive, splash water, and interact with each other with astonishing liveliness.
The stories are a mix of legends (the Dragon King), historical events (the victory over the Chinese), and everyday scenes (fishing, rice farming, festivals). Accompanied by a traditional orchestra with Đàn Bầu (one-string monochord), bamboo flutes, drums, and singing.
The best theater: Thăng Long Water Puppet Theater at Hoàn Kiếm Lake in Hanoi. Several performances daily (50 min., 100,000 VND / 3.70 €). There are also performances in HCMC and Hội An.
