Explore cultural identities can be one of the most interesting things in your trips to Hanoi. Especially, water puppetry is a form of traditional arts cannot miss in Vietnam in general and Hanoi in particular. The famous historical legends are recreated using wooden puppets and colorful puppets on the stage of water surface. Although they are completely narrated in Vietnamese, music and gestures of wooden puppets still can transmit entirely the content of stories to all audiences.
Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre was founded in 1969 and is located right next to Hoan Kiem Lake, the heart of the capital. Theatre is one of the most famous venues performing water puppet in Vietnam. Water puppetry emerged from the Ly (1010-1225), on the Red River flowing around Hanoi. Water puppetry is a unique creation of the residents of the Red River delta, which was grown from the water control and improvement. Water puppetry is often organized on the free days of the harvest, spring days, and in the festivals. Through the stories that are carried out by water puppet show artists, viewers will feel the nuances of village festivals which are entrusted the idyllic dreams to life. In the space of romantic nature, the audiences have the opportunity to admire an art form in which land, water, trees, clouds, the wind, fire, and translucent smoke as well as pavilion with red tiles are combined harmoniously. It is a unique blend of art, nature, and people. Before officially becoming theatrics, water puppetry had been active in the craft guilds scattered throughout the villages, was raised by the enthusiasm of the people. Soaking in mud and water to make art is not a job every people enjoy. If the people has not a deep feeling of gratitude to water as residents of rice cultivation, it is difficult to get passionate inspiration into the actions of the water puppet characters.
Today, Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre is one of the traditional puppet theater still operating and lacquered wooden puppets of the theater has become famous around the world. Since 1990 the theater regularly organizes international tours and have attended many art festivals worldwide. Therefore, come to the theatre and join the show is an interesting and impressive experience for the visitors.
Puppets are performed in a lake and artists soak in water to control the puppets behind a hanging painting. These puppets are controlled via underwater bamboo poles or strings which are arranged specially. Lively music along with the ingenuity of the artist, these scenes of normal activities of life, spiritual and material rituals of Vietnamese farmers are shown apparently. Drop your soul following ancient legends and cheer with the crowd when the dragon or the characters suddenly appear from under the water will make the performance more fascinated.
Coming to Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre, visitors will have the opportunity to learn a simple cultural life of Vietnamese people through exciting and attractive performances. And, be prepared to get comfortable laughter because the theatre is quite well known for his comedic repertoire. Here, talented artisans offer visitors a fresh feeling about the traditional folk arts, water puppetry brings freshness, gentleness, positivity, and love for nature and human through the idyllic and simplicity which are amplified and carried to the stage to perform for the audiences. And after the end of the show, visitors can stay longer to enjoy romantic views of Hoan Kiem Lake to fully admire the beauty and uniqueness of Hanoi.
