This video clip features puppet chú Tễu, who guides the audience through the introduction of the origin, performance styles and popularity of Vietnamese water puppetry.
According to National Geographic Travel report, water puppetry is a typical form of Vietnamese art, which has existed for more than 1,000 years—and a quintessential experience if you're visiting this beautiful country.
Seeing a show at the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre is one of the classic highlights of Hanoi, an absolute must-do. The theatre is just across the road that wraps around the north shore of Lake Hoan Kiem, on the edge of the Old Quarter. The show lasts 45 minutes and runs several times throughout the day, though it’s so popular you may have to book a day or two in advance.
True to name, the puppets splash around on their stage – a square pool of waist-deep water – rather than dangle above it. The puppeteers are hidden behind a screen, and manoeuvre their characters using bamboo rods. The scenes are based on Vietnamese legends and are accompanied by live folk musicians and singers.
In 2016, the website Amusingplanet also introduced Vietnamese water puppetry to its audiences and told visitors about the most famous place to watch water puppetry, which is the Thăng Long Water Puppet Theater in Hanoi.
