Explore Thang Long water puppet theater – All Things to know
When visiting Hanoi, be sure not to miss Thang Long Water Puppet Theater if you’re a fan of Vietnamese traditional art. Each year, thousands of people flock to the theater to witness the renowned water puppet performances.
If you’re seeking for a location to entertain yourself while learning more about Vietnamese history and traditional culture in Hanoi, Thang Long Puppet Theater is a great addition to your itinerary.
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Thang Long Water Puppet Theater located? How to get there?
- Address: No. 57B Dinh Tien Hoang street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
- Get Directions on Google Map: Open Links
How to get to Thang Long water puppet theater
Thang Long Water Puppet Theater is located in the center of Hanoi Old Quarter, in front of Hoan Kiem Lake, so you can easily get there from most areas of Hanoi.
- If you are in Hanoi Old Quarter: You can easily walk to the area of The Huc bridge, Hoan Kiem lake, and the theater is on the opposite.
- If you stay further away, you can take a taxi or motorbike taxi. Apps like Grab and SM Xanh make transportation booking extremely convenient.
- Public transportation has many bus routes that take you to Dinh Tien Hoang street such as: 08, 09, 14, 31, 36, 86,… The stop is only a short walk from the theater.
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History of Thang Long water puppet theater
First established in 1969, Thang Long Puppet Theater is a popular tourist attraction in Hanoi that has been built for nearly 40 years through many ups and downs. The Theater used to face difficulties that seemed insurmountable as a result of the oblivion of the art of water puppetry.
Thanks to the efforts of artisans who love this traditional art, Thang Long Puppet Theater made a significant advancement in 1990 when it decided to invest in maintaining this art and performing for both domestic and international tourists.
Nowadays, water puppetry has become a unique cultural symbol of Vietnam. In 2010, Thang Long Water Puppet Theater was recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage.
What to expect at the shows of Thang Long Water Puppet Theater
Visiting Thang Long Puppet Theater is akin to unlocking a door to discover Vietnam’s rich culture. The performances are miniature plays, with a series of vignettes that bring traditional Vietnamese folklore and legends to life.
Love stories, epic battles, glimpses of rural life – it’s all there, narrated through meticulously crafted puppets in a water-based spectacle
- Water puppetry: Skilled puppeteers manipulate the puppets while submerged up to their waists in water behind a bamboo screen. The puppets are made of wood and lacquered to make them waterproof. They are exquisitely crafted to resemble a wide range of animals, humanoids, and mythological characters.
- Live music: The performance is accompanied by live music played on traditional Vietnamese instruments such as bamboo flutes and drums.
- Folktale storytelling: A lot of stories from Vietnamese mythology, folklore, and everyday life are featured in the show. While some stories talk of dragons, fairies, and other supernatural creatures, others show scenes common to the countryside, such as fishing and rice cultivation.
- Visual effects: The theater has grown and changed throughout time, with new technology introduced into performances. Nowadays, the show includes various visual effects, such as pyrotechnics, smoke, laser light and water jets, to enhance the performances.
Some of the best puppet shows at Thang Long Water Puppet Theater in Hanoi
Thang Long Puppet Theater in Hanoi has launched many water puppet shows in a variety of forms and genres. The following seven typical performances, which have rich values and honor the art of Vietnamese water puppetry, are the most remarkable that visitors should not miss:
Some of the specila puppet shows
- Agricultural activities: Recreate the enthusiastic working life of industrious and hard-working farmers. Activities such as plowing, planting rice, harvesting,… are shown vividly, making audiences very excited.
- Legend of the Return of the Sword: Tell the story of King Le Thai To receiving a magical sword that helped him defeat the invaders and brought peace back to the country.
- Buffalo herding and flute playing: Picture shepherd boys in a serene village setting, sitting on the buffalo’s back and playing the flute. The melodious sound of the flute with the peaceful scene makes any child away from home feel emotional.
- Boat racing: This is an extremely common activity that takes place during traditional festivals across the nation. The show recreates the tumultuous rowing scene, with everyone joyfully and enthusiastically rowing to the finish line with the team.
- Dance of four sacred animals: One of the unique performances of Thang Long Puppet Theater is the dance that represents this sacredness. The four sacred animals – the dragon, unicorn, turtle, and phoenix – are frequently seen in temples and are symbolic of longevity, prosperity, good fortune, and loyalty.
- Dance of dragon and phoenix: The two mascots, the dragon and the phoenix, have a significant place in the folk culture beliefs of our nation. One is the embodiment of strength while the other represents agility and flexibility. Another notable point is the performance of the couple Dragon – Phoenix, whose harmonious dances symbolize the faithful love between husband and wife.
Show’s timetable and ticket prices at Thang Long Water Puppet Theater
Each show at Thang Long water puppet theater usually lasts for about 50 minutes.
Show timings:
- Monday to Saturday: 1:45 p.m., 3:00 p.m., 4:10 p.m., 5:20 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 8:00 p.m. and 9:15 p.m.
- Sunday: 9:30 a.m., 1:45 p.m., 3:00 p.m., 4:10 p.m., 5:20 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 8:00 p.m. and 9:15 p.m.
- It is advisable to check the official website ahead of time if you plan to see them when you visit Hanoi, as their schedules are subject to change. And remember to get your ticket and enter through the door 30 minutes before the show.
Ticket prices to see water puppet show
Ticket prices to watch water puppet shows at Thang Long water puppet theater are divided into 3 classes:
- VIP ticket (1st row near the stage): 200,000 VND/person.
- Economic ticket (3rd row): 100,000 VND/person
- Standard ticket (2nd row): 150,000 VND/person
- There is also an additional fee of 20,000 VND per camera when using a camera and 60,000 VND per camera when using a video camera.
How to book tickets for Thang Long Water Puppet Theater
E-tickets can be purchased via the Thang Long Water Puppet theater’s official website or any other reliable ticketing website that offers theater reservation services. Additionally, tickets are available for purchase directly at the theater’s ticket counter.
Note:
- It is advisable to book your tickets in advance, especially during peak tourist season, as tickets can be sold out quickly. The cost of tickets for Thang Long Water Puppet Theater varies based on the type of ticket and the time of the show.
- Keep in mind that ticket costs are subject to change. To get the most recent information, it’s recommended to visit the official website.
- Choose the suitable seat: Remember that the puppets are small, so a seat nearer the stage will improve your viewing experience. However, if you’re sitting too close to the underwater stage, there’s an occasion you’ll get wet by the splashing water.
Nowadays, Thang Long Water Puppet Theater is a popular tourist destination that offers a distinctive fusion of music, storytelling, and traditional Vietnamese puppetry. It will certainly please visitors of all ages to admire the unique traditional culture of the Vietnamese people.
In addition to Thang Long Water Puppet Theater, Hanoi also boasts many other attractions that showcase Vietnamese history and culture, such as Hoan Kiem Lake, Ba Dinh Square, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Opera House, Thang Long Imperial Citadel, Tran Quoc Pagoda, Temple of literature
