Backpacking the Thang Long puppet Theatre Old Quarter, Hanoi, Vietnam 2024

Thang Long Water Puppet Theater is a famous cultural attraction in Hanoi, offering more than 500 traditional Vietnamese water puppet shows. The performances often depict scenes from Vietnamese folklore, history, and daily life, accompanied by live music.

The history of the theater dates back to the 11th century, during the Ly Dynasty when water puppetry was first introduced in the Red River Delta region of Vietnam. Influenced by the rice cultivation culture, water puppetry was initially performed in rice paddies and ponds of rural villages during festivals and special occasions. The art was eventually brought to the imperial court in Hanoi and became a popular form of entertainment.
In 1969, Thang Long Water Puppet Theater Hanoi was established to preserve and showcase the traditional art to a wider audience. Today, the theater brings performances that are both entertaining and educational. Every year, more than 150,000 visitors from all over the world flock to the theater and marvel at its wonderful Hanoi water puppet shows.

Today, water puppetry has become a significant cultural symbol of Vietnam. In 2010, Thang Long Water Puppet Theater was recognized as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Standard tickets: 150,000 VND (~6.14 USD)
VIP tickets: 200,000 VND (~8.72 USD)
Note that ticket prices may change over time. It is best to check the official website for the latest information.

Thang Long Water Puppet Theater
Visitor can buy Thang Long Water Puppet Theater tickets at the entrance on Dinh Tien Hoang Street

Water puppetry: The show is performed by skilled puppeteers standing in waist-deep water behind a bamboo screen and manipulating puppets. The puppets are made of wood and lacquered to make them waterproof. The puppets themselves are beautifully crafted and designed to look like various animals, mythical creatures, and human figures.
Live music: The show is accompanied by live traditional Vietnamese music played on instruments such as bamboo flutes and drums.
Storytelling: The show features a variety of stories from Vietnamese folklore, mythology, and daily life. Some stories depict typical scenes of the countryside, such as rice cultivation and fishing, while others tell tales of dragons, fairies, and other mythical creatures.
Visual effects: Over the years, the theater has been expanded and modernized, with new technologies being incorporated into the performances. Today, the show includes various visual effects, such as fireworks, smoke, laser lighting, and water splashes, to enhance the performances.
Audience participation: Some shows at Thang Long Water Puppet Theater also involve audience participation, with some of the audience invited to come up on stage and interact with the puppets.
Each show typically lasts around 50 minutes. Hanoi water puppet shows start at 3:30 pm - 5 pm - 6:30 pm - 8 pm - 9:15 pm daily and Sunday at 9:30 am.
Address: No. 57B, Dinh Tien Hoang Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
Thang Long Water Puppet Theater is located in the heart of Hanoi Old Quarter, near Hoan Kiem Lake, which is easily accessible from most parts of Hanoi.
There are several ways to get to the theater depending on your starting point:
By walking: If you are staying in the Old Quarter, you can easily walk to the theater.
By taxi or motorcycle taxi: You can catch a taxi or motorcycle taxi on the street, or book them on ride-hailing platforms such as Grab.
By bus: You can take buses number 04, 146, 18, or 42 and get off at the Hoan Kiem Lake bus stop, which is about a 5-minute walk away from the theater.