Water puppetry (mua roi nuoc) began in the villages of the Red River delta, where performers stood waist-deep in ponds behind a bamboo screen and worked lacquered wooden puppets on long poles under the water. The puppets seem to glide, splash and dance across the surface, telling stories of rice farming, fishing, festivals and legends — including the tale of Hoan Kiem Lake’s sword.
The best-known venue is the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre on the north-east corner of Hoan Kiem Lake, with several shows a day. A live ensemble plays traditional instruments and sings throughout. Shows last around 45–50 minutes, which makes them an easy evening outing, including with children.
What to see and do: Water Puppet Theatre
Book a show
Tickets are inexpensive. In peak months the popular times sell out; book a ticket online or buy at the box office earlier in the day.
Sit near the front — or not
The front rows see the puppeteers’ splashes up close; seats further back show the whole stage and lighting better.
Combine with dinner
The theatre is a short walk from the Old Quarter’s food streets — see our street food guide.
How to get to Water Puppet Theatre
- On foot from the Old Quarter: the Thang Long theatre faces the lake near the start of Dinh Tien Hoang street.
- Other theatres operate in the city; check which venue your ticket is for.
Insider tips
- The narration is sung in Vietnamese; the stories are easy to follow visually.
- Photography rules vary — some theatres charge a small camera fee.
- Arrive 15 minutes early; seating may be allocated at the door.
Best tours & tickets for Water Puppet Theatre
These GetYourGuide experiences include Water Puppet Theatre or pair well with it:
Show ticket from €6 Hanoi: Water Puppet Show Tickets
Tickets for a water puppet performance, the northern Vietnamese art of puppets moving on a pool of water to live traditional music. The most-booked ticket in Hanoi.
- Traditional water puppetry with live music
- About 50 minutes
- Very low price
Show ticket from €7 Hanoi: Thang Long Water Puppet Show Ticket — Skip the Line
A ticket for the best-known water puppet theatre, beside Hoan Kiem Lake. Shows can sell out at busy times, so booking ahead makes sense.
- Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre by Hoan Kiem Lake
- Skip-the-line ticket
- About 50 minutes
Food tour from €17 Hanoi: Guided Food Tour with Train Street Visit
The best-known street food walk in Hanoi: a guide leads you through the Old Quarter to a string of family-run stalls and finishes with a visit to Train Street. Thousands of reviews and a low price make it the easy first-night choice.
- Street food tastings with a local guide
- A stop on Train Street
- Hanoi’s most-reviewed food walk
