Water puppetry is a typical form of Vietnamese art, which has existed for more than 1,000 years.

Seeing a show at the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre near Hoan Kiem lake is one of the classic highlights of Hanoi, an absolute must-do. The show lasts 45 minutes and runs several times throughout the day.

Water puppetry performances at Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre

Water puppetry shows the intelligence and creativeness of people, and is a specialty of Vietnamese wet-rice civilization. Water puppetry includes two basic components: puppets and water.

Its themes are various, including everyday life activities of Vietnamese people; healthy and useful entertainments; setting examples of national heroes; and traditional opera plays./.