Vietnam Water Puppetry: The Artistic Heritage of Farmers
On our journey from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay, our team made a stop in Yen Duc, a peaceful village surrounded by rice paddies. It was here that I had the chance to attend an outdoor water puppet show in Vietnam, and it truly left a lasting impression on me. The outdoor atmosphere was very different from that of a theater, which piqued my interest in this type of artistic performance. Watching the artists perform before my very eyes and appreciating all their incredible efforts completely captivated me. I began to develop a deep curiosity for this form of art.
Written by Nhu PHAM (local expert)
Updated on Nov 06, 2024
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Nhu PHAM is a Saigon native with a passion for travel, adventure, the French and English language, and making discoveries as a digital nomad. She has already explored many Southeast Asian countries, including Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand. Originally from the South, she has a particular expertise in the South and the Mekong Delta. Currently based in Hanoi, she works for Kampá Tour and is the author of many highly appreciated articles on this blog. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to share them at the bottom of her articles so that she can answer you directly.
According to research, the origin of Vietnam water puppetry can be traced back to the Red River Delta in northern Vietnam, where the region’s vast rice paddies and agricultural lifestyle played a pivotal role in its development. After long days working in the fields, farmers carved simple wooden puppets to entertain themselves. With water abundant in their environment, ponds and lakes became natural stages for these unique performances, setting water puppet shows in Vietnam apart from traditional land-based puppetry.
Small puppet models for decoration
While there were historical beliefs that water puppetry originated in China, experts now agree that it began in Vietnam during the 11th century, and that China later adopted this art form. In the 1970s, water puppet shows were primarily performed in a few villages, but growing interest from the international community led to efforts by Western countries and cultural institutes to document and revive this ancient tradition.
Performances are conducted in 5x5 meter ponds and depict both historical and everyday scenes
Today, commercial water puppet shows are staged daily in theaters in Hanoi and Saigon, featuring a traditional North Vietnamese orchestra.
Performances are conducted in 5x5 meter ponds and depict both historical and everyday scenes, including the use of educational and humorous elements introduced over time to enrich the characters and enhance the audience's experience. Touring water puppet troupes also share this extraordinary art form with audiences worldwide.
Good to Know:
Around the world, puppetry has a history spanning more than 20 centuries. According to research documents, traces of this art date back to Greece as early as the 5th century BCE. However, it was under the Ly Dynasty (1010-1225) in Vietnam that the art of puppetry took a major turn with the emergence of Vietnam water puppetry, a type of art unique to Vietnam.
The Puppets: The Soul of the Performance
Puppet Crafting: How Does It Work?
On a crisp autumn day in Hanoi, I decided to visit the city's old quarters in search of a water puppet—a popular souvenir among tourists. The best places to find them are on streets like Hang Gai, Hang Trong, and Hang Quat, all located near the scenic Hoan Kiem Lake.
As I stepped into a charming shop, I was immediately greeted by a dazzling array of colorful puppets in all sorts of captivating shapes. The shop’s saleswoman eagerly began explaining the history behind Vietnamese water puppetry.
Small puppet models for decoration
She shared that, centuries ago, the process of crafting water puppets in Vietnam was quite simple. The main material used was wood, with fig wood being the most common due to its light weight and resistance to water, which made it ideal for puppets meant to stay submerged during performances.
Skilled artisans shaped the puppets from raw pieces of wood, usually crafting them to be around 30 to 70 cm tall. According to the saleswoman, this size is perfect for performances, though smaller puppets are often made as souvenirs.
Skilled artisans shaped the puppets from raw pieces of wood, usually crafting them to be around 30 to 70 cm tall
Initially, puppet designs were basic, representing everyday figures like children, buffaloes, and farmers, created from the artisans' imaginations without strict guidelines. However, over time, the art of Hanoi water puppetry evolved, becoming more intricate. Puppets began to feature more elaborate designs and vibrant colors like red, pink, yellow, and black, reflecting the joy, nature, and cultural beliefs of the Vietnamese countryside.
The saleswoman then picked up a puppet and explained, “These puppets are designed with detachable parts, allowing them to move smoothly, controlled with great skill by the puppeteer. The simpler designs you see here are often meant for souvenirs.”
As I continued to explore the shop, I saw a variety of puppet models, from human figures to animals, each one more fascinating than the last. The saleswoman introduced me to some of the iconic characters found in Vietnamese water puppet shows, including:
Teu: Teu, whose name means "laughter," is a central figure in water puppet shows in Vietnam. He is usually the largest puppet, symbolizing a cheerful, strong young farmer. Teu is the soul of the Vietnam water puppet show, often opening performances as a narrator, bridging the artists and the audience with his animated gestures and playful movements.
Teu is the soul of the Vietnam water puppet show
Farmers: Farmers are common in puppet plays, depicting scenes of rustic life along the rivers with activities like farming, buffalo herding, and fishing.
Animals: Animals such as fish, ducks, and foxes frequently appear in performances.
Heroes and Historical Figures: Many puppet shows feature historical characters and Vietnamese heroes, telling traditional and historical tales in water puppet shows in Hanoi.
Mythical Creatures: Dragons, phoenixes, unicorns, and turtles are also prominent figures, representing Vietnam’s rich folklore.
After this engaging presentation, I decided to buy a puppet of a farmer-fisherman, as well as one shaped like a fish. Prices ranged from 100,000 VND to over 1,000,000 VND, depending on the size and level of detail. These puppets were truly beautiful, and owning them gave me a deep sense of connection to the cultural and artistic heritage of Vietnam.
Teu is the soul of the Vietnam water puppet show
How Does a Water Puppet Show Unfold?
I was fortunate enough to witness two water puppet shows in Hanoi. One portrayed a farmer protecting his ducks from fierce dogs, while the other told the story of the historical figure Hai Ba Trung. These experiences allowed me to discover the great diversity of themes explored in this type of theater, ranging from:
Scenes of daily life and agricultural activities, such as planting, herding ducks, fishing, preparing rice, and catching ducks, among others.
Festival scenes featuring dragon and lion dances, fights, martial arts demonstrations, and even boat races.
Stories celebrating resistance against foreign invaders through portrayals of historical characters and heroic battles.
Adaptations from Vietnamese literature and plays based on popular Vietnamese beliefs.
Festival scenes in Vietnam puppetry show featuring dragon and lion dances, fights,...
The Stage and Music in Water Puppetry
Stage
From these themes, the stage and sets are prepared according to the content of the play. Like other forms of puppetry, Vietnam water puppetry requires a specific space for puppet manipulation. What sets it apart is the fact that this space, called the Water Pavilion, is built above water, whether at the edge of a pond, lake, or water reservoir.
There are two types of Water Pavilions: fixed brick-and-tile pavilions and mobile bamboo pavilions, which serve as the workspace for the puppeteers.
Fixed brick and tile pavilions in an outdoor water puppet show
Additionally, other stage settings, such as rural fields or royal court scenes, are also built over the water for performances.
Music
Music is essential to making Vietnamese water puppet shows captivating. In addition to the puppeteers, Cheo and Tuong singers—two traditional Vietnamese art forms—as well as melodies of Vietnamese folk music, contribute to the overall experience. The music brings the show to life, creating a more authentic experience for the audience.
The music group for a water puppet show
The Unsung Heroes: The Water Puppeteers
The success of a Hanoi water puppet show depends heavily on the skill of the water puppeteers. These puppeteers remain behind the scenes, hidden behind a bamboo curtain, using a complex system of strings, poles, and cords, requiring great technical expertise.
They spend long hours submerged in water during the performance, only emerging once the show is over. To protect themselves from the cold caused by frequent immersion in water, the puppeteers use crushed ginger on their bodies to stay warm.
Water puppeteers: the discreet heroes of the show
A Vietnam water puppet show typically lasts between 30 and 45 minutes, requiring the collective effort of more than a dozen people, from the puppeteer to the narrator and the musical accompanist. At the end of the performance, the puppeteers, who were hidden behind the curtain, appear to greet the audience, marking the conclusion of the show.
What struck me the most during the performance was the "heroes" behind the scenes. Seeing the puppeteers with their bodies soaked at the end of the show deeply moved me. My admiration goes to these artists for their dedication to their craft.
Susan's extremely happy with the service of the puppet theater
Water puppeteers are passionate artisans who greatly contribute to the creation of the extraordinary shows we enjoy today. Thanks to them, a wonderful traditional Vietnamese art is preserved and passed down through generations.
Puppeteer's Testimony
“During the hot season, it's better, but in winter, no matter how cold, we still have to wade into the pond to perform. But once we start, all sense of cold disappears because I focus solely on the puppets’ movements to make them as rhythmic and realistic as possible, inspiring the audience’s enthusiasm for our traditional culture.
At that moment, it doesn’t matter if the pond water is dirty or if the cold is intense—the simple fact of seeing the audience clap and watch attentively means that we, the artists, have done our best."
Where to See Water Puppet Shows in Vietnam?
It should be noted that outdoor Vietnamese water puppet shows are very interesting, but unfortunately, they are becoming fewer these days. Moreover, these performances are often held outside the city center, which can make them difficult for foreign travelers to access. Under these circumstances, theater performances are a more practical option.
Today, thanks to technological advances, puppeteers frequently use underwater control devices to manipulate the puppets. In addition, performances are often accompanied by music, fireworks, and other special effects to attract audiences and enhance the professional level of the show.
If you want to attend water puppet shows in Hanoi or elsewhere in Vietnam, here are some suggestions:
Lotus Water Puppet Theatre
Address: 16 Le Thai To, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi.
Website: Lotus Water Puppet Theatre
In Southern Vietnam:
GOLDEN DRAGON Water Puppet Theatre
Address: 55B Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
Website: Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theatre
Final Words
Water puppetry is not just a highly collective art but also represents the unique character of Vietnam's national identity, a country with a long-standing rice culture. It is the spiritual creation of the rustic and honest farmers from the Northern Delta region. An incomparable form of art. Even though they spend hours in the water, water puppeteers still love their craft and continue to preserve the beauty of their work today. A truly admirable spiritual value!
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