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 06-11-2024

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The Origin of Water Puppetry

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.

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.

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.

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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.

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.

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.”

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• Common Characters in Water Puppetry

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.

• 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.

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.

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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.

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 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.

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.

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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.

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:

In Northern Vietnam:

• Vietnam Puppet Theater
  Address: 361 Trường Chinh Street, Ngã Tư Sở, Thanh Xuân, Hanoi.
  Website: Vietnam Puppet Theater

• Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre
  Address: 57b Dinh Tien Hoang, Ly Thai To, Hanoi.
  Website: Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre

• 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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