Everything You Need to Know About Water Puppet Show

Vietnamese Water Puppet Show is a unique and captivating art form that has been delighting audiences for centuries. This traditional performance involves skilled puppeteers manipulating intricately carved wooden puppets from beneath the water, creating a mesmerizing spectacle.

These were the headlines in international newspapers about the Water Puppet Show of the Vietnam Water Puppetry Theatre during their tour in France in 1984.

Get ready to be wowed? Dive into the Water Puppet Show with Lua Viet Tours now!

Inspiration behind Water Puppet Show

In an agricultural nation with a longstanding rice cultivation culture, coupled with the tropical climate and abundant water resources like Vietnam, Water Puppet Show possessed all the necessary elements for its emergence. In addition to farming and livestock herding, peasants also required leisure activities and communal bonding, such as Water Puppet Show.

With its long history of rice cultivation, tropical climate, and plentiful water, Vietnam had all the ingredients needed for Water Puppet Show to flourish. [Image Source: Internet]

Water, an indispensable element for agricultural communities, is a familiar, essential, and sacred component of life. Consequently, water served as a significant source of inspiration for the creation of such a distinctive art form as the Water Puppet Show.

The Selected Material

Fig wood, with its buoyancy and durability, is the chosen material for crafting these aquatic puppets. According to Mr. Nguyen Van Phi, a puppet-making artisan from Dao Thuc village, fig wood was chosen for two reasons. Firstly, its lightweight and water-resistant properties make it ideal for puppets that are submerged in water for extended periods. Secondly, the word “sung” (fig) also carries the connotation of prosperity and abundance in Vietnamese, reflecting the villagers’ hopes for a fulfilling life.

Given its buoyancy and durability, fig wood is the preferred material for creating these aquatic puppets. [Image Source: Internet]

The process of creating a puppet

Creating a Vietnamese Water Puppet is a meticulous process that begins with the careful selection of fig wood, known for its lightness and water resistance. The wood is then carved into the puppet’s basic shape, followed by intricate detailing of facial expressions, costumes, and accessories.

Witness a symphony of shadows and stories on the water stage. [Image Source: Heritage Vietnam]

After painting and decorating the puppet, the puppeteer constructs a mechanism of joints, controls, and strings that allow for seamless manipulation underwater. 

The skilled artisan Phan Van Manh is meticulously painting each puppet, bringing them to life with vibrant colors. [Image Source: Internet]

Through a series of tests and adjustments, the puppet is perfected and then dressed in colorful, traditional Vietnamese attire. This meticulous process results in a beautiful and intricate piece of art, ready to perform gracefully in the water.

A feast for the senses, from the visual to the auditory

A typical Water Puppet Show takes place in a special stage filled with water. The puppeteers stand behind a screen, submerged in water up to their waists, and manipulate the puppets using strings and rods. The puppets are dressed in colorful costumes and accessories, and their movements are accompanied by traditional Vietnamese music and singing.

The Water Puppet Show often depicts scenes from Vietnamese folklore, mythology, and everyday life. Common themes include rural life, historical events, and legends about gods and goddesses. The stories are often humorous, heartwarming, or thought-provoking.

Water puppets, dressed in vibrant costumes, are controlled by puppeteers standing behind a water-filled stage. [Image Source: Internet]

>>> See Water Puppet Show and act out stories from Vietnamese myths and legends, right on the water!

The harmonious coordination of the artists

As a traditional performing art, music is the soul that animates every movement of the puppets. The music in water puppetry is characterized by traditional melodies played on folk instruments such as drums, gongs, flutes, and cymbals, along with the spectacular sound of fireworks ascending from the water.

The puppets’ movements are accompanied by lively dialogues and singing, creating a festive atmosphere like a terrestrial celebration. [Image Source: Internet]

The artists on either side contribute their singing to accompany the puppets’ movements, engaging in lively dialogues that create a festive atmosphere reminiscent of any terrestrial celebration.

Typical Water Puppet Show

“Teu Giao Tro” – The Mischievous Pupil Teu

It’s a traditional Vietnamese water puppetry performance featuring a mischievous boy named Teu who gets into all sorts of funny situations. The character Teu often plays pranks, but always brings laughter to audiences. Through Teu’s stories, the audiences are conveyed lessons about morality, friendship, and intelligence.

This traditional Vietnamese Water Puppet Show features the mischievous Teu, whose hilarious adventures teach valuable lessons. [Image Source: Internet]

“Twelve Zodiac Animals” performance

In the spiritual and cultural life of the Vietnamese people, 12 Zodiac animals have always accompanied and been closely associated with local daily life. The performance “Twelve Zodiac Animals” has become a familiar, intimate, and philosophical image and symbol for the Vietnamese people’s psyche and cultural life.

The Zodiac animals, deeply intertwined with Vietnamese life [Image Source: Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism]

Discover the magic of Water Puppet Show at these top destinations

Hanoi:

• Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre: Experience state-of-the-art performances in a modern setting.
• Ho Tay Water Park: Combine thrilling water rides with the enchanting world of water puppets.

Hoi An:

• Hoi An Water Puppet Theatre: Immerse yourself in traditional Vietnamese culture with authentic folk performances.

Ho Chi Minh City:

• Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theatre Ho Chi Minh City: Enjoy a captivating show in the heart of the city.

Things to keep in mind when watching Water Puppet Show

• It’s best to arrive early to get a good seat.
• Please turn off your phone to avoid disturbing others.
• After the performance, you can interact with the artists to learn more about the art of water puppetry.

A Water Puppet Show is more than just a performance; it’s a captivating journey into the heart of Vietnamese culture. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or a curious local, experiencing a Water Puppet Show is a must-do for anyone visiting Vietnam. 

It’s a chance to witness a unique art form that has captivated audiences for centuries, and to gain a deeper appreciation for the beauty and diversity of Vietnamese culture.

>>> Don’t miss out on an unforgettable Water Puppet Show experience with Lua Viet Tours!