Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre

Jean-Pierre Dalbéra · CC BY 2.0

A water-puppet house on the east shore of Hoan Kiem Lake, performing year-round on a pool instead of a stage.

Water puppetry was born in the Red River Delta, where flooded paddy was a stage you already had: the puppeteers stand waist-deep behind a screen, working the figures with poles and strings hidden under the surface. It was once performed only in village ponds at festival time, and had nearly died out by the mid-twentieth century before being rebuilt. The Thang Long theatre at 57B Dinh Tien Hoang is where the craft is kept going most consistently — several shows a day, around 50 minutes each, made of familiar episodes: the clown Teu, dragon dances, and the legend of King Le returning the sword to the golden turtle of the very lake outside the door. A traditional ensemble plays live beside the water, never to tape.

Visitor information

When is the best time to visit Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre?

An evening show, paired with a walk around the lake

How much does it cost to visit Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre?

100,000d - 200,000d by seat class (indicative)

How long do you need at Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre?

1 hour

What are the opening hours of Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre?

Several shows daily, typically 15:00 - 21:00

Did you know

The theatre is at 57B Dinh Tien Hoang, on the eastern shore of Hoan Kiem Lake.
Puppeteers stand in the water behind a screen, working poles and strings below the surface.
Each performance runs about 50 minutes and is built from short episodes rather than one long piece.
Musicians play traditional instruments live beside the stage throughout.

Travel tips

Book ahead, especially for evening shows — the hall is small and often sells out.
The front rows catch spray; sitting a few rows back gives a better view of the whole pool.

Source: https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/1190941789

Updated: 2026-08-16