The Hanoitimes – Water puppetry – a typical form of Vietnamese art to be introduced on National Geographic Travel, a magazine published by the National Geographic Society in the US. Water puppetry. According to National Geographic Travel report, water puppetry is a typical form of Vietnamese art, which has existed for more than 1,000 years—and a quintessential experience if you’re visiting this beautiful country. Seeing a show at the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre is one of the classic highlights of Hanoi, an absolute must-do. The theatre is just across the road that wraps around the north shore of Lake Hoan Kiem, on the edge of the Old Quarter. The show lasts 45 minutes and runs several times throughout the day, though it’s so popular you may have to book a day or two in advance. True to name, the puppets splash around on their stage – a square pool of waist-deep water – rather than dangle above it. The puppeteers are hidden behind a screen, and manoeuvre their characters using bamboo rods. The scenes are based on Vietnamese legends and are accompanied by live folk musicians and singers. The whole thing is remarkably impressive and utterly charming. Once the show is over, look out for a counter selling lacquerware replicas of the puppets from the show – they make great souvenirs and the prices are very reasonable. National Geographic Traveler is a magazine published by the National Geographic Society in the United States. It was launched in 1984. Local-language… [Read full story]
After 50 years of studying water puppetry, one researcher is bringing the Vietnamese art back to the countryside.Water puppetry – Viet Nam’s lively art – commands the attention of domestic and foreign audiences across the world.Water puppet artists are passionate people by nature, and have dedicated themselves wholeheartedly to keeping the traditional craft alive. Researcher Nguyen Huy Hong is one.The 80-year-old creative artist spent 50 years observing and studying the quirky art from its beginning, when only farmers in the countryside knew about it.Over time, with the help of enthuasiastic artists, water puppetry has come to be universally loved by…... [read more]
Founded in the 11th century, Dong Ngu Village’s unique form of water puppetry continues to draw crowds today, with unparalleled mystery, mastery and committment from its performers.Whenever children of Dong Ngu Village hear the sound of a horn to signal the start of a water puppetry shows, they drop whatever they are doing and hurry over to the makeshift stage near a village pond.It is thanks to the committed performers of this unique form of water puppetry that the art hasn’t died out or been replaced by more modern forms. But it does nonetheless face scores of challenges to its…... [read more]
Traditional arts were always preserved as an intangible knowledge handed down through generations; however, some of these crafts are being threatened by oblivion, as in the case of water puppetry in Vietnam. Water Puppetry is a unique traditional stage art of Vietnam. Today Vietnamese water puppetry is a unique variation of the ancient Asian puppetry tradition. Travel companies in Ho Chi Minh City usually take international visitors to theaters to enjoy this folk art, though local residents are hardly impressed with the stage craft as over the years it has failed to evolve due to lack of any investments. The…... [read more]
Water puppet shows remain popular for children and tourists but the art form is in dire need of a new generation of puppeteers, directors and playwrights.After a quick breakfast, Ly Hoang Anh drives off to the Central Puppetry Theatre in Hanoi where preparations are underway for a new water puppet show. “We have been working for more than one month without rest to get the show ready for Children’s Day,” says the 25-year-old puppeteer. Dinh Trong Dung, the play’s director, says of the 15 puppeteers involved in the forthcoming show, “Most of them were only recently taken on and are…... [read more]
(Cinet) – Recently, the Asian record was recognized three new records of Vietnam. It is a record of technological science, service and culture. In field of culture, the Hanoi’s Thang Long Water Puppetry Theatre is continuously performed in a circle of 365 days in a year. Established since 1969, up to now, the Hanoi’s Thang Long Water Puppetry Theatre has passed 40 years with some high achievements. The theatre has accomplished remarkable achievements since its establishment in 1969. After receiving investment in 1990, the theatre and its puppets were fully restored, allowing monthly and then weekly and daily performances for…... [read more]
