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The Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre, located in Hanoi, Vietnam, is the only theatre in Asia that never closes 365 days a year. Water puppetry is Vietnam's most distinctive traditional folk stage play and a unique puppet show in the world. The stage is set on water, with puppets floating on the surface. A group of musicians, dressed in traditional Vietnamese costumes, play and sing Vietnamese folk music to accompany the puppet show. The performances primarily depict traditional Vietnamese life, such as paddy field farming, dragon dancing, and fishing. Originating in the north and later spreading to the south, water puppetry in Hanoi offers the most authentic performances elsewhere.
Suitable for all seasons
3 hours
The ticket price is 100,000 Vietnamese dong; 60,000 Vietnamese dong for children under 1.2 meters in height; 20,000 Vietnamese dong for bringing a camera (in fact, you can take as many photos as you want without any supervision). There are program guides in nine languages (Chinese, English, Vietnamese, Korean, Japanese, etc.) available at the entrance.
The performance times are generally 16:10, 17:20, 18:30, 20:00, with two more shows at 9:00 and 10:15 on Thursday mornings, and only three shows at 17:20, 18:30, and 20:00 on Fridays. There is also one show at 9:30 on Saturday mornings.
Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre, established in Hanoi in 1959, preserves and showcases the ancient Vietnamese art of water puppetry. It reflects the country’s cultural heritage and traditional storytelling methods, offering performances based on rural life, folklore, and legends.
Located at 57B Dinh Tien Hoang Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi. Visitors can reach it by taxi, Grab motorbike, or walking from Hoan Kiem Lake. Several local buses also stop nearby.
The theater operates daily with multiple shows, typically from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM. Evening shows around 7:00 PM are popular for tourists. Visiting during weekdays avoids larger crowds.
Ticket prices range from 100,000–200,000 VND ($4–$8 USD) depending on seat location. Tickets can be purchased at the box office or online through official and third-party travel websites.
Booking in advance is recommended for evening shows and during peak tourist season. Booking 1–3 days in advance is usually sufficient.
1–1.5 hours to watch a full water puppet show and explore any small exhibits or gift areas.
Guided tours are limited; most explanations are in Vietnamese. Some private English-speaking guides can be arranged.
Arrive 15–20 minutes before showtime, choose seats, enjoy the 50-minute performance, then visit the souvenir shop afterward.
Evening performances provide the main night experience. There are no special light shows, but festival performances may have added decorations and cultural elements.
Shows can be crowded, especially on weekends and holidays. Weekday shows, particularly morning or early afternoon, are less busy.
Facilities include restrooms, a small gift shop, and seating areas. Food and drink are not provided inside.
Accessible for children and elderly with care. Some areas may be challenging for wheelchair users due to seating arrangements and steps.
Cash is commonly used, but major cards and mobile payments are accepted at the box office.
Vegetarian options are widely available; vegan and halal options are more limited but can be found in some nearby restaurants.
Yes, typical souvenirs include miniature water puppets, postcards, handcrafted wooden puppets, and traditional Vietnamese art items.
