Water Puppets


Water puppetry is a traditional form of Vietnamese theater. The exact origin of water puppetry in Vietnam is not clear, but it is believed to have originated in the villages of the Red River Delta in northern Vietnam around the 11th century. According to legend, it was created by Vietnamese farmers as a form of entertainment during the monsoon season when their fields were flooded. The farmers would stand in the water and manipulate puppets on the surface while telling stories, songs, and jokes. Over time, water puppetry became a popular art form and began to be performed in temples, communal houses, and even in the royal palace. Today, it is considered a cultural treasure of Vietnam and continues to be performed for audiences both within the country and around the world.





Resources

Resource 1

Water Puppet Performance Video

This video shows a water puppet performance from the Hồ Chí Minh City Puppet Company. Notice how the puppets move along its joints and on the water.

Resource 2

Hanoi Water Puppet Theater- Traditional Vietnamese Orchestra

Traditional Vietnamese music is used for water puppet shows in Vietnam. The music is performed by a live orchestra that typically includes instruments such as vocals, drums, wooden bells, cymbals, horns, đàn bầu (monochord), gongs, and bamboo flutes. The music serves as a background accompaniment to the puppetry and helps to set the mood and tone for each scene. Singers of chèo (a form of opera originating in north Vietnam) sing songs which tell the story being acted out by the puppets. The musicians and the puppets also interact during the performance, with the musicians providing sound effects and encouragement to the puppets as needed. The water improves musical and vocal acoustics.