Water Puppet Show (November 29, 2025)
My first question to more than one local from Hanoi was, “Is the water puppet show worth seeing?” I was surprised by the unanimous and resounding “yes” response. Follow up question, “Why?” There, the answers varied, but were along the lines of, “Where else can you get singing, live instruments, and a cultural history lesson in under an hour?” No one disputed that tourists should go and see this.
Thang Long Water Puppet Theater which runs multiple shows 365
It’s unique for sure. I think there’s something special about listening to a live performance especially when you’re being introduced to unusual instruments, songs you’ve not heard before and storytelling about a history and culture you’re unfamiliar with. I see the appeal.
And of course, it’s unique. Seeing puppets acting out scenes on water is both unusual and fits the city of Hanoi which means “inside the river” or “between the rivers.” Water is central to live in Hanoi and so it makes sense that this show would originate from here.
The stage itself is interesting. It has that historical Vietnam look while, at the same time, being timeless. The curtain did a great job of allowing the puppets on and off the stage while keeping the story moving. And, of course, the live music and singers helped ensure the entertainment value was held throughout the full 50 minutes of the show. You can see a lot of thought went into all of this. And, it works.
Stage of the Thang Long Water Puppet Show
In the words of my father-in-law, Richard Knies, “I’d rather be lucky than smart.” The best part about this show is that this was the only day I would be able to see it and so after having lunch at the Hanoi Taco Bar (awesome, by the way), I walked over 10 minutes before the 3pm show and discovered they were sold out until 9:15pm show.
Not to be discouraged, I waited in line to confirm that this was the only time available for a single person and as I was getting ready to buy the show for 9:15, the woman at the ticket office was informed that there was a cancellation for the 3pm show. FRONT ROW seat. SCORE!
It was, in fact, a packed house. I was truly lucky to arrive 10 minutes before the show starting and get a ticket from a cancellation, but I’ll take the luck all the same. Here’s what the audience looked like:
Packed house at the 3pm. Also sold out: 1pm, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, & 8pm
This show prints money. It’s offered 9 times a day (50 minute show with a 10 min break). Usually sold out 1-2 weeks in advance anyway. One of my local friends says she’s seen in 5 times because many of her out of town guests all want her to go with them. She does because she’s a good sport, but she’s glad she saw it at least once. The other four times was more about supporting her friends and answering their questions after the show.
Speaking of which, I did one last walk through Hanoi after the show as this was really my last chance to do so. Tomorrow I’m going for a hike out of town and then I’m headed for my cave adventure in Dong Hoi — supposed to be the largest cave in Vietnam and possibly the world.
Saturday seems to be a great day for getting your picture taken down by the lake. Lots of women dressed in formal (iconic?) Vietnamese silk dresses with camera crews. One looked like it might be a wedding party, but mostly people in colorful silk timing the sun for the right light.
The car with the “V” logo is the only original Vietnamese automobile made in Vietnam called VinFast. The CEO is Pham Nhat Vuong, who is Vietnam’s first billionaire (USD) and made his fortune selling instant noodles before coming back and investing in real-estate.
He now has a mini city just outside of Hanoi that is completely self-sufficient. The locals jokingly call it “Hotel California” because anyone who moves there never leaves. That’s because Pham Nhat Vuong built schools and hospitals in addition to completely self-sufficient buildings that take care of the people who work for him.
There’s a “cradle to grave” strategy that is very real. You can be born in a Vinmec hospital (owned by Vingroup), go to VinUniversity, get a job at VinFast (or other company supporting this community), buy a home and be buried in the same town all managed by Vingroup. It’s impressive.
Conversely, I took a wrong turn and ended up on a street that’s gone in the opposite direction. Hanoi has both some of the high-end experiences as well as living at or below the poverty line. Right now both are co-existing in close proximity to each other.
I personally believe Vietnam is a country who’s time has come. The energy is such that it feels like it’s headed toward explosive growth — the kind of exponential growth I witnessed during the dot com era of the 90s and again in the 2010s. So much potential everywhere you look.
