January
17.4°C ~ 63°F
10 days of rain
Crowds: Busy
Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre
A short show of traditional water puppetry, a Vietnamese art form from the Red River Delta.
- Location
- Hanoi
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Entry fee
- 100,000 – 200,000 VND
- Best months
- Oct – Dec
Overview
Water puppetry started in the villages of the Red River Delta, where performers stood in waist-deep water and made wooden puppets appear to move on the surface. Today the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre stages short shows near Hoan Kiem Lake. Live musicians play traditional instruments, and the puppets act out scenes from village life and old legends.
A show lasts under an hour, about 50 minutes. The commentary is mostly in Vietnamese, but the stories are easy to follow, and some ticket types include a small leaflet in English. The theatre is at 57B Dinh Tien Hoang Street, a short walk from the lake.
Highlights
- See wooden puppets move across the water
- Hear live traditional music
- Watch scenes of village life and legends
- Walk to the show from Hoan Kiem Lake
Visitor information
| Opening hours | Shows run every day of the year, several times a day (about 50 minutes each); check the schedule at the theatre |
|---|---|
| Entry fee | About 100,000 – 200,000 VND per person depending on the seat (airline guide); confirm at the box office |
| Time needed | 1 hour |
| Best time of day | Afternoon or evening |
| Good for | Families, first-timers, culture lovers |
| Accessibility | Seats are on one level; ask staff for help |
| Facilities | Ticket office, gift shop |
Prices and hours can change. Check the official source before you go.
Best time to visit
Weather in Hanoi by month.
February
18.3°C ~ 65°F
10 days of rain
Crowds: Busy
March
21.8°C ~ 71°F
12 days of rain
Crowds: Moderate
April
25°C ~ 77°F
12 days of rain
Crowds: Moderate
May
27.7°C ~ 82°F
18 days of rain
Crowds: Quiet
June
29.6°C ~ 85°F
18 days of rain
Crowds: Quiet
July
29.3°C ~ 85°F
21 days of rain
Crowds: Quiet
August
28.5°C ~ 83°F
25 days of rain
Crowds: Quiet
September
27.5°C ~ 82°F
21 days of rain
Crowds: Moderate
October
24.8°C ~ 77°F
14 days of rain
Crowds: Moderate
November
22°C ~ 72°F
8 days of rain
Crowds: Busy
December
18°C ~ 64°F
7 days of rain
Crowds: Busy
How to get there
- From Hanoi centre
57B Dinh Tien Hoang Street, a short walk from Hoan Kiem Lake. Phone for tickets: 024 3824 9494.
- Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre
Tips before you go
- Book ahead in the busy season
- Choose seats closer to the front for a better view
- Arrive 15 minutes early
- Check the schedule for English-friendly shows
Location
57B Dinh Tien Hoang, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
More attractions in Hanoi
FAQs
How long is the show?
About 50 minutes.
How much are tickets?
About 100,000 – 200,000 VND depending on the seat. Check the box office or call 024 3824 9494.
Do I need to book?
Booking ahead is wise in busy months.
Destination guideHanoi travel guideNorth Vietnam · 24 attractions