Vietnamese water puppetry dates back to the 11th century and has changed very little since. Bulky wooden puppets are actually controlled from beneath a pool of water; the performance is accompanied by traditional music. How the puppeteers do their jobs underwater is a well-guarded secret.
Although the authentic shows are exclusively in Vietnamese, the tales depict rural life in villages and are easy to understand. Vietnamese water puppet shows typically last for one hour and offer a colorful way to enjoy an ancient tradition.
The Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theatre is the most popular place to see a puppet show in Ho Chi Minh City. Find the theater at 55B Nguyen Thi Minh Khai in District 1 – east of Tao Dan Park.
