Water puppetry (Múa rối nước) is a Vietnamese tradition that dates back as far as the 11th century when it originated in the villages of the Red River Delta area of northern Vietnam. The puppets are made out of wood and then lacquered. The shows are performed in a waist-deep pool. A large bamboo rod supports the puppet under the water and is used by the puppeteers, who are normally hidden behind a screen, to control them. Thus the puppets appear to be moving over the water. When the rice fields would flood, the villagers would entertain each other using this form of puppet play.

Located at 57B P. Đinh Tiên Hoàng, Hàng Bạc, Hoàn Kiếm, Thăng Long Water Puppet Theater is one of the few theaters where water puppetry is still performed for the public.

Below is a selection of photos taken during a visit to the theatre on June 6, 2015. Click on a small photo for a larger view, then select the next one with the cursor keys or the arrows on either side of the photo.