# Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre, Hanoi > The Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre is Hanoi’s best-known stage for múa rối nước, the northern Vietnamese art of puppets dancing on water, two minutes from Hoan Kiem Lake. Each show lasts 50 minutes with a live orchestra. Tickets run 100,000–200,000 VND (unofficial). Five to seven shows play daily, from mid-afternoon into the evening. Web page: https://yesgo.io/vietnam/hanoi/hanoi-water-puppet-theatre - City: [Hanoi](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/hanoi), Vietnam - YesGo score: 38/100 (Yes, if nearby) - Time on site: 1 h - Opening hours: Daily, 5–7 shows a day; unofficially around 15:00, 16:10, 17:20, 18:30 and 20:00 - With kids: Fine with kids - Tickets: Unofficial: 100,000 VND (back rows), 150,000 VND (middle), 200,000 VND (front rows) - Shows: Every day, 365 days a year, 5–7 shows a day - Start times: Unofficial: around 15:00, 16:10, 17:20, 18:30 and 20:00, with extra shows at weekends and holidays - Running time: 50 minutes, no interval - Auditorium: 300 seats - Audio guide: 7 languages, not included in the ticket price - Address: 57B Đinh Tiên Hoàng, north-east shore of Hoan Kiem Lake - Booking: Box office in the theatre; phone +84 24 3824 9494 - Payment: Bring cash in VND for the box office; card acceptance there is unconfirmed - Coordinates: 21.03167, 105.85339 - Facts checked: 05.11.2026 ## Key facts - **50 min** — show length — no interval, live orchestra (source: official theatre site) - **365 days** — a year of shows, recognised as an Asian record in 2013 (source: official theatre site; Viet Nam News) - **11th century** — the art traces back to villages in the Red River Delta (source: English and Russian Wikipedia; Viet Nam News) - **1969** — the troupe behind the theatre was founded (source: official theatre site; Viet Nam News) - **1993** — the troupe moved into a former cinema at 57B Đinh Tiên Hoàng, renovated with a Czechoslovak government grant (source: official theatre site) - **300 seats** — face the pool that serves as the stage (source: official theatre site; Viet Nam News) - **Waist-deep** — the puppeteers stand in water behind a bamboo screen, working the puppets with hidden poles (source: English Wikipedia; Viet Nam News) - **Tễu** — a cheeky boy puppet opens and hosts the show (source: English Wikipedia; Viet Nam News) - **Lacquer** — waterproofs the carved wooden puppets (source: English and Russian Wikipedia; Viet Nam News) - **7 languages** — on the audio guide, charged separately (source: official theatre site) > **Book evening shows ahead** The 18:30 and 20:00 shows sell out first, especially from November to March and on public holidays. Unofficially, in peak season you should book evening seats a few days ahead — at the box office or online. Doors close when the show starts and latecomers are not let in, so arrive 15–20 minutes early. ## How much are Thang Long Water Puppet tickets? Prices depend on the row. Unofficially — several independent guides quote the same figures — the back rows cost **100,000 VND**, the middle rows **150,000 VND** and the front rows **200,000 VND**. That is roughly the price of a coffee and a snack in Hanoi. The theatre does not publish prices as text on its site, so treat these as a guide and check at the counter. You can buy at the **box office** at 57B Đinh Tiên Hoàng, by phoning the theatre on +84 24 3824 9494, or through online booking platforms, which add a mark-up but let you lock in a time slot. Make sure the ticket names this theatre and address. **Paying:** bring Vietnamese dong in cash for the box office — card acceptance there isn’t confirmed. Online platforms take foreign cards. The **audio guide** in seven languages, including English, is sold separately; the theatre does not list the price, and one guide quotes 50,000 VND. ## Thang Long Water Puppet show times The theatre plays **every day of the year**, five to seven shows a day according to its official site, which does not publish exact times. Guides list start times around 15:00, 16:10, 17:20, 18:30 and 20:00. Unofficially, Sundays and holidays add morning and early-afternoon shows, while the 15:00 weekday slot is sometimes dropped. Check times at the box office or by phone before you go: the schedule shifts with the season, and third-party booking sites sometimes show outdated slots. Every show runs **50 minutes** without an interval, so even the last one finishes around 21:00, leaving time for dinner in the Old Quarter and a stroll around [Hoan Kiem Lake](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/hanoi/hoan-kiem-lake). ## What is water puppetry? Water puppetry — **múa rối nước**, literally ‘puppets dancing on water’ — is a folk art from northern Vietnam that dates back to around the 11th century. Villagers in the Red River Delta staged it on ponds and flooded rice paddies, and the water still serves as the stage. In front of you is a pool; behind it a split-bamboo screen styled like a temple façade. **The puppeteers stand waist-deep in the water behind the screen**, steering the puppets with long poles and strings hidden below the surface, so the figures seem to swim, dive and dance on their own. The puppets are carved from wood and lacquered to survive the water. The Thang Long theatre is the art form’s most famous stage. Its troupe was founded in 1969 and moved in 1993 into a former cinema on Đinh Tiên Hoàng, beside the lake, renovated with a grant from the Czechoslovak government. According to its official site, it is the only theatre in Asia staging water puppetry **365 days a year**, a claim recognised as an Asian record in 2013. ## What you’ll see in the show - **Tễu’s entrance** — a grinning boy puppet in a loincloth opens the show and introduces each scene. He is the best-loved character of Vietnamese water puppetry. - **Dragon and phoenix dances** — large lacquered dragons and phoenixes dance right on the water. - **The buffalo boy** — a herd boy plays the flute on his buffalo’s back, one of the classic scenes. - **Rice planting and fishing** — village life in the Red River Delta, with farmers planting paddy and fishing with baskets. - **The fox and the ducks** — a slapstick chase as a fox goes after the ducks. - **Dance of the four sacred animals** — dragon, unicorn, tortoise and phoenix — usually closes the show. - **The live orchestra** on the left of the stage: drums, bamboo flutes, the one-stringed đàn bầu and chèo singers from northern folk opera. The singing is in Vietnamese, but the scenes work without words. ## Is the water puppet show worth it? For a first visit to Hanoi, yes. It is short, cheap and unlike anything you’ll find outside Vietnam — an hour including the walk from the lake. The show is a string of short sketches rather than one story, so you don’t need to follow the language. Be realistic about the downsides: the audience is mostly visitors, the singing is in Vietnamese, and the rows are tight, which tall people will notice. If theatre and folk music aren’t your thing, 50 minutes may feel long. It works well with children — the theatre itself bills it as suitable for all ages — though toddlers under three or four may get restless. **Where to sit:** the centre of the middle rows gives the best balance of view and price. The front rows are closest to the water and, unofficially, may catch a splash. Back corner seats have the weakest view, so ask for seats near the centre. ## How to get to the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre 1. **Walk from Hoan Kiem Lake** — about 2 minutes from the north end of the lake. The theatre is at 57B Đinh Tiên Hoàng; search ‘Nhà hát Múa rối Thăng Long’ in your map app. 2. **From Old Quarter hotels** — 5–15 minutes on foot, depending on your street (unofficial). 3. **By Grab or taxi** — the driver drops you at the door or the nearest corner. Grab takes cash or a foreign card linked in the app. 4. **From 19:00 on Friday to midnight on Sunday** the streets around the lake, including Đinh Tiên Hoàng, become a pedestrian zone. Cars stop at its edge, so allow an extra 10–15 minutes on foot. Hours change on public holidays. 5. **From Noi Bai Airport** — airport bus 86 runs into the centre and, unofficially, stops by the Opera House, a walk from the lake. Grab or a pre-booked transfer is quicker. ## Which seats to book | | Back rows | Middle rows | Front rows | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Price (unofficial) | 100,000 VND | 150,000 VND | 200,000 VND | | View | Whole stage but distant; side seats partly blocked | Best balance of puppets and orchestra | Closest to the water and the puppets | | Downside | Puppet details are hard to see | Sell out first | Unofficially, you may get splashed | | Best for | Just seeing the show | Most visitors | Kids and close-up photos | Prices are the figures several guides agree on; the official site does not publish them as text. Confirm at the box office. ## Before the show Tick off what’s ready — your ticks are saved in this browser. - [ ] Ticket for the right time booked ahead, or bought at the box office the day before - [ ] Cash in VND for the ticket and audio guide - [ ] Arrive 15–20 minutes before the start - [ ] Allow for the weekend pedestrian zone around the lake - [ ] Phone flash switched off - [ ] Own earphones for the audio guide ## Historic sights in Hanoi Hanoi’s historic places scored by YesGo. - [Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/hanoi/ho-chi-minh-mausoleum) — YesGo score 54/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h · Free - [Hoa Lo Prison](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/hanoi/hoa-lo-prison) — YesGo score 52/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h 15 min · 50,000 VND, under-16s free - [St Joseph's Cathedral](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/hanoi/hanoi-cathedral) — YesGo score 49/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 20 min · Free - [Hoan Kiem Lake](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/hanoi/hoan-kiem-lake) — YesGo score 46/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · Free; Ngoc Son Temple 50,000 VND - [Temple of Literature](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/hanoi/temple-of-literature) — YesGo score 43/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · 70,000 VND, under-16s free - [Tran Quoc Pagoda](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/hanoi/tran-quoc-pagoda) — YesGo score 42/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 30 min · Free - [Imperial Citadel of Thang Long](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/hanoi/thang-long-citadel) — YesGo score 39/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · 100,000 VND - [Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/hanoi/hanoi-water-puppet-theatre) — YesGo score 38/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · 100,000–200,000 VND ## Hanoi afternoon into evening: temple, prison, cathedral, lake and puppets The Temple of Literature and Hoa Lo Prison in the afternoon, then St Joseph’s Cathedral and a walk around Hoan Kiem Lake, ending with a water puppet show. Add it to your route and YesGo sets the times and walks. 1. [Temple of Literature](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/hanoi/temple-of-literature) — YesGo score 43/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · 70,000 VND, under-16s free 2. [Hoa Lo Prison](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/hanoi/hoa-lo-prison) — YesGo score 52/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h 15 min · 50,000 VND, under-16s free 3. [St Joseph's Cathedral](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/hanoi/hanoi-cathedral) — YesGo score 49/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 20 min · Free 4. [Hoan Kiem Lake](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/hanoi/hoan-kiem-lake) — YesGo score 46/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · Free; Ngoc Son Temple 50,000 VND 5. [Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/hanoi/hanoi-water-puppet-theatre) — YesGo score 38/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · 100,000–200,000 VND > **Lake by day, puppets by night** Buy your ticket at the box office while you walk around Hoan Kiem Lake during the day, then come back for an evening show — the theatre is two minutes from the water. You skip the online mark-up and pick your seats in person. ## Don’t confuse Water puppet shows also run in other Vietnamese cities and at a few other venues in Hanoi. This page covers the Thang Long theatre at 57B Đinh Tiên Hoàng by Hoan Kiem Lake. When you book online, check that the ticket names this address. ## Tips - Evening shows are the busiest; if your evening is booked, a daytime show is calmer and easier to get into. - In peak season, buy evening tickets at the box office the day before while you’re walking around the lake. - Unofficially, flash photography is not allowed — switch it off before the lights go down. - Take the audio guide or read up on the scenes beforehand — the short sketches make more sense. - After the show, walk to Hoan Kiem Lake — the water is two minutes away. - Tall visitors will be happier in an aisle seat — the rows are tight. ## Questions ### How much are tickets for the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre? Unofficially, 100,000 VND for back rows, 150,000 VND for middle rows and 200,000 VND for front rows. The theatre doesn’t publish prices online as text, so confirm at the box office. ### What time are the water puppet shows in Hanoi? Five to seven shows play daily. Guides list starts around 15:00, 16:10, 17:20, 18:30 and 20:00, with extra shows on weekends and holidays. ### How long is the water puppet show? 50 minutes with no interval. Allow about an hour including getting in. ### Do I need to book in advance? For evening shows from November to March and on holidays, yes — book a few days ahead. Daytime shows and quieter months are usually fine the same day. ### Is the show in English? The singing is in Vietnamese, but the scenes are visual and easy to follow. An audio guide in seven languages, including English, is available for an extra fee. ### Where is the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre? At 57B Đinh Tiên Hoàng, on the north-east shore of Hoan Kiem Lake, a short walk from the Old Quarter. ### Where are the best seats? The centre of the middle rows gives the best view for the price. Front rows are closest to the water and may get splashed. ### Can I pay by card? Plan on cash in VND at the box office. Online booking platforms accept foreign cards. ### Is it good for kids? Yes — the theatre bills it as suitable for all ages, and the fox-and-ducks scene is a favourite. Toddlers may find 50 minutes long. ### Is the Hanoi water puppet show worth it? For a first trip to Hanoi, yes: an hour and a few dollars buy you an art form found only in Vietnam. Skip it if folk theatre leaves you cold. ## How we checked The address, phone, 5–7 daily shows with no closing day, 50-minute running time, 300 seats, the seven-language audio guide sold separately and the theatre’s history come from its official site (nhahatmuaroithanglong.vn). The theatre does not publish prices or start times as text: 100,000 / 150,000 / 200,000 VND appear in four independent guides but are still marked unofficial. Start times differ: two guides give 15:00, 16:10, 17:20, 18:30 and 20:00, a third drops the 15:00 weekday show and adds Sunday mornings; we show the common list and ask you to check. One guide says the theatre opened at 57B Đinh Tiên Hoàng in 1969, but the official site says the troupe moved there in 1993, which we follow. The audio guide price, a camera fee, splashes in the front rows and the lack of child fares come from single sources and are marked unofficial. ## Sources - Official Thang Long Puppet Theatre site: address, phone, shows per day, running time, seats, audio guide - Official site: history — founding, move to 57B, Asian record, e-tickets - Viet Nam News: the Thang Long theatre, how the show works, puppets, orchestra - English Wikipedia: Water puppetry; Russian Wikipedia: Кукольный театр на воде; Wikidata Q123262312 - vietnamtourism.com: prices, show times, season, pedestrian zone, seating - vinwonders.com: prices, show times, scenes, theatre history - mini-adventures.com: prices, show times, audio guide - vietnamdrive.com: prices by seat category --- This is the Markdown version of a YesGo page for AI assistants. Quote the web page link above, not this file.