Water Puppet Show Hanoi: What to Expect (and Why We’d Go Again)
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Traveling with young kids means constantly guessing which activities are going to hold their attention—and which ones will end in a meltdown halfway through. So when our Airbnb host in Hanoi suggested the water puppet show in Hanoi Old Quarters, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Puppets? In water? After a 32-hour travel day? Yeah, we didn’t make it that first night.
But I’m so glad we circled back and gave it a shot later that month—because it turned out to be one of the most memorable, kid-friendly cultural experiences we’ve had in Vietnam.
If you’re wondering whether the Water Puppet Show in Hanoi is worth it with kids, this post breaks down exactly what it’s like, what to expect, and how to make it work smoothly with little ones in tow.
What Is the Water Puppet Show in Hanoi?
Okay, so picture this: a full-on puppet show… but happening on water. Sounds kind of crazy, right? But it’s actually this super unique Vietnamese tradition that dates back nearly 1,000 years—originally performed in flooded rice paddies by farmers during the wet season. Fast forward to now, and it’s become one of the most iconic cultural experiences in Hanoi.
Here’s the gist: these wooden puppets—brightly painted and full of personality—are controlled by puppeteers standing behind a beautiful screen, using long bamboo rods and underwater mechanisms to bring the characters to life. The entire “stage” is a shallow pool of water, and the puppets glide, twirl, and splash across it to act out traditional Vietnamese folktales and village life scenes.
The performance is set to live traditional music played on Vietnamese instruments (like drums, gongs, bamboo flutes, and đàn bầu). There’s also singing that follows the storyline—though almost all of it is in Vietnamese. You won’t understand every word, and honestly, that’s totally fine. The kids didn’t either. It’s much more about the visuals and the feeling the music creates than following a word-for-word plot.
Even though the show wasn’t made just for kids, it felt really family-friendly. There’s always something happening on stage—animals, battles, festivals—and it moves quickly enough to keep little eyes glued.
And let’s be honest: when you’re traveling with kids, those wins count big.
Is the Water Puppet Show in Hanoi Good for Kids?
Short answer: Yes, if your kids can sit still for about an hour.
Our youngest was almost three, and she sat through it without issue. The show is packed with movement, music, and whimsical puppet scenes—animals, farmers, dragons, and folklore moments. It’s entertaining even if you don’t catch every detail.
There were no scary or jarring parts. The music isn’t too loud or overwhelming or intense effects. It felt calm and lively at the same time. Even without words, the action kept both our kids completely absorbed.
For toddlers under two, it might be a stretch. But if your child enjoys shows or storytime, chances are they’ll be intrigued by this unique setup.
How Long Is the Show—and Will Your Kids Sit Through It?
The show runs about one hour straight through—no intermission, no snack break, and definitely no getting up to roam around. So you’ll want to plan ahead and make sure your crew is fed, changed, and ready to sit.
This isn’t the place to break out snacks or toys mid-show. It’s a quick turnover venue with back-to-back performances, so they keep things moving. But honestly, we didn’t need the distractions. The constant motion and live music kept everyone focused.
Where’s the Best Place to See the Show?
We went to the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre, which is right by the lake in Hanoi’s Old Quarter. It’s super central, close to a lot of other places you’ll probably be walking to anyway—like Train Street or the weekend night market. Get our free map with the things to see and eat here!
You can walk there if you’re staying nearby, but just a heads up: Hanoi isn’t exactly stroller-friendly. The sidewalks are crowded with parked motorbikes, and the traffic situation is… let’s just say a bit chaotic. We didn’t even bother with a stroller while we were in the city. We used a child carrier the entire time, and that worked way better.
The theater itself is upstairs, and they had us leave our carrier right outside the show entrance. We picked it up afterward, and it was totally fine—nobody touched it. Once you buy your tickets, they’ll have you wait in a little lobby area downstairs, and then they open the doors and direct you to your seats when it’s time to go up.
They run multiple shows every day, especially in the afternoon and evening. We went to the first show of the day around 1 PM, and it wasn’t packed at all—plenty of families and tour groups, but not overwhelming. There’s a big sign outside ticket booth with the day’s schedule and which time slots are already sold out, so it’s easy to figure out when to go. I’d definitely recommend going on a weekday and getting there early if you want front-and-center seats like we did. We didn’t even request them—they just gave us those when we showed up early.
If you’re only going to see the show once, this is the spot I’d go for. It’s easy to find, easy to get to, and it’s the most established place doing it. Just skip the stroller and bring a little patience for the sidewalks, and you’re good to go.
When Should You Book Tickets (and How Much Are They)?
We went on a Monday for the earliest show (around 1 PM) and bought our tickets same day. That helped us beat the crowds and score front-and-center seats, which made a huge difference for the kids.
Ticket prices (as of early 2025):
- Front section: 200,000 VND (~$8 USD)
- Middle: 150,000 VND
- Back: 100,000 VND
Kids sitting in your lap are usually free (our two-year-old didn’t need a ticket). But you’ll need to buy one if your child takes their own seat.
Tip: Go at least an hour early for the best chance at great seats—and avoid weekends if you can. They tend to be more crowded and sometimes even slightly pricier at other venues.
Can Kids See the Stage Clearly?
Yes—for sure, especially if you sit close. We got front row seats and honestly, it made all the difference for our kids. They were locked in the entire time just watching the puppets move across the water. No squirming, no asking how much longer—just totally captivated.
One of the best things they have there is booster cushions for the kids. They’re basically little seat pads that help your child sit up higher so they can see over the person in front of them. Super easy to grab as you head to your seat.
Seats are assigned, so no need to rush or fight for a good view. When you buy your tickets, you choose the section (front, middle, back), and they give you specific seat numbers. We got front and center probably because we showed up early. I’m not even sure if you can specifically request those seats, but if they’re available, you’ll get them.
If you’re sitting further back, it’s still a decent view because the theater isn’t huge—but for little kids, the closer the better. It just pulls them into the action more, especially when all the movement is happening down at water level.
Is the Show in English (And Does It Matter)?
The show is entirely in Vietnamese, and there are no subtitles or translations on the screen. That said, there are audio guides available for rent that translate the story into other languages. We didn’t use them—it felt like too much to juggle with the kids.
Even without understanding the language, the show was still easy to follow. It’s very visual and symbolic, with traditional Vietnamese themes like farming, festivals, dragons, and animal spirits.
We later looked up the show online and found English descriptions of the stories. It matched what we saw pretty closely, so we didn’t feel like we missed out.
What Happens During the Show?
Okay, so without totally spoiling it—it’s basically a bunch of little skits that each tell their own story, kind of like short scenes strung together. Some are funny, some are traditional folktales, and a few are just plain cute. Most of them show what rural life used to look like in Vietnam: things like farmers planting rice, people fishing, and animals doing their thing.
Our kids loved the animal parts. There was a whole bit with ducks waddling around the water, and then a fox comes in and steals one and runs up a tree. Total chaos—in the best way. It’s playful, a little slapstick, and really fun to watch.
Everything is done with these hand-carved wooden puppets that glide across the water. You never see the people controlling them because they’re behind this big curtain the whole time. But you can tell how skilled they are just by how precise the movement is—it’s seriously impressive.
There’s live music the whole time, too. The instruments are traditional Vietnamese—like the đàn bầu and drums—and they use things like cymbals and gongs to add some drama or humor to the scenes. But don’t worry, nothing is too loud or scary. Our toddler didn’t even flinch once. It’s very kid-friendly in terms of sound and pacing.
If you want to know exactly what each scene is, they do have a printed program outside the theater with a breakdown of the segments. We looked it over before going in, which helped us understand the flow of the show a little better. But honestly? Even if you don’t read it, you’ll still enjoy it—it’s all about the visuals and the vibe.
The show changes up the mood every few minutes, so it keeps kids engaged from start to finish. There’s always something moving, splashing, or making music. It’s not one of those performances where your kid zones out halfway through. Ours were tuned in the whole time.
What Should You Bring (or Leave Behind)?
Honestly? Don’t bring much.
- Snacks – Not allowed during the show
- Toys – Unnecessary
- Layers – Theater is comfortable, no need for jackets or fans
- Stroller – Leave it at home or plan to store it outside the theater
What did help was getting there early and not having to rush. That meant we could buy our tickets calmly, grab our booster seats, and settle in without stress.
Would We Recommend It to Other Families?
Absolutely. It was a beautiful, cultural, and entertaining experience for our kids and for us. It’s not some over-the-top theme park show, but that’s what makes it so special. It’s local. It’s traditional. It’s different.
Would we go again? Maybe not—only because the show is the same each time. But if it’s your first time in Hanoi (especially with kids), this is one of those experiences you don’t want to skip.
Just remember: go early, sit close, skip the weekend crowds, and let the puppets work their magic.
