Vietnam water puppetry

Water puppetry art is a long traditional cultural activity of agriculture-based citizens in the red river and has existed for long time with unique features. The special element of water puppetry is to use water surface as stage for performance. The stage for performance is called puppet house or water house, built in the pond or lake with balanced architecture symbolizing for common house roof in the rural of Vietnam. All the performing activities, stage and flag, fan, elephant, parasol, decoration gate, etc are truly small common house with bending roof which is vividly reflected in the water surface. The stage is a space in front of puppet house. From performing the old traditional water puppet show, daily activities and customs of Vietnam peasants are vividly expressed.

To make a perfect puppet, worker must experience different states from body carving to decoration. The more perfect puppets are made, the more diversifying technique and performance artisan can perform. Fig-tree is popular material to carve the puppet because it is light, durable and controllable in the water. In Vietnam puppet stores, there remains ploughman, uncle Teu, fisherman, orchestra, fairy, etc. The clever skill of workers brings audiences fresh, honest, smooth feelings and positive behavior, nature-loving and people-loving via the simplification which is magnified and artisticalization.

From water puppet shows, audience will feel the atmosphere of village festival, reflecting simple dreams of residents in Tokin delta. With local and international performance shows, Vietnam puppetry performers have made contribution to promote a unique art of Vietnam to regional and global friends.