Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theatre

Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theatre is a cultural venue on Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai Street in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. It presents the traditional Vietnamese art form of water puppetry. This art originates from the 11th century in the Red River Delta. The theatre stages performances inside the city’s Labour Culture Palace. Each show lasts approximately 50 minutes without an intermission.

The performances take place on a stage filled with water. Puppeteers stand behind a screen and control the wooden puppets using long bamboo rods and strings hidden beneath the water’s surface. A live orchestra of traditional Vietnamese musicians accompanies the entire show. The musicians play instruments and provide vocals for the stories being told. The puppets themselves are lacquered, colorful, and depict various characters from folklore.

The stories presented are short vignettes. They portray scenes of rural Vietnamese life, historical legends, and myths. Common themes include farming, fishing, and village festivals. Specific skits feature titles like ‘Dragon Dance’, ‘Phoenix Dance’, and ‘Catching Frogs’. One prominent legend depicted is that of King Lê Lợi returning his magical sword to the Golden Turtle God in Hoàn Kiếm Lake.

The theatre offers a seated auditorium for the audience. The venue provides pamphlets that explain the context of each short scene. The performances are primarily visual, relying on the puppets’ actions and the music. The dialogue is in Vietnamese. The theatre is a popular attraction for visitors seeking to experience a historical Vietnamese performance art.