Water puppetry is a typical form of Vietnamese art, which has existed for more than 1,000 years.

Seeing a show at the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre near Hoan Kiem lake is one of the classic highlights of Ha Noi, an absolute must-do. The show lasts 45 minutes and runs several times throughout the day.

Water puppetry shows the intelligence and creativeness of people, and is a specialty of Vietnamese wet-rice civilization. Water puppetry includes two basic components: puppets and water.

Its themes are various, including everyday life activities of Vietnamese people; healthy and useful entertainments; setting examples of national heroes; and traditional opera plays.