Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre - The Beauty Of Vietnams Water Puppetry
Vietnam is a country of contrasts; it is a nation where the urbanization of Hanoi
is accepted with the beautiful rural villages in the remote North of the country; the commercial shopping malls, nightclubs and bars thrive side by side with royal palaces and traditional cultural performances. Thus it is apparent that Vietnam is a country that welcomes all forms of culture, without neglecting its own rich traditions that stem from its long association with the Buddhist faith.
Tourists visiting Vietnam should not limit themselves to the city of Hanoi or its outskirts that mostly chronicle the countrys communist heritage. Beyond these much visited tourist destinations, lies the true culture of this country; though the shopping malls and the nightclubs of Vietnam and the usual tourist attractions such as Saigon and Ho Chi Minh City, also provide fascinating adventures.
Among the traditional cultural attractions that await discovery, is the historic Vietnamese art form of water puppetry. Many consider this art form to have originated in Vietnam where performances were supposedly held on the Red River in the northern part of the country.
Modern day water puppetry is performed on a specially constructed pool which is usually about four metres across; this pool is elevated so that it appears as a stage to an audience that is seated. The backdrop of the puppet theatre is decorated intricately to suit the theme of the story with most stories adapted from tales of mythology so the faade is usually that of a traditional temple. At the Thang Long Water Puppetry Theatre performers are concealed behind a bamboo curtain as they masterfully control the puppets to the delight of the audience.
Performances are punctuated by musical scores from a traditional Vietnamese orchestra that heightens the storyline. Some parts of the drama also features singing; this style is a combination between traditional folk song and French influenced classical choirs.
Tourists coming here on luxury holidays should definitely visit this theatre as it is an exposition of Vietnamese culture. Vietnam tours conducted by operators such as Paradise Vacations let you experience authentic art and culture in this enchanting country.