Water puppetry is a traditional performing art form in Vietnam, which is recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage. Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theater is the perfect destination for those who want to understand about this culture.. All performances at Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theater are a perfect combination of water puppetry, traditional music and dances.
If you intend to enjoy the Vietnamese water puppet shows during the trip to Ho Chi Minh City, this is the article for you. In this article, Vietnamtour.in will review the full guide for travelers to have a memorable trip.
Brief History of Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theater
Throughout history, water puppetry has been a form of performing art associated with the Red River Delta region since the Ly Dynasty. Initially, water puppetry was mainly an entertainment for people when fields were flooded. Later, this art became a popular form of performance of Vietnamese people, using water as a stage and wooden puppets.
Many water puppet theaters, including the Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theater, have been established. The theater mainly performs water puppet shows, inspired by the culture of Saigon. This place is the pride of generations of city residents, with the artistic values it brings.
Location
Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theater is located at 55 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, District 1, right in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City.
How To Get There
Bus
Travelers can take a bus number 05, 06, 14, 150, 18, 26, 36, Dl01, and DL02 to get to the bus station in front of or near the Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theater.
Walking
Follow Le Thanh Street to the southwest to Nguyen Hue Street. Turn right onto Truong Dinh Street, passing the iTechBlackCoworking Space. Keep going to Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, when reaching the intersection of Cong ty Kiem Toan and Dv Tin Hoc, turn right. The Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theater is on the right.
Car or Motorbike
You can drive your rented motorbike, or book a taxi to get to the Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theater.
Entrance Ticket
- Adults and kids over 3 years old: 300,000 VND/ pax
- Tel: (+84) 3 930 21 96 – 0989 370 873
- Website: http://www.goldendragonwaterpuppet.vn/
Travelers can buy tickets directly at the Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theater ticket counter, or through travel agencies and tour operators in Ho Chi Minh City. In addition, you can buy tickets online directly through the website or other ticket sales platforms.
What To Expect in Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theater
The traditional Vietnamese puppetry art
As the largest water puppet theater in Ho Chi Minh City, Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theater owns a 4m2 pond and stage in the central area. In each performance, there will be 8 water puppet artists lined up behind a split bamboo screen, with the design of the front of the temple. They are the ones who control the characters by using bamboo sticks, which are hidden underwater rope systems.
The artists will control the puppets to perform on the water, in the background of Vietnamese folk music. This show truly expresses unique folk stories and legends of Vietnam, for people to deeply understand the quintessence of the culture.
Enjoy vibrant and colorful performances
When coming to Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theater, travelers will have the opportunity to enjoy unique and colorful performances. In particular, you will have the chance to watch the artists skillfully control puppets, making them perform realistically.
The stage space and puppets are designed to be brightly colored, conveying a festive atmosphere. The puppets have sophisticated designs and colored costumes, creating an impression at first sight.
Start a walk back in history
During the performance, travelers can enjoy the unique features of traditional Vietnamese puppetry art through 11 stages. The stages are inspired by folk tales, myths, and historical events spanning over 8 decades, bringing Vietnamese legends, culture, and history closer to everyone. Outstanding performances at Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theater include:
- The narrator: Teu
- Dragon dances
- Agriculture
- Catch frogs
- Raising ducks, catching foxes
- Catching fish
- Lion dances
- Children playing in the water
- The unicorn plays with the ball
- Fairy Dance
- Four-spirit dance
Other engaging activities
When attending Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theater, travelers can be immersed in the musical folk music space. Some traditional musical instruments appear in Vietnamese water puppet shows such as wooden bells, cymbals, monochords, and bamboo flutes. These instruments create special sounds, leaving a deep impression on the audience.
In particular, the water puppet performances also have the presence of Cheo artists. They are people who specialize in performing songs in a narrative style, creating excitement during the stages.
Show schedule + duration
Below is a detailed Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theater show schedule, with each show lasting around 50 minutes. In particular:
- Weekly schedule: 6:30 pm daily
- Opening hours: 9 am – 11:30 am, 1:30 pm – 6 pm
Some useful tips if you make a plan to Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theater
- Audiences arrive at Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theater at last 30 minutes before the starting time.
- If you intend to enjoy the show at Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theater, you should buy tickets early to make sure they do not sell out.
- Avoid using phones or recording devices to take pictures and videos. Do not use flash during the performances.
- Keep quiet to respect the artists and audiences.
- Do not bring food or drinks inside the theater.
- Keep clean. Put garbage in the right place.
Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theater is one of the famous attractions in Ho Chi Minh City. This is a suitable destination for those who want to understand about culture, water puppet performance and folk music. If you are making a plan for Vietnam to uncover other attractions, do not forget to contact our travel consultant for customized tours.
