Rong Vang Water Puppetry Theater - Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
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N 10° 46.570 E 106° 41.519
48P E 685001 N 1191741
The Rong Vang (Golden Dragon) Water Puppetry Theater is located inside of a giant sports complex between Tao Dan Park and the Reunification Palace in Ho Chi Minh City.
Waymark Code: WME2EV
Location: Vietnam
Date Posted: 03/25/2012
Views: 4
The tradition of Vietnamese water puppet shows dates all the way back to the 11th century. Unlike the shadow puppetry found in Thailand, puppet shows in Vietnam take place over a waist-deep pool of water; puppets are controlled from below. The secret of how puppeteers control the puppets from beneath the water has been closely guarded for centuries.
Musicians on either side of the pool provide the music and sound effects for the water puppet show with traditional instruments while also doing the voices. Water puppet shows haven't changed much over the years; typical themes are deeply rooted in rural traditions such as planting rice, fishing, and village folklore.
The wooden puppets used in Vietnamese water puppet shows are handmade and can weigh up to 30 pounds each. The stage and puppets are in vivid colors; colored lights and a foggy mist over the murky water add to the mystery. At the end of each performance, the eight puppeteers typically come out of the water to take a dripping bow.
The Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theater in Saigon has two daily shows - 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. - and a third show at 8 p.m. when there is suitable demand. Tickets to the one-hour show are around 4US$.
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