Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre: tickets, showtimes and where to sit
The Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre, at 57B Dinh Tien Hoang Street, about 200 m from Hoan Kiem Lake, presents a show of about 50 minutes every day: wooden puppets, moved by puppeteers hidden behind a bamboo screen, move on a pool of water, with a live traditional orchestra and songs in Vietnamese. Some fifteen short scenes show rice-field life and legends. There are three ticket categories: standard 100,000 VND, deluxe 150,000 VND and VIP 200,000 VND, according to prices seen in October 2026, to be confirmed at the ticket office.
Highlights
The pool and the pavilion
The puppets move in a shallow pool in front of a pagoda set, with fireworks, dragons and waves. The scenes are short and easy to follow without understanding Vietnamese: farmers, buffaloes, ducks, fishermen and the legend of the sword of Hoan Kiem Lake.
The orchestra and the songs
A small orchestra of musicians and singers in traditional costume plays at the side of the stage, with traditional instruments (zither, bamboo flute, drums). The songs are in Vietnamese (chèo style); the scenes can be understood without translation.
Where to sit
The seats of the three categories are in the same hall, at different distances from the pool. Standard is at the back and on the sides, with no risk of splashes; deluxe is in the middle; VIP occupies the first two rows, closest to the water and therefore to the splashes. The middle rows offer the best compromise between view and comfort.
Showtimes and prices
According to a travel guide consulted in October 2026, the shows are at 16:10, 17:20, 18:30 and 20:00 from Monday to Saturday; on Sunday, shows at 9:30, 11:00 and 14:00 are added. On public holidays, the programme changes. The times are not published on an official site that we could consult: confirm at the ticket office or on the board at the entrance. Tickets: standard 100,000 VND, deluxe 150,000 VND, VIP 200,000 VND; photo 20,000 VND, video 50,000 VND, payable at the ticket office.
Practical info
Tips
- Book ahead for the 18:30 and 20:00 shows, which fill first; the 16:10 and 17:20 shows can often be bought on the day outside the high season. For most visitors, the deluxe category is the right choice: the view is good and there are almost no splashes. Arrive 20 to 30 minutes before the show, as the doors open about 15 minutes before. You can buy at the theatre ticket office (the cheapest option) or use a booking platform (Klook, GetYourGuide or Viator), at prices often a little higher and with less flexibility on the time; with a voucher, you must exchange it for a ticket at the pick-up point indicated. If you combine it with a walk, see Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Son Temple and our Old Quarter guide. Prices and times seen in October 2026; they change, so check before booking.
How to get there
Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre, 57B Dinh Tien Hoang Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, about 200 m from Hoan Kiem Lake, at the edge of the Old Quarter pedestrian zone. You can walk from the lake or the Old Quarter; from a more distant hotel, a Grab or a taxi stops in front of the entrance. The ticket office is at the theatre.
Opening hours
Our guides that feature it
Nearby
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