But the name still appears on some businesses, in my opinion as a reminder of who the Vietnamese people really are.
One of these businesses is the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre, which is certainly a rising dragon.
Water puppetry began in the 11th century in northern Vietnam as a diversion in the rice paddies to entertain tired workers. A simple frame was set up in a paddy, with the puppeteers hiding behind it, manipulating dolls via long bamboo poles. They told simple folk stories. Gradually, music was added.
Today, at Hanoi’s oldest water puppet theatre, the rice paddy is replaced by a knee-deep pool, and the puppeteers operate the marionettes from behind a bamboo curtain. A full Vietnamese orchestra and singers aid the narrator in telling the stories, but they’re the same ones told centuries ago: a fox captures a farmer’s favorite duck; two phoenixes dance, fall in love, disappear under the water, only to reappear with an egg; a little boy rides his water buffalo through the rice paddy while playing a flute; a dragons chase each other, and so on--17 short stories in total.
Audio translators are available, but not needed, as the stories tell themselves with the help of music.
It’s one of the most delightful hours we’ve spent here. You can get a taste of it by checking the internet. Then you’ll probably want to come see for yourself!
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| The orchestra & opera singers (who double on percussion!) |
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| Chasing frogs |
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| Dancing phoenixes |
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| Boat trip of Emperor Le Loi |
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| Fairy dance |
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| The brilliant (and strong) puppeteers who bring it all to life |
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