Thang Long Water Puppet Theater, Hanoi

Advantages: N/A
Disadvantages: Ugly underbelly behind slick PR

Before you visit the puppet theatre, consider what forces tug the strings of those darling, dancing puppets. After meeting the theatre director and requesting photographs for a Hanoi magazine article I am writing, I did not receive them. So I returned to the theatre, opened the door of the corridor leading to her office and took two steps. Through the open door of a smoke-filled conference room, I was greeted by a flurry of pointing and barked commands ...
...and physically escorted me to the door. In 20 years of journalism, writing for publications scattered around the globe, I have never received treatment like that from any individual or organisation. [My source list includes reformed terrorists and hardened criminals]. About the only theatre employee capable of civility and communication was the outside security guard who had a second language [French] and [shudder] interpersonal skills. ... Read review

Advantages: The theatre lets you have an insight into Vietnamese culture
Disadvantages: None

I visited the Puppet Theatre on my first trip to Hanoi and to Vietnam as a whole. The theatre is located on the banks of Hoan Kiem Lake which is a beautiful setting. Inside the theatre is small and makes you feel like you are really involved. The performance itself was magical. There is a pool of water which is used as the set and a traditional Vietnamese folk story is told using puppets. The puppeteers are positioned below and behind the pool and ...
...instruments is used to tell the storey and this is played live by musicians who are positioned next to the pool of water. The story is easy to understand and the puppets are charming. It is a really entertaining way of absorbing some of Vietnam's fantastic culture and history. The theatre is situated in the centre of Hanoi and is very easy to get to. I can't remember the exact cost but it wasn't expensive. ... Read review