Hai Phong village artisans keep water puppetry alive to draw tourists

The traditional thủy đình, or water puppetry stage, is the place, where locals bring legendary stories to life on water.

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Traditional folk tales such as Bát Tiên (Eight Fairies), Câu Ếch (Frog Catching), and Chọi Trâu (Buffalo Fighting) are vividly brought to life on the water, creating cherished cultural memories for generations.

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The water puppet shows are accompanied by traditional musical instruments, including drums and folk melodies, with performances relying minimally on spoken language.

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The drums, stringed instruments, and songs create a lively atmosphere for the performances on the water, contributing to the appeal of water puppetry.

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Pham Van Tong, leader of the Hong Phong Water Puppet Troupe in Khuc Thua Du Commune, explains that while water puppet shows were once a regular feature at festivals and local events, they are now performed only occasionally, primarily for visiting tourists.

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Artisans of Hong Phong water puppet troupe have overcome difficulties to perserve their craft, passing it on to the younger generation.

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Dang Van Phu, 86, who has been crafting wooden puppets for 37 years, shares that many young villagers today show little interest in water puppetry, as the work is physically demanding, irregular, and does not provide a high income.

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In his small home, Phu carefully carves and paints each puppet, viewing them not merely as performance props but as vessels of rural stories and memories of a bygone era. He hopes that his dedication will inspire future generations to keep the water puppetry tradition alive.

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The 86-year-old artisan works tirelessly to pass down the art to the next generation.

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Each puppet is carefully checked by the artisan to guarantee a flawless performance for the audience.

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The water puppet shows come alive thanks to the folk melodies performed by the artisans.

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Performers control their puppets with both strings and rods, enabling more complicated movements.

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After each performance, the artisans collect the props, and maintain the puppets. This quiet work behind the scenes helps to preserve the traditional craft.

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Behind bamboo screens, puppeteers stand deep in water, manipulating brightly lacquered wooden figures using hidden rods and strings beneath the surface.

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Thanks to the artisans’ passion and hard work, water puppetry is made highly accessible and enjoyable for audiences from around the world.

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Over the years, water puppet shows have shared numerous folk tales from Northern Vietnam with audiences. For the artisans of the Hong Phong Water Puppet Troupe, this art is not merely a profession; it represents the very essence of the nation’s culture, traditions, and history, and a heritage that needs to be safeguarded.