Vietnam: The Tradition of Puppetry

Water puppetry is one of the oldest art forms in Vietnam. It dates back to the 11th century when villagers in the Northern part of the country created it to pass the time when the flood levels were too high to work. 

The puppets made out of wood and lacquer are like marionettes, but they're controlled from a large rod that hides underneath a shallow pool. The puppeteers hide behind a bamboo screen decorated like the exterior of a Buddhist temple. 

The little characters dressed in traditional costumes dance to Vietnamese music played by an orchestra of đàn bầu (a one-string guitar), gongs, wooden bells, bamboo flutes and cymbals. The soundtrack serves as the dialogue fluctuating between intense, cacophonous percussion and light, playful melodies.

In major cities, like Hanoi, the performances are being used as a medium for teaching tourists about Vietnamese culture. 

While the show itself may seem a little tacky in this day and age of 3D movies, it's a fun and easy way to pick up some facts about the history and traditions of Vietnam while you're there.