Hanoi – The old and new – Vietnam Travel Diary 8

Cyclo Tour of Old District 

By sitting on a cyclo, slowly going through each street and alley to admire the cultural features and daily life activities of the people, international tourists have interesting experiences when visiting Hanoi. For Hanoians, the image of cyclos has long been an important part of the city’s typical cultural picture. The image of cyclo drivers leisurely pedaling on the old streets, with the characteristic curved glass bell, has become a symbol of peace and tranquility in urban life. It is a special highlight in the landscape of Hanoi, contributing to the diversity and richness of the capital’s culture.

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

The President Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is a mausoleum which serves as the resting place of Vietnamese revolutionary leader and President Ho Chi Minh in Hanoi, Vietnam, is one of Vietnam’s most revered landmarks and stands as a powerful symbol of the nation’s history and independence.

The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is centrally located in Ba Dinh Square, Hanoi, an area of immense historical and political significance. It is surrounded by other key landmarks such as the Presidential Palace, One Pillar Pagoda, and the Ho Chi Minh Museum, making it a crucial stop in any Hanoi itinerary.

Water Puppet Show

Every year during the annual rice harvest, farmers in Vietnam’s Red River Delta region would gather for folk singing and dancing at village festivals. About one thousand years ago, water puppets were added to the list of performances at these festivals. The first shows were hosted in the harvested rice fields, which could be filled with water to create a watery stage.

Water puppetry as a folk art form evolved from serving everyday people to a show for royalty.  Under the reign of the Lý Dynasty in the 12th century, the country’s best water puppet troupes were chosen to entertain the king and guests, marking a new high for the art’s social status. Many centuries later, water puppetry (múa rối nước) still fascinates audiences, and is a cherished intangible cultural heritage of Vietnam.

Múa rối nước is a physically demanding craft. Puppeteers stand in water throughout the show, and use the movement of the water to create drama, perfect the illusion, and tell a story. The puppeteers’ secret lies in the material of the puppets themselves, which are made of buoyant fig wood and painted with lacquer. The puppeteers skillfully maneuver the puppet’s arms using bamboo sticks and strings. It takes decades to become a master water puppeteer.

Today in Vietnam, water puppet shows are not presented in flooded rice paddies but in pools of water. These pools are decorated with red tiered roofs, flags, and parasols to resemble an altar inside Vietnamese communal houses. On both sides of the stage sit the musical ensemble who bring the stories to life using their voices and traditional instruments.

A traditional show always starts with an introduction to Tễu, the comedic host. Tễu is an iconic character, a whimsical storyteller who will lead you through different scenes and stories as they unfold on stage. The brightly coloured puppets recreate daily life in Vietnam’s northern villages, including duck herding, fishing, rice planting, boat rowing, and royal parades. Some shows include depictions of Vietnamese folktales, which always carry a moral.

The show we saw was at Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre.

Here is the video of our Hanoi Tour