The Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theater Ho Chi Minh City: A FULL guide 2024

Contents

The Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theater holds the essence of fine water puppetry art (Source: Collected)

The Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theater preserves and holds the secrets of the thousand-year water puppetry art. What seems to fall into oblivion for the locals is now a highlight that draws millions of tourists annually! There are lots to admire in one show, so add this experience to your Vietnam travel journey!

1. About The Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theater

• Location: 55B Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, Ben Thanh, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
• Opening hours: 5 pm – 8:45 pm 

1.1. Infrastructure

The Golden Dragon Puppet Theater is Ho Chi Minh City’s largest venue dedicated to water puppetry, with comfortable seating for 200 spectators. To ensure that the audience has an unforgettable time, the facility also equips state-of-the-art lighting, audio, and set design on stage.

The main performance takes place on the water (Source: Collected)

The puppet show is held in a 4m2 water pond, with its surface as the main stage. Up to eight puppet masters line up behind a split-bamboo screen designed as a temple front, controlling the characters with long bamboo sticks and a string system lurking underneath the water’s surface. 

The theater also decks its stage with spotlights and brilliant flags to set the mood of a village festival.

1.2. Showtimes

Performances are available every Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday from 5:30 pm at the Golden Dragon puppet theater. There are two shows a night, each lasting 50 minutes and featuring spectacular lighting, set effects, and acts. The showtimes are:

• 5:30 PM – 6:20 PM
• 6:30 PM – 7:20 PM

2. A detailed review of Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theater show

2.1. Program

Unlike traditional puppet acts, the Golden Dragon puppet show performs a list of traditional folktales, myths, and historical events collected from over 8 decades of history. 

Such performances illustrate the importance of water in all facets of human life. The show flows logically from one act to another, giving the audience multiple opportunities to enjoy the water puppetry. The everyday life stories featured in most skits usually come with comedic twists.

A scene from the show (Source: Collected)

The entire program covers 17 acts, including

• Raising the Festival Flag
• The narrator: Teu 
• Dragon Dance
• On a buffalo with the flute
• Agriculture 
• Catching frogs
• Rearing ducks and catching foxes 
• Fishes 
• Lion dance 
• Phoenix dance 
• King Le Loi on a boat tour or the legend about “Restored sword” 
• Children playing in the water 
• Boat racing 
• Unicorns play with the ball 
• Fairy dance 
• Dance of four Holy Animals

Keep in mind that the plays are entirely in Vietnamese, including all conversations. However, the puppets’ explicit body language makes understanding the scenarios simple. Before the performance, you will also receive English-written brochures outlining the show’s main features and arrangements.

2.2. Puppets, music, and singers

All Golden Dragon Theater puppets usually take on unique appearances. Most of the time, the characters appear comedic yet symbolized figures dressed in bright, eye-catching colors that perfectly convey the festive vibe. 

The puppets are delicately made with symbolism in mind (Source: Collected)

Besides the unique, culture-reflecting puppets, the classic Vietnamese orchestra is also a huge highlight. Thanks to their skillful use of traditional instruments like wooden bells, cymbals, monochords, and bamboo flutes, the band offers exceptional background tracks and sound effects, adding to the performance’s success. 

Accompanying the puppet show are professional Chèo vocalists performing story-telling songs. Throughout the show, the singers sometimes yell out to the characters, either to notify them of a threat or to encourage them if they are in trouble.

2.3. Overall reviews

The show provides a realistic look into Vietnamese rural culture (Source: Collected)

In this cultural-emerging journey exploring the fascinating Vietnamese water puppetry art, participants not only have a chance to enjoy captivating tales seamlessly told by professional musicians and narrators but also grasp a sense of the tranquil Vietnamese rural life.

The whole thing is brilliant, and you can easily notice the performers’ dedication to preserving traditional water puppetry. Definitely, a must if you come to Ho Chi Minh city! This fantastic activity is ideal for everyone, especially families with little kids.  

3. How to get to The Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theater?

It usually takes you less than five minutes to reach the Golden Dragon Puppet Theatre from Ho Chi Minh City Hall. From the hall, theater-goers can quickly get to the venue via taxi or motorcycle. If you’re walking, follow Le Thanh Street to the southwest until you see Nguyen Hue Street.

The intersection between Le Thanh Street and Nguyen Hue Street (Source: Collected)

Next, turn right onto Truong Dinh street once you notice the Ta Banh Mi Thit shop. After passing the iTechBlack Coworking Space on your right, keep going until you meet Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street.

When you reach the intersection of Cong Ty Kiem Toan and Dv Tin Hoc, turn right again; the Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theater is on your right, shortly past Saigon Decor.

4. The ticket fee for The Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theater

The water puppet show Saigon tickets at the Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theatre are 200,000 VND per adult. A few things to keep in mind include the following:

• Kids over 3 years old are ticketed the same as adults.
• Kids under 3 can sit for free with their parents.
• This Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theater price is not applicable on national holidays.

The Golden Dragon Theater’s water puppet show is an experience like no other; you can purchase tickets at the door or online via tourist services.

However, during Saigon’s peak period, tickets often sell out quickly. Calling the Golden Dragon Theater or working with a travel agency beforehand for tickets is strongly advised.

During your trip, you can further explore Vietnamese culture in Hanoi, Hoi An, Da Nang, Nha Trang, Phu Quoc, etc.

Want extra thrills and fun? Consider adding these adrenaline-rush  amusement parks to your plan:

• Vinpearl Aquarium and VinKE: A must-see if you are traveling with small children, as the whole family can enjoy themselves in an aquatic setting at the spacious “play and learn” area.
• VinWonders Nam Hoi An: This park’s fascinating indoor and outdoor facilities have made it a favorite choice for families and friends.
• VinWonders Nha Trang: The best spot to have fun, full of adventurous activities where you can test your boundaries.
• VinWonders Phu Quoc: The biggest theme park in Vietnam, filled to the brim with thrilling rides, exciting games, and special activities.

There is something for everyone, from small kids to adults, in VinWonders, Vinpearl Aquarium, and VinKE

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The Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theater is a must-visit destination for all culture-exploring tourists. A 50-minute journey to the world of water puppetry will equip you with not only the quintessence of this exceptional art but also a clear perspective into Vietnamese tradition, culture, and the everyday life of the rural. Definitely a worthy experience!

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