Vietnamese Water Puppet Show & Traditional Dinner in Ho Chi Minh City
4.2
14 Ratings
Ho Chi Minh City
Immerse yourself in Vietnamese culture with a traditional dinner and a mesmerizing water puppet show in Ho Chi Minh City. Indulge in local cuisine and be captivated by the enchanting puppetry and orchestral music.
Duration:
3 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theater - We will begin our evening with a wonderful dinner at a lovely local restaurant. After dinner, we will make our way to the theater to enjoy the Water Puppet Show. Puppets are made from light timbers, carved, polished and decorated with different colours to demonstrate the clear personalities of each character. Water puppetry is a unique Vietnamese art form performed in a large pool using the water as a stage. The artisans inside the cabin control puppets. They perform each pole, rope,
the stage is decorated with flags, fans, parasols. It is considered as one of the most traditional and important parts of Vietnamese culture. You will also enjoy the Vietnamese orchestra, which provides the background music for the show. The orchestra is manned by an array of talented singers accompanied by professional musicians performing with traditional musical instruments.
What's Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in Ho Chi Minh City Center
- Air-conditioned transportation
- Inclusive travel insurance
- All entry fees covered
- Dinner provided
- Bottled drinking water supplied
- English-speaking guides (other languages available upon request with surcharge)
What's Not Included
- Personal expenses such as: shopping, telephone, beverage, etc.
- Tips and gratuities
Additional Information
Discover the nocturnal side of Ho Chi Minh City, starting with a meal at an authentic Vietnamese restaurant and culminating with a water puppet theatre show. Accompanied by a Vietnamese orchestra, the puppets portray everyday life scenarios, countryside folklore, and various significant cultural mythologies.
Main Attractions:
- Relish the cuisine of a bona fide Vietnamese eatery
- Engage in the local tradition of a water puppet show
- Listen to the harmonies of a Vietnamese musical ensemble during the performance
- Maximum 1 child accompanied 1 adult, the 2nd child will pay the adult price.
- Free for children 0-2 years old; 50% off for children 3-10 years old
Location
Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theater
55B Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, District 1
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.2
(14 Ratings)
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Candice
Apr 15, 2024
Very unique and well worth a visit - We were unable to get booked in to dinner but decided to see the show.
Although it was all in Vietnamese (which we were aware of) it was very easy to understand the story.
It was very funny at times and we thoroughly enjoyed it. The theatre is a little tired but it really didn't matter (lady in front fell through her seat.....so glad it wasn't me).
This is very unique and definitely worth a visit.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Michael
Oct 30, 2017
The pickup service was timely and we... - <p>The pickup service was timely and we were provided with great seats. Dinner was especially nice and there was plenty to eat and we were allowed to eat at our own pace. Would definitely recommend this tour for anyone in Ho Chi Minh City.</p>
Review provided by Viator
Dumbov
Oct 20, 2017
Fabulously picturesque display by true Vietnamese artists - Although a mere 50 minutes long to see the amazing variety of weird and wonderful creatures animals and even insects dancing in the water was mind blowing.unfortunately the dinner option had stopped when I went.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Robert
Oct 18, 2017
If you have time, this is a wonderful... - <p>If you have time, this is a wonderful show to see and the dinner was super. Well worth it</p>
Review provided by Viator
John
Oct 2, 2017
The show was well produced and some... - <p>The show was well produced and some of the puppets we was trying to work out how they controlled them in the water. I can see why the puppet show has received rewards. The show was carried out in Vietnamese. It would of been nice to have something to tell you a bit of the story you are watching in English. The show was worth a big tick in the box on doing when here. <br/>
After the show was has a nice meal. The meal was set but covered what most people would like to have, with the local dishes. We had a couple of drinks with the meal which wasnt covered in the price. But enjoyed the restaurant and the food. So with both the puppet show and meal. A great evening entertainment. Would be happy to do it again</p>
Review provided by Viator
Benjamin_s
Feb 21, 2020
Perfect for children - The show is perfect especially for young kids or children. I would recommend with my friends will children
Review provided by Viator
Krisrfergus
Apr 15, 2019
Entertaining and Funny - I watched the show with the kids. They seem to love the puppets dancing in the water! The language of course is in Vietnamese, kids and the family just tried to figure out what is it about. The kids started to feel a bit sleepy though when the story started to slow down and the music sounds like a lullaby for them. hahaha The venue is nice, clean and cool. And, just a little FYI for tourists who are so used to swiping everything (like me!), the ticket office doesn't accept credit cards or USD. better prepare you VND ;)
Review provided by Tripadvisor
John
Jan 6, 2018
Very enjoyable and interesting night... - <p>Very enjoyable and interesting night out. Originally dinner was supposed to be on a small riverboat, but the boat needed repairing so they had dinner at a different restaurant after the show.</p>
Review provided by Viator
Frederick_s
Jul 17, 2023
Puppet show, yes, tour-bus restaurant, no - The tour guide and driver did a great job of picking us up and getting us to the front door of the theater in a driving rain storm. The show was interesting.
After the show, we were driven across town to a tourist restaurant. (The same one another tour company brought us to the day before.). The restaurant was ‘ok’ but it had a fixed menu for everyone and this was my second time there in two days. You could only choose drinks—at your own expense. We booked a private tour. This restaurant was packed with multiple tour buses. The room was so loud that no one could be heard over the noise—like leaf blower loud. If I had wanted a bus tour, that’s what I would have booked. For this reason, I would not recommend this particular tour. Too bad, because the guide and driver were very nice.
Review provided by Viator
Julie
Jan 6, 2018
If you don't understand Vietnamese... - <p>If you don't understand Vietnamese this show would be a little underwhelming. Its good for the theatrics but not completely enjoyable for 40 mins.</p>
Review provided by Viator
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