スキップ・ザ・ライン：ゴールデン・ドラゴン水上人形チケット

I had heard a lot of hype about the pupert show, I found the music and singing way too loud, and there was no program on the storyline so as it’s in Vietnamese it made no sense. The theatre was like an old time movie theatre and a large pool where the stage would be. We booked on the day it was midweek so no issues, although I did ask for front row and the ticket lady said no, I asked for the following day and she said no “never” when we arrived and were seated, people in front of us held up their phones to video so it blocked our view, also the entire left hand row had about 10 seats and only two people!!!! My partner said the show was okay I rated it a 5/10

Was really very impressive and entertaining..................................................................

The performance is divisive, but I really liked it. The music and the actors who voice the characters are quite loud. The air conditioning blows very strongly, if you are sensitive, don't sit near it. You can get wet in the first rows. They perform a traditional story with several parts with the puppets (e.g. rice cultivation).

I thought it was a unique look into the culture. It was fun to see all the puppets, fire and smoke. A must see!

At first I was a little doubtful about what I could expect, but the puppets were so amazing in their movements that I really enjoyed them. I didn't understand the lines because they were in Vietnamese, but I enjoyed just watching them. The running time is just right.

Showed booking reference at the counter, and was given allocated seats in second in second row. Lots of fun to watch, even not understanding the songs and story!

I went to redeem my Viator ticket purchase and they showed me this sign and did not honor my Viator tickets. I paid again and went in and it was a beautiful show, but unfortunate my Viator tickets were not honored

One unique experience you can have in Vietnam is the traditional water puppet show. It is believed to have originated as a form of entertainment in the 11th century in the northern Red River Delta. It has since spread across the country, and can be seen today as far south as Ho Chi Minh City. We went to the Golden Dragon Puppet Theater to experience one of these shows. You'll find it right in the middle of Ho Chi Minh City, in between Tao Dan Park and the Independence Palace. It can fill up quite quickly, but you can purchase tickets ahead of time to guarantee a seat. We showed up early, then grabbed some street food outside the theater while we waited for the show to start. Most of the audience were Western or Chinese tourists. While it seems few locals attend these days, it’s impressive that such a skilled troupe keeps the tradition alive. On your way in, you'll receive English-written brochures explaining the stories in the show. The theater is small, which means you should be able to see the puppets even if you are a few rows back. Still, sitting closer to the front nets a better view. The stage is decorated with a faux Vietnamese temple with a pool in front of it. On either side are places for the musicians to sit, who play traditional instruments during the show. Photography is allowed at the show, as long as there is no flash. But you should bear in mind how this might affect other people's experience. No one wants to be sat behind someone filming the whole show. The play is told in 17 acts, each with its own story. One act shows us agricultural life on the river, a glimpse into how traditional farmers would take advantage of the river to grow crops. Another act shows fishermen attempting to catch fish, a comedic segment where the fish elude and taunt the angler, catapulting themselves at their faces. One act shows a traditional boat race, giving a sense of movement down a long river despite the limited size of the stage. I particularly enjoyed the animal segments, as each animal became its own character. The water dragon, both hunting and being hunted, was one of the highlights of the show. Each act is accompanied by traditional music and song, performed by the band flanking the stage. They use drums, flutes, and even frog percussion instruments to create an atmosphere for each scene. The songs and voice acting are performed in Vietnamese. This might put some people off, but it's easy to understand from the context, and if you miss something, a quick glance at the guide helps. The puppeteers are remarkably skilled at expressing emotions through the puppets. One might throw their arms up in anger, another trembling with fear before fleeing a dragon. I thought briefly about how the puppets were controlled, and imagined they were under the water holding their breath for the duration of the show. Of course, this isn't how they actually do it. They stand behind the stage, waist-deep in water, and manipulate the puppets with long rods. I initially thought the water would be a gimmick, but it’s central to the storytelling. The puppeteers skillfully use the water to hide control mechanisms and create the illusion of boats and animals floating freely on the river stage. The final act is the Dance of the Four Holy Animals, featuring the Dragon of the east that  embodies power, prosperity, and good luck; the Unicorn of the west that symbolises peace, good fortune, and sometimes learning; the Turtle of the north symbolising wisdom, longevity, and perseverance, and the Phoenix of the south representing virtue and grace. These are meanings rooted in Vietnamese myth and folklore. Some people might find parts of the show repetitive, especially as it nears the end. But each show lasts only 50 minutes, so it doesn't drag on too long for people who find they don't enjoy it as much as they expected. The show ended and the actors bow and accept their applause. This is definitely an entertaining way to spend an afternoon and learn a little about traditional Vietnamese puppetry. Would I go again? Probably only if I’m with someone new to Vietnam, but as a once-in-a-lifetime experience, it’s hard to beat.

A must-see show if you have never seen a water dragon show before. Well organized and punctual start.

The stage was so funny and amazing! So I think the rating is equivalent to four or five. I just had the worst manners in the audience. Because the two and three rows in front of me even held up their smartphones on their heads to take pictures and record them, I had to look at their smartphone screens, which blocked the stage for about half of the 45-minute performance, and I couldn’t concentrate at all. I was going to have to warn one of them as well, because I was warning one of them right after the attendant started, but I couldn't do it because there were no more attendants nearby, and I couldn't move to the empty seat (if I had to, I wouldn't go and warn them), so I ended up spending 45 minutes feeling very frustrated. At the very least, I would like to see you banned from holding your smartphone up over your head. If possible, I would like to see video recording banned.