Experience an enchanting evening in Saigon, starting with a delightful dinner at a local restaurant where you will savor authentic Vietnamese dishes. Afterward, immerse yourself in the captivating Water Puppet Show, a unique cultural performance showcasing intricately crafted puppets and traditional music. This engaging experience highlights Vietnamese folklore, offering a glimpse into rural life while ensuring a memorable night filled with artistry and flavor.
Experience Highlights:
Authentic Dining: Savor traditional Vietnamese dishes at a charming local restaurant.
Cultural Performance: Enjoy the captivating Water Puppet Show, showcasing vibrant puppetry.
Musical Accompaniment: Experience enchanting music performed by skilled musicians.
Folklore Insights: Discover humorous tales from rural Vietnamese life.
Schedule & prices
Runs
Every day
Start times
6:00 PM
Next available
Wed, Oct 14
Adult (ages 11+)
$57
Child (ages 3–10)
$29
Infant (ages 0–2)
Free
Prices change with the date; the lowest is shown.
Prices are per person when two book together; a solo traveller pays $190.
Larger groups pay less per person.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 13.
Tour Options
Group Tour (max 10 pax/group)
Group Tour (max 10 pax/group)
Pickup included
Private Tour
Private Tour
Pickup included
Itinerary
90 min
We will begin our evening with a delightful dinner at a charming local restaurant, where you can savor authentic Vietnamese dishes.
After dinner, we will make our way to the theater to enjoy the captivating Water Puppet Show, a unique cultural experience that showcases Vietnamese artistry. The puppets are crafted from lightweight timber, intricately carved, polished, and beautifully decorated with vibrant colors to illustrate the distinct personalities of each character.
Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theater
Admission included75 min
Water puppetry is an art form performed in a large pool, utilizing the water as a dynamic stage. Artisans hidden within a cabin control the puppets using a sophisticated system of poles and ropes, arranged outside or beneath the water’s surface. They perform each pole, rope,… puppets with the system of ropes arranged outside or under the water. The stage is adorned with flags, fans, and parasols enhancing the overall visual appeal. This traditional performance is one of the most significant aspects of Vietnamese culture.
You will also enjoy the enchanting music of a Vietnamese orchestra that accompanies the show. This talented ensemble features skilled singers and professional musicians who play traditional instruments. The performance offers a wonderful glimpse into Vietnamese rural life and folklore, with stories that often include humorous twists, ensuring an engaging and memorable experience.
What's included
Included
Hotel pickup and drop-off in Ho Chi Minh City Center
Transportation with air-conditioning
Travel insurance
Dinner
Bottled drinking water
Entrance fees
English speaking guides (other languages available upon request with surcharge)
Not included
Personal expenses such as: shopping, telephone, beverage, etc.
Tips and gratuities
Pickup Locations & Times
Hotel pick-up and drop-off in HCMC Center (District 1,3,5,10, Phu Nhuan)
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
4.3
16 reviews
5
8
4
5
3
3
2
0
1
0
How it compares in Ho Chi Minh City
Starting price $57 is 63% above the typical $35 for tours of similar length in Ho Chi Minh City
Excurgo comparison of 2,914 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
Important Information
Wheelchair accessible
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
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
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does Authentic Vietnamese Dinner And Water Puppet Show take?
Authentic Vietnamese Dinner And Water Puppet Show lasts about 3 hours. The itinerary has 2 stops.
How much does Authentic Vietnamese Dinner And Water Puppet Show cost?
Prices start at $57 per person for this Ho Chi Minh City experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. That is the per-person price when two book together; a solo traveller pays $190. There are 2 booking options, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does Authentic Vietnamese Dinner And Water Puppet Show run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, starting at 6:00 PM.
How much does Authentic Vietnamese Dinner And Water Puppet Show cost for children?
Children aged 3–10 pay from $29, adults from $57. Infants go free.
Can I cancel Authentic Vietnamese Dinner And Water Puppet Show for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes, pickup is offered. Hotel pick-up and drop-off in HCMC Center (District 1,3,5,10, Phu Nhuan) Pickup points include Minh Anh Go Vap Hotel, GK Central Hotel.
What languages is Authentic Vietnamese Dinner And Water Puppet Show offered in?
The experience is available in EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 10 participants.
Is the tour suitable for children?
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
Is the tour wheelchair accessible?
Wheelchair accessible Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Reviews(16)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
B
benc0007
December 25, 2024 · via Tripadvisor
A Must See Show
We went to see this show as a family. Highly recommend going to see this, it’s something special and the way it is constructed is amazing. The live musical makes it even more spectacular. We went to see the 9:15pm show we turned up at 5pm to get tickets. We queued for 30 minutes and luckily we got the last set of tickets. I would say if you are visiting then go early get tickets for the same day of another day. They have 4 shows I believe.
Operator response
Hello Benc0007,
Thank you for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear that you and your family enjoyed the show. It’s great to know that the live music and the overall construction of the performance made it special for you.
Arriving early to secure tickets is a fantastic tip for future visitors—thank you for sharing that! We hope to welcome you back for another memorable experience soon!
Hoi An Express Travel
7
770marissaw
June 26, 2024 · via Tripadvisor
An Enthralling Show and Delicious Dinner
A magical performance at the water puppet show - both my father in law and my young son were enthralled by the music and movement. It was captivating!!!
Afterwards the set menu for dinner was a perfect mix of a wide variety of cultural dishes but delicious and tailored for western tastes.
C
Candice M
April 15, 2024 · via Tripadvisor
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.
F
Frederick_S
July 17, 2023 · via Viator
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.
B
Benjamin_S
February 21, 2020 · via Viator
Perfect for children
The show is perfect especially for young kids or children. I would recommend with my friends will children
K
krisrfergus
April 15, 2019 · via Tripadvisor
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 ;)
Operator response
Dear krisrfergus,
Many thanks for leaving us an honest and detailed review and recommending our services, we greatly appreciate it. We are happy to hear that you enjoyed the activities.
Have gorgeous days and we would love to welcome you back in the near future.
Best regards,
J
John T
January 6, 2018 · via Viator
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>
J
Julie
January 6, 2018 · via Viator
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>
M
Michael M
October 30, 2017 · via Viator
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>
D
dumbov
October 20, 2017 · via Tripadvisor
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.
1 people found this helpful
Operator response
Dear dumbov,
Warm greetings from Hoi An Express
Thank you so much for taking time to write a review for us. We are so happy to know that you've had great experiences in our services with our staff. It is a huge motivation for us to keep trying harder in the future.
We do hope to welcome you back again for amazing experiences together!
Best regards,
Nguyen Thi My Huong
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