Vietnamese, German First Ladies enjoy water puppetry in Hanoi

The two ladies immersed themselves in a diverse array of performances featuring iconic characters, dynamic dragon dances, and serene depictions of rural life during the show at Thang Long Water Puppet Theater in Hanoi’s Hoan Kiem District.

Water puppetry, originating in the Red River Delta of northern Vietnam, finds its inspiration in the region’s hot and humid climate and abundant water bodies. The natural aquatic stages, such as ponds and lakes in nearly every village, serve as platforms for water puppet performances, predominantly featuring scenes reflecting rural landscapes, bamboo trees, and traditional activities like fishing and rice cultivation.

Elke Büdenbender (3rd, L), the spouse of the German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, receives a water puppetry gifted by artists in Hanoi, Jan. 23, 2024. Photo by VnExpress/Giang Huy

Expressing their admiration for the performance and the talent of the artists who immersed themselves in water to manipulate the puppets, both ladies extended heartfelt wishes to the artists, encouraging them to sustain their passion for the art and preserve the distinctive essence of Vietnamese water puppetry.

To gain a deeper understanding of the art and the work of the artists, the two ladies visited behind-the-scenes area and talked with the artists, officials and staff of the theater.

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his spouse Elke Büdenbender arrived in Hanoi on Tuesday for a two-day state visit at the invitation of President Vo Van Thuong and his spouse.