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- Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre, 57 Dinh Tien Hoang St (across from Hoan Kiem Lake), ☏ +84 24 3824-9494, fax: +84 4 824 5117. Musicians accompany folk legends from Vietnamese history, told with wooden men, women, and dragons, dancing and splashing on the face of the water. The narratives are sung in Vietnamese, but lyrics are available in several languages. Or just ignore the dialogue and narration and focus on the special effects. There are several performances throughout the day. Don't worry about getting wet, but the seats are very small, and visitors with above-average height will have to squirm a bit. Camera passes are an extra 20,000 dong. (updated Nov 2016)
- Hồng Hà Theater (Vietnam Tuồng Theatre), 51 Duong Thanh Street (inside Old Quarter) (walk: from northern tip of Hoan Kiem Lake go along Hang gai street to the west about 500 m then turn right at Duong Thanh street, the theater is on the right at number 51; by bus: take bus 01 stop at bus stop 30 Duong Thanh then walk about 30 m toward the north), ☏ +84 984 545 228, honghatheatre@gmail.com. M Th 18:00-19:00. Hát tuồng (Hanoi:) or hát bội (Saigon:) is a form of Vietnamese theatre. Hát tuồng is often referred to as classical "Vietnamese opera" influenced by Chinese opera which combines acting, singing, and dancing. Tuồng employs the use of stock characters who are recognizable from their make-up and costumes, which are typically very elaborate and extravagant. Usually, a character's personalities can be revealed through three features: the color of the face, the eyebrows, and the beard. In this 1 hour show, the artists will perform most interesting, unique and typical recitals from famous Tuongs (which typically last 1-2 hours). The show starts at 18:00 but from 17:30 the theater is open so the guests can interact with the artists, observe the performance preparation and try to sing, dance, play drum with the artists and enjoy traditional royal tea. The English leaflets will be provided for every guest which will introduce the content of each recital throughout the show. 150,000 dong. (updated Sep 2018)
- Công Nhân Theater (Tu Phu (Four Palaces Show)), 42 Trang Tien street (from the Opera House walk down Trang Tien street 1 block, the Theater is on the right; from southern side of Hoan kiem lake, walk toward Trang tien street for 2 blocks, the theater is on the left), ☏ +84 902 195 650 (Vietnamese), +84 907 033 553 (English), ticket@viettheatre.com. Th Sa 18:00-18:45, 19:30-20:15. "Four Palaces” refers to the belief in the worship of Four Mother Goddesses, including Mother Goddess of Heaven, Mother Goddess of Forest, Mother Goddess of Water and Mother Goddess of Earth.The late 19th and early 20th centuries were the most flourishing periods of Mother Goddess religion in Viet folklore. There are times when Mother Goddess religion is considered as a manifestation of superstition and thus prohibited. However, the rituals of “Tứ Phủ” (Four Palaces), known by several other names, for instance, Tứ Phủ Công Đồng or Four Palaces Council, hát văn, chầu thánh, etc., still have a remarkable presence and strong reflection in Viet folk arts for several reasons: 1. Four Palaces is considered as a medium of lively communication of humans with Gods or Saints, divine beings who are familiar to Vietnamese both spiritually and in real life. The communications are organized as rituals by psychics or mediums who play roles of middlemen connecting people to divines. As such, it connected with Vietnamese in general. 2. Four Palaces is a lively form of art which collected many materials of folk arts, for example, hát chầu văn or chầu thánh (a traditional folk art which combines trance singing and dancing) and rites (ceremonies) as well as music with drum, flute and folk instruments; ritual dancing, rites of hầu đồng (hiển thánh) or ritual dress of sorceresses, etc. You can buy ticket online via website. USD5.49-12.95. (updated Sep 2018)
- Hanoi Chèo Theatre (Show "Long Thanh Dien Xuong"), 1 Giang Văn Minh (across street from Kim Son Pagoda), ☏ +84 24 3845-7403. Th 17:30-18:30. Chèo (Vietnamese:) is a form of generally satirical musical theatre, often encompassing dance, traditionally performed by Vietnamese peasants in northern Vietnam. It is usually performed outdoors by semi-amateur touring groups, stereotypically in a village square or the courtyard of a public building, although it is increasingly also performed indoors and by professional performers. Chèo stage art is one of the great cultural heritage of the Vietnamese folk treasure. Chèo has been a popular art form of the Vietnamese people for many generations and has fostered the national spirit through its lyrical content. Show Long Thanh Dien Xuong introduces to the visitors different types of folk arts/performances which used to be common in the history, when Hanoi was the royal capital of Viet Kingdom: cheo, ca tru, chau van, xam, water puppet. 150,000 dong. (updated Sep 2018)
- 1 Hanoi Opera House, 01 Tràng Tiền, hnopera@hanoioperahouse.org.vn. Built by the French during the colonial period, it usually hosts classical music concerts and local Vietnamese plays and pop concerts rather than operas.
Hanoi travel guide
Plan a trip to Hanoi, Vietnam — things to do, where to stay, food, transport, and local tips. Start with Fine Arts Museum, Hồ Chí Minh Mausoleum, Hồ Chí Minh Museum, National Museum of Vietnamese History.
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Travel eSIM data for visiting Hanoi — online as soon as you land, no kiosk queues.
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