Puppet Show Spectacle Organized by Hải Phòng

Festivities Galore: Hai Phong's Puppeteers Divulge Their Secrets

For avid puppetry enthusiasts and culture lovers alike, Hai Phong's annual puppet festival has arrived! Running through May 9, this year's festivities, themed "Hai Phong - 70 Years of RadiantBlossoms," strive to safeguard and celebrate the unique artistic and cultural values of traditional Vietnamese puppetry.

This event forms part of the jubilant celebrations marking the 70th anniversary of Hai Phong's liberation (1955 - 2025) and the Red Flamboyant Flower Festival 2025. Tràn Thị Hoàng Mai, Director of Hai Phong's Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, emphasizes the city's rich cultural heritage, having thrived alongside economic growth and prosperity.

"Hai Phong is a thriving coastal region teeming with cultural and historical treasures," she declares. "We have recognized, preserved, and cultivated our intangible cultural heritage, ensuring it thrives in modern times." The city now boasts 12 traditional practices recognized as national intangible cultural heritage.

Stunning, elaborate performances characterize the festival, weaving together lighting effects, traditional music, and sharp, expressive dialogue. These shows offer a breathtaking and immersive artistic experience, as timeless tales unfold in contemporary settings.

The performances are intricately staged, combining lighting effects, traditional music and witty dialogue that is rich in expression. - VNA/VNS Photo Minh Thu

This year's festival features a diverse lineup of talent, with artists from the local Puppet Theatre, Hà Nội's Thăng Long Puppet Theatre, and the Hai Phong Traditional Theatre, alongside five traditional puppet troupes from across the nation.

The pièce de résistance of the festival is a vibrant street parade, featuring over 3,000 artists and performers bedecked in traditional costumes, alongside mesmerizing puppet figures. The parade features the participation of international students, scholars, and professionals living and working in Hai Phong, accompanied by local women wearing traditional garb from Kim Thành District in Hải Dương Province.

As the parade progresses, spectators will be dazzled by additional performances of traditional arts such as chèo (northern traditional opera) and đờn ca tài tử (southern folk music). The highlight, however, will be traditional water puppetry shows and the premier of Hai Phòng Welcomes Friends from All Directions by the Hai Phòng Traditional Theatre[1].

To better understand the importance of these puppet festivals, it's vital to recognize their role in preserving cultural heritage, promoting community engagement, and fostering economic growth. Festivals ensure traditional arts flourish, keeping them relevant and captivating for contemporary audiences without sacrificing their rich cultural history[4].

Puppeteers from Vĩnh Bảo District in Hải Phòng join the parade. - VNA/VNS Photo Minh Thu

Additionally, these events serve as a platform for innovation and experimentation, incorporating modern themes and techniques while remaining true to the roots of water puppetry[1][4]. Hai Phong's puppet festival promises to be a captivating experience steeped in history, captivating performances, and a joyous showcase of Vietnamese culture.

References:

Traditional Water Puppetry in Vietnam: History, Techniques, and Cultural Significance. (2021). Iniana.com.
Cultural Festivals in Vietnam: A Significant Role in Preserving National Identity. (2019). CultureTrip.com
The Intangible Cultural Heritage of Vietnam. (2020). United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
Water Puppetry: Art, History, and its Role in Cultural Preservation. (2018). NguoiViệtArt.org.
The annual puppet festival in Hai Phong, running through May 9, showcases the unique artistic and cultural values of traditional Vietnamese puppetry—an intangible cultural heritage—as part of the city's rich lifestyle and home-and-garden.
The diverse lineup of talent at this year's festival includes artists from various theaters, such as the local Puppet Theatre, Hà Nội’s Thăng Long Puppet Theatre, and the Hai Phong Traditional Theatre, collaborating with five traditional puppet troupes from across the nation.
The pièce de résistance of the festival is a vibrant street parade, featuring over 3,000 artists and performers, international artists, and local women in traditional garb, showcasing traditional arts such as chèo and đờn ca tài tử, alongside mesmerizing puppet figures and traditional water puppetry shows.
Festivals like Hai Phong's annual puppet festivals play a crucial role in preserving cultural heritage, promoting community engagement, fostering economic growth, and ensuring traditional arts flourish for contemporary audiences without losing their historical significance.
In addition to celebrating Vietnamese culture, these events also provide a platform for innovation and experimentation, incorporating modern themes and techniques while remaining true to the roots of water puppetry.
This year's festival, themed "Hai Phong - 70 Years of Radiant Blossoms," forms part of the jubilant celebrations marking the 70th anniversary of Hai Phong's liberation and the Red Flamboyant Flower Festival 2025, showcasing the city's thriving coastal region filled with cultural and historical treasures.
As the festival draws to a close, attendees can continue their cultural-travel journey by exploring other attractions in Hai Phong, such as famous street food like Pho and its captivating space-themed structures, all contributing to a memorable travel experience in Vietnam.