Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theater Place guide

If you’re looking for an interesting way to learn about Vietnamese life and culture, consider visiting the Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theater and watch the traditional nightly puppet show. 

While the Saigon Opera House is a popular theater around Ho Chi Minh, the Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theater specializes in a performance unique to Vietnam. Two features make this show distinctive to the country: (1) the stage – the show is done on water, and (2) the traditional, old-fashioned Vietnamese music played on authentic instruments, as vital to the storytelling as the puppets.

Performances usually tell the tales from traditional folklore, legends, and other historical narratives, some of which go back nearly 800 years. Take note that the dialogues in the performances are spoken entirely in Vietnamese. However, the puppets’ obvious gestures make them easy to follow. Audience members are also given pamphlets in English with brief descriptions of the segments and dances.

The Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theater has two showings, one at 5:00pm and another at 6:15pm. Performances usually last for 45 minutes, making this an excellent cultural or family-friendly activity to squeeze into your Ho Chi Minh itinerary. Themes from segments of the puppet show range from boat racing to playing with animals.

If you want a fancier evening out, combine the water puppet show with a Saigon dinner cruise. Not a bad way to start your night out in HCM...

How to get there

• You can take a cyclo, taxi, Grab (ride-sharing) or bus to the site. 
  
  
• If you’re staying in District 1, consider getting to the palace on foot, as most tourist areas are within walking distance of the district. 
  
  
• If you’re around the Reunification Palace, the theater is nearby and you can also walk to the theater, or flag down a taxi to get you there. 

Address: 55B Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai, Phường Bến Thành, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
Show times: 5:00pm and 6:15pm
Entrance fee: VND 378,000 (US$16.50)