According to information from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Government Office has issued a document to the minister as well as the chairpersons of the People’s Committees of Ha Noi, Hung Yen, Ninh Binh, and Hai Phong, conveying the directive of Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh on the preparation of scientific dossiers for “Pho” (Vietnamese noodle soup) and “Water Puppetry” to be proposed for inscription on UNESCO’s Lists.

In the newly upgraded and renovated water pavilion, the lively sound of puppet drums welcomes visitors. “Hearing the sound of the puppet drums, even boiling rice can be forgotten” evokes the special appeal of this folk-art form. However, behind that lively sound, the artisans of Nguyen Xa water puppetry village are concerned about preserving their craft.

The Nguyen Xa water puppetry tradition in Hung Yen Province has been officially recognised as a national intangible cultural heritage. In recent years, this unique art form has been introduced into school curricula, enabling pupils to study and experience the craft first-hand.

Lovers of traditional water puppetry can now visit to No.23 Phan Dinh Phung Street, Ha Noi, to enjoy lively performances that embody the culture of wet-rice farming in the Red River Delta.

Madam Ngo Phuong Ly, spouse of General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Central Committee To Lam, and Madam Lis Cuesta Peraza, spouse of First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba Central Committee and President of Cuba Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez, enjoyed a traditional water puppet performance and visited Ngoc Son Temple in Ha Noi on September 1.