Lacquer, silk and water puppets: Hanoi’s arts

About Lacquer, silk and water puppets: Hanoi’s arts

By the ULTIMATE Hanoi Editorial Team

Editor-in-Chief: Jai Michael

Hanoi is the capital of Vietnamese painting. The Vietnam National Museum of Fine Arts, in a French-era building opposite the Temple of Literature, shows the arts of Vietnam from early sculpture to the lacquer and silk paintings of the 20th century. The Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, in Cầu Giấy, tells the story of the country’s peoples indoors and through full-size houses in its garden. And by the lake, the water puppets still dance to live music.

The museums

The Vietnam National Museum of Fine Arts (vnfam.vn), the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology on Nguyễn Văn Huyên (vme.org.vn), the Vietnamese Women’s Museum at 36 Lý Thường Kiệt (baotangphunu.org.vn) and the National Museum of Vietnamese History (baotanglichsu.vn) in the French Quarter.

On stage

The Thăng Long Water Puppet Theatre on Đinh Tiên Hoàng, by the lake, and live jazz at the Binh Minh Jazz Club on Tràng Tiền. The Hanoi Opera House is closed for restoration (since January 2026).

Pair the Fine Arts Museum with the Temple of Literature across the road: an easy morning.

Living traditions

Ca trù, the old sung poetry of the north, is on UNESCO’s list of intangible heritage in need of urgent safeguarding (2009). Ceramics are made at Bát Tràng and silk woven at Vạn Phúc, both within easy reach of the centre.

Our advice: most museums close one day a week; check each one’s own website before you go.

Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Lacquer, silk and water puppets: Hanoi’s arts before you go.