Water, Wood and Wire: Vietnam Cultural Days brings ancient water puppets to Intramuros

In the afternoon, the cultural exchanges deepened as the Viet Nam National Puppetry Theatre joined the Bayanihan Dance Troupe, the Philippines’ official national folk dance company, for a series of cultural showcases. Through choreographed dance and theatrical puppetry, the performers presented the distinct histories, everyday routines, and creative heritages of both nations.

Adding a distinctly Filipino vocal layer to the festivities, the Male Ensemble Philippines joined the showcase at Fort Santiago. The world-class singers brought next-level vocal harmonies to the stage, performing classical and contemporary arrangements that celebrated the Philippines’ musical traditions. Their performance added a powerful, resonant dimension to the afternoon, serving as an organic artistic bridge that complemented the dancers’ physical movement and the puppeteers’ mechanical choreography.

The opening performance was attended by senior cultural officials, including NCCA chairman and executive director Dr Eric B. Zerrudo, deputy minister of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Viet Nam Hoang Dao Cuong, and Intramuros Administration administrator Joan Padilla. Also in attendance were National Museum of the Philippines director-general Jeremy Barns, NCCA deputy executive director for operations Bernan Joseph Corpuz, members of the diplomatic corps, and the visiting Vietnamese delegates.

Delivered in the historic setting of Fort Santiago, the opening addresses noted the symbolic resilience of cultural work and the profound value of regional cooperation. In his keynote address, Zerrudo spoke extensively about the necessity of preserving indigenous traditions in an increasingly digitised world.

“Our traditional arts serve as the foundation, our roots that inspire and sustain us. Along with Vietnam—our brother in ASEAN—we cherish these shared cultural treasures,” Zerrudo emphasised. Addressing the challenges of the contemporary era, he noted: “In the face of global uncertainties, our partnership remains a vital pillar in fostering regional harmony and growth.”

Zerrudo also acknowledged the event’s symbolic timing, noting the persistent weather. “For the past few days, Manila has been graced with rain,” he shared. “Yet even the weather has not diminished the spirit of cultural exchange that brings us together today. Because neither rain nor circumstance can hinder the enduring exchange of culture, friendship, and goodwill between our peoples.”

In response, Hoang highlighted the strategic importance of cultural and artistic exchanges following high-level diplomatic visits earlier in the year. He spoke of the emotional and political trust forged in shared creative spaces.

“Culture brings people together, builds trust and helps us understand each other better,” Hoang remarked, adding that the Manila festivities reflect the deep-seated respect between the two countries.

The addresses further emphasised that cultural diplomacy and tourism remain closely linked. “Today’s cultural exchange is a meaningful expression of our enduring friendship and our collective belief that culture brings people closer together,” Zerrudo explained. “It also reminds us that culture and tourism go hand in hand. Cultural experiences inspire travel, deepen understanding and create lasting connections among nations.”

Looking to the future, the speakers expressed hope that the performances would inspire new opportunities for artistic collaboration and people-to-people exchanges, noting that the Philippines looks forward to hosting its own Philippine Cultural Days in Vietnam to share its arts and traditions in return.

The celebration culminated on the afternoon of August 8 at Plaza Moriones inside Fort Santiago, where the Viet Nam National Puppetry Theatre presented a public showcase of traditional Vietnamese water puppetry, or múa rối nước. Set against the stone battlements of Intramuros, the master puppeteers utilised the water’s surface to bring historical legends, regional folk tales and scenes of rural life to life.

Originating in the eleventh century among farming communities in the flooded rice paddies of northern Vietnam, múa rối nước is an extraordinary feat of performance and mechanics. Operating behind a bamboo screen, hidden puppeteers stand waist-deep in water, manipulating large wooden puppets using a complex system of underwater rods and strings. The water not only conceals the operating mechanisms but also acts as a dynamic stage element, catching the light and echoing the music of traditional instruments. The performance brought ancient mythologies and daily agricultural routines to life, proving that heritage is a living, breathing language that can speak across geographic and linguistic borders.

Through these collaborative workshops, shared lectures, musical performances and public water puppetry showcases, the Vietnam Cultural Days in Manila demonstrated how ancient performative arts continue to function as active pathways for regional solidarity and diplomatic trust.

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