Thay Pagoda Festival

Thay Pagoda Festival

March-AprilThis Vietnamese festival, which varies in length, is held in honor of Buddhist monk Dao Hanh, who lived during the Ly Dynasty (1009-1225 c.e.). Dao Hanh was said to have invented what is known as mua roi can, "water puppetry," an activity that plays an important part in the festival. The puppet shows take place on the pond in front of the pagoda. The puppeteers stand mostly underwater behind a curtain in order to control the puppets' actions on a stage on the water's surface.
In addition to water puppet performances, the festival features firecracker competitions, folk singing, rowing contests, and mountain-climbing events. It is held in the village of Thay (or Thuy Khe village) in the Quoc Oai District of Ha Tay Province.
CONTACTS:
Vietnam National Administration of Tourism
80 Quan Su Rd.
Hanoi, Vietnam
84-4-942-1061; fax: 84-4-826-3956
www.vietnamtourism.com/e_pages/news/index.a
SOURCES:
WildPlanet-1995, p. 406