Vietnam

Vietnam keeps alive water puppetry, ca tru chamber song, lacquerware and the ritual worship of the Hung kings.

Music & dance Crafts Spirituality & rites Food & cooking

Knowledge in this place

Water puppetry

Water puppetry

Wooden puppets dance on a flooded stage, moved by hidden rods while musicians play behind a screen.

Ca tru chamber song

Ca tru chamber song

A female singer keeps time on bamboo clappers while a lute and praise drum answer her verses.

Lacquerware

Lacquerware

Building up many polished layers of tree sap on wood, inlaid with eggshell or mother-of-pearl.

Worship of the Hung kings

Worship of the Hung kings

Annual offerings of sticky rice cakes and incense honour the legendary founders of the nation.

Spirituality & rites

Pho cooking

Pho cooking

Simmering beef bones with charred ginger and spices for hours to ladle over rice noodles.