The month of May is recognized as Asian Heritage Month.

In Vietnam, the oldest record mentioning water puppetry is the inscription on a stone stele dating from 1121. The stele called Sùng Thiện Diên Linh is located in Đọi Sơn Pagoda, Duy Tiên District, Hà Nam Province, about 50 km from Hanoi.It describes a scene: “A golden tortoise with three mountains on its shell was seen on the rippling surface of the water. It showed both its carapace and four legs… the carven’s entrance opened and fairies in the play appeared…Flocks of precious birds and herds of animals sang and danced…”.

Actually, no written document with accurate details on this original performing art has been found. In water puppetry villages, the troupes and puppeteers worship different founders who sometimes have no names or specific identities. Interestingly, it is these secrets that have made this art more attractive to audiences, performers and researchers.