The second International Puppetry Festival opened at the Hanoi Opera House on September 4 as an activity to mark the 1,000th anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi. The festival is drawing the participation of 12 foreign troupes and five from host Vietnam , including the Vietnam Puppetry Theatre, the Thang Long Puppetry Theatre and the puppetry troupes from Hai Phong city, Dak Lak province and Ho Chi Minh City.

The six-day festival, organised by the Department of Performing Arts under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, provides a chance for Vietnamese artists to exchange experiences with their colleagues from other countries and to promote the country’s traditional puppetry.

The jury, including three international members and two Vietnamese ones, will select outstanding puppetry performances for gold, silver and bronze prizes as well as the best director and the best artists.

The closing and awarding ceremony will take place in the evening of September 9.