We took advantage of the free time before the Water Puppet Show to explore the Old Quarter some more. Since Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre is across the street from the shores of the Hoan Kiem Lake we walked in that direction.

Hoan Kiem Lake (also known as Sword Lake) dominates the centre of the capital. A visit to the lake was a nice break from the chaotic and claustrophobic streets of the Old Quarter. We made our way to the wooden red-painted Huc Bridge which connects the north shore to Jade Island and the Temple of the Jade Mountain (Ngoc Son Temple). This gave us a good view of the area and Turtle Island in the centre of the lake. Featured on this island is a small stone pagoda, known as the 'Turtle Tower' which embodies many legends of the Lake and its turtles.

The renowned Thang Long Water Puppet show is considered to be one of the cultural highlights of Northern Vietnam. The art form of water puppetry dates back over 1000 years when it was started by rice farmers in North Vietnam's Red River Delta. They have performed their art worldwide. Shows at this modern theatre were performed in a pool of water as the stage for the puppets. The puppets were mostly wooden people and animals that moved and danced on the waters of the pool in front of the seated audience and were controlled by eight puppeteers from behind a bamboo screen. 

Live music, featuring singers backed by an orchestra playing traditional instruments, played an integral part of the show. The puppets performed short sketches portraying ancient village life, agricultural stories and dances of mythical creatures -- including a giant tortoise that dwelled in Hoan Kiem Lake.