A Vietnamese cultural splash in Philippine-Viet Nam diplomatic relations

Nón lá, lotus, and puppets bring Vietnamese tradition to life.

What happens when Vietnamese culture takes center stage in one of the Philippines’ most historic landmarks? And what can two Southeast Asian neighbors discover about each other through puppets, music, and dance?

The answer came alive through “Rhythms of the Land, Puppets of the Water: Viet Nam Cultural Days in Manila,” a celebration of 50 years of Philippine-Viet Nam Diplomatic Relations. On August 7, 2026, Fort Santiago in Intramuros became a meeting place for Vietnamese and Filipino traditions, showing how diplomacy can become something people can see, hear, and experience.

Vietnamese water puppetry and a traditional music ensemble featuring the đàn bầu.

1. Viet Nam’s water puppetry turns folklore into a living stage

Water puppetry is one of Viet Nam’s most distinctive traditional art forms, bringing folk stories, music, and scenes from everyday life to life on water. Its roots are closely connected to Viet Nam’s wet-rice agricultural heritage, making the performance more than entertainment. It is an expression of the country’s history and identity.

At Fort Santiago, the Viet Nam National Puppetry Theatre brought this centuries-old tradition to Filipino audiences through its colorful puppets, music, and storytelling.

When I visited Ha Noi, Viet Nam’s capital, I had the chance to watch a water puppetry show myself. I remember thinking that this was something the Philippines could also embrace. Seeing the art form eventually arrive in Manila made that old thought feel surprisingly real.

2.  Fort Santiago became a meeting place of cultures

On August 7, Vietnamese culture took center stage at historic Fort Santiago. The Viet Nam National Puppetry Theatre presented its traditional water puppetry alongside music, creating a striking contrast between Viet Nam’s centuries-old art form and one of Manila’s most recognizable heritage sites.

For Filipino audiences, it was a memorable way to encounter Viet Nam, not through a museum display, but through colorful puppets, movement, music, and storytelling.

3. Filipino and Vietnamese traditions shared the spotlight

The celebration became a vibrant meeting of two cultures as the Bayanihan Dance Company brought the Philippines’ own rich tradition of folk dance to the program.

Seeing Vietnamese water puppetry and Filipino dance within the same celebration created a beautiful cultural dialogue. One reflected Viet Nam’s traditions shaped by water and rural life, while the other showcased the Philippines through movement, music, and heritage.

4. Vietnamese performers put a Filipino touch on their show

The Viet Nam National Puppetry Theatre went a step further by bringing Filipino culture into its own performance. Their water puppets appeared in traditional Filipino-inspired costumes, while the Vietnamese performers played familiar Filipino songs such as “Katakataka” and “Anak.”

It was a thoughtful gesture that made the performance feel personal to its Filipino audience. Rather than simply bringing a Vietnamese cultural show to Manila, the artists took the initiative to weave Filipino music and imagery into their own tradition, creating a genuine celebration of friendship between the two countries.

With Mr. Hai Dinh of Viet Nam Embassy Manila

5. Fifty tears of Philippine-Viet Nam diplomatic relations came alive

More than a diplomatic anniversary, the August 7 celebration offered a glimpse of what Philippine-Viet Nam friendship can look like: artists sharing a stage, audiences gathering despite the weather, and traditions crossing borders without losing their identity.

Against the centuries-old walls of Fort Santiago, Vietnamese water puppets and Filipino dance became symbols of a friendship built over five decades, and a reminder that cultural exchange can inspire new appreciation for traditions we already know and those we have yet to discover.