Water puppetry art was created by Viet (Kinh) peasants in the Northern delta since the 10th-11th century. Previously, there were 28 water puppetry troupes whilst. At present, there are only 15. A troupe includes puppeteers, music players, and puppet makers; the troupe leader is elected. Each troupe has its own originally specific plays that usually praise the heroes credited for the country, appreciate the tradition of venerating teachers and respecting moral principles, show the philosophy of inclining to the good, and reflect the peaceful life in the Vietnamese countryside.

Puppets are made from old ficus trees, which have a light wood that floats easily, with good grain, no insects or knots, and does not break. They are produced through many stages that are various among the troupes, do not follow a fixed model, and have been changed through the times.

In order to control the puppets, puppeteers use 2 techniques: ‘wire mechanism’ and ‘rob mechanism’. A rob is 1.5 to 2 meters in length. Each puppet is mounted on a spinning stand at the end of one such rob. ‘Rob mechanism’ is used for plays near the performer’s booth. ‘Wire mechanism’ is hidden underwater; puppets move on a stable wire and can be controlled over 6m far from the performer’s booth. ‘Rob mechanism’ is simpler and more popular than ‘wire mechanism’. Some troupes combinedly use both mechanisms in one performance.