Vietnamese Folklore: Origins and Values

Overview of Vietnamese Folklore

Vietnamese folklore is a priceless treasure trove, preserving the spiritual values, ethics, and philosophies of the Vietnamese people across generations. It encompasses a rich variety of genres, including legends, fairy tales, folk songs (ca dao), proverbs (tục ngữ), riddles, folk music, folk dances, folk games, and traditional festivals. Each genre reflects a unique aspect of social life, the human spirit, and conceptions of the world.

Legends: Mythological Historical Stories

Legends often recount historical events embellished with magical and mystical elements. They explain the origins of objects and natural phenomena, such as the legend of the Dragon and Fairy (Con Rồng cháu Tiên), the legend of Sơn Tinh and Thủy Tinh, or legends about national heroes. These stories not only entertain but also educate, conveying lessons about courage, intelligence, and patriotism.

Fairy Tales: Dreams and Life Lessons

Fairy tales are stories about everyday life, featuring familiar characters like fairies, giants, and magical helpers. They usually have happy endings, carrying messages about justice, good triumphing over evil, and often impart lessons about morality, kindness, and diligence. Fairy tales contribute to the formation of children’s personality and worldview.

Folk Songs and Proverbs: The Voice of the Soul

Folk songs (ca dao) and proverbs (tục ngữ) are concise and succinct folk creations that express the feelings, beliefs, and life experiences of the people. Folk songs express love for one’s homeland, country, romantic love, and family affection. Proverbs encapsulate life experiences, lessons about morality, and proper conduct in life.

The Value of Folklore

Folklore is not only a precious intangible cultural heritage of the Vietnamese nation but also plays a significant role in educating the younger generation. It helps people understand history, national origins, and beautiful cultural traditions. The preservation and promotion of folklore are the responsibility of every Vietnamese citizen to maintain the nation’s cultural identity.

The Importance of Preserving Folklore

Preserving folklore is essential for maintaining the nation’s cultural identity and conveying positive values to future generations. This requires the collaborative efforts of the community, researchers, and government agencies.