Vietnamese Folklore: A Timeless Legacy

Overview of Vietnamese Folklore

Vietnamese folklore is a priceless treasure trove, reflecting the history, society, and soul of the Vietnamese people across generations. From fairy tales and legends to proverbs, folk songs, and other forms of folk art, all contribute to a diverse and rich picture of the nation’s traditional culture.

Legends and Fairy Tales: Origins and Meanings

Legends:

Legends are often linked to history, explaining the origins of objects, phenomena, people, and place names… Examples include the legends of Son Tinh and Thuy Tinh, the story of Hoan Kiem Lake… They are not merely stories but also carry profound lessons about morality, courage, and wisdom.

Fairy Tales:

Fairy tales are usually fictional stories with a high educational value, promoting positive values in life such as kindness, fairness, and perseverance… Familiar characters like Tam and Cam, Thach Sanh… have become cultural icons, passed down through generations.

Proverbs and Folk Songs: The Essence of Words

Proverbs are short, concise sayings that summarize the life experiences of the people. They often have a philosophical nature, reflecting views on life and perspectives on the world around them. For example: “Ăn quả nhớ kẻ trồng cây” (One who eats the fruit should remember the one who planted the tree), “Có công mài sắt có ngày nên kim” (Diligence can turn iron into needles).

Folk songs are lyrical folk poems that express the feelings, thoughts, and dreams of people. The content of folk songs is incredibly rich: love for homeland, country, love between couples, family affection… Folk songs are often used in festivals and community activities.

Folk Arts: Richness in Forms

Vietnamese folklore is also clearly expressed through diverse art forms such as: water puppetry, Quan Ho singing, Cheo, Tuong, and Don Ca Tai Tu… Each art form possesses its own unique beauty, contributing to a colorful picture of folk culture.

Preservation and Promotion of Folklore

Preserving and promoting folklore is the responsibility of every Vietnamese citizen. Teaching and promoting traditional cultural values to younger generations is extremely important, ensuring that folklore is not lost and continues to live on through time.