Vietnamese Folklore: Enduring Identity and Values

A Rich Treasury of Folklore

Vietnamese folklore is a rich and diverse treasury, passed down through thousands of years of history. It encompasses various genres, including legends, fairy tales, proverbs, folk songs, traditional dances, and folk games. Each genre carries unique cultural values, reflecting the spiritual life, emotions, wisdom, and life experiences of the Vietnamese people.

Legends: Origins and History

Legends often tell stories about historical figures, significant events, or fascinating natural phenomena. They explain the origins of rivers, mountains, trees, and villages. For example, the legend of Son Tinh and Thuy Tinh explains the frequent floods in the Red River Delta. These stories are not only captivating but also carry profound educational meaning, reflecting the ancient Vietnamese’s concepts of good and evil, justice and injustice.

Fairy Tales: Dreams and Life Lessons

Fairy tales are imaginative stories, often involving magical and extraordinary elements. The protagonists are usually poor and weak but ultimately triumph through wit, courage, and kindness. Fairy tales like Tam Cam and Thach Sanh are not only entertaining but also educate children about morality, compassion, and justice.

Proverbs and Folk Songs: Wisdom and Emotion

Proverbs are short, concise sayings that summarize life experiences. They reflect folk wisdom, understanding of the world and humanity. For example: “Ăn quả nhớ kẻ trồng cây” (He who eats the fruit should remember the one who planted the tree), “Một cây làm chẳng nên non/ Ba cây chụm lại nên hòn núi cao” (One tree doesn’t make a forest/Three trees together make a mountain).

Folk songs are short, memorable lyrical poems often used to express people’s emotions and thoughts. Folk songs express love for the homeland, family affection, and romantic love. For example: “Qua cầu ngả nón trông đình/ Đình bao nhiêu ngói thương mình bấy nhiêu” (Passing the bridge, I lower my hat to look at the pagoda/As many tiles on the pagoda, so much I love you).

The Value and Significance of Folklore

Vietnamese folklore holds immense value in many aspects: preserving and promoting national cultural identity; educating morality and lifestyles; providing creative inspiration for art; contributing to tourism development. The preservation and development of folklore is the responsibility of every Vietnamese citizen.

The diversity in Vietnamese folklore also reflects the richness of different regions and communities. From North to South, each region has its own unique folklore, creating a vibrant and colorful picture of Vietnamese national culture.