Exploring the Beauty of Vietnamese Folklore

Legends and Fairy Tales: The Source of Creativity

Vietnamese folklore is a priceless treasure trove, preserving stories, songs, proverbs, and festivals that reflect the history, philosophy of life, and soul of the Vietnamese people. Fairy tales like Tam Cam, Thach Sanh, Ly Thong are not just entertaining stories but also carry profound lessons about good and evil, justice, and the desire for happiness. Mythological characters such as Son Tinh, Thuy Tinh, or sacred animals in legends have become an integral part of the spiritual life of the people.

Proverbs and Folk Songs: The Wisdom of the People

Proverbs and folk songs are short poems and sayings that contain deep meanings. They are advice, lessons about love, morality, and life experiences accumulated over generations. “A father’s love is like Mount Thai Son, a mother’s love is like the water flowing from a spring” is a typical example of the deep gratitude of children towards their parents. Proverbs, on the other hand, contain concise and subtle philosophies of life, such as “Constant dripping wears away a stone”, “When you eat the fruit, remember the one who planted the tree”.

Folk Music: The Voice of the Soul

Vietnamese folk music is diverse and rich, from sweet and soulful folk melodies to the spirited Cheo and Quan Ho songs. Each region has its own distinct melodies, reflecting the unique cultural characteristics of the locality. Folk songs are not only artistic products but also the voice of the soul, a place to express people’s feelings and aspirations.

Traditional Festivals: Connecting the Community

Festivals are an indispensable part of the cultural life of the Vietnamese people. From large festivals such as Tet Nguyen Dan, Gioi Festival, Lim Festival to smaller festivals in rural villages, each carries its own unique meaning. Festivals are opportunities for people to come together to have fun, entertain, show their respect to their ancestors, and strengthen community solidarity.

Preservation and Promotion of Folklore

In the present day, preserving and promoting folklore is extremely important. We need to have proactive measures to preserve and pass on to future generations the precious values of the nation. Organizing cultural activities, education about folklore, as well as researching, collecting, and preserving related artifacts are necessary actions to preserve and promote this invaluable cultural treasure.