Vietnamese Folklore: A Precious Heritage to Preserve

A Nation’s Invaluable Treasure

Vietnamese folklore is a priceless treasure trove, reflecting the history, soul, and intellect of the Vietnamese people throughout the ages. From mysterious fairy tales to sweet folk songs, from graceful dances to unique traditional ceremonies, all contribute to a diverse and rich tapestry of folk culture.

Legends and Fairy Tales: Stories of Origin

Legends and fairy tales are not just entertaining stories, but also carry profound educational significance. They tell of the origins of the country, of the people, of customs and traditions, thereby awakening patriotism, national pride, and lessons on morality and lifestyle.

Examples: The story of Son Tinh and Thuy Tinh speaks of the struggle between nature and humans, of the nation’s indomitable spirit in the face of natural disasters. The story of Saint Giong demonstrates the patriotism and unwavering spirit of the Vietnamese people.

Folk Poems and Proverbs: The Voice of the Soul

Folk poems and proverbs are concise and succinct folk art creations that reflect the emotional life, life experiences, and philosophies of the Vietnamese people. They have been passed down through generations and have become an indispensable part of the nation’s spiritual life.

Examples: “A father’s love is like Mount Thai Son, a mother’s love is like water flowing from a spring.” expresses the immense contributions of parents. “Eat the fruit, remember the person who planted the tree” reminds people to be grateful to those who came before.

Folk Arts: Sophistication in Every Detail

Vietnamese folk art demonstrates the skill, sophistication, and creativity of the people. From Dong Ho paintings, Hang Trong paintings, Bat Trang ceramics to folk musical instruments and traditional costumes, all are imbued with the Vietnamese cultural identity.

Examples: Dong Ho paintings with their playful and familiar images reflect rural life. The Ao Dai, with its graceful and elegant beauty, is a symbol of Vietnamese women.

Preserving and Promoting the Value of Folklore

In today’s era, with the rapid development of technology and globalization, preserving and promoting the value of folklore is an important task. We need specific measures to protect, preserve, and teach future generations these precious cultural values.

Some measures: Organizing folk cultural and artistic activities; incorporating folklore into schools; building museums and libraries to archive intangible cultural heritage; encouraging artistic creation based on folklore.

Conclusion

Vietnamese folklore is an indispensable part of the nation’s cultural identity. Preserving and promoting the value of folklore is not only the responsibility of government agencies but also the responsibility of every Vietnamese citizen.