Exploring the Beauty of Vietnamese Folklore

Legends and Fairy Tales – The Source of Creativity

Vietnamese folklore is a priceless treasure trove, preserving stories, legends, fairy tales, proverbs, folk songs, and traditional music… reflecting the lives, thoughts, and emotions of the Vietnamese people across generations. These stories are not merely entertainment but also carry profound educational values, lessons on morality, compassion, intelligence, and courage.

Legends often tell the origin of natural phenomena or historical events, associated with historical or mythical figures. For example, the legend of Son Tinh – Thuy Tinh, tells of a war between two gods vying for Mi Nuong, explaining the annual floods. Or the legend of Con Rong Chau Tien, explaining the origin of the Vietnamese people.

Fairy tales are usually fictional stories, with the appearance of fairy characters and magic, carrying high educational value. Fairy tales like Tam Cam and Thach Sanh have captivated the hearts of Vietnamese people for generations, with lessons on good and evil, justice, and the triumph of good.

Proverbs, Folk Songs, and Traditional Music – The Face of Culture

Proverbs are short, concise sayings summarizing the life experiences of the people. They are often general in nature, reflecting philosophies of life and moral values. For example: “Ăn quả nhớ kẻ trồng cây” (One 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 clustered together make a mountain).

Folk songs and traditional music are lyrical forms of folk literature, expressing the feelings, thoughts, and aspirations of the people. Folk songs and traditional music are often associated with working life, love, and family. They are the songs of the countryside, of love for the homeland.

The Value and Role of Folklore

Folklore is not only a precious intangible cultural heritage of the nation but also an endless source of inspiration for artistic creation. It contributes to educating young generations, preserving, and promoting national cultural identity. In the era of globalization, preserving and promoting folklore is a crucial task to maintain the cultural identity of Vietnam.

Preserving and promoting folklore requires the joint efforts of the entire society, from government agencies to researchers, educators, and individuals.

Conclusion:

Vietnamese folklore is an extremely rich and diverse treasure trove. Understanding and preserving folklore is not only the responsibility of every Vietnamese citizen but also a contribution to preserving the cultural heritage of humanity.