Vietnamese Folklore: A Rich Heritage

Overview of Vietnamese Folklore

Vietnamese folklore is a priceless treasure trove, preserving the spiritual values, ethics, and philosophy of life of the Vietnamese people over thousands of years of history. It is expressed in diverse and rich forms, reflecting the lives, thoughts, feelings, dreams, and aspirations of the people.

Legends and Fairy Tales: Origins and Meanings

Legends often tell of historical figures and major events, interwoven with fantastical and mythological elements, to explain the origins of objects, phenomena, or to praise heroic figures. Examples include the legends of Son Tinh and Thuy Tinh, or legends about the origins of villages and crafts.

Fairy tales focus on imaginary, extraordinary stories, often featuring the conflict between good and evil, with the aim of educating and teaching people about morality and the meaning of life. Familiar characters like Tam Cam, Thach Sanh, or So Dua are clear evidence of this.

Folk Songs, Proverbs, and Idioms: The Face of Folk Literature

Folk songs (Ca dao) are short poems with simple and rustic language, expressing the profound feelings of people about love for their homeland, family affection, and love between couples. Courtship songs, lullabies, and lamentations are all testaments to the enduring vitality of folk songs.

Proverbs and idioms are short, concise sayings that summarize the life experiences and knowledge of the people about nature, society, and human beings. They are often used in daily communication to enhance expressiveness and convey meaning effectively.

Folk Arts: A Subtle Combination of Culture and Art

Folklore is also expressed through traditional art forms such as water puppetry, Quan Ho singing, Ca Tru, and traditional musical instruments. Each art form has its own unique beauty, contributing to the diverse and rich cultural landscape of Vietnam. Traditional festivals are also an indispensable part, reflecting the beliefs, customs, and traditions of each region.

Preservation and Promotion of Folklore

The preservation and promotion of folklore is the responsibility of every Vietnamese citizen. We need to make efforts to preserve, develop, and pass on these precious spiritual values to future generations. Researching, collecting, disseminating, and applying folklore to modern life is extremely necessary.

Conclusion: Vietnamese folklore is an extremely valuable resource that needs to be preserved and promoted to enrich the nation’s cultural identity.