Vietnamese Folklore: A Precious Spiritual Heritage

Overview of Vietnamese Folklore

Vietnamese folklore is a priceless treasure trove, reflecting the history, soul, and intellect of the Vietnamese people through generations. It encompasses elements such as legends, fairy tales, proverbs, folk songs, traditional musical instruments, traditional festivals, and folk performing arts, all creating a multi-colored picture of the nation’s spiritual life.

Legends and Fairy Tales: Origins and Meanings

Legends:

Legends often tell of historical figures and real events but are embellished with magical and mysterious elements. They explain the origins of objects and natural phenomena, reflecting the aspirations and dreams of people. Examples include the legend of Son Tinh and Thuy Tinh, which explains floods, or the legend of Con Rong Chau Tien, explaining the origins of the Vietnamese people.

Fairy Tales:

Fairy tales focus on imaginary characters and extraordinary events, with high educational and entertainment value. Through fairy tales, children learn lessons about morality, kindness, and justice. Stories like Tam Cam and Thach Sanh have entered the hearts of the people and become immortal cultural heritage.

Proverbs and Folk Songs: Skillful Use of Language

Proverbs are short, concise sayings that reflect life experiences and philosophies of the people. They are usually general, concise, and passed down from generation to generation. For example: “One sick horse spoils the whole pasture”, “Eating the fruit, remember the one who planted the tree”.

Folk songs are short lyrical poems, often expressed through folk songs and melodies. Folk songs reflect the feelings, thoughts, and aspirations of people in everyday life. The themes of folk songs are diverse, from love, family affection to thoughts about life and nature.

Traditional Festivals: The Interplay of Culture and Beliefs

Traditional festivals are an indispensable part of Vietnamese folklore. They are usually held to commemorate heroes, deities, or to pray for bountiful harvests and national peace. Each festival has its own unique features in terms of rituals, costumes, and folk games.

Preservation and Promotion of Folklore

Preserving and promoting folklore is the responsibility of every Vietnamese citizen. We need to actively learn and pass on these precious cultural values to future generations. Organizing cultural and artistic activities and education are necessary to promote and preserve folklore.