Exploring the Beauty of Vietnamese Folklore

The Richness of Vietnamese Folklore

Vietnamese folklore is an incredibly rich and diverse treasure trove, accumulated over thousands of years of history. From mysterious fairy tales and sweet folk songs to concise proverbs full of profound philosophy, all reflect the life, soul, and intellect of the Vietnamese people.

Legends and Fairy Tales: Origins and Meanings

Legends often tell of historical figures and real events embellished with magical and mythological elements, explaining the origins of objects and natural phenomena. Examples include the legend of Son Tinh and Thuy Tinh, the legend of watermelon origins,… They are not only entertaining but also carry educational value, conveying lessons about courage, intelligence, patriotism, etc.

Fairy tales are fictional stories, usually revolving around protagonists and antagonists, expressing people’s dreams and aspirations for justice and happiness. Fairy tales such as Tam Cam, Thach Sanh, Ly Thong… have become part of the childhood memories of countless generations of Vietnamese people.

Folk Songs, Proverbs, and Idioms: The Essence of Language

Folk songs (Ca dao) are folk lyric poems expressing the feelings and thoughts of working people about love, homeland, family, etc. The language of folk songs is simple and easy to understand, yet incredibly profound and rich in imagery. Folk songs like “Qua cầu gió cuốn đi rồi/ Còn riêng tôi với bến bờ này thôi…” have become immortal verses.

Proverbs (Tục ngữ) are short, concise sayings that summarize the life experiences of the people. They are usually general and philosophical in nature. For example: “Ăn quả nhớ kẻ trồng cây” (One who eats the fruit should remember the one who planted the tree), “Có công mài sắt có ngày nên kim” (Diligence can overcome any obstacle).

Idioms (Thành ngữ) are fixed phrases with symbolic meanings, used to enrich the language. For example: “Chân cứng đá mềm” (The strong will prevail), “Nuôi ong tay áo” (To nurture a viper in one’s bosom).

Preservation and Promotion of Vietnamese Folklore

In the present day, preserving and promoting Vietnamese folklore is extremely important. We need specific measures to preserve, research, and disseminate these precious cultural values to future generations. This can be done through organizing cultural and artistic activities, education, etc.

Conclusion: Vietnamese folklore is an invaluable heritage, a source of national pride. Understanding and appreciating folklore not only helps us better understand our nation’s history and traditions but also helps us live better and more beautifully.