Exploring the Beauty of Vietnamese Folklore

A Valuable Cultural Heritage

Vietnamese folklore is a priceless treasure trove, preserving the spiritual values, ethics, and philosophies of our nation throughout thousands of years of history. From colorful fairy tales to folk songs imbued with human affection, all reflect the lives, thoughts, and aspirations of the Vietnamese people.

Legends – Origins and History

Legends are stories about historical figures, real or imagined events, embellished with magical and mythological elements. They often carry educational meanings, explaining the origins of objects, natural phenomena, or praising heroes and those who have contributed to the country. Examples include the legend of Sơn Tinh – Thủy Tinh, and Con Rồng Cháu Tiên (Children of the Dragon and Fairy).

Fairy Tales – Dreams and Life Lessons

Fairy tales are fictional stories, often containing magical and supernatural elements. They usually revolve around the adventures of the main characters, offering lessons about morality, kindness, and justice. Familiar characters like Tấm Cám and Thạch Sanh have become icons of Vietnamese folk literature.

Folk Songs and Proverbs – The Wisdom of the People

Folk songs (Ca dao) are short lyrical poems expressing the feelings and thoughts of the people. Folk songs reflect the rich and diverse emotional life of the Vietnamese, from love between couples to family and national affections.

Proverbs (Tục ngữ) are short, concise sayings that summarize the life experiences of the people. Proverbs contain valuable lessons about life, work, people, and society. 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 overcomes all difficulties).

Folk Literature – Enduring Through Time

Vietnamese folk literature is not just stories and poems, but a vast treasure trove of knowledge about history, culture, and society. It is a testament to the intelligence, creativity, and ability of the Vietnamese people to convey messages through generations.

Preserving and promoting folklore is the responsibility of every Vietnamese citizen. We need to continue researching, collecting, protecting, and teaching these precious cultural values to future generations, so that folklore continues to live on through time.