Vietnamese Folklore: A Journey of Discovery

Vietnamese folklore is a priceless treasure trove, preserving the spiritual values, ethics, and philosophies of the Vietnamese people throughout thousands of years of history. From colorful fairy tales and deeply moving folk songs to concise and meaningful proverbs, all reflect a vivid picture of the life, soul, and rich imagination of the Vietnamese people.

Legends and Fairy Tales: Origins and Meanings

Legends and fairy tales are two popular genres of folklore, carrying magical and mystical stories about the origins of the country, heroes, or lessons about morality and life. Legends are often associated with history, explaining the origins of objects, phenomena, and historical figures, while fairy tales are fictional, often containing elements of magic and fantasy, reflecting people’s dreams and aspirations.

Notable Stories:

The stories of Son Tinh and Thuy Tinh, or the legend of Hoan Kiem Lake, are famous legendary stories reflecting the Vietnamese people’s views on nature, patriotism, and the spirit of fighting against foreign invaders. Fairy tales like Tam Cam and Thach Sanh contain profound lessons about good and evil, justice, and overcoming life’s challenges.

Folk Songs, Proverbs, and Folk Music: The Heart of the Nation

Folk songs (Ca dao) are short lyrical poems reflecting the feelings and daily lives of the people. Proverbs (Tục ngữ) are short, concise sayings summarizing people’s life experiences. Folk music (Dân ca) are folk songs expressing the cultural and spiritual beauty of each region.

Diversity and Richness:

From folk songs about love, family to proverbs about labor production and life experiences, folk songs, proverbs, and folk music reflect a diverse and rich picture of the spiritual life of the Vietnamese people. Each region has its own folk music melodies, creating a multi-colored picture of folk culture.

Traditional Festivals: Intangible Cultural Heritage

Traditional festivals are an integral part of the spiritual and cultural life of the Vietnamese people. Each festival has its own meaning, associated with beliefs, history, and community life. Hung King Temple Festival, Huong Pagoda Festival, Go Cong Festival,… are all typical festivals attracting numerous domestic and international tourists.

Preservation and Promotion of Values:

Preserving and promoting the value of folklore is an important task to maintain national cultural identity and educate young generations about the nation’s fine traditions. We need collective efforts to protect, preserve, and develop these precious folklore values for future generations.