Exploring the Beauty of Vietnamese Folklore

Legends and Fairy Tales: Sources of Creativity

Vietnamese folklore is a priceless treasure trove, preserving stories, songs, proverbs, and customs passed down through generations. Legends, with their tales of gods, heroes, and mythical historical events, reflect the nation’s concepts of the universe, history, and humanity. Fairy tales, with their clear-cut good and evil characters and lessons on morality, justice, and dreams of happiness, educate and entertain people of all ages. The fairy tale of Tam and Cam, the Legend of Hoan Kiem Lake, and the Legend of Son Tinh and Thuy Tinh are prime examples, consistently retold across generations.

Folk Songs, Proverbs, and Traditional Music: The Essence of Language

Folk songs, proverbs, and traditional music are concise and succinct forms of folk literature, containing profound philosophies about life, love, homeland, and humanity. Folk songs express the heartfelt and profound emotions of Vietnamese people, from romantic love to family affection and community bonds. Proverbs, with their short, vivid sayings, summarize the life experiences of the people, guiding them in life. Traditional music, with its melodious tunes and heartfelt lyrics, reflects the rich spiritual life of the people.

Examples of folk songs, proverbs, and traditional music:

• “A father’s love is like Mount Thai Son, A mother’s love is like the ever-flowing spring.” (Proverb)
• “My body is like a thorny jujube, White inside, black outside.” (Folk song)
• Xoan singing, Then singing, Quan Ho folk songs (Traditional music)

Customs and Traditions: The Connection Between People and Nature

Customs and traditions are traditional cultural activities performed according to specific rules, reflecting the relationship between people, nature, and society. Traditional festivals such as Tet Nguyen Dan (Lunar New Year), the Hung Kings Temple Festival, or village festivals are not only opportunities for fun and entertainment but also occasions to commemorate ancestors, pray for good fortune, and strengthen the community.

Preservation and Promotion of Folklore

Preserving and promoting folklore is an important task for every Vietnamese citizen. We need to actively learn and pass on these precious cultural values to future generations. In this way, we contribute to preserving national cultural identity and enriching the nation’s intangible cultural heritage.