Exploring the Beauty of Vietnamese Folklore

Legends and Fairy Tales – A Source of Creativity

Vietnamese folklore is a priceless treasure, passed down through thousands of years of history. Legends and fairy tales, with their magical and captivating stories, not only entertain but also reflect the worldview and philosophy of the Vietnamese people. From stories about Son Tinh, Thuy Tinh, Lac Long Quan, Au Co to stories about the origins of flowers and plants, they all contain profound lessons about courage, intelligence, and love for humanity.

Colorful Fairy Tales

Tam Cam, So Dua, Thach Sanh… these familiar fairy tales have entered the subconscious of generations of Vietnamese people. We find in them familiar images of Vietnamese villages, people with different fates, but all striving for good and beauty. These stories are not merely entertainment but also have a profound educational value, teaching people about kindness, fairness, and the courage to overcome difficulties.

Proverbs and Folk Songs – The Essence of Language

Proverbs and folk songs are precious gems in the treasure trove of folk literature. Concise and succinct proverbs contain valuable life experiences accumulated from generation to generation. Folk songs, with their lyrical and touching melodies, express family affection, love between couples, and neighborhood solidarity… All are vivid pictures of the spiritual life of the Vietnamese people.

The Subtlety of Words

“Ăn quả nhớ kẻ trồng cây” (He who eats the fruit should remember the one who planted the tree), “Chớ thấy sóng cả mà ngã tay chèo” (Don’t give up when facing difficulties), these are short proverbs but contain profound lessons about morality. Folk songs, on the other hand, express the subtlety of feelings, such as the song: “Qua cầu gió nổi mây bay/ Trăng rơi xuống biển, sao đầy trên trời.” (Across the bridge, wind blows and clouds drift/The moon falls into the sea, stars fill the sky.)

Folk Music – The Voice of the Heart

Vietnamese folk music is extremely rich and diverse, from sweet and lyrical folk melodies to heroic and vibrant Cheo and Quan Ho. Each region has its own folk melodies, reflecting the unique cultural features of each locality. Folk music is not only art but also a means of connecting communities, preserving and promoting national cultural identity.

Music as a Bridge

Hat Xam, Ca Hue, Quan Ho Bac Ninh… each type of folk music has its own beauty, reflecting the diversity and richness of Vietnamese culture. The preservation and development of folk music forms is the responsibility of every Vietnamese citizen to preserve and promote national cultural identity.

Vietnamese folklore is a valuable heritage that needs to be preserved and promoted. Understanding folklore not only helps us better understand the history and people of Vietnam but also makes us love our country and nation even more.