Vietnamese Folklore: Richness and Diversity

Vietnamese folklore is a precious treasure trove, reflecting the history, soul, and intellect of the nation. From colorful fairy tales to sweet folk songs, from concise and meaningful proverbs to unique religious rituals, all contribute to a rich and diverse tapestry of folk culture.

Legends and Myths

Vietnamese legends and myths are stories about the origins, history, and heroic figures of the nation. These stories not only explain the origins of natural objects and phenomena but also convey the moral values, spirit, and aspirations of the Vietnamese people. For example, the legend of Con Rong Chau Tien (Children of the Dragon and Fairy), Son Tinh Thuy Tinh (Mountain Spirit and Water Spirit), or the legend of Ho Guom (Returned Sword Lake) are all stories passed down through generations.

Fairy Tales and Folk Tales

Vietnamese fairy tales and folk tales often have a simple structure and easily understandable language, yet carry profound meaning. These stories often reflect people’s dreams and aspirations for justice, happiness, and love. For instance, Tam Cam, Thach Sanh, and So Dua are all famous fairy tales containing many lessons about morality and life.

Proverbs and Folk Songs

Proverbs and folk songs are short, concise genres of folk literature, yet carry profound meaning. Proverbs are usually short, pithy sayings reflecting the life experience of the people. Folk songs are lyrical poems expressing people’s feelings and thoughts. Folk songs about love, homeland, and country have become an indispensable part of the spiritual life of the Vietnamese people.

Folk Arts

Vietnamese folk art is also extremely diverse and rich, including art forms such as: Dong Ho and Hang Trong folk paintings; embroidery, weaving, ceramics; traditional musical instruments; water puppetry… Each art form carries a strong unique cultural identity, reflecting the skill and talent of the Vietnamese people.

The Role of Folklore

Folklore plays an important role in preserving and promoting the nation’s cultural identity. It is not only a source of inspiration for art and literature but also a means of education, conveying moral values and a good way of life to future generations.

Preserving and promoting folklore is the responsibility of every Vietnamese citizen. We need to make more efforts to preserve and promote these precious values for future generations.