Vietnamese Folklore: Origins and Enduring Values

Overview of Vietnamese Folklore

Vietnamese folklore is a priceless treasure trove, preserving the spiritual, ethical, and aesthetic values of the nation through generations. It encompasses a rich variety of expressive forms, from captivating fairy tales and legends to concise proverbs and folk songs, lyrical folk music and dance, and vibrant festivals. All reflect the lives, thoughts, and aspirations of the Vietnamese people throughout history.

Legends and Fairy Tales: Stories of Origin and Morality

Legends:

Legends typically recount historical figures and events embellished with fantastical and mythological elements. They explain the origins of rivers, mountains, and natural phenomena, while conveying moral lessons and affirming the nation’s indomitable spirit and unwavering will. Examples include the legend of the Dragon and Fairy, and the legend of Son Tinh and Thuy Tinh…

Fairy Tales:

Fairy tales focus on imaginative, adventurous stories with clearly defined good and evil characters, representing humanity’s dreams and aspirations for justice and happiness. Fairy tales like Tam Cam and Thach Sanh… not only entertain but also teach lessons about kindness, courage, and fairness.

Folk Songs and Proverbs: The Subtlety of Language

Folk songs (Ca dao) are short poems, often lyrical, describing landscapes and human emotions in a heartfelt and sincere manner. Folk songs reflect the rich and diverse emotional lives of the Vietnamese, from romantic love to family affection and community bonds.

Proverbs (Tục ngữ) are short, concise sayings that contain profound meanings, summarizing life experiences and expressing the worldview and philosophy of the people. Proverbs are commonly used in daily conversation to advise and educate.

Festivals and Folk Arts: Diversity and Richness

Festivals are an integral part of the Vietnamese people’s spiritual and cultural life. Each festival holds a unique meaning, linked to the beliefs and customs of different regions. Major festivals like Tet Nguyen Dan (Lunar New Year) and the Hung Kings’ Temple Festival… attract large numbers of participants.

Folk arts include traditional art forms such as water puppetry, Ca Tru (ceremonial singing), Cheo (folk opera), and Tuong (classical opera)… These are invaluable cultural heritages that need to be preserved and promoted.

The Enduring Value of Folklore

Vietnamese folklore is not only a priceless heritage but also an endless source of inspiration for artistic creation and a foundation of ethics and philosophy for the Vietnamese people today and in the future. Preserving and promoting the value of folklore is the responsibility of every Vietnamese citizen.