Vietnamese Folklore: A Valuable Traditional Treasure

The Diversity and Richness of Vietnamese Folklore

Vietnamese folklore is an incredibly rich and diverse treasure trove, accumulated over thousands of years of history. It is the crystallization of the intellect, life experiences, and soul of the Vietnamese people, manifested in various forms such as proverbs, folk songs, mythology, fairy tales, festivals, and folk art… Each region has its own unique characteristics, creating a vibrant picture of Vietnamese folklore.

Traditional Proverbs and Folk Songs

Proverbs: The Wisdom of the People

Proverbs are short, concise sayings that summarize the life experiences of the people, often carrying an educational and admonitory nature. For example: “Ăn quả nhớ kẻ trồng cây” (One who eats the fruit should remember the one who planted the tree), “Một cây làm chẳng nên non, ba cây chụm lại nên hòn núi cao” (One tree doesn’t make a forest, three trees clustered together make a mountain),… Proverbs demonstrate the subtlety in the way of viewing life and the relationship between people and people, people and nature.

Folk Songs: The Heart of the Vietnamese People

Folk songs (Ca dao) are lyrical folk poems, often passed down orally through generations. Folk songs express the feelings, thoughts, and aspirations of working people, reflecting daily life, love for the homeland, family affections, and romantic love… The folk songs are simple and genuine, yet contain many profound philosophies about life.

Mythology and Fairy Tales

Mythology: Origins and History

Vietnamese mythology explains the origins of the universe, humans, and natural phenomena. Mythological characters often have supernatural qualities, demonstrating extraordinary power and intelligence. Mythological stories are not only entertaining but also carry educational meaning, guiding people towards goodness and fighting against evil.

Fairy Tales: Dreams and Reality

Fairy tales are stories about imaginary characters, often with magical and extraordinary elements. Fairy tales often have an educational nature, expressing dreams of justice, happiness, and the triumph over evil. For example, the stories of Tấm Cám and Thạch Sanh,…

Festivals and Folk Art

Festivals are community cultural activities, often associated with beliefs, religions, or historical commemorations. Festivals show the beauty of the traditional culture of each region, attracting a large number of people to participate. Folk art is rich with many forms such as Quan Ho singing, Cheo opera, Tuong opera, water puppetry… demonstrating the talent and creativity of the Vietnamese people.

Preserving and promoting folklore is the responsibility of every Vietnamese citizen. We need to strive to preserve and develop these valuable traditional cultural values, contributing to enriching the national cultural identity.