Vietnamese Folklore: Origins and Values

Rich Origins

Vietnamese folklore is a rich and diverse treasure trove, formed and developed over thousands of years of history. It reflects the spiritual and material life, beliefs, dreams, and aspirations of the Vietnamese people. From fairy tales, legends, proverbs, folk songs, to folk art forms such as water puppetry, Quan Ho singing, all carry unique cultural values.

Legends and Fairy Tales: Life Lessons

Legends often tell stories about historical figures, historical events, associated with geographical locations and natural phenomena. They not only explain the origin of objects and phenomena but also demonstrate patriotism, courage, and the ingenuity of the Vietnamese people. For example, the legend of Son Tinh and Thuy Tinh reflects the struggle between humans and nature, or the legend of An Duong Vuong and Mi Chau – Trong Thuy shows patriotism and vigilance against enemies.

Fairy tales focus on fictional stories with high educational value. Through positive and negative characters, fairy tales teach people about morality, compassion, and justice. Stories like Tam Cam, Thach Sanh, are not only attractive to children but also carry profound lessons for adults.

Proverbs and Folk Songs: The Subtlety of Language

Proverbs are short, concise sayings that summarize the life experiences of the people. They show a subtle and profound observation of life, nature, and people. For example: “Constant dripping wears away a stone”, “One who eats the fruit should remember the one who planted the tree”… are valuable lessons about perseverance and gratitude.

Folk songs are short lyrical poems that express people’s feelings, thoughts, and aspirations. Folk songs express love for homeland, family, and love in a sincere and profound way. For example, folk songs about love, about mother-child love, about homesickness…

Folk Art: Diversity and Uniqueness

Vietnamese folk art is extremely diverse and unique, with many different forms such as water puppetry, Quan Ho singing, Don Ca Tai Tu, Cheo, Tuong… Each art form has its own characteristics, reflecting the culture and traditions of each region.

The Value of Folklore

Folklore is not only a valuable cultural heritage of the nation but also an endless source of inspiration for art and creativity. It contributes to educating morality and lifestyle for people, helping people learn more about the history and culture of their nation. Preserving and promoting folklore is the responsibility of every Vietnamese citizen.