Exploring the Beauty of Vietnamese Folk Culture

Legends – The Source of Creativity

Vietnamese folk culture is a priceless treasure, preserving stories, legends, proverbs, folk songs, and other forms of folk art that have been passed down through hundreds of years of history. Legends, stories recounting the origins of objects, phenomena, and people, often have a mythological character, reflecting the worldview, morality, and aspirations of the ancient Vietnamese people. For example, the legend of Con Rong Chau Tien (Descendants 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 fascinating stories containing profound lessons about courage, intelligence, and the spirit of righteous struggle.

Proverbs and Folk Songs – The Wisdom of the People

Proverbs and folk songs are concise and succinct forms of folk literature that contain the rich wisdom and life experience of the people. Proverbs are often short, concise sayings that express life experiences and philosophies, derived from practical life. Folk songs are lyrical poems that express the feelings, thoughts, and aspirations of the people, often associated with daily life, labor, love, and homeland. Both proverbs and folk songs are vivid evidence of the enduring vitality of Vietnamese folk culture.

Folk Arts – Richness and Diversity

Folk music: Traditional musical instruments such as the dan bau, dan nguyet, bamboo flute… along with the unique folk melodies of each region create a diverse and captivating musical picture. Folk dance: Traditional dances such as water puppetry, lion and dragon dances… demonstrate the skill and finesse of the artists and are imbued with the cultural identity of the nation. Folk architecture: Ancient houses, temples, pagodas, tombs… with intricate decorative patterns reflect the talent and creativity of the ancients.

Preserving and Promoting Folk Culture

In the present day, preserving and promoting folk culture is extremely important. We need to make active efforts to preserve and protect these precious intangible cultural heritages, and at the same time teach them to younger generations so that folk culture will endure forever.

Researching, collecting, and disseminating folk culture through cultural and educational activities is essential. Furthermore, combining folk culture with tourism is also an effective way to promote and introduce the beauty of Vietnamese folk culture to international friends.