Exploring the Beauty of Vietnamese Folklore

Legends and Fairy Tales: The Roots of National Spirit

Vietnamese folklore is a priceless treasure trove, preserving stories, legends, fairy tales, proverbs, folk songs, and festivals that reflect the lives, thoughts, and emotions of the Vietnamese people over thousands of years. Fairy tales such as Tam Cam, Thach Sanh, The Legend of Betel and Areca are not only entertaining stories but also carry profound educational meanings, conveying lessons about morality, kindness, justice, and the struggle between good and evil. We see the skillful use of supernatural elements and magic to create exciting and captivating plots.

Proverbs and Folk Songs: The Face of the National Soul

Proverbs and folk songs are precious gems in the treasure trove of folklore. Short and concise proverbs summarize life experiences and the philosophies of the Vietnamese people. For example, “Ăn quả nhớ kẻ trồng cây” (Remember the one who planted the tree when you eat the fruit) and “Lá lành đùm lá rách” (A healthy leaf shelters a broken one) demonstrate the spirit of mutual support and solidarity. Folk songs are lyrical and simple poems expressing love for the homeland, family affections, and romantic love. The melodies of folk songs are gentle, profound, and easily touch people’s hearts.

Traditional Festivals: Colors of Culture

Traditional festivals are distinctive cultural activities that showcase the diversity and richness of Vietnamese culture. Each festival is associated with a region, a belief, or a legend. From village temple festivals and pagoda festivals to large festivals like the Gio Ong festival and Lim festival, all carry spiritual, community, and entertainment significance. The combination of traditional rituals, music, dances, and folk games creates a vibrant and exciting atmosphere, attracting a large number of people.

Intangible Cultural Heritage: A Nation’s Precious Legacy

Vietnamese folklore is not only stories and songs but also precious intangible cultural heritages that need to be preserved and promoted. Such as the art of water puppetry, Hat Xam, Ca Tru, and Don Ca Tai Tu… These are legacies that reflect the talent, intelligence, and creativity of the Vietnamese people, contributing to the unique cultural identity of the nation.

Preserving and Promoting Folklore

Preserving and promoting folklore is the responsibility of every Vietnamese citizen. We need to actively participate in cultural activities and teach the younger generation so that folklore will always live on through time.