Vietnamese Folklore: A Precious Spiritual Heritage

Vietnamese folklore is a priceless treasure trove, preserving the spiritual, moral, and intellectual values of the nation through generations. From mysterious legendary stories to sweet folk songs, and concise proverbs containing profound lessons, all contribute to a diverse and rich cultural landscape.

Legends: The Mythological Origins of the Nation

Legends are stories about origins, history, heroes, and historical figures, fictionalized and imbued with the rich imagination of the people. Legends like An Dương Vương and Mị Châu – Trọng Thủy, Sơn Tinh – Thủy Tinh, or Con Rồng Cháu Tiên not only explain the origins of the country and its people but also reflect the nation’s aspirations and dreams for a prosperous and happy life and the struggle against harsh nature.

Profound Lessons from Legends

Legends are not just entertaining stories but also carry profound educational value. They teach people about courage, intelligence, patriotism, solidarity, and lessons about morality and worldview. Through these stories, the ancients passed on to their descendants beautiful cultural and moral values.

Folk Songs and Proverbs: The Face of the National Soul

Folk songs (Ca dao) are folk lyric poems expressing the feelings, thoughts, and dreams of the people about love, homeland, and country. Short, memorable, easy to sing, folk songs demonstrate the subtlety and depth in the Vietnamese soul.

Proverbs (Tục ngữ) are short, concise sayings summarizing life experiences and observations of nature and society. Proverbs are not only a precious treasure trove of knowledge but also helpful advice and lessons for life.

Diversity and Richness of Folk Songs and Proverbs

Folk songs and proverbs demonstrate the diversity and richness of Vietnamese culture. Depending on the region, each area has its own unique folk songs and proverbs reflecting the cultural characteristics and lifestyles of the people there. This creates diversity, attractiveness, and richness for the treasure trove of Vietnamese folk literature.

Folk Music: The Music of the Soul

Folk music (Dân ca) is an important part of folklore, expressed through various forms such as Then singing, Quan Ho singing, Xam singing… Folk music expresses the soul, feelings, and lives of the people, bearing a strong national identity. The smooth and profound melodies of folk songs have entered people’s hearts, becoming an indispensable part of the spiritual life of the Vietnamese people.

Preservation and Promotion of Folklore

Preserving and promoting folklore is the responsibility of every Vietnamese citizen. We need practical activities to preserve, develop, and pass on these precious cultural values to future generations.