Vietnamese Folklore: A Precious Heritage to Preserve

Overview of Vietnamese Folklore

Vietnamese folklore is an invaluable treasure trove, reflecting the history, soul, and intellect of the nation through generations. It encompasses various rich forms such as legends, fairy tales, proverbs, folk songs, folk dances, folk games, traditional festivals, and folk architecture. Each element carries profound historical, cultural, and social values, contributing to the unique cultural identity of the Vietnamese people.

Legends and Fairy Tales: Stories about Origins and History

Legends usually tell about historical figures and real events but are fictionalized, embellished with magical and mythological elements. Examples include the legend of Son Tinh – Thuy Tinh, the story of Ho Guom (Sword Lake), or legends about national heroes. Fairy tales, on the other hand, usually focus on imaginary characters and extraordinary events, carrying high educational and entertainment value, teaching children lessons about morality, kindness, and justice. These stories have been passed down through generations, contributing to the formation of the Vietnamese people’s understanding, moral values, and worldview.

Proverbs and Folk Songs: The Skill of Language and Folk Wisdom

Proverbs are short, concise sayings, carrying the nature of proverbs, reflecting life experiences and philosophies of the people. For example: “Constant dripping wears away a stone”, “He who plants the tree enjoys its shade”. Folk songs are short lyrical poems, often passed down orally, expressing emotions, thoughts, love for the homeland, family affection, and love between couples. Folk songs carry profound folk sentiments, showing the beauty of the Vietnamese soul.

Traditional Festivals: The Interplay of Beliefs and Culture

Traditional festivals are an indispensable part of the spiritual and cultural life of the Vietnamese people. Each festival has its own meaning, linked to beliefs, history, and community life. For example, the Hung King Temple Festival, the Gio Ong Festival, the On Dinh Festival… Festivals are not only occasions to commemorate heroes and historical figures but also opportunities for communities to gather, interact, and demonstrate solidarity and patriotism.

Preservation and Promotion of Folklore Values

Preserving and promoting the values of folklore is the responsibility of every Vietnamese citizen. We need to actively learn and pass on these precious values to future generations. This can be done through activities such as organizing classes on folklore, publishing books and films, organizing traditional festivals, and building museums…

Preserving folklore is not only about preserving the nation’s heritage but also about protecting cultural identity, contributing to building a civilized and prosperous society.