Vietnamese Folklore: A Precious Heritage to Preserve

Understanding Vietnamese Folklore

Vietnamese folklore encompasses the totality of spiritual products passed down through generations, reflecting the lives, thoughts, feelings, and beliefs of the Vietnamese people. It includes a rich variety of forms such as fairy tales, folk songs (ca dao), proverbs (tuc ngu), idioms, riddles, folk music, folk dance, folk theatre, traditional festivals, and much more.

Folk Tales: A Treasure Trove of Folk Wisdom

Vietnamese folk tales are incredibly diverse in their themes and storytelling styles. From stories about unwavering love like Tam Cam, to tales of triumph over evil like Thach Sanh, or stories with a moral lesson such as The Frog at the Bottom of the Well, all contain profound lessons about morality, life, and human values.

Characteristics of Vietnamese Folk Tales:

Vietnamese folk tales usually have a clear three-part structure: beginning, body, and ending. Characters are often depicted with typical personalities: good people, bad people, talented people, etc. The language in folk tales is usually simple, easy to understand, rich in imagery, and symbolic.

Ca dao and Tuc ngu: Reflecting the Soul of the Nation

Ca dao (folk songs) and tuc ngu (proverbs) are concise and succinct sayings that express the life experiences, emotions, and philosophies of the people. Ca dao expresses love for one’s homeland, family affection, and romantic love… Tuc ngu contains lessons about life experiences, morality, and society.

Some Notable Examples:

Ca dao: “A father’s love is like Mount Thai Son/ A mother’s love is like the water of a flowing spring.”
Tuc ngu: “He who eats the fruit should remember the one who planted the tree.”

Preserving and Promoting the Value of Folklore

Folklore is an integral part of Vietnam’s cultural identity. Preserving and promoting the value of folklore is the responsibility of every citizen. We need to actively learn and pass on these precious values to future generations. Organizing traditional festivals, publishing books, and making films about folklore will help promote and preserve this intangible cultural heritage.

Conclusion

Vietnamese folklore is an incredibly rich and diverse treasure trove. Studying and preserving folklore not only helps us better understand Vietnamese history and people but also contributes to building a civilized and prosperous society.