Exploring the Beauty of Vietnamese Folklore

Legends and Fairy Tales: Origins and Meanings

Vietnamese folklore is a priceless treasure trove, preserving stories, legends, fairy tales, proverbs, folk songs, and mythology through generations. These stories are not merely entertainment; they carry profound cultural, moral, and philosophical values of the Vietnamese people.

Legends often tell of historical figures and real events embellished with fantastical elements, reflecting the history, geography, and soul of the nation. Examples include the legend of Son Tinh and Thuy Tinh, the legend of weaving, the legend of Hoan Kiem Lake… These stories help later generations understand the origins of the country and the indomitable spirit and aspirations of the Vietnamese people.

Fairy tales often have a high educational value, focusing on lessons of morality, kindness, and justice. Familiar characters like Tam and Cam, Thach Sanh, and the story of the starfruit tree… have become an integral part of the childhood of countless generations of Vietnamese people. Through these stories, children develop their character, understand good and evil, and learn to distinguish right from wrong.

Proverbs and Folk Songs: Wisdom and Emotion

Proverbs are short, concise sayings that encapsulate life experiences. Proverbs demonstrate the keen observation, synthesis ability, and profound philosophy of life of the Vietnamese people. For example, “Diligence brings success,” “Remember the one who planted the tree when you eat the fruit”… are invaluable pieces of advice passed down through generations.

Folk songs are lyrical folk poems expressing people’s feelings and thoughts about love for their homeland, family affection, and friendships… Folk songs have sweet melodies, are easy to remember and learn, and have become an indispensable part of the spiritual life of the Vietnamese people.

Mythology: The Supernatural World and Belief

Mythology tells stories about gods and supernatural beings, reflecting beliefs about the universe, the origin of life, and the spiritual world. Vietnamese mythology is diverse and rich, reflecting the diverse beliefs of the Vietnamese people through many historical periods.

Preservation and Development of Folklore

Preserving and developing folklore is an important task for every Vietnamese citizen. Passing on these precious cultural values to future generations is our responsibility to maintain national identity.