Exploring the Beauty of Vietnamese Folklore

Legends and Fairy Tales: A Source of Creativity

Vietnamese folklore is a priceless treasure trove, preserving colorful legends and fairy tales. From stories about the origins of mountains and rivers, plants and animals, to tales of love, courage, and wisdom, all reflect the rich imagination and philosophy of life of the Vietnamese people. Characters like Saint Giong, Son Tinh, Thuy Tinh, or Tam and Ly Thong have become cultural icons, passed down through generations.

Proverbs and Folk Songs: The Essence of Folk Language

Proverbs and folk songs are precious gems in the treasury of folk literature. Concise and meaningful proverbs contain lessons about life experience and morality. Folk songs, on the other hand, express people’s emotions, thoughts, and aspirations, realistically reflecting social life. From love between couples and family affection to feelings about homeland and country, folk songs are expressed deeply and movingly.

Some typical examples:

• Proverbs: “Eat the fruit, remember the one who planted the tree”, “Don’t see the big waves and drop your oars”
• Folk songs: “My body is like a drifting bần fruit/The wind pushes and pushes, never finding peace anywhere”

Traditional Music: Music of Love and Life

Traditional music is an indispensable part of folklore. Each region has its own unique melodies, reflecting the cultural characteristics of that area. The smooth, profound melodies express love for homeland and country, family affection, and love between couples… Traditional music is not only music but also a means of preserving and transmitting culture from generation to generation.

Folk Art: A Subtle Combination of Craftsmanship and Vision

Vietnamese folk art is extremely diverse and rich, from Dong Ho paintings, Hang Trong paintings, Bat Trang ceramics to other traditional art forms such as water puppetry, Cheo singing, and Ca Tru… Each work carries the soul of the nation, reflecting the skill and finesse of the artisans and their love for their homeland and country.

Preservation and Development of Folklore

In the present day, preserving and developing folklore is extremely important. We need to take active measures to preserve and promote traditional cultural values, contributing to enriching the spiritual life of the nation and promoting the image of the country to international friends.