Exploring the Beauty of Vietnamese Folklore

The Richness of Vietnamese Folklore

Vietnamese folklore is a priceless treasure trove, preserving the spiritual values, ethics, and philosophies of the Vietnamese people throughout thousands of years of history. From mysterious legends and lyrical folk songs to concise proverbs with profound meanings, all reflect the life, thoughts, and emotions of the Vietnamese people.

Legends: Origins and Existence

Legends are stories about the origins of objects, natural phenomena, or people, often containing magical and fantastical elements. These stories not only explain the world around us but also convey moral lessons and aspirations for a better life. For example, the legend of Son Tinh and Thuy Tinh explains the phenomenon of floods, while the legend of Con Rong Chau Tien affirms the noble origin of the Vietnamese people.

Folk Songs and Proverbs: The Wisdom of the People

Folk songs (Ca dao) are folk songs, often lyrical, expressing family affection, romantic love, or reflections on life. The language of folk songs is simple, familiar, and easy to understand, yet contains profound philosophies about life. Proverbs (Tục ngữ) are short, concise sayings summarizing the life experiences of the people. Proverbs often have an educational and admonitory nature, advising people to live well and do good deeds.

Folk Literature: Diversity and Richness

Folk literature not only includes legends, folk songs, and proverbs but also many other genres such as folk poems, fairy tales, and humorous stories… Each genre has its own characteristics, but they all share the common purpose of reflecting the life, emotions, and thoughts of the people. Fairy tales teach us lessons about kindness and justice, while humorous stories bring refreshing laughter and help relax the mind.

Preserving and Promoting Folklore

In the modern era, preserving and promoting folklore is extremely important. We need proactive measures to preserve these precious cultural values and pass them on to future generations. This can be done through collecting, researching, compiling, and disseminating folk literature works, organizing cultural activities, and traditional festivals…

In short, Vietnamese folklore is an invaluable heritage that needs to be preserved and promoted. Exploring and understanding folklore not only helps us better understand the history and culture of our nation but also contributes to moral education and enriches our souls.