Exploring the Beauty of Vietnamese Folklore
Legends and Fairy Tales: Origins and Meanings
Vietnamese folklore is a priceless treasure trove, preserving stories, songs, proverbs, folk songs, and many other forms of folk art that reflect the history, society, and soul of the Vietnamese people. Legends and fairy tales, two typical genres of folklore, often carry profound lessons about morality, kindness, and the triumph of justice. From the stories of Son Tinh and Thuy Tinh to the legend of Hoan Kiem Lake, each legend contributes to the diverse and rich cultural landscape of the nation.
Fairy tales are usually aimed at children, with familiar characters like Tam and Cam, Thach Sanh, helping to educate children about kindness, fairness, and the victory over evil.
Proverbs, Folk Songs, and Folk Music: The Essence of Words
Proverbs, folk songs, and folk music are forms of folk art that authentically reflect the life, thoughts, and feelings of the Vietnamese people. Proverbs are short, concise sayings, summarizing life experiences through generations. Folk songs express family affection, love, and thoughts about life. Folk music, with its melodious melodies, recounts stories, legends, or expresses the joys and sorrows of people.
The diversity of folk songs and folk music is evident in different regions, each region having its own unique songs reflecting the cultural characteristics of that locality.
Folk Art: The Skill of Hands
Beyond literature, Vietnamese folklore is also expressed through various art forms such as embroidery, weaving, pottery, wood carving, etc. Each handicraft product is deeply imbued with the cultural imprint of each region, showing the skill and finesse of the artisans.
Water puppetry, a unique art form of Vietnam, has existed for hundreds of years and has been recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity.
Preservation and Promotion of Folklore
In the present day, with the rapid development of information technology, the preservation and promotion of folklore is an important task. Passing on traditional cultural values to younger generations is essential to preserving national identity and creating a connection between generations.
The research, collection, and dissemination of folklore needs to be further strengthened to contribute to the preservation and promotion of these precious values.