Vietnamese Folk Tales Collection Released in English, Highlighting Female Characters

Folklorist and anthropologist Nguyễn Đổng Chi dedicated decades to collecting and researching Vietnam’s rich folklore, culminating in his seminal work, "Treasury of Vietnamese Folk Tales." Now, Major Books has released the first volume of an English translation of this monumental collection, offering international readers a gateway into 11 classic Vietnamese tales for the first time. Chi's original anthology, published over 25 years in five volumes, is a comprehensive repository of Vietnamese folk traditions. The new English edition aims to present a curated selection of these stories in a more accessible format, promising new interpretations of familiar tales like ‘Tấm Cám’ (the Vietnamese Cinderella), ‘The Battle Between Sơn Tinh and Thuỷ Tinh,’ and ‘The Tale of the Betel, Areca, and Slaked Lime.’ Beyond amusement, the collection seeks to honor Vietnam’s cultural heritage, particularly by highlighting the multifaceted portrayal of women within these narratives. A key focus of this translation is its re-examination of female characters. The anthology asserts that women in Vietnamese folklore are not merely damsels in distress but are depicted as heroes, tricksters, warriors, and sometimes even villains. While tales like ‘The Battle Between Sơn Tinh and Thuỷ Tinh,’ which centers on a conflict between two gods for a princess’s hand, might initially seem to sideline the female protagonist, the narrative's structure prompts readers to consider her presence or absence, thereby encouraging a deeper reflection on her role. Further illustrating this theme, the story of ‘Mother Liễu Hạnh’ presents an empowering narrative of a banished goddess who playfully outwits corrupt male travelers. In ‘Tấm Cám,’ Tấm's journey through death and reincarnation, culminating in her transformation into a magical fruit, ‘quả thị,’ offers a nuanced view on domesticity and female autonomy. Though her confinement to domestic duties might suggest a reinforcement of traditional gender roles, the ‘quả thị’ can also symbolize renewal and a new life, free from her abusive stepmother and stepsister. Complementing the rich narratives are the vibrant illustrations by Jeet ZDũng. Inspired by Vietnamese sculpture, lacquerware, ceramics, and folk paintings, ZDũng’s artwork brings each folktale to life. His use of geometrically irregular shapes and a palette of deep jewel tones, often contrasted with black and gold, creates an immersive and magical visual experience, transforming each page into a portal to an ancient, enchanted world. This English translation serves not only to introduce the allure of Vietnamese folklore to a global audience but also to encourage a contemporary re-evaluation of the diverse roles women play within storytelling traditions.