ALCOHOL IN VIETNAMESE FOLK LITERATURE

Abstract

Alcoholic beverages, produced by fermenting starches or sugars or by diluting food-grade ethanol, are prominent in Vietnamese folklore. This study applies statistical, analytical, and interdisciplinary approaches to examine the significant role of alcohol in Vietnamese customs, rituals, and social interactions, especially in ancestral worship, weddings, and festivals. Alcohol symbolizes unity and harmony in marriage, serving both as a ceremonial gift and a social binder. Folk literature praises refined drinking etiquette while critiquing excessive consumption and related moral decline, extending these critiques to figures of authority such as officials and monks. Alcohol is also linked to traditional craft villages like Ke Mo, Van Van, Bau Da, and Go Den, highlighting its role in regional identity and culinary culture. Under French colonial rule, alcohol production was a political-economic concern, with controls imposed on traditional practices. Through folk poetry, proverbs, and humorous tales, this study reveals popular perceptions of alcohol, offering insights into Vietnamese cultural values and social conduct.