Bringing Vietnamese folk tales closer to young people.

A student-led cultural project is choosing a fresh approach to bring Vietnamese folk tales closer to young audiences.

"Folk Dream" is an event organized by a group of 10 students from the Academy of Journalism and Communication, starting in March 2026, with the hope of opening up a new direction in bringing heritage closer to young people.

Taking place from May 8th to early June 2026 in Hanoi , the project carries the message "Painting a dreamlike vision, reviving folk traditions".

Accordingly, light is used to recreate details in fairy tales, while the "dreamlike" space opens up a fantastical world where ancient legends are "awakened" by technology.

Instead of simply reading or listening, viewers enter a multi-sensory space where images, sounds, and movement blend together, offering a fresh approach to familiar stories.

The project was carried out by a team of 10 third-year Mass Communication students.

Project leader Ngo Quynh Chi said this is an approach to reaching young audiences, especially Gen Z and Alpha – those who enjoy new experiences. Technology becomes the initial "point of contact," but the element that keeps the audience engaged remains the content. The audience becomes part of the story, going through an emotional journey thanks to mapping technology.

Project Manager Ngo Quynh Chi

The project recreates five iconic folk tales: Lac Long Quan and Au Co; Son Tinh and Thuy Tinh; Saint Giong; the Legend of the Watermelon; and the Carp Transforming into a Dragon. Each story represents different layers of meaning, from origins and willpower to aspirations for advancement, connected into a continuous journey rather than presented in a fragmented manner.

However, combining technology with traditional culture presents a significant challenge, as the visual effects can overshadow the content.

According to Ngo Quynh Chi, if left unchecked, audiences might only remember the "effects" and forget the story. To overcome this, the group focused on research and consulting with experts to preserve the original spirit of the folk tale while refreshing the storytelling approach.

A noteworthy aspect is the intergenerational connection. Leading up to the main event, from May 8th to May 28th, the project organized activities for children at art centers, helping them learn about and redraw folk tales in their own way. These artworks will be digitized and displayed in experiential spaces, creating an intersection between tradition and contemporary creativity.

Source: https://phunuvietnam.vn/dua-truyen-dan-gian-viet-nam-den-gan-gioi-tre-238260504191647576.htm