From Folk Myth to National Icon: The Transformationof the Saint Giong Image Throughout VietnameseCultural Histor

Abstract

This article examines the process by which the folklore character Saint Giong emerged as a symbol of patriotic tradition, indomitable spirit, and extraordinary strength among the Vietnamese people. By tracing the evolution of the Saint Giong story across various versions from the tenth century to the late twentieth century, the article identifies differences in the reception and interpretation of the character across historical periods. The findings indicate that the symbolic significance of Saint Giong in contemporary Vietnam results from a process initiated in 1955, when patriotic intellectuals aligned with the Vietnam Laborers’ Party and the Government of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam sought to identify usable pasts to support nation-building efforts.