ABSTRACT
Vietnamese folk songs and tales whose origins date back to feudal days usually portray women as unworthy, docile, highly dependent and inferior to men, the superior beings. However, nowadays, although they still bear the burdens that come with being a mother, wife or daughter, and are bound by the long-lasting culture and traditions of society, women’s scope of social activities and responsibilities has enlarged. Since 1986 the Vietnamese economy has been undergoing a process of reform, from a centralised, planned economy to a market-oriented one. A series of radical changes in socio-economic policies have been implemented, warmly welcomed and supported by the masses. Social and economic transformations have brought about noticeable changes in gender relations, both positive and negative. As the National Committee for the Advancement of Women (2000: 5) comments, ‘Vietnam is a nation where gender is in transition’ (see also Franklin, 1999).
