{"id":7509,"date":"2021-06-13T13:17:09","date_gmt":"2021-06-13T05:17:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thesmartlocal.com\/vietnam\/?p=7509"},"modified":"2022-10-05T22:05:43","modified_gmt":"2022-10-05T14:05:43","slug":"vietnamese-legends","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thesmartlocal.com\/vietnam\/vietnamese-legends\/","title":{"rendered":"8 Epic Vietnamese Legends We’re Taught As Kids, From National Heroes To Sacred Turtles"},"content":{"rendered":"

Vietnamese legends we are taught as kids<\/h2>\n
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Just like people from any other country, we Vietnamese have legends and myths that are an integral part of our culture. Passed down from generation to generation, they are used to explain common natural phenomena to kids, teach them life lessons, and offer them a glimpse into our history and traditional values.<\/span><\/p>\n

So if you wish to gain some insight into the Vietnamese culture, here are <\/span>8 epic Vietnamese legends<\/b> that all of us are taught at a young age.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

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1. The legend of L\u1ea1c Long Qu\u00e2n and \u00c2u C\u01a1 \u2013 the ancestors of all Viet people<\/h3>\n
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\"vietnamese
\n<\/span><\/i>Image credit:<\/span> D\u00e2n Tr\u00ed<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

A legend that all Vietnamese kids are taught in school at a young age is <\/span>the legend of L\u1ea1c Long Qu\u00e2n and \u00c2u C\u01a1<\/b>. Supposedly, it is the origins of the Viet people.<\/span><\/p>\n

As the stories put it, L\u1ea1c Long Qu\u00e2n was the son of a tribe leader and a dragon princess, who possessed strong physical attributes and magical powers associated with the sea. It was him who protected the lands against foreign threats and taught the people to cultivate rice and build stable houses, drastically improving their livelihoods.<\/span><\/p>\n

Later on, he took \u00c2u C\u01a1 \u2013 who was believed to be a descendant of mountain fairies \u2013 as his wife. Soon, the couple gave birth to a pouch of 100 eggs, which hatched into 100 strong sons. For a time, the family enjoyed a period of peace and prosperity.<\/span><\/p>\n

As the years passed, however, L\u1ea1c Long Qu\u00e2n started to long for the sea, knowing that it was where he truly belonged. As such, he told his wife that they should split up. Thus, L\u1ea1c Long Qu\u00e2n and \u00c2u C\u01a1\u2019s children scattered all over the land and became the ancestors of the Viet people today.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It is also said that their eldest son went on to become the first of the H\u00f9ng Kings, who ruled over the first dynasty of Vietnam.<\/span><\/p>\n

Today, the legend of L\u1ea1c Long Qu\u00e2n and \u00c2u C\u01a1 is widely used to teach kids that all Vietnamese people are one big family, promoting social unity in the country.<\/span><\/p>\n

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2. The legend of S\u01a1n Tinh Th\u1ee7y Tinh \u2013 the struggle against natural disasters<\/h3>\n
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\"vietnamese
\n<\/span>The poster of a movie adaptation of the S\u01a1n Tinh – Th\u1ee7y Tinh legend<\/span>
\n<\/span>Image credit:<\/span> Zing News<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Another popular Vietnamese legend is that of <\/span>S\u01a1n Tinh and Th\u1ee7y Tinh<\/b>. From what it said, the 18th H\u00f9ng King once held a contest to find a strong man worthy of his daughter\u2019s hand in marriage.<\/span><\/p>\n

Two extraordinary figures stood out: S\u01a1n Tinh \u2013 a mountain god with the power to move vast mountain ranges at whim, and Th\u1ee7y Tinh \u2013 a water god who had complete control over the storms and the sea.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ultimately, it was S\u01a1n Tinh who pulled ahead by a close call. But Th\u1ee7y Tinh refused to accept defeat. He called upon storms and raised the sea levels to attack S\u01a1n Tinh. In his wake, he left behind destroyed lands, crops, and houses.<\/span><\/p>\n

To protect the people, S\u01a1n Tinh raised mountains from the ground to block off the waves, which continued to grow as the water rose. The battle raged on for days until Th\u1ee7y Tinh got tired, and had to retreat. Still, he\u2019d come back every year, only to be repelled time and time again.<\/span><\/p>\n

The legend is thought to stem from the fact that many parts of Vietnam suffer from annual floods and storms. It also represents the resilience of Vietnamese people in the face of natural disasters.<\/span><\/p>\n

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3. The legend of Mai An Ti\u00eam \u2013 thought to bring watermelons to Vietnam<\/h3>\n
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\n<\/span><\/i>Image credit:<\/span> cungdocsach.vn<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Watermelons are a common fruit in Vietnam nowadays. It is believed that the fruit was brought to us by <\/span>Mai An Ti\u00eam<\/b>, an adopted son of the 17th H\u00f9ng King.<\/span><\/p>\n

As legend has it, Mai An Ti\u00eam was a strong man regarded highly by the king, who bestowed many gifts upon him. Mai An Ti\u00eam never touched any of them, however, telling others that only what he worked to earn, was truly his.<\/span><\/p>\n

Some jealous people twisted his words and reported to the king, who thought Mai An Ti\u00eam had grown arrogant and disrespectful. As such, he and his family were exiled to a deserted island.<\/span><\/p>\n

There, despite all the hardship, Mai An Ti\u00eam began to rebuild his life anew. One day, he found strange seeds dropped by birds on the beach and tried cultivating them. The seeds grew into juicy, nutritious fruits that we now call watermelons.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"mai
\n<\/span><\/i>Inspired by the story, a Korean gym buff cosplayed as Mai An Ti\u00eam to sell watermelons in Saigon in February 2021<\/span>
\n<\/span>Image credit:<\/span> Lee Won<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Mai An Ti\u00eam traded the fruits with ships passing by for other supplies, and soon, his life again began to prosper. In time, words reached the king, who was impressed by his adopted son\u2019s strong will and summoned him back to the court.<\/span><\/p>\n

The story is meant to teach us to remain strong against unfavorable events. In February 2021, it became the inspiration for a Korean gymmer to dress up in a traditional Vietnamese loincloth and<\/span> sell watermelons on the streets of Saigon<\/span><\/a>, delighting passers-by and netizens alike.<\/span><\/p>\n

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4. The legend of Lang Li\u00eau \u2013 the origins of Vietnam\u2019s traditional b\u00e1nh ch\u01b0ng<\/em><\/h3>\n
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\"vietnamese
\n<\/span><\/i>B\u00e1nh ch\u01b0ng, a traditional Vietnamese cake<\/span>
\n<\/span>Image credit:<\/span> @banhbao_bingo<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

B\u00e1nh ch\u01b0ng<\/span><\/i> is a traditional Vietnamese cake that\u2019s well-known to our international friends. While nobody really knows how it came to be, we are told it was invented by <\/span>Lang Li\u00eau<\/b>, son of the 6th H\u00f9ng King.<\/span><\/p>\n

As the 6th H\u00f9ng King approached the end of his life, he gathered all his sons and told them that whoever could come up with an offering to please their ancestors would be named his successor.<\/span><\/p>\n

While his brothers sought exotic food to bring to their father\u2019s table, Lang Li\u00eau, who was humble and led a simple life, thought of using simple ingredients from the rice fields for two new dishes.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"banh
\n<\/span><\/i>B\u00e1nh gi\u1ea7y, a cousin of b\u00e1nh ch\u01b0ng that\u2019s supposed to represent the sky<\/span>
\n<\/span>Image credit:<\/span> @ngay32thang2<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

One of these, <\/span>b\u00e1nh gi\u1ea7y<\/span><\/em>, was made by pounding white rice into a round shape to represent the sky. The other, <\/span>b\u00e1nh ch\u01b0ng<\/span><\/em>, <\/span><\/i>was square and green, with fillings of mung beans and pork to represent the earth and all the plants and animals living in it. The offerings impressed the king for their meaningful story, and thus Lang Li\u00eau earned the crown.<\/span><\/p>\n

Today, <\/span>b\u00e1nh ch\u01b0ng<\/span><\/em> remains a must-have dish that all Vietnamese families offer at their ancestors\u2019 altars during the Lunar New Year. Meanwhile, <\/span>b\u00e1nh gi\u1ea7y<\/span><\/em> is a comfort food that can be easily found at street stalls.<\/span><\/p>\n

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5. The legend of Th\u00e1nh Gi\u00f3ng \u2013 who protected Vietnam against foreign invaders<\/h3>\n
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\"vietnamese
\n<\/span><\/i>A statue of Th\u00e1nh Gi\u00f3ng<\/span>
\n<\/span>Image credit: <\/span>Nguyen Trung Phuong\/Wikimedia Commons<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Legends associated with the H\u00f9ng Kings’ dynasties are often about surviving against natural disasters and tough living conditions. But <\/span>Th\u00e1nh Gi\u00f3ng<\/b> is a story regarding the protection of our borders from foreign invaders.<\/span><\/p>\n

Our protagonist Gi\u00f3ng was a child born to a poor woman. When he was 3, the H\u00f9ng Dynasty was threatened by the Chinese Yin Dynasty (1766BC-1122BC). Upon hearing the news, the boy consumed all the food in his village and, in a matter of moments, grew into a giant of a man.<\/span><\/p>\n

Proclaiming himself a warrior from heaven, Gi\u00f3ng asked the king for a giant metal horse, armor, and weapons. With them, he single-handedly wiped out the enemy armies, uprooting bamboo clusters in his way to use against the enemy after his spear broke in battle.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"giong
\n<\/span><\/i>The Gi\u00f3ng Festival held in the name of Th\u00e1nh Gi\u00f3ng<\/span>
\n<\/span>Image credit:<\/span> Kinh T\u1ebf & \u0110\u00f4 Th\u1ecb<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

With his task completed, Gi\u00f3ng rode his horse up the S\u00f3c S\u01a1n Mountain, now part of a district north of Hanoi, and returned to heaven. From then on, the legendary hero was hailed as Th\u00e1nh Gi\u00f3ng, meaning Saint Gi\u00f3ng, and remembered as a symbol of the strength of youth.<\/span><\/p>\n

While this is of course only a legend, Saint Gi\u00f3ng remains a well-known mythical figure of Vietnam. To this day, there are still temples dedicated to his worship and festivals held in his name in S\u00f3c S\u01a1n District, Hanoi.<\/span><\/p>\n

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6. The legend of An D\u01b0\u01a1ng V\u01b0\u01a1ng \u2013 linked to a tragic love story<\/h3>\n
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\n<\/span><\/i>Image credit:<\/span> Ph\u00e1p Lu\u1eadt Online<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Yet another story about fending off invaders, but one that ends in tragedy is <\/span>the legend of An D\u01b0\u01a1ng V\u01b0\u01a1ng<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n

In the chaos following the fall of the H\u00f9ng Dynasty, An D\u01b0\u01a1ng V\u01b0\u01a1ng rose to power thanks to a magical crossbow that made his army unstoppable. He established the second recorded dynasty of Vietnam.<\/span><\/p>\n

A rival warlord named Tri\u1ec7u \u0110\u00e0, knowing he couldn\u2019t win by force, proposed a marriage between his son Tr\u1ecdng Th\u1ee7y and An D\u01b0\u01a1ng V\u01b0\u01a1ng\u2019s daughter M\u1ef5 Ch\u00e2u. After a few years, however, Tr\u1ecdng Th\u1ee7y earned M\u1ef5 Ch\u00e2u\u2019s trust and convinced her to steal the magical crossbow for him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"an
\n<\/span><\/i>A historical site now preserves the remnants of An D\u01b0\u01a1ng V\u01b0\u01a1ng\u2019s Citadel in \u0110\u00f4ng Anh District, Hanoi<\/span>
\n<\/span>Image credit:<\/span> @jeremy.ng_<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Tr\u1ecdng Th\u1ee7y immediately brought the weapon back to his father, who launched a surprise attack and demolished An D\u01b0\u01a1ng V\u01b0\u01a1ng’s troops.<\/span><\/p>\n

Defeated, An D\u01b0\u01a1ng V\u01b0\u01a1ng retreated with his daughter to the sea and summoned a turtle god – his old friend who\u2019d helped him create the magical crossbow – for help. <\/span>The god revealed to An D\u01b0\u01a1ng V\u01b0\u01a1ng that it was his own daughter who stole his magical crossbow.<\/span><\/p>\n

In his anger, the king executed her on the spot. He then departed into the sea, never to be seen again. As for the princess, it was said that her blood flowed into the sea and formed pearls.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tr\u1ecdng Th\u1ee7y was so overwhelmed by grief for his beloved wife that he committed suicide by jumping into a well. Rumors have it that if one were to wash pearls in the water of that well, they\u2019ll glisten particularly brightly.<\/span><\/p>\n

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7. The legend of L\u00ea L\u1ee3i and the sacred sword \u2013 associated with Hanoi\u2019s iconic Ho\u00e0n Ki\u1ebfm Lake<\/h3>\n
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\"vietnamese
\n<\/span><\/i>A water puppet performance showing L\u00ea L\u1ee3i returning his divine sword<\/span>
\n<\/span>Image credit:<\/span> Long Link Water Puppet<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

The <\/span>Ho\u00e0n Ki\u1ebfm Lake<\/b> is arguably the most iconic landmark of modern-day Hanoi. According to a local legend, it got its name from a mythical event.<\/span><\/p>\n

As the story goes, when the Chinese Ming Dynasty attempted to establish their rule in Vietnam in the 15th century, a local warlord named L\u00ea L\u1ee3i stood against them to protect his homeland.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, L\u00ea L\u1ee3i\u2019s rebellion was full of hardships for several years. It wasn\u2019t until he chanced upon a sacred sword following a defeat that his campaign began to flourish.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"hoan
\n<\/span><\/i>Ho\u00e0n Ki\u1ebfm Lake, now the symbol of Hanoi<\/span>
\n<\/span>Image credit:<\/span> @7.8.1996<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Thanks to the sword, L\u00ea L\u1ee3i began earning one victory after another. Eventually, he drove the Chinese out of Vietnam and ascended the throne as Emperor L\u00ea Th\u00e1i T\u1ed5.<\/span><\/p>\n

Years later, the Emperor met a turtle as he went out boating on a lake. It asked him to return the sword to its master, the Dragon King. The Emperor respectfully complied. From that day on, the lake that witnessed the event became known as Ho\u00e0n Ki\u1ebfm Lake, meaning \u201cThe Lake of the Returning Sword\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"hoan
\n<\/span><\/i>A mummified carcass of a turtle preserved in Ng\u1ecdc S\u01a1n Temple next to Ho\u00e0n Ki\u1ebfm Lake<\/span>
\n<\/span>Image credit:<\/span> @truongnguyen56<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Due to the popularity of this legend, generations of Hanoians have come to believe that the turtles of Ho\u00e0n Ki\u1ebfm Lake are sacred. Many even refer to them as \u201cc\u1ee5 r\u00f9a\u201d, or \u201celder turtles\u201d, to show reverence.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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8. The legend of Cu\u1ed9i \u2013 a major figure of the Mid-Autumn Festival<\/h3>\n
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\"vietnamese
\n<\/span><\/i>A man dressing up as Cu\u1ed9i to entertain children during the Mid-Autumn Festival<\/span>
\n<\/span>Image credit:<\/span> Playtime Lotte Mart Phan Thi\u1ebft<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

A major festival of Vietnam, the Mid-Autumn Festival is when children and adults alike celebrate the full moon. <\/span>Cu\u1ed9i<\/b> is a mythical character who plays a central role in the lore.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cu\u1ed9i was but a humble lumberjack until he encountered a strange tree capable of incredible healing powers. A village elder warned that the tree must always be watered with pure water, or else it\u2019d return to heaven.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"vietnamese
\n<\/span><\/i>A printed copy of Cu\u1ed9i\u2019s story<\/span><\/i>
\n<\/span><\/i>Image credit:<\/span><\/i> @myaziatbox<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/p>\n

Cu\u1ed9i healed many people with the sacred tree, but that put him on the blacklist of local bandits, as he revived many of their victims.<\/span><\/p>\n

The bandits waited until Cu\u1ed9i was out, before sneaking into his house to murder his wife. They cruelly removed her intestines so she couldn\u2019t digest the healing leaves. Cu\u1ed9i’s loyal dog offered its own intestines as a replacement, so the man could revive his wife.<\/span><\/p>\n

That said, the replacement left his wife with some unwanted canine characteristics, such as the need to relieve herself at undesirable spots.<\/span><\/p>\n

One day, that undesirable spot happened to be the roots of the sacred tree. Just as the elder had warned, it uprooted itself and began to ascend toward the skies.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\n<\/span><\/i>Image credit:<\/span> NXB Kim \u0110\u1ed3ng<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Cu\u1ed9i desperately clung to the tree to hold it down, but to no avail. Eventually, the tree brought him all the way to the moon. Today, if you look closely at the full moon, you can see dark patterns that look like a big tree with a figure curled up at its base.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Legends all Vietnamese people learn at a young age<\/h3>\n
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Some of these Vietnamese legends are our forefathers\u2019 interpretations of natural phenomena, while others stem from real events in history that shaped Vietnam into what it is today.<\/span><\/p>\n

Regardless, they are a valuable part of our culture that anyone who loves our beautiful country should know about.<\/span><\/p>\n

For more things Vietnamese, check out:<\/span><\/p>\n