The Legend of Sơn Tinh and Thủy Tinh

One beautiful day, two talented young men came to ask for Mị Nương’s hand in marriage. The first was Sơn Tinh, the Mountain God from the Tản Viên Mountain region. He possessed extraordinary abilities: with a wave of his hand to the east, sandbars and landforms emerged; with a wave of his hand to the west, mountain ranges appeared. The second was Thủy Tinh, the Water God from the sea region. He was equally gifted: when he called for the wind, it came; when he summoned the rain, it poured. Both were strong, talented, and seemed like ideal choices for the king’s son-in-law.

The Challenge to Determine Mị Nương’s Husband

Unable to choose between the two men, the Hùng King consulted his Lạc hầu ministers. Following their advice, the king declared:
"Both of you please me, but I only have one daughter. Tomorrow, whoever brings the betrothal gifts first will marry Mị Nương."

The king announced the required gifts: one hundred trays of sticky rice, one hundred pairs of square glutinous rice cakes (bánh chưng), nine-tusked elephants, nine-spurred roosters, and nine-maned horses, each in pairs.

The Race for Love

At the break of dawn, Sơn Tinh arrived first with the full bridal gifts, winning Mị Nương’s hand and taking her to the mountains. When Thủy Tinh arrived and discovered his loss, he was furious. Unable to marry Mị Nương, Thủy Tinh gathered his forces and waged war to reclaim her by force.

Thủy Tinh summoned rain and wind, creating storms that shook the heavens and the earth. The floodwaters rose, engulfing fields and homes, climbing up hillsides and threatening Phong Châu Citadel.

The Great Battle Between Mountain and Sea

Despite Thủy Tinh’s wrath, Sơn Tinh remained steadfast. Using his powers, he raised hills, shifted mountains, and built solid earthen ramparts to block the floodwaters. The higher Thủy Tinh raised the water, the higher Sơn Tinh raised the mountains. Their battle raged for months, with neither yielding to the other.

Finally, Sơn Tinh emerged victorious. Exhausted and defeated, Thủy Tinh was forced to retreat with his army. However, his bitterness and resentment never faded.

The Legacy of the Legend

Since then, Thủy Tinh has always harbored a deep grudge. Every year, he summons storms, rain, and floods to attack Sơn Tinh. Yet, despite his relentless efforts, Thủy Tinh has never been able to overcome the steadfast Mountain God. This legend is believed to explain the cause of the annual flood season in Vietnam, especially in the low-lying delta regions.