Top 9 Best Essays Analyzing the Legend of "The Dragon and the Fairy"

Our childhood is often intertwined with lullabies sung by grandmothers and mothers, with fairy tales that transport us to magical realms, and with captivating legends. One such tale is the Legend of The Dragon and the Fairy, which speaks of the noble origin of the Vietnamese people.

The Legend of The Dragon and the Fairy is one of the most famous in Vietnam's folklore. It tells the story of the origins of the Vietnamese people. Lạc Long Quân, who lived by the rivers, symbolizes the dragon. He is known as a god with heroic feats such as conquering the seas, expanding lands, breaking mountains, and defeating dangerous creatures to ensure the peace of the people. Âu Cơ, a beautiful maiden, represents the symbol of beauty. Her extraordinary charm and equal background drew Lạc Long Quân to her.

The love story between these two beings, who were equal in every aspect, was a beautiful one. But soon after, Lạc Long Quân and Âu Cơ had to part ways due to their differences in character and lifestyle, as one was from the dragon lineage, and the other from the fairy lineage. They decided to split their 100 children into two groups: fifty went with the mother to the mountains, and fifty went with the father to the sea.

This myth uses many fantastical elements, which is a characteristic feature of this genre. These creative and imaginative elements, drawn from the rich souls of folk authors, help convey the core message of the story. The beautiful love story between two gods, symbolizing the mountains and the seas, creates a wonderful legend about the birth of the Vietnamese people. Despite their separation, they kept their vow: 'People of the mountains, people of the sea, help each other in times of need,' demonstrating the spirit and strength of the nation. It also symbolizes the collective unity among people, creating the great unity of the Vietnamese people.

The Legend of The Dragon and the Fairy is a meaningful tale about the origin of the Vietnamese people. It helps us understand more about the nation, the land, and the people of Vietnam, while celebrating the nation's extraordinary spirit of solidarity. This will forever remain a beautiful and significant story in Vietnam's folklore.

Among the vast collection of Vietnamese folk tales, my favorite is the story of "The Dragon and the Fairy Descendants." The legend of "The Dragon and the Fairy Descendants" or "The Legend of the Hundred Eggs" tells the fascinating origin story of the Vietnamese people, featuring divine figures and magical elements like the hundred eggs which make it one of the most beautiful and meaningful legends in Vietnamese folklore, symbolizing the noble ancestry of the Vietnamese race.

Lạc Long Quân and Âu Cơ are figures born from the rich imagination of ancient Vietnamese people. Their story is filled with remarkable and unique details. Lạc Long Quân is the son of the dragon goddess Long Nữ from the Eastern Sea, while Âu Cơ is from the divine family of Thần Nông, living in the northern highlands. Both are described as being exceptionally beautiful. Lạc Long Quân's beauty lies in his talents; as a dragon, he can live both in water and on land, possessing extraordinary strength and the ability to defeat evil creatures like Ngư Tinh, Hồ Tinh, and Mộc Tinh to protect the people. He is also known for his kindness, teaching people how to farm and care for animals.

Âu Cơ, a stunningly beautiful fairy, enjoys traveling. When she heard of the fragrant flowers and strange herbs in Lạc's land, she decided to visit and unexpectedly met Lạc Long Quân. The legend captivates listeners with its magical and serendipitous details: a dragon from the water falls in love with a fairy from the mountains, leading to their union. This symbolizes the blending of two key elements of the newly formed Vietnamese community.

During the reign of Hùng Vương, the population of Văn Lang primarily consisted of Lạc Việt and Âu Việt people, who frequently interacted through cultural and economic exchanges. The mythical marriage between Lạc Long Quân and Âu Cơ reflects the unity of these two tribes.

The story of "The Dragon and the Fairy Descendants" depicts the formation of the Lạc Việt kingdom at the dawn of Vietnamese history, marked by key moments such as the eldest son of Lạc Long Quân and Âu Cơ being crowned king under the name Hùng Vương. He established the capital at Phong Châu and named the country Văn Lang. The court included both civilian and military officials... After the king's death, the throne was passed down to his eldest son, continuing for several generations under the title Hùng Vương, which remained unchanged. This marked the beginning of the Vietnamese people's era of independence, often referred to as the era of the Hùng Kings.

The legend explains that the Vietnamese people are descendants of both the Dragon and the Fairy. Our ancestors were strong, talented, beautiful, and virtuous. The marriage of Lạc Long Quân and Âu Cơ is portrayed as a destined union, resulting in a miraculous birth: Âu Cơ gave birth to a pouch containing one hundred eggs, which hatched into one hundred healthy, beautiful children. These children grew without needing to be nursed, their appearance and strength resembling that of divine beings. This miraculous birth is deeply symbolic.

The image of the pouch containing one hundred eggs holds a sacred meaning, emphasizing that all the people living on Vietnamese soil share the same mother. This fosters a sense of unity among the various ethnic groups. The phrase "đồng bào" (brothers and sisters) captures this profound, heartfelt bond among the people.

The story of Lạc Long Quân's separation from Âu Cơ, with fifty children following him to the sea and the other fifty accompanying their mother to the mountains, not only explains their differing lifestyles but also the settlement patterns of the various ethnic groups in ancient Vietnam. Since the early days of nation-building, our ancestors made efforts to organize and divide the land. People settled in different regions, from the mountains to the plains and the coasts, and helped one another during times of need. This has been a core value of solidarity throughout the thousands of years of Vietnamese history.

The legend of "The Dragon and the Fairy Descendants" is a remarkable tale in the collection of Vietnamese folk stories. It represents the pride and reverence for our noble origins, while celebrating the close-knit relationships and long-standing unity among the ethnic groups living in Vietnam. Regardless of where we are, we always remember our roots and take pride in being descendants of the Dragon and Fairy, and the children of the Hùng Kings.

For generations, countless students have learned about the egg pouch of Mother Âu Cơ in the legendary story of the Dragon and Fairy descendants. That egg pouch is none other than the entire Vietnamese people, with diverse regions and unique cultural identities. Today, I, too, am one of the thousands of students who once again hear our teacher explain the profound significance of this tale.

Through rich imagination, the people created the figures of Âu Cơ and Lạc Long Quân. Lạc Long Quân, son of the Dragon Lady from the Eastern Sea (the South China Sea), and Âu Cơ, a descendant of the Divine Farmer, from the northern mountainous regions. Each deity possesses distinct beauty; Lạc Long Quân's beauty is marked by his talent. With a dragon’s form, he can live both in water and on land, possesses unmatched strength, and has many miracles, subduing monsters that harm the people. He is also compassionate, teaching people how to farm, raise animals, and live with virtue.

The two met by chance, fell in love, and married. Soon after, Âu Cơ gave birth to a pouch of a hundred eggs, which hatched into a hundred healthy and beautiful children. These children grew rapidly without need of feeding, their faces radiant, strong like deities. The divine imprint is clearly evident in this birth. Upon parting, fifty children followed their mother to the sea, while the other fifty followed their father to the mountains. Every detail in the story is purposefully placed and has its own deeper meaning.

The images of Lạc Long Quân (symbolizing the Lạc Việt tribe) and Âu Cơ (representing the Âu Việt tribe) embody beauty and goodness. Despite their different origins, their sincere love united them. This marriage was created with the spirit of wanting harmony and unity between the two tribes of the time.

Most importantly, the egg pouch that Âu Cơ gave birth to is the most precious and sacred symbol in the story. The egg pouch represents all the Vietnamese people. Despite the separation, whether one goes to the mountains or the sea, with differing customs, all are descendants of the same pouch, born from one mother. This image adds intrigue to the tale but also conveys the ancestral wisdom: Love and support each other because, no matter the differences, we share the same bloodline, heritage, and origin.

The separation also explains the settlement distribution of the different ethnic groups in the Lạc Việt lands. From the very beginning of nation-building, our people already began organizing the territory. The vast land was divided among the people, with some settling in mountains, others in plains, or by the sea... establishing their homes everywhere. In times of need, they came together, offering mutual assistance.

Through beautiful imagery, the story expresses pride in the noble origins of our nation. It also teaches the younger generations to live with virtue and love for one another. This lesson has further deepened my understanding of human compassion and the value of solidarity, as we care for each other, regardless of our positions in life.

We, the Vietnamese people, are a proud and sovereign nation, with red blood and yellow skin. We take great pride in remembering our roots and reflecting on the history that has shaped us. We eagerly share this history with the world through various means such as the press, media, and oral storytelling. But above all, the most enduring and valuable medium for doing so is through the age-old prose and poetry that have preserved our heritage. The story of the Dragon and the Fairy is one of the most beautiful and revered myths.

There are countless other folk tales and historical stories that have left deep imprints on the hearts and minds of the Vietnamese people, like the Legend of the Dragon and Fairy or the myth of the hundred eggs, Lạc Long Quân and Âu Cơ... These tales, though born of fantasy, carry a timeless endurance, captivating with their imaginative details and legendary characters that keep listeners enthralled until the very end.

The title is fitting and well-suited to the tale. The extraordinary elements of the story are narrated with the help of external circumstances, but more importantly, the central figures in the tale, Lạc Long Quân and Âu Cơ, symbolize the essence of the Vietnamese people: the strong, heroic nation that has endured for generations. While they are fictional figures, their imagery conveys the heartfelt wishes of the ancient people, making them both extraordinary and yet deeply familiar and beloved.

We are given the opportunity to trace our origins with curiosity and boundless pride. The union of Lạc Long Quân and Âu Cơ represents a sacred collaboration between the mountains and the sea. Lạc Long Quân is the son of Long Nữ, a sea goddess from the East Sea, while Âu Cơ hails from the divine Thần Nông lineage, living in the northern mountain regions. Their exceptional talents and unique beauty are perfectly complementary, as Lạc Long Quân is portrayed as a figure of strength and magic, capable of living both on land and in water, and guarding the people from evil spirits, while Âu Cơ is renowned for her kindness and dedication to teaching the people agriculture and good manners.

The story begins when these two remarkable beings meet. Âu Cơ, a beautiful fairy, encounters her soulmate, Lạc Long Quân, during a walk through the wild, enchanted by the beautiful flowers, animals, and strange sights she discovers. From that moment, they are bound by a deep love that transcends time.

The story is not simply about a fateful meeting, but about the profound symbolism within this union. It embodies the blending of the elements of earth and sky, which together created a powerful, resilient, and extraordinary Vietnamese people. The tale continues with meticulous detail, laying the foundation for the history of a strong and enduring nation: The eldest son of Âu Cơ ascends to the throne as the first Hung King, establishing his capital at Phong Châu and naming the country Văn Lang. Early in the history of the nation, order was established with military and civil leaders, and the throne passed from father to eldest son for generations, always carrying the title of Hung Vương. Thus began a glorious era of independence and sovereignty.

This explanation of our origins affirms that all 54 ethnic groups living on the S-shaped land of Vietnam are children of the same mother, bound by a deep, inseparable bond. The term “compatriots” is truly fitting, for it is sacred and everlasting. The marriage of Lạc Long Quân and Âu Cơ, though extraordinary, produced a miraculous result: a hundred eggs, from which emerged one hundred beautiful, healthy children, growing strong and fast, as if by divine intervention.

The separation of the family into two groups, with Âu Cơ taking fifty children to the mountains and Lạc Long Quân taking the other fifty to the sea, was for practical reasons—different environments and lifestyles. This division also explains the geographical distribution of Vietnam’s ethnic groups across its vast territory, each group settling in different regions to establish their livelihoods and contribute to the strength of the nation, all while continuing to help one another in times of difficulty.

This remarkable story teaches us the importance of unity—a glorious tradition of the Vietnamese people. It reminds us that we are born from love and kindness, with the divine stamp of the gods embedded in our veins. Our responsibility is to preserve and inherit this legacy, no matter where we live, always remembering our origins and honoring those who contributed to the greatness of our nation.

In our nation's treasure of folk tales, there are countless stories that explain the traditions and origins of our people. Among them, the "Dragon and Fairy" myth stands out as a significant and meaningful legend for our nation, explaining the origins of the Vietnamese people.

This myth, rooted in mythology, contains many fantastical and imaginary elements that portray characters with special abilities and forms. The characters of Lac Long Quan and Au Co are the result of human imagination, reflecting the creative power of the people as they contemplated the origins of their nation.

Lac Long Quan, the son of the Dragon Queen from the Eastern Sea, and Au Co, of the Shennong clan from the northern mountains, each have their unique qualities. Lac Long Quan embodies the strength and beauty of a dragon, capable of living both on land and in water, symbolizing bravery and resilience. Au Co, a beautiful and virtuous fairy, loves to travel and discover new places, always seeking out scenic wonders. During one of her travels, Au Co met Lac Long Quan, and they fell in love and married. Soon, Au Co gave birth to a large batch of dragon eggs, which hatched into one hundred sons.

After living together for some time, both realized that their union could not last. Lac Long Quan, who had always lived in the sea, found it difficult to adapt to life on land, while Au Co, from the mountainous north, could not follow him to the sea. As a result, they parted ways, each taking fifty sons—one group going to the mountains, the other to the sea—to start new lives.

The "Dragon and Fairy" myth reflects the origins of the Vietnamese people. Both Lac Long Quan and Au Co are depicted as individuals with noble and revered heritage, emphasizing the importance of their descent. The image of Au Co giving birth to one hundred dragon eggs is a sacred symbol, representing the idea that all Vietnamese, no matter where they are, are brothers and sisters, united by a common ancestry. It affirms the shared bloodline that binds people in the same nation, whether living in the mountains or by the sea, all carrying the dragon and fairy bloodline, reminding us to help and protect one another to honor our heritage.

The act of Lac Long Quan and Au Co each leading fifty sons to govern different lands is significant, as it symbolizes the unity of people spread across the country, bound by a common heritage and bloodline.

The "Dragon and Fairy" legend is an exceptional story in our nation's folklore, explaining the origin of our people and strengthening the unity of the nation. It reminds us, the descendants, to remember our roots and live in a way that honors the legacy of the dragon and fairy within us, no matter where we go or live.

Every nation in the world has its own explanations about the origins of its people, and Vietnam is no exception. To explain its origins, the Vietnamese people have a rich and unique collection of legends. One of the most famous and significant myths in explaining the origins of the Vietnamese people is the legend of "The Dragon and the Fairy".

"The Dragon and the Fairy" emerged from the imagination of the Vietnamese people to explain the origin and ancestry of the Vietnamese nation. Lạc Long Quân and Âu Cơ are descendants of the immortals. Lạc Long Quân is the son of the Dragon Goddess from the East Sea, a deity with the power and strength of a dragon, capable of defeating monsters to protect the people. Âu Cơ, on the other hand, belongs to the noble Thần Nông lineage and lived in the northern highlands, known for her exceptional beauty and love of traveling the world to discover exotic flowers and landscapes.

In a picturesque natural setting, Âu Cơ and Lạc Long Quân met and fell in love. Captivated by each other's beauty and talents, they became husband and wife. Shortly after, Âu Cơ became pregnant, and miraculously, when she gave birth, she produced a bag containing one hundred eggs, from which hatched one hundred strong and beautiful children. This miraculous birth symbolizes the pride and noble origins of the Vietnamese people, reinforcing the idea that the entire nation shares one father and one mother—Lạc Long Quân and Âu Cơ, both revered deities. This myth confirms the noble ancestry of the Vietnamese people as descendants of dragons and fairies.

Having lived under the sea for so long, Lạc Long Quân missed the ocean, so he suggested to Âu Cơ that she take fifty of their children to the mountains while he would lead the other fifty to the sea, each group governing their respective territories but supporting one another whenever needed. This reflects a deep sense of community, where even though the people ruled different regions, they all shared the same ancestry and were part of the same family. This unity is sacred, emphasizing the importance of solidarity, helping one another, and overcoming adversity together.

The legend of "The Dragon and the Fairy" not only explains the noble origins of the Vietnamese people but also honors the contributions of Lạc Long Quân and Âu Cơ in expanding and building the nation. By taking fifty children to the mountains and fifty to the sea, they expanded the territory and ensured the prosperity of their people. Additionally, they helped improve agriculture, livestock farming, and cultural practices. Lạc Long Quân is said to have helped the people defeat the evil sea creatures and taught them how to cultivate, raise animals, and live harmoniously. Âu Cơ is credited with initiating the era of the Hùng Kings, bringing about a time of peace and prosperity.

The text incorporates elements of imagination and the supernatural to explain the origins of the Vietnamese people. The divine ancestry of Lạc Long Quân and Âu Cơ emphasizes the elevated status of the nation, while celebrating the achievements of those who founded and expanded the country.

The story ends on a note of great pride, highlighting the lasting legacy of the Vietnamese origins. The myth of "The Dragon and the Fairy" will forever be passed down through generations, reminding future generations to honor the sacred heritage of the Vietnamese people.

“Long ago, Mother Âu Cơ gave birth to a hundred children. Fifty went to the sea and fifty to the mountains. Today, millions of descendants are united by the same love for the land and the water, like flowers from the same root, like children from the same family”… These lyrics were written by musician Phạm Tuyên, inspired by the folk tale “The Dragon and the Fairy,” a legendary story explaining the origin of our people, the formation of our nation, and the heroic struggles of the Hùng Kings.

A myth is a type of folk tale about figures and events tied to ancient history, often filled with fantastical elements, reflecting the people's perspectives and judgments. Lạc Long Quân, the legendary figure, is portrayed as a god “born from a dragon, the son of the sea goddess Long Nữ.” He lived mostly underwater but would sometimes visit the land, possessing great strength and performing miracles. Lạc Long Quân helped people by defeating creatures like Ngư Tinh, Hồ Tinh, and Mộc Tinh—beasts and evil spirits that harmed human life. He also taught people how to cultivate the land, raise animals, and live properly. Afterward, Lạc Long Quân returned to the sea, only appearing when needed.

Âu Cơ, a fairy from the “Shen Nong family, with an ethereal beauty,” heard of the exotic flowers and herbs from the land of Lạc, so she came to visit. There, she met Lạc Long Quân, and they fell in love and married, living together in the palace of Long Trang. Both were of noble origins, symbolizing revered figures—the Dragon and the Fairy. In Vietnamese culture, the Dragon is a sacred and honored animal, while the Fairy represents unparalleled beauty and grace. Through the characters of Lạc Long Quân and Âu Cơ, the Vietnamese people celebrate their heritage, reflecting the deep pride in their ethnic origins and identity.

One famous detail in the legend is that Âu Cơ gave birth to a pouch of a hundred eggs, which hatched into one hundred perfectly healthy children. This fantastic imagery of eggs hatching into strong, healthy children symbolizes the myth’s connection to the origins of the Vietnamese people. Everyone in Vietnam is said to have descended from the hundred eggs of Âu Cơ, which symbolizes unity. This origin story emphasizes that all Vietnamese people are siblings, working together in harmony and solidarity to build a strong nation, resisting foreign invaders throughout history. This unity is beautifully encapsulated in the folk verse:

“Bầu ơi thương lấy bí cùng

Tuy rằng khác giống nhưng chung một giàn”

The strength of unity has allowed the Vietnamese people to grow, develop, and integrate with the global community today.

“The eldest son of Âu Cơ was crowned king and known as Hùng Vương, establishing his capital in Phong Châu and naming the country Văn Lang,” marking the foundation of the nation. The royal court was filled with both civil and military leaders, and the king’s children were titled “lang” (sons) and “mị nương” (daughters). When the king passed away, the throne was inherited by the eldest son, continuing the lineage of Hùng Vương for many generations. The story of Lạc Long Quân and Âu Cơ has become a source of national pride, especially during the annual celebrations of the Hùng Kings’ death anniversary on the 10th of the third lunar month. This ritual has been recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage, reminding all Vietnamese people of their origin and the importance of unity:

“No matter where we go, remember the tenth of March, the memorial day for our ancestors.”

The myth of “The Dragon and the Fairy” not only explains the origins of the Vietnamese people but also highlights the tradition of national unity. The magical elements within the tale contribute to its appeal, making it a powerful cultural narrative.

The Vietnamese people have a rich and diverse treasure of legends, often focused on explaining the origins of humanity, natural phenomena, and more. To explain the birth of the Lạc Hồng lineage, we must mention the legend of 'The Dragon and Fairy Ancestors'.

Lạc Long Quân and Âu Cơ are the central figures in this legend, characters created by folklore imagination. These two figures are portrayed by the folk authors as powerful and noble beings.

Lạc Long Quân is a sea god, a dragon with exceptional abilities and strength. He frequently assisted the people, not only by protecting them but also by teaching them agriculture. For this, he was widely adored. Âu Cơ, on the other hand, was a beautiful maiden, the daughter of the agricultural god, who loved nature and was drawn to the land of Lạc Việt, known for its fragrant flowers and lush beauty. It was here that the two met, fell in love, and were united in marriage.

Shortly after their marriage, Âu Cơ became pregnant, and when she gave birth, miraculously, she delivered a pouch containing one hundred eggs, from which hatched one hundred strong and beautiful children. This extraordinary event symbolizes the unity and nobility of the Vietnamese people, with the belief that they all share a common ancestor in Lạc Long Quân and Âu Cơ, the revered dragon and fairy ancestors. It is through this myth that the Vietnamese people assert their noble heritage, claiming to be descendants of dragons and fairies.

Furthermore, the legend embodies a strong sense of community, illustrated by the division of the one hundred children into two groups: fifty went to the mountains, and fifty to the sea, each ruling different regions and helping one another when needed. Thus, the Vietnamese people, no matter where they live, share a common origin, from the eggs of Âu Cơ. The term 'fellow citizens' is sacred, symbolizing unity and the shared destiny of the nation. It encourages love, solidarity, and nation-building.

The myth also highlights the contributions of Lạc Long Quân and Âu Cơ in expanding and establishing the country's boundaries. They helped distribute the population across the land and facilitated cultural development. Lạc Long Quân fought against mythical creatures like Ngư Tinh, Hồ Tinh, and Mộc Tinh, while teaching the people farming and living skills. Âu Cơ is credited with founding the era of the Hung Kings, ushering in a time of peace and prosperity.

This work uses various fantastical elements to explain the origin of the Vietnamese people, emphasizing the divine and noble origins of Lạc Long Quân and Âu Cơ. It honors their role in the creation of the Vietnamese nation and the expansion of its territory.

The legend of the Dragon and Fairy Ancestors, with its captivating and mythical details, is a significant part of our culture. It instills pride in the noble origin of our people and gratitude for the two deities who shaped and expanded the nation. At the same time, it reinforces the traditional values of unity and mutual care within the Vietnamese people.

In the rich collection of Vietnamese folk tales, my favorite is the story of the Dragon and the Fairy. The legend of the Dragon and the Fairy, or the Hundred Eggs Tale, along with the myth of Lac Long Quan and Au Co, is one of the most enchanting and meaningful stories. It is a myth filled with imaginative details like the divine figures performing miraculous deeds and the symbolic image of the hundred-egg pouch, transforming this story into one of the most beautiful and significant myths, explaining and glorifying the noble origins of the Vietnamese people.

Lac Long Quan and Au Co are products of the vivid and boundless imagination of our ancestors. Their depiction is made from extraordinary elements: Lac Long Quan, the son of the Dragon Lady from the East Sea (the South China Sea), and Au Co, a fairy from the highlands in the north. Each deity possesses a unique beauty. Lac Long Quan’s beauty highlights his strength, with a dragon-shaped body, the ability to live both on land and in water, unbeatable strength, and miraculous powers that vanquish monsters (like the Fish Demon, the Tiger Demon, and the Wood Demon), all while being compassionate towards humans, teaching them farming and how to live harmoniously. Au Co, on the other hand, is a fairy of extraordinary beauty. She loves traveling and hearing about the fragrant flowers and rare herbs in the land of Lac, so she travels there and serendipitously meets Lac Long Quan.

The story captivates its listeners with random yet astonishing details: a dragon in the water meets a fairy on the high mountain, falls in love, and marries. This symbolizes the union of two essential components of the newly-formed Vietnamese community.

During the time of the Hung Kings, the people of Van Lang were primarily made up of the Lac Viet and Au Viet tribes. They interacted with each other economically and culturally. The mythical marriage between Lac Long Quan and Au Co reflects the new unity between these two tribes.

The story of the Dragon and the Fairy explains the origins of the Vietnamese people, who are the children of the Dragon and the Fairy. Our ancestors were two strong, talented, beautiful, and virtuous deities. Their union produced a pouch of one hundred eggs, which hatched into a hundred beautiful, healthy children who grew up incredibly quickly and looked strong like deities. This miraculous birth leaves an indelible mark of divinity.

The image of the hundred-egg pouch carries a very sacred symbolic meaning. It affirms that all the ethnic groups living on Vietnamese soil are born from the same mother, establishing a deep familial bond between these groups. The term 'brothers and sisters' (sharing the same pouch) evokes a strong and emotional connection of unity.

The tale of Lac Long Quan parting with Au Co, taking fifty children to the sea, while the other fifty followed their mother to the mountains, was told not only to explain their differing lifestyles but also the settlement patterns of the Vietnamese people. From the very beginning, our people were engaged in organizing their land: some lived in the mountains, others in the plains or by the sea. When important matters arose, they would come together, helping one another. This reflects the long-standing tradition of solidarity in our nation’s history.

The story of the Dragon and the Fairy is an extraordinary folk tale that embodies the pride and reverence we feel for the noble origins of our nation. It also celebrates and glorifies the close relationships and long-standing unity among the diverse ethnic groups that inhabit Vietnam. Wherever we may live, we always remember our roots and take pride in being descendants of the Dragon and the Fairy, the children of the Hung Kings.