SON TINH - THUY TINH

Sơn Tinh is one of The Four Immortals in traditional Vietnamese mythology. He is the god of Ba Vi mountain range.

In the Vietnamese Mythology "Son Tinh - Thuy Tinh", Son Tinh fights his mortal enemy Thuy Tinh over My Nuong, the beautiful princess of Hung Vuong, the 18th King.

The Myth:

Hung Vuong, the 18th King of the Hong Bang Dynasty, had a very beautiful daughter named My Nuong. When she grew up and became a woman, the King began his search to arrange her marriage. He wanted to find a special son-in-law, someone who was intelligent, handsome, and talented for his beloved daughter. To find such an individual, the King held an official contest. Anyone who could prove his worthiness, would be given the hand of his daughter. Princes, scholars, famous writers, gifted artists, wealthy businessmen, and men with various talents from everywhere came to try their best. Among them were two extraordinary men: Son Tinh, the Mountain God, and Thuy Tinh, Lord of the Waters.

King Hung Vuong requested both to showcase their powers. Sơn Tinh waved his hand in the air and trees instantly grew from the ground to make a forest. He just said a magic word and mountains rose from the earth. Thuy Tinh also had similar powers. When he waved his hand, the winds began to blow. When he spoke a magic word, the sea level elevated.

However, as both Son Tinh and Thuy Tinh met all the criteria required to become My Nuong's husband, it was difficult to choose between them. Eventually, the King decided to present one final challenge. The first man to arrive with specially selected wedding gifts the next day would be granted permission to marry the princess. These unique wedding gifts included a nine-tusk elephant, a nine-spur cockerel, and a nine-mane horse. Early the next morning, as the sun came up, Sơn Tinh arrived first, married My Nuong and took her back to the Tan Vien Mountain, where he lived.

Thuy Tinh came a few minutes afterward. Upon realizing that he was too late, he became extremely furious. He and his servants chased after Son Tinh to take My Nuong back. Unwilling to accept defeat, he summoned torrential rain, gusty winds, thunder and lightning, and also brought the sea level higher, to defeat Son Tinh. However, as the sea level rose, Son Tinh used his magic to raise the height of the mountains as a counter-measure. Everyone suffered the rage of Thủy Tinh as the floods he caused destroyed land, crops, and houses. To protect the people, their properties, and belongings, Son Tinh created dikes to shield from the rising sea.

This battle between the two Lords lasted for countless days but eventually, Thuy Tinh became weary and lowered the sea level. He never, however, forgave Son Tinh nor let go of his desire for revenge to get My Nuong back. Thus, every year, people have to suffer floods as a consequence of Thuy Tinh's eternal vindictiveness.