Thousand of years ago, under the Dynasty of Hung Vuong XVIII, all people were living
in peace and prosperity. Emperor Hung Vuong had a beautiful daughter whose name was My Nuong.
The beauty of the princess became so well-known that several suitors wished to become
prince consort. Among the suitors were the Spirit of the Moutain and the Spirit of the Sea.
The Spirit of the Sea reigned over the seas. He was also handsome, very rich, very
powerful, but had a hot temper.
One day, when the princess came of age, the Emperor wanted to select a good prince
consort for the princess.
As soon as the news of the selection spread over the country, several suitors presented
themselves to the court in the hope of being chosen.
Hower, there remained only two suitors who had equal talents and qualifications. They
were the Spirit of the Mountain and the Spirit of the Sea.
The Emperor was so puzzled that he did not know which of them to select.
After a moment of reflection, he decided:
"Early tomorrow, whoever of you comes first will be given the hand of the princess."
Both withdrew from the court with the hope of marrying the beautiful princess.
Back at the mountain, his homeland, the Spirit of the Mountain collected all his jewelry and
riches to bring back to the court to offer the Emperor a present for his marriage.
The Spirit of the Sea also colled all the precious jewlry and the riches of the sea. The
Spirit of the Sea was so confident of himself that he offered a copious banquet the night before
he went back to the court.
In the early morning of the follwing day, the Spirit of the Moutain presented himself first
and at the court with all his jewelry. The Emperor was very satisfied and gave consent to the
Spirit of the Moutain to marry his daughter.
As soon as the Spirit of the Moutain left the court with his princess, the Spirit of the Sea
arrived. He was informed that the Spirit of the Moutain, who came first, had married the princess.
At this news, the Spirit of the Sea looked sad and became very angry.
He decided to make war and take the princess for himself.
The Spirit of the Sea mobilized all the forcess of the sea and started a war against the Spirit
of the Moutain. He raised the level of the sea, and caused storms and thunder with the aim of
destroying the Spirit of the Mountain's land.
On the other hand, to save the princess's life, the Spirit of the Moutain also raised the mountiain
level as high as he could. The war between the two spirits lasted for days and there was not a winner
on either side. Tired of the war, the Spirit of the Sea had to withdraw temporarily, but decided
not to give up. so every year, he started the war again against the Spirit of the Moutain.
Every time the war came, People suffered from the loss lives and the ruin of property and crops.
Since then, Vietnamese have belived that the storms and floods that happen every year in the
months of July and August are the resulf of the battle between the two spirits.