The Story of Thach Sanh

Once upon a time, there was an elderly woodcutter and his wife who had no children. They were deeply saddened by this and dedicated themselves to doing good deeds, such as digging canals, building roads, cleaning wells, and offering water to travelers, hoping that heaven would bless them with a child. Eventually, the wife conceived, but she remained pregnant for three years without giving birth. During this time, her husband passed away. Soon after, she gave birth to a handsome son and named him Thach Sanh. A few years later, she also passed away, leaving Thach Sanh an orphan. He lived alone in a small hut under a banyan tree, with only a loincloth and an axe for cutting wood.

When Thach Sanh was thirteen years old, the Jade Emperor (Emperor of Heaven) sent an immortal to teach him martial arts and magical skills.

One day, a wine merchant named Ly Thong passed by and stopped to rest. Seeing that Thach Sanh was strong but orphaned, Ly Thong thought he could take advantage of him. He befriended Thach Sanh and invited him to live with him as his sworn brother.

At that time, there was an evil serpent demon that devoured humans. The king had sent many soldiers to kill it, but the creature possessed great magic, making it impossible to defeat. In the end, the king had to build a shrine for it and offer a human sacrifice every year. That year, it was Ly Thong’s turn to be sacrificed. Upon hearing this, Ly Thong and his mother devised a plan to trick Thach Sanh into going instead. That evening, when Thach Sanh returned from chopping wood, Ly Thong treated him to a feast and said,
“Tonight, I must stand guard at the shrine as ordered by the king, but I have a batch of wine brewing at home. Could you take my place just for one night?”

Thach Sanh, unsuspecting, agreed.

At midnight, a cold wind blew through the shrine, and suddenly, the serpent demon appeared, baring its fangs and breathing fire, ready to devour Thach Sanh. However, Thach Sanh remained calm, fought the monster fiercely, and eventually slew it. The creature transformed back into a giant snake. Thach Sanh took its head and returned home before dawn.

When he knocked on the door, Ly Thong and his mother, thinking it was Thach Sanh’s ghost seeking revenge, knelt in fear and prayed for forgiveness. Thach Sanh told them about the serpent’s defeat. Ly Thong, seeing an opportunity, cunningly told Thach Sanh that the serpent had been the king’s pet and that killing it was a crime punishable by death. He advised Thach Sanh to flee, while he himself hurried to the capital to take credit for slaying the monster. As a reward, the king appointed Ly Thong as Grand Commander.

The Rescue of the Princess

Meanwhile, the king’s daughter was searching for a husband. Royal decrees were sent throughout the kingdom and neighboring lands, but she found no one to her liking. One day, while strolling in the palace garden, a giant eagle demon swooped down and carried her away.

Coincidentally, as the eagle flew over the banyan tree where Thach Sanh was resting, he saw it and shot an arrow into its wing. The injured eagle continued flying, leaving behind a trail of blood. Thach Sanh tracked it to a hidden cave and marked the entrance before returning.

Upon hearing that the princess had vanished, the king was devastated and ordered Ly Thong to find her, promising that whoever rescued her would marry her and inherit the throne. Ly Thong, desperate, devised a plan to host a grand festival, hoping to gather clues. For nine days, he listened, but no one mentioned the eagle demon.

News of the festival reached Thach Sanh, who came to watch. Upon meeting him, Ly Thong expressed his frustration about failing to find the princess. Naively, Thach Sanh recounted his encounter with the eagle demon. Ly Thong, overjoyed, asked Thach Sanh to lead him and his soldiers to the cave.

Thach Sanh bravely volunteered to descend into the cave alone. There, he found the princess imprisoned. He gave her a sleeping potion and instructed her to trick the eagle into drinking it. Once the beast was unconscious, Thach Sanh tied the princess to a rope, signaling Ly Thong to pull her up. However, as Thach Sanh prepared to climb out, Ly Thong ordered the cave entrance to be sealed, abandoning him inside.

The eagle soon awakened, furious to find the princess gone. It roared, shaking the cave walls. Thach Sanh fought it fiercely and ultimately slew the beast.

While exploring the cave, Thach Sanh discovered a golden cage containing a young man—the son of the Dragon King of the sea, who had been imprisoned by the eagle for a year. Thach Sanh broke the cage with a golden bow and freed the prince. In gratitude, the Dragon King invited Thach Sanh to his underwater palace and offered him treasures. However, Thach Sanh only asked for a magical lute as a keepsake before returning to the surface.

The Truth Revealed

After slaying the serpent and the eagle demon, Thach Sanh returned to find that Ly Thong had claimed credit for the princess’s rescue and was preparing to marry her. The princess, traumatized by her ordeal, had not spoken a word since her return.

One day, Thach Sanh played the magic lute, and upon hearing it, the princess miraculously regained her speech. She revealed the truth, exposing Ly Thong’s betrayal. The furious king sentenced Ly Thong and his mother to death, but Thach Sanh, merciful as ever, pleaded for their lives. Instead, the king banished them from the kingdom. However, on their journey home, they were struck by lightning and turned into ashes.

The king then honored Thach Sanh by marrying him to Princess Quynh Nga, and their wedding was the grandest the kingdom had ever seen.

The Enchanted Rice Pot

Hearing of the wedding, eighteen vassal states, whose princes had been rejected by the princess, became enraged and declared war. The king prepared for battle, but Thach Sanh requested to face them alone. He took his magical lute and played a melody so enchanting that the enemy soldiers lost all will to fight and surrendered.

Thach Sanh then set up a feast for the defeated soldiers. However, he served them only a tiny pot of rice. The soldiers mocked him, but Thach Sanh challenged them to eat until the pot was empty. To their amazement, no matter how much they ate, the pot kept refilling. Overwhelmed, they acknowledged Thach Sanh’s power, bowed in submission, and peacefully returned to their homelands.

Thus, Thach Sanh not only won battles through strength and skill but also through compassion and wisdom, becoming one of the most revered heroes in Vietnamese folklore.

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Bilingual edition:

Ngày xưa có vợ chồng bác tiều phu tuổi đã cao mà không có con.
Once upon a time, there was an elderly woodcutter and his wife who had no children.

Vợ chồng ngày đêm lo buồn, càng ra sức làm việc nghĩa, như khơi cống, đào mương, đắp đường, vét giếng, cùng lo nấu nước giúp cho người qua đường uống, để mong trời trông lại mà cho một mụn con.
They were deeply saddened by this and dedicated themselves to doing good deeds, such as digging canals, building roads, cleaning wells, and offering water to travelers, hoping that heaven would bless them with a child.

Về sau người vợ thụ thai, nhưng ba năm chưa đẻ.
Eventually, the wife conceived, but she remained pregnant for three years without giving birth.

Giữa lúc đó, người chồng mất, người vợ sinh hạ một đứa con trai khôi ngô tuấn tú, đặt tên là Thạch Sanh.
During this time, her husband passed away. Soon after, she gave birth to a handsome son and named him Thach Sanh.

Sau đó mấy năm, bà cũng mất nốt, Thạch Sanh từ đó sống côi cút trong một túp lều dưới gốc đa, chỉ có một cái khố che thân và một cái búa đốn củi.
A few years later, she also passed away, leaving Thach Sanh an orphan. He lived alone in a small hut under a banyan tree, with only a loincloth and an axe for cutting wood.

Năm Thạch Sanh mười ba tuổi, Ngọc Hoàng sai tiên xuống dạy chàng đủ các môn võ nghệ, mọi phép thần thông.
When Thach Sanh was thirteen years old, the Jade Emperor sent an immortal to teach him martial arts and magical skills.

Một hôm, có anh hàng rượu tên là Lý Thông đi ngang qua đó ghé lại nghỉ chân.
One day, a wine merchant named Ly Thong passed by and stopped to rest.

Thấy Thạch Sanh khỏe mạnh, lại mồ côi, có thể lợi dụng được, bèn kết nghĩa làm anh em, rồi đưa Thạch Sanh về nhà.
Seeing that Thach Sanh was strong but orphaned, Ly Thong thought he could take advantage of him. He befriended Thach Sanh and invited him to live with him as his sworn brother.

Bấy giờ có một con trăn tinh thường bắt người ăn thịt, quan quân mấy lần vây đánh nhưng nó nhiều phép thần thông, nên không ai làm gì được; nhà vua đành truyền lập miếu thờ, và cứ hàng năm phải nộp cho nó một mạng người.
At that time, there was an evil serpent demon that devoured humans. The king had sent many soldiers to kill it, but the creature possessed great magic, making it impossible to defeat. In the end, the king had to build a shrine for it and offer a human sacrifice every year.

Năm ấy đến lượt Lý Thông phải đi nộp mình.
That year, it was Ly Thong’s turn to be sacrificed.

Mẹ con nghe tin, hoảng hốt, bàn định mưu kế đưa Thạch Sanh đi chết thay.
Upon hearing this, Ly Thong and his mother devised a plan to trick Thach Sanh into going instead.

Chiều hôm đó Thạch Sanh đi đốn củi về thì Lý Thông đãi rượu, rồi bảo: “Hôm nay có việc quan trọng, triều đình cắt phiên cho anh đi canh miếu thờ, ngặt vì anh trót cất mẻ rượu, sợ hỏng việc ở nhà; mong em chịu khó đi thay anh một đêm.”
That evening, when Thach Sanh returned from chopping wood, Ly Thong treated him to a feast and said, “Tonight, I must stand guard at the shrine as ordered by the king, but I have a batch of wine brewing at home. Could you take my place just for one night?”

Thạch Sanh không nghi ngờ gì cả, thuận đi ngay.
Thach Sanh, unsuspecting, agreed.

Nửa đêm, giữa khu rừng, bỗng gió thổi cây rung, không khí lạnh buốt, Trăn tinh hiện ra, giơ vuốt nhe nanh, hà hơi tóe lửa, sấn đến định ăn thịt Thạch Sanh.
At midnight, a cold wind blew through the shrine, and suddenly, the serpent demon appeared, baring its fangs and breathing fire, ready to devour Thach Sanh.

Thạch Sanh bình tĩnh, hoá phép đánh nhau với Trăn tinh, hồi lâu thì yêu quái bị giết chết, hoá ra một con trăn lớn.
However, Thach Sanh remained calm, fought the monster fiercely, and eventually slew it. The creature transformed back into a giant snake.

Thạch Sanh chặt lấy đầu mang về.
Thach Sanh took its head and returned home.

Ðến nhà thì hết canh ba.
When he knocked on the door, it was nearly dawn.

Thạch Sanh gọi cửa, mẹ con Lý Thông ngỡ là hồn Thạch Sanh hiện về báo oán, ở trong nhà mẹ con cứ lạy lục, khấn vái mãi.
When he knocked on the door, Ly Thong and his mother, thinking it was Thach Sanh’s ghost seeking revenge, knelt in fear and prayed for forgiveness.

Thạch Sanh kể chuyện giết trăn cho mẹ con Lý Thông nghe.
Thach Sanh told them about the serpent’s defeat.

Lý Thông nghe xong, nảy ra một mưu thâm độc.
After hearing the story, Ly Thong devised a sinister plan.

Nó dọa Thạch Sanh rằng Trăn tinh là của nhà vua nuôi xưa nay, bây giờ giết đi, tất thế nào cũng bị tội chết.
He tricked Thach Sanh, saying that the serpent had been the king’s pet, and killing it would surely result in a death sentence.

Rồi khuyên Thạch Sanh trốn đi, để hắn ở nhà kiếm cách thu xếp trở về thôn cũ ở gốc đa.
He then advised Thach Sanh to flee while he stayed behind to handle matters and return to their old village under the banyan tree.

Còn Lý Thông thì đêm ngày trẩy kinh, tâu vua đã trừ được Trăn tinh và hắn được Vua phong chức đô đốc.
Meanwhile, Ly Thong hurried to the capital, claiming credit for killing the serpent and was rewarded with the title of Grand Commander by the king.

Bấy giờ công chúa con vua muốn kén phò mã, bảng yết khắp dân gian, điệp gửi cùng các nước, nhưng không chọn được ai vừa ý.
At that time, the king’s daughter was searching for a husband. Royal decrees were sent throughout the kingdom and neighboring lands, but she found no one to her liking.

Một hôm công chúa đi dạo vườn hoa, bỗng con yêu tinh Ðại bàng sà xuống cắp đi mất.
One day, while strolling in the palace garden, a giant eagle demon swooped down and carried her away.

Tình cờ đại bàng bay ngang trên cây đa có Thạch Sanh đang ngồi thẫn thờ dưới gốc cây.
Coincidentally, as the eagle flew over the banyan tree where Thach Sanh was resting, he saw it.

Thạch Sanh thấy vậy, liền gương cung bắn một phát trúng ngay vào cánh.
Thach Sanh immediately drew his bow and shot an arrow, hitting its wing.

Nhưng đại bàng rút tên ra rồi tiếp tục bay đi, Thạch Sanh lần theo vết máu đỏ, thấy đại bàng chui vào một cái hang rất kiên cố.
However, the eagle pulled out the arrow and continued flying. Thach Sanh followed the trail of blood and saw it enter a well-fortified cave.

Chàng đánh dấu lối vào hang và trở về.
He marked the entrance to the cave and returned home.

Khi nghe tin công chúa bị yêu quái cắp đi mất tích nhà vua đau lòng xót ruột, truyền cho Lý Thông đi tìm, hứa tìm được sẽ gả công chúa và truyền ngôi cho.
Upon hearing that the princess had vanished, the king was heartbroken and ordered Ly Thong to find her, promising that whoever rescued her would marry her and inherit the throne.

Lý Thông vừa mừng vừa lo, bèn lập mưu mở hội hát xướng trong mười ngày, sức cho nhân dân đến xem mục đích để dò hỏi nghe ngóng tin tức.
Ly Thong, both excited and anxious, devised a plan to host a ten-day festival, ordering people to attend in hopes of gathering clues.

Tám chín ngày đã qua, mà không nghe ai nói một lời gì về chuyện đại bàng bắt người cả.
Eight or nine days passed, but no one mentioned anything about the eagle capturing the princess.

Tin Lý Thông mở hội hát xướng đồn đến tai Thạch Sanh, chàng lần về thăm, gặp Thạch Sanh, Lý Thông tỏ mối lo không tìm được công chúa.
News of Ly Thong’s festival reached Thach Sanh, prompting him to visit. Upon meeting him, Ly Thong expressed his concern about failing to find the princess.

Thạch Sanh thật thà mà kể lại về việc bắn trúng cánh chim.
Naively, Thach Sanh recounted his encounter, mentioning that he had shot the bird’s wing.

Lý Thông mừng lắm, lập tức nhờ Thạch Sanh dẫn đường, mang lính đến nơi sào huyệt của yêu quái.
Ly Thong was overjoyed and immediately asked Thach Sanh to lead the way, bringing soldiers to the demon’s lair.

Thạch Sanh tình nguyện xuống hang cứu công chúa giúp bạn.
Thach Sanh volunteered to descend into the cave to rescue the princess for his friend.

Khi vào đến nơi, chàng phát hiện công chúa đang bị giam giữ, liền đưa thuốc mê và bảo nàng lừa cho đại bàng uống.
Upon entering, he discovered the princess being held captive. He handed her a sleeping potion and instructed her to trick the eagle into drinking it.

Sau đó, Thạch Sanh buộc công chúa vào dây và ra hiệu để Lý Thông kéo nàng lên.
Afterward, Thach Sanh tied the princess to a rope and signaled for Ly Thong to pull her up.

Tuy nhiên, khi chàng chuẩn bị trèo lên theo, Lý Thông nhẫn tâm ra lệnh lấp kín miệng hang, bỏ mặc Thạch Sanh bên trong.
However, as Thach Sanh prepared to climb up, Ly Thong cruelly ordered the cave entrance to be sealed, leaving him trapped inside.

Đúng lúc đó, đại bàng tỉnh lại, không thấy công chúa đâu, liền nổi giận gầm thét làm rung chuyển cả vách đá.
At that moment, the eagle awoke, realizing the princess was gone. It roared in fury, shaking the cave walls.

Thạch Sanh nhanh chóng dùng phép thuật chiến đấu với nó.
Thach Sanh swiftly used his magical skills to fight the beast.

Sau một trận giao tranh quyết liệt, chàng đã tiêu diệt được đại bàng.
After a fierce battle, he finally slew the eagle.

Khi khám phá hang động, Thạch Sanh phát hiện một chiếc cũi sắt nhốt một chàng trai.
While exploring the cave, Thach Sanh discovered an iron cage imprisoning a young man.

Hỏi ra mới biết đó chính là thái tử, con trai vua Thủy Tề, bị đại bàng giam cầm suốt một năm.
Upon asking, he learned that the captive was the prince, son of the Dragon King, who had been held prisoner by the eagle for a year.

Chàng liền lấy cung vàng bắn tan cũi sắt, giải cứu thái tử.
Thach Sanh used his golden bow to break the cage and free the prince.

Để bày tỏ lòng biết ơn, thái tử mời Thạch Sanh xuống thủy cung diện kiến vua cha.
In gratitude, the prince invited Thach Sanh to visit the Dragon King’s underwater palace.

Vua Thủy Tề vô cùng cảm kích, muốn ban tặng chàng vô số vàng bạc, châu báu, nhưng Thạch Sanh chỉ xin một cây đàn quý làm kỷ niệm rồi từ biệt trở về trần gian.
The Dragon King was deeply grateful and wanted to reward Thach Sanh with countless treasures, but he only asked for a precious lute as a keepsake before returning to the human world.

Sau khi chém được chằn tinh, giết đại bàng cứu công chúa, Thạch Sanh được nhà vua làm lễ cưới gả công chúa Quỳnh Nga cho.
After slaying the serpent and the eagle demon to rescue the princess, Thach Sanh was honored by the king with a wedding to Princess Quynh Nga.

Lễ cưới của họ tưng bừng nhất kinh kỳ.
Their wedding was the grandest celebration in the capital.

Thấy vậy, hoàng tử các nước chư hầu trước kia bị công chúa khước từ lấy làm tức giận.
Seeing this, the princes of the vassal states, who had been rejected by the princess before, became furious.

Họ hội binh lính 18 nước kéo sang đánh.
They gathered the armies of eighteen nations and launched an attack.

Thạch Sanh xin nhà vua đừng động binh.
Thach Sanh requested the king not to send his troops into battle.

Chàng một mình cầm cây đàn ra trước quân giặc.
He went alone before the enemy army, carrying his magical lute.

Tiếng đàn của chàng vừa cất lên thì quân sĩ 18 nước bủn rủn tay chân, không còn nghĩ gì tới chuyện đánh nhau nữa.
As soon as he played his lute, the soldiers of the eighteen nations became weak and lost all will to fight.

Cuối cùng các hoàng tử phải cởi giáp xin hàng.
In the end, the princes had to remove their armor and surrender.

Thạch Sanh sai dọn một bữa cơm thết đãi những kẻ thua trận.
Thach Sanh ordered a meal to be prepared for the defeated soldiers.

Cả mấy vạn tướng lĩnh, quân sĩ thấy Thạch Sanh chỉ cho dọn ra vẻn vẹn có một niêu cơm tí xíu thì bĩu môi không muốn cầm đũa.
Tens of thousands of generals and soldiers scoffed when they saw that only a tiny pot of rice was served, refusing to pick up their chopsticks.

Biết ý, Thạch Sanh đố họ ăn hết được niêu cơm và hứa sẽ trọng thưởng cho những ai ăn hết.
Understanding their reaction, Thach Sanh challenged them to finish the pot of rice, promising a great reward to anyone who could do so.

Quân sĩ mười tám nước ăn mãi, ăn mãi nhưng niêu cơm bé xíu cứ hết lại đầy.
The soldiers of the eighteen nations ate and ate, but the tiny pot of rice never emptied—it kept refilling itself.

Cảm phục và sợ hãi chúng cúi đầu lạy tạ vợ chồng Thạch Sanh rồi kéo nhau về nước.
Amazed and fearful, they bowed in gratitude to Thach Sanh and his wife before retreating to their homelands.