The Four Immortals of Vietnamese Folklore
The Tứ bất tử (Four Immortals) are central figures in Vietnamese folk beliefs. Each immortal embodies unique virtues and moral lessons, celebrated through temples, festivals, and local stories. They represent bravery, love, wisdom, and virtue, forming an essential part of Vietnam’s cultural and spiritual heritage.
The Four Immortals
- Tản Viên Sơn Thánh – the mountain deity of Ba Vì, Sơn Tây. He symbolizes strength, protection, and harmony with nature.
- Phù Đổng Thiên Vương (Thánh Gióng) – the legendary boy who grew rapidly to fight invaders. Gióng represents courage, patriotism, and heroism.
- Chử Đồng Tử – a humble man whose love and virtue led him to a divine destiny. He embodies morality, compassion, and social harmony.
- Liễu Hạnh Công Chúa – the virtuous female immortal, often called Bà Chúa Liễu Hạnh. She symbolizes benevolence, protection, and spiritual guidance.
Tản Viên Sơn Thánh (Sơn Tinh) – Legend Of The Mountain God
Tản Viên Sơn Thánh, the mountain deity of Ba Vì in Sơn Tây, is revered as a guardian of the highlands. Legends describe him as a wise and strong figure who protected villages from natural disasters and guided people to live harmoniously with the mountains and rivers, and assist farmers in cultivating fertile land.
Tản Viên Sơn Thánh is associated with the legend of Son Tinh and Thuy Tinh:
During the 18th reign of the Hùng Kings, there was a princess named Mị Nương. Not only beautiful but also gentle and kind, she was dearly loved by her father, who sought a worthy husband for her.
One day, two suitors arrived. Sơn Tinh, the Mountain God from Tản Viên, was extraordinarily talented: with a wave of his hand to the east, hills and mounds would rise; to the west, mountains and ridges would appear. Thủy Tinh, the Water God from the sea, was equally powerful: he could summon wind with a call, and rain would obey his command. One ruled the mountains, the other the waters, and both were evenly matched, leaving King Hùng uncertain whom to choose.
The king consulted his court officials and then declared:
“Both suitors are worthy, but I have only one daughter. Whoever brings the wedding gifts first by tomorrow shall marry her.”
When asked what the gifts should include, the king commanded:
- One hundred glutinous rice cakes
- One hundred bánh chưng (square sticky rice cakes)
- Nine-tusked elephants
- Nine-crested roosters
- Nine red-maned horses, one pair each
At dawn the next day, Sơn Tinh arrived first with all the gifts and was granted Princess Mị Nương’s hand. Shortly after, Thủy Tinh arrived, furious that he had lost. He summoned storms, raging floods, and strong winds, threatening villages and fields in Phong Châu (modern-day Phú Thọ).
Yet Sơn Tinh was unshaken. Using his mountain powers, he moved hills and raised ridges to block the floodwaters. The battle between mountain and water lasted months but never had a clear winner. Exhausted, Thủy Tinh finally retreated, vowing to return every year to challenge Sơn Tinh. From then on, annual floods were seen as Thủy Tinh’s attempts to reclaim Mị Nương, while Sơn Tinh’s mountains defended the people.
Today, visitors can go to Tan Vien Temple (Đền Tản Viên) on Ba Vì mountain to pay respects to him. They can also visit Phong Châu in Phú Thọ, exploring Hung Temple (Đền Hùng), which is part of the historical setting of the ancient Phong Châu in the legend. Phú Thọ is also known for nine-crested rooster, a local dish connected to the wedding gifts brought by Sơn Tinh.
Phù Đổng Thiên Vương (Thánh Gióng) – Legend Of The Child Hero And The Spirit Of Defense
Phù Đổng Thiên Vương, also known as Thánh Gióng, is one of the most revered figures in Vietnamese folklore. He is remembered as a divine child who rose to defend the country, embodying courage, strength, and the spirit of resistance. His legend dates back to the time of the Hùng Kings, reflecting the early struggles to protect the land.
Thánh Gióng is associated with a legendary tale of extraordinary transformation and heroism:
In the village of Phù Đổng, there lived an elderly couple who had no children. One day, while working in the fields, the wife stepped on a strange footprint and later became pregnant. She gave birth to a boy, but for three years he neither spoke nor walked, and people believed he was an unusual child.
At that time, the country was threatened by foreign invaders. The Hùng King sent messengers across the land to seek someone capable of defending the nation. When the messenger passed through Phù Đổng, the silent child suddenly spoke for the first time, asking his mother to invite the messenger in.
The boy then made a request:
“Please prepare for me an iron horse, an iron armor, and an iron spear. I will defeat the invaders.”
The king immediately ordered craftsmen to forge the requested items. As soon as the boy received them, he suddenly grew into a giant. Wearing iron armor, he mounted the iron horse, which could breathe fire, and rode into battle.
With immense strength, Thánh Gióng swept through the enemy forces. When his iron spear broke, he uprooted bamboo trees along the way and used them as weapons. According to legend, those bamboo groves later became yellow-striped bamboo (tre đằng ngà), a lasting mark of the battle. The invaders were completely defeated, and peace was restored to the land.
As he rode across the landscape, the iron horse moved with thunderous speed, its hooves striking the earth and leaving behind numerous small ponds and lakes. These natural formations are believed to be the footprints of Thánh Gióng’s horse, marking his path across the land.
After the victory, instead of returning to receive rewards, Thánh Gióng rode his iron horse to Sóc Sơn and ascended to the sky, becoming an immortal. The people honored him as Phù Đổng Thiên Vương, a divine guardian who appeared in times of great need.
Within the Tứ bất tử of Vietnam, Thánh Gióng represents the spirit of national defense and the extraordinary strength that arises when the country is under threat. His story reflects the belief that even the most ordinary individual can become a hero when called upon to protect the homeland.
Today, visitors can visit Phù Đổng Temple in Gia Lâm, Hanoi, associated with his birthplace, and Sóc Temple in Sóc Sơn, where he is believed to have ascended to the heavens. These sites preserve the memory of Thánh Gióng and highlight his enduring cultural and spiritual significance.
Chử Đồng Tử – Legend Of Love, Transformation, And Spiritual Enlightenment
Chử Đồng Tử is one of the four immortals in Vietnamese folklore, representing love, spiritual awakening, and the pursuit of a harmonious life. Unlike other figures associated with power or warfare, his story reflects humility, destiny, and the transformation of an ordinary person into a revered spiritual figure.
Chử Đồng Tử is associated with a legendary tale of love and enlightenment:
He was born into a poor family and lived with his father by the banks of a great river. Their life was so difficult that they owned only a single loincloth, which they shared. When his father passed away, Chử Đồng Tử buried him with that cloth, leaving himself with nothing.
From then on, he lived by fishing and often stayed near the river, covering himself with sand when people passed by. One day, a royal boat carrying Princess Tiên Dung, the daughter of the Hùng King, arrived at the riverbank. She decided to stop and bathe in that very place.
As the water washed away the sand, Chử Đồng Tử was suddenly revealed. Surprised by the encounter, Princess Tiên Dung did not react with anger. Instead, she believed it was fate that brought them together. Defying royal customs, she decided to marry him on the spot.
Their union was simple but meaningful. Leaving behind royal life, Tiên Dung chose to live with Chử Đồng Tử, and together they built a new way of life. They engaged in trade, traveled across regions, and taught people how to exchange goods, contributing to early economic activity.
During their journey, they encountered a spiritual master who taught them about enlightenment and higher knowledge. Through dedication and practice, Chử Đồng Tử and Tiên Dung gradually attained spiritual power.
One day, as they rested in a vast area, a miraculous event occurred. A palace, along with servants and structures, appeared around them overnight. When the Hùng King learned of this, he suspected rebellion and sent troops to investigate. However, before the army arrived, the entire place rose into the sky, and Chử Đồng Tử and Tiên Dung ascended, becoming immortals.
Within the Tứ bất tử of Vietnam, Chử Đồng Tử represents love, freedom from social constraints, and spiritual transcendence. His story emphasizes that true value lies not in wealth or status, but in sincerity, wisdom, and the ability to grow beyond worldly limitations.
Today, visitors can visit Chử Đồng Tử Temple in Hưng Yên, located along the Red River, where his story is closely associated. The site preserves the memory of his legend and reflects his lasting influence on Vietnamese cultural and spiritual traditions.
Liễu Hạnh – Legend Of The Mother Goddess And Spiritual Presence In Human Life
Liễu Hạnh is one of the most important figures in Vietnamese folklore, representing the Mother Goddess in the spiritual life of the people. Unlike the other immortals, her story is deeply connected to human emotions, justice, and the interaction between the divine and the mortal world. She is both revered and respected as a powerful yet compassionate presence.
Liễu Hạnh is associated with a legendary tale of descent, experience, and transcendence:
According to legend, she was originally a heavenly princess, the daughter of the Jade Emperor. After committing a mistake in the celestial realm, she was banished to the human world and reborn as a mortal woman named Giáng Tiên.
Living among humans, she experienced the full range of human life. She married, had children, and lived as an ordinary person. However, after her earthly life ended, she returned to the heavens. Yet her connection to the human world remained strong, and she descended again, this time as Liễu Hạnh, freely traveling between realms.
During her time on earth, Liễu Hạnh often appeared in different forms. She could be gentle and benevolent, helping people in need, rewarding kindness, and protecting the innocent. At the same time, she could also be strict and powerful, punishing wrongdoing and challenging arrogance. Her presence reflected both compassion and authority.
Many stories describe her encounters with scholars, officials, and travelers, where she tested their character, wisdom, and morality. Through these interactions, Liễu Hạnh became a symbol of justice and spiritual awareness in everyday life.
After completing her journeys, she ultimately returned to the heavens, but continued to be worshipped widely among the people. Over time, she became a central figure in the belief system of the Mother Goddess.
Within the Tứ bất tử of Vietnam, Liễu Hạnh represents the divine presence in human life, as well as the balance between compassion and justice. Her story highlights the close relationship between the spiritual world and everyday existence, emphasizing morality, respect, and inner understanding.
Today, visitors can explore Phủ Dầy in Nam Định (Ninh Binh today), one of the most important centers dedicated to Liễu Hạnh. In Hanoi, Phủ Tây Hồ by West Lake is another prominent site where she is widely worshipped, reflecting her enduring influence in Vietnamese spiritual and cultural traditions.
Conclusion
The Tứ bất tử remain enduring symbols of Vietnamese belief, each reflecting a different aspect of life – from nature and protection to love and spiritual presence. Together, they form a timeless cultural framework that continues to shape traditions, values, and spiritual practices across Vietnam today.
