There are two sources of the Lạc Long Quân – Âu Cơ narrative

Abstract

This article examines two parallel sources of legends concerning Lạc Long Quân and Âu Cơ: the official textual records such as Lĩnh Nam Chích Quái and Đại Việt Sử Ký Toàn Thư, and the rich local folk traditions deeply rooted in specific geographical sites and folk beliefs in regions like Bắc Ninh, Phú Thọ, and Hà Nội. Focusing on the folk narratives, the article highlights the cultural symbolism of Lạc Long Quân and Âu Cơ as representations of the agricultural community's worldview - expressing a longing for the harmony between Earth and Water, community solidarity, and awareness of ancestral roots. From this perspective, the article proposes a systematic collection and textualization of these folk sources as an essential part of Vietnam’s cultural heritage that deserves preservation and promotion.