After the Dragon and the Fairy parted ways with their children, fifty followed the Mother Âu Cơ to Mount Nghĩa Linh, and fifty followed the Father Lạc Long Quân to the East Sea. In those early days, the land was still wild, the clouds hung low, and the waves and mist intertwined like an unfinished vow.
Time flowed like an endless river. The children of the Fairy in the mountains established villages, built hamlets, planted rice, and banked the earth. The eldest son of Âu Cơ possessed a handsome countenance and eyes like fire. He was revered by the people as HÙNG VƯƠNG the one who maintained the life mạch of the Dragon and Fairy race.
One morning, on the peak of Mount Nghĩa Linh, white clouds covered the sky, birds ceased singing, and the wind stopped blowing. The eldest son knelt down, placed his hand on a large stone, and spoke:
"Sacred Motherland, boundless Father Heaven, today I humbly establish a new nation, so that the people may have a place to return, and the Dragon and Fairy blood may not scatter into the dust and wind."
The voice of the mountain echoed in response:
"You are the chosen one. Name the land, define the people, so that the soul of this land and river may have a resting place."
The eldest son bowed his head, his voice deep:
"I request to name the nation Văn Lang, meaning the land of culture and civilization (văn hiến) and the serene land where heaven and earth converge (dòng lam). I request to be called HÙNG VƯƠNG, to remember that strength comes not only from swords and armor, but from benevolence (lòng nhân nghĩa) and harmony."
The clouds dispersed, the wind rose. From afar, the voice of Lạc Long Quân echoed on the sea breeze:
"My son, remember, when the sea calls, return to the father when the mountain weeps, seek the mother. The Dragon and Fairy blood within you must maintain peace, and never let the land and river be divided."
Three days later, people from all tribes gathered at the foot of Mount Nghĩa Linh. They brought offerings white sticky rice, green betel and areca nuts, red carps, and fragrant mountain flowers. In the center of the earthen square, a large bronze drum was placed.
Each drumbeat was an oath:
"One piece of land, one bloodline, one belief."
Hùng Vương stood in the center, holding a bronze sword carved with the image of a dragon, his face turned towards the sky, his voice resounding like thunder:
"I, the descendant of the Dragon and the Fairy, now ask Heaven's permission to establish the foundation of Văn Lang. From this day forward, this land is our home, this mountain is our fortress, this river is our lifeline. Whoever maintains loyalty and righteousness (lòng trung nghĩa) shall be the people of Văn Lang!"
All the people shouted in unison:
"May Hùng Vương be remembered for ten thousand generations! We vow to protect the nation, build the populace, and never forget our origins!"
The wind surged, swirling the bamboo flags covering the sky. Above, a silver dragon glided through the clouds, bearing witness to the first oath of the nation.
That night, after the ceremony, Hùng Vương dreamed of his mother, the Fairy Âu Cơ. She stepped out of the white mist, her form light as mountain smoke, her voice gentle yet resounding:
"My son, the nation is now established, but remember that mountains may collapse, rivers may run dry, but only the human heart can make the land and river endure eternally. When you see the people divided, harmonize them with the Way (đạo). When you see their hearts grow cold, warm them with Benevolence (nhân). When you see foreign invaders threaten, teach them to love their nation."
Hùng Vương knelt, his voice choked:
"Mother, wherever you are, please watch over me. Even if a thousand years pass, and the blood of our descendants changes, I vow to keep the spirit of Việt in my heart."
Âu Cơ smiled, dissolving into the mist and scattering into the sky. Later, Hùng Vương gathered the tribes, taught them the way to govern, the methods of rice planting, hunting, weaving, and bronze casting. He spoke to his sons:
"My sons, when I am gone, do not fight for the throne, but safeguard this land together. Whoever stands at the helm must be the one who keeps the Dragon and Fairy oath. This Việt nation will span a hundred generations, but the nation's soul must reside within the heart of every individual."
His sons responded in unison:
"We pledge to remember and cherish this. Even for a hundred generations to come, if the land and river endure, that loyalty and righteousness shall also endure."