The Legend of Ban Co Peak – The Mythical Tale of Deities Playing Chess

The legend of Ban Co Peak originates from the rich folklore treasury of the Quang Nam – Da Nang land, passed down through generations and appearing quite early in historical records. One of the reliable documentation sources mentioning this story is the work Phu Bien Tap Luc (Miscellaneous Records of the Border Pacification) by scholar Le Quy Don (1726–1784)—a famous book recording the geography, customs, and legends of the South Central Coast region in the 18th century.

According to the records in the book, Son Tra Peninsula (formerly known as Hon Nghe or Tien Sa Mountain) was a place where “deities often descended to bathe in the sea.” In that pristine and mystical natural setting, two old deities were said to have sat playing chess on the mountain peak for many days and nights without deciding a winner. The story is intertwined with the magical beauty of the local mountains, forests, and sea, creating an image of a space resembling a “fairyland paradise”—where immortals could stop to enjoy the view.

This legend is not the product of a single individual, but rather a crystallization of Vietnamese folklore, while also drawing certain influences from East Asian religious and spiritual elements, particularly the figure of Sakra (De Thich) in Buddhism. Over time, the story has been retold by local people as an intersection between reality and myth, helping to explain the origin of surrounding landmarks such as Tien Sa Beach or the strange rock slabs on Ban Co Peak. Today, this legend is still passed down through the narratives of elders and has become the “cultural soul” of Ban Co Peak, contributing to the special appeal of this destination in the journey of discovering the nature and history of Da Nang city.

The core story of the Ban Co Peak legend is told as follows, with details largely consistent across folk sources and historical records:

Long ago, when Son Tra Peninsula was still wild and desolate, a deity descended to earth and was captivated by the picturesque landscape of mountains and waters. He stopped at a large rock slab and, in high spirits, used magic to transform it into a giant chessboard. While he was pondering over the game alone, De Thich (another immortal) passed by. Seeing the scene, he asked to “test his chess skills.” The two evenly matched players began the match. Night turned to day, day after day, month after month, yet the game remained unresolved. The atmosphere atop the mountain seemed frozen in time, with only the clashing sound of chess pieces and the whistling sea breeze.

Suddenly one day, a group of beautiful celestial maidens descended from the heavens to the beach below (now Tien Sa Beach – one of Vietnam's most beautiful beaches). Their laughter, the splashing waves, and the radiant beauty of the fairies momentarily distracted one of the deities (according to most accounts, De Thich). His opponent immediately seized the opportunity, made a decisive move, and won the game. Angered by his loss, the defeated deity stomped his foot heavily onto the rock (leaving a deep footprint now called Fairy Stone), swept the entire chessboard into the sea, and flew back to heaven in frustration. The immortal chessboard sank into the deep ocean, becoming part of the “real yet surreal” legend of Son Tra. Later, local people carved the chessboard back onto the original rock slab and sculpted a statue of the remaining deity (De Thich) sitting alone in deep thought beside the unfinished match.

The legend of Ban Co Peak is not merely an entertaining folktale, but also holds deep layers of meaning regarding culture, spirituality, and human life.

• Culture: It reflects the Vietnamese spirit of “harmony between humans and nature”—viewing nature as a realm of fairies and immortals as approachable beings. The legend connects various landmarks (Ban Co Peak – Tien Sa – Fairy Stone) into a living heritage system, contributing to preserving the identity of Da Nang.
• Spirituality: Ban Co Peak is considered a sacred place where humans can “commune” with the heavenly realm. Many come here to pray for peace and good fortune, or simply to seek tranquility amidst nature. The unfinished chess game serves as a reminder of life's journey: no game is perfect, only perseverance and mindfulness matter.
• Tourism: The legend transforms Ban Co Peak into a destination with a “soul”, setting Da Nang apart from ordinary beach tourism spots.

And so, amidst the vast clouds and sky of Son Tra, Ban Co Peak still stands tall—not just as a stunning check-in spot, but as a living museum of memories. Every strong gust of wind and every golden ray of sunlight illuminating the contemplative statue of De Thich seems to whisper the tale of the thousand-year fateful chess game. Ban Co Peak reminds travelers that whether immortal or mortal, a moment's distraction before the exquisite beauty of the earthly world can lead to a life-changing move. Exploring Ban Co Peak is a journey to discover magical beauty, and a complete Ban Co Peak tour will help visitors experience that emotion. So when leaving, one carries away not only impressive photographs, but also the romantic, mystical aftertaste of a legend that helped weave the immortal soul of Da Nang land.