[Illustration] Saigoneer “The Tales of Coconut Prince”.

“Sọ Dừa,” the enchanting folk tale of a boy born from a coconut shell who rises to become a prince, became a cherished narrative that I committed to memory during my childhood. What I hadn’t grasped then was the existence of two other renditions of this story within distinct ethnic groups – the Champa and Raglai. These alternate versions share a remarkable array of similarities.

Recognizing these narrative parallels led me to a profound realization. Despite the cultural disparities, and even the historical conflicts among these ethnic groups, the common aspirations of the people in these regions remain undeniably constant: the yearning for just recognition of their talents and hard work, a desire for tranquil lives, and the collective hope for the prosperity of their homelands.

This illustration was used as a top image for a Saigoneer’s article of the topic.

Illustrator: Hannah Hoang