Legend has it that Nga Son was the birthplace of watermelon, with Mai An Tiem as its ancestor.
According to legend, Mai An Tiem was a servant of King Hung. He was a strong and resourceful young man, beloved by the king. He lived a rather happy and prosperous life, but being a hardworking man, even after receiving royal favors, he only showed respect. He always told people: he was happy because he knew how to think and how to work.
Envious rivals falsely accused him of disrespecting the court. The king, enraged, exiled his entire family to a deserted island, amidst turbulent waves and starvation. The king said: If he believes he only needs his head and hands, then I will strip him of all his belongings and possessions, to see how he survives on a deserted island.
On the desolate island, in a barren wilderness, Mai An Tiem diligently toiled to survive, hoping for the day he would return. One day, he accidentally found a strange fruit left by birds, with a green rind and red flesh. He tasted it and found it to be sweet and refreshing, invigorating his body, so he planted its seeds on the deserted island. That fruit is now known as Watermelon.
