There are estimated to be at least 500 different tuong stories. Stories usually feature characters who aspire to lofty moral values such as benevolence, righteousness, civility, knowledge, and loyalty.

Ho Nguyet Co Becomes a Fox

Ho Nguyet Co is a beautiful woman who was born as a fox but possesses a magical pearl which allows her to become a human. For a thousand years she has studied and trained to be a powerful human. One day when returning home from battle she comes across a handsome man named Thiet Giao. He belongs to the enemy side, but she does not fight him and instead flirts with him and reveals the secret of her pearl to him. Thiet Giao seduces her but as they are making love he clutches the pearl from her and runs away with it. Ho Nghuyet Co then goes through the painful process of reverting to her original state as a fox.

The famous line from this piece is 'A thousand years wasted in one moment of foolishness'.

Xuan Dao fights against the storm

Xuan Dao is left alone with her mother-in-law while her husband is taking his exams. During a huge flood Xuan Dao is unable to leave the house and her mother is dying from starvation. Desperate, Xuan Dao decides to cut her own flesh to feed her mother. The loss of blood causes Xuan Dao to become weak to the point of near death. But the local god sees her suffering and comes down to earth to bring her back to life.