Hung Vuong - the king of Van Lang country, is a legendary dynasty, considered the first dynasty of the Vietnamese people. Although official historical documents lack accurate and detailed information about this period, researchers still believe that the Hung Vuong era was real, and folk legends have contributed to creating a magical picture of the kings in the country's founding period.
According to legend, the Hung King dynasty lasted from about the 3rd millennium BC to about the 3rd century BC. Legends about the Hung Kings often contain magical elements.
Every year, on the 10th day of the 3rd lunar month, the Hung Kings' death anniversary, Vietnamese people turn to Phu Tho, the homeland of the Hung Kings. This is an opportunity to express gratitude to the kings who built the country's foundation and remember the origins and heroic history of the nation.
Who are the 18 Hung Kings?
According to Dai Viet Su Luoc and many other historical documents, the Hung King dynasty was passed down through 18 generations, including the following:
1. Kinh Duong Vuong, real name Loc Tuc, also known as Luc Duc Vuong, was born in the year of Nham Ngo (2919 BC). He ascended the throne at the age of 41 and reigned for a total of 86 years, from the year of Nham Tuat (2879 BC) to Dinh Hoi (2794 BC).
2. Lac Long Quan, real name Sung Lam, also known as Hung Hien Vuong, was born in the year of Binh Thin (2825 BC), ascended the throne at the age of 33, and reigned for a total of 269 years, from the year of Mau Ty (2793 BC) to the year of Binh Thin (2525 BC).
3. Hung Quoc Vuong, real name Hung Lan, was born in the year of Canh Ngo (2570 BC). He ascended the throne at the age of 18 and reigned for 272 years, from the year of Dinh Ty (2524 BC) to 2253 BC.
4. Hung Hoa Vuong, real name Buu Lang, ascended the throne in the year Dinh Hoi (2252 BC), reigning for a total of 342 years, from the year Dinh Hoi (2254 BC) to the year Mau Thin (1913 BC).
5. Hung Hy Vuong, real name Bao Lang, was born in the year of Tan Mui (2030 BC), ascended the throne at the age of 59, and reigned for a total of 200 years, from the year of Ky Ty (1912 BC) to Mau Ty (1713 BC).
6. Hung Hon Vuong, real name Long Tien Lang, was born in the year of Tan Dau (1740 BC), ascended the throne at the age of 29, and reigned for a total of 81 years, from the year of Ky Suu (1712) to the year of Ky Dau (1632 BC).
7. Hung Chieu Vuong, real name Quoc Lang, was born in the year of Quy Ty (1768 BC), ascended the throne at the age of 18, and reigned for a total of 200 years, from the year of Canh Tuat (1631 BC) to the year of Ky Ty (1432 BC).
8. Hung Vy Vuong, real name Van Lang, born in the year of Nham Thin (1469 BC), ascended the throne at the age of 39, reigning for a total of 100 years, from the year Canh Ngo (1431 BC) to the year Ky Dau (1332 BC).
9. Hung Dinh Vuong, real name Chan Nhan Lang, was born in the year of Binh Dan (1375 BC), ascended the throne at the age of 45, and reigned for a total of 80 years, from 1331 to 1252 BC.
10. Hung Uy Vuong, real name Hoang Long Lang, reigned for 90 years, from 1251 to 1162 BC.
11. Hung Trinh Vuong, real name Hung Duc Lang, was born in the year of Canh Tuat (1211 BC), ascended the throne at the age of 51, and reigned for a total of 107 years, from the year of Canh Ty (1161 BC) to the year of Binh Tuat (1055 BC).
12. Hung Vu Vuong, real name Duc Hien Lang, was born in the year of Binh Than (1105 BC), ascended the throne at the age of 52, and reigned for a total of 86 years, from the year of Dinh Hoi (1054 BC) to the year of Nham Tuat (969 BC).
13. Hung Viet Vuong, real name Tuan Lang, was born in the year of Ky Hoi (982 BC), ascended the throne at the age of 23, and reigned for a total of 115 years, from the year of Quy Hoi (968 BC) to Dinh Mui (854 BC).
14. Hung Anh Vuong, real name Vien Lang, born in the year of Dinh Mao (894 BC), ascended the throne at the age of 42, reigning for a total of 99 years, from 853 to 755 BC.
15. Hung Trieu Vuong, real name Canh Chieu Lang, was born in the year of Quy Suu (748 BC), ascended the throne at the age of 35, and reigned for a total of 94 years, from the year of Dinh Hoi (754 BC) to the year of Canh Than (661 BC).
16. Hung Tao Vuong, real name Duc Quan Lang, was born in the year of Ky Ty (712 BC), and reigned for a total of 92 years, from the year of Tan Dau (660 BC) to the year of Nham Thin (569 BC).
17. Hung Nghi Vuong, real name Bao Quang Lang, was born in the year of At Dau (576 BC). He ascended the throne at the age of 9 and reigned for a total of 160 years, from the year of Quy Ty (568 BC) to the year of Nham Than (409 BC).
18. Hung Due Vuong, born in the year Canh Than (421 BC), ascended the throne at the age of 14, reigned for a total of 150 years, from the year Quy Dau (408 BC) to the year Quy Mao (258 BC).
Statues of 18 Hung Kings at Dong Xanh Park, Gia Lai. (Photo: Gia Lai Newspaper)
Many ancient documents claim that the Hung King dynasty lasted about 2,600 years, with 18 kings ruling. This leads to an unbelievable calculation, each king reigned for an average of 150 years – a number that seems to surpass all natural limits on human lifespan.
The Hung King Genealogy records: “From the beginning of the Hung dynasty, 18 branches passed down the seal to protect the nation, 180 generations of emperors ascended the throne, unified the mountains and rivers, used books to govern the country, and built 120 palaces. In total, the 18 generations of holy kings passed down their reigns, the holy sons and sons, the emperors' dynasties, enjoyed the throne for a total of 2,655 years, lived for 8,618 years, gave birth to 986 royal grandchildren and princesses, gave birth to 14,370 grandchildren, ruled the Southern country, from the top of the mountain to the bottom of the sea, lasting forever and ever.”
According to this document, the Hung King Dynasty actually had 180 emperors who ruled one after another for 2,655 years. Thus, on average, each Hung King reigned for about 15 years. The genealogy also shows that the kings had an average lifespan of about 48 years, a more reasonable and feasible number.
Like the Jade Genealogy, many scholars also believe that the number 18 does not represent 18 kings - 18 specific individuals - but 18 branches, each of which had many kings taking turns reigning and sharing the same royal title (for example, many Hung kings were called Hung Hien Vuong). Even the number 18 is only symbolic, a convention showing that the Hung dynasty lasted for many generations, because 18 is a multiple of 9 - a sacred number for the Vietnamese people.
Nhat Thuy - Vtcnews.vn
Source: https://vtcnews.vn/18-doi-vua-hung-la-nhung-vi-vua-nao-ar935739.html
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