Legends and historical marks of 18 Hung Kings

According to legend and ancient records, the Hung King dynasty lasted more than 2,600 years, passed down through 18 kings, laying the first foundation for ancient Vietnam. Although many details are still legendary, stories about the Hung Kings still play an important role in the spiritual life, culture and history of the Vietnamese people.

Legends and historical marks of 18 Hung Kings. Photo: collected

Folklore and documents such as “Dai Viet Su Luoc” or “Ngoc Pha Hung Vuong” all record the existence of 18 Hung Kings. According to traditional understanding, these are 18 successive generations, each generation is a specific king.

However, many modern scholars believe that the number "18 generations" should not be understood as 18 specific individuals, but as 18 branches or royal lines, in which each branch had many kings succeeding to the throne, and using the same royal title.

Below is the traditional list of Hung Kings in order:

Kinh Duong Vuong (Loc Tuc) - the first ancestor, born in the year of Nham Ngo (2919 BC), reigned from 2879 BC to 2794 BC.

Lac Long Quan (Sung Lam) - Hung Hien Vuong, reigned from 2793 BC to 2525 BC.

Hung King (Hung Lan), reigned from 2524 BC to 2253 BC.

Hung Hoa Vuong (Buu Lang), reigned from 2254 BC to 1913 BC.

Hung Hy Vuong (Bao Lang), reigned from 1912 BC to 1713 BC.

Hung Hon Vuong (Long Tien Lang), reigned from 1712 BC to 1632 BC.

Hung Chieu Vuong (Quoc Lang), reigned from 1631 BC to 1432 BC.

Hung Vy Vuong (Van Lang), reigned from 1431 BC to 1332 BC.

Hung Dinh Vuong (Chan Nhan Lang), reigned from 1331 BC to 1252 BC.

Hung Uy Vuong (Hoang Long Lang), reigned from 1251 BC to 1162 BC.

Hung Trinh Vuong (Hung Duc Lang), reigned from 1161 BC to 1055 BC.

Hung Vu Vuong (Duc Hien Lang), reigned from 1054 BC to 969 BC.

Hung Viet Vuong (Tuan Lang), reigned from 968 BC to 854 BC.

Hung Anh Vuong (Vien Lang), reigned from 853 BC to 755 BC.

Hung Trieu Vuong (Canh Chieu Lang), reigned from 754 BC to 661 BC.

Hung Tao Vuong (Duc Quan Lang), reigned from 660 BC to 569 BC.

Hung Nghi Vuong (Bao Quang Lang), reigned from 568 BC to 409 BC.

Hung Due Vuong, the last king in the Hung Vuong legend, reigned from 408 BC to 258 BC – the year An Duong Vuong founded the Au Lac nation.

According to ancient records, each Hung King is said to have reigned for an average of more than 150 years – a number far exceeding the natural limit of human lifespan. This has led many modern researchers to question whether “18 Hung Kings” may just be a symbolic number. The number 18, a multiple of 9 – a sacred number in East Asian culture, especially for the ancient Vietnamese, symbolizes perfection and longevity.

Every year on the 10th day of the 3rd lunar month, tens of thousands of people from all over the country come to Hung Temple (Phu Tho) to attend the festival. Photo: hanoimoi

Meanwhile, the “Ngoc Pha Hung Vuong” – an ancient text of legendary nature – records that since the founding of the nation, the Hung clan had 180 emperors reigning, lasting 2,655 years. On average, each king reigned for about 15 years – a more reasonable number compared to the actual lifespan in ancient times.

This document also describes that the Hung Kings built 120 palaces, gave birth to thousands of princes, princesses and grandchildren - creating a great and powerful dynasty that spread across the mountains and rivers of Vietnam.

Every year on the 10th day of the 3rd lunar month – Hung Kings’ Commemoration Day – is an occasion for the entire Vietnamese people to commemorate the Hung Kings’ contributions to the nation’s founding. The festival at Hung Temple (Phu Tho) attracts millions of pilgrims to the land of the ancestors, demonstrating the morality of “remembering the source of water”, connecting the past with the present, and affirming national pride.

Despite its legendary elements, the Hung Kings era still holds a central role in the Vietnamese consciousness. It was a time of beginnings, of tradition, and of the spirit of solidarity in building and defending the country – the eternal spiritual heritage of the Vietnamese people.

PV

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/truyen-thuyet-va-dau-an-lich-su-cua-18-doi-vua-hung-post341662.html