The Hung Kings, rulers of the Van Lang Kingdom, were a legendary dynasty, considered the first monarchy of the Vietnamese people. Although official historical records lack accurate and detailed information about this period, researchers still believe that the Hung Kings era was real, and folk legends have contributed to creating a wondrous picture of the kings who founded the nation.
According to legend, the Hung Dynasty lasted from approximately the 3rd millennium BC to about the 3rd century BC. Legends about the Hung Kings often contain strong elements of mythology.
Every year, on the 10th day of the 3rd lunar month, the anniversary of Hung Kings' death, Vietnamese people turn their thoughts to Phu Tho , the homeland of the Hung Kings. This is an occasion to express gratitude to the kings who laid the foundation of the nation and to remember their origins and the glorious history of the Vietnamese people.
Which kings were included in the 18 generations of Hung Kings?
According to the Đại Việt sử lược and many other historical documents, the Hùng Vương dynasty lasted for 18 generations, including the following:
1. King Kinh Duong Vuong, whose given name was Loc Tuc, also known as Luc Duc Vuong, was born in the year of the Water Horse (2919 BC) and ascended the throne at the age of 41. He reigned for a total of 86 years, from the year of the Water Dog (2879 BC) to the year of the Fire Pig (2794 BC).
2. Lac Long Quan, whose given name was Sung Lam, also known as Hung Hien Vuong, was born in the year of the Fire Dragon (2825 BC), ascended the throne at the age of 33, and reigned for a total of 269 years, from the year of the Earth Rat (2793 BC) to the year of the Fire Dragon (2525 BC).
3. Hung Quoc Vuong, whose given name was Hung Lan, was born in the year Canh Ngo (2570 BC) and ascended the throne at the age of 18. He reigned for 272 years, from the year Dinh Ty (2524 BC) to 2253 BC.
4. Hung Hoa Vuong, whose given name was Buu Lang, ascended the throne in the year Dinh Hoi (2252 BC) and reigned for a total of 342 years, from the year Dinh Hoi (2254 BC) to the year Mau Thin (1913 BC).
5. Hung Hy Vuong, whose given name was Bao Lang, was born in the year Tan Mui (2030 BC), ascended the throne at the age of 59, and reigned for a total of 200 years, from the year Ky Ty (1912 BC) to Mau Ty (1713 BC).
6. Hung Hon Vuong, whose given name was Long Tien Lang, was born in the year Tan Dau (1740 BC), ascended the throne at the age of 29, and reigned for a total of 81 years, from the year Ky Suu (1712) to the year Ky Dau (1632 BC).
7. Hung Chieu Vuong, whose given name was Quoc Lang, was born in the year Quy Ty (1768 BC), ascended the throne at the age of 18, and reigned for a total of 200 years, from the year Canh Tuat (1631 BC) to the year Ky Ty (1432 BC).
8. Hung Vy Vuong, whose given name was Van Lang, was born in the year of the Water Dragon (1469 BC) and ascended the throne at the age of 39. He reigned for a total of 100 years, from the year of the Metal Horse (1431 BC) to the year of the Earth Rooster (1332 BC).
9. Hung Dinh Vuong, whose given name was Chan Nhan Lang, was born in the year of the Tiger (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, whose given name was Hoang Long Lang, reigned for 90 years, from 1251 to 1162 BC.
11. Hung Trinh Vuong, given name Hung Duc Lang, was born in the year Canh Tuat (1211 BC), ascended the throne at the age of 51, and reigned for a total of 107 years, from the year Canh Ty (1161 BC) to the year Binh Tuat (1055 BC).
12. Hung Vu Vuong, whose given name was Duc Hien Lang, was born in the year of the Monkey (1105 BC), ascended the throne at the age of 52, and reigned for a total of 86 years, from the year of the Pig (1054 BC) to the year of the Dog (969 BC).
13. Hung Viet Vuong, given name Tuan Lang, was born in the year Ky Hoi (982 BC), ascended the throne at the age of 23, and reigned for a total of 115 years, from the year Quy Hoi (968 BC) to Dinh Mui (854 BC).
14. Hung Anh Vuong, whose given name was Vien Lang, was born in the year Dinh Mao (894 BC) and ascended the throne at the age of 42. He reigned for a total of 99 years, from 853 to 755 BC.
15. Hung Trieu Vuong, given name Canh Chieu Lang, was born in the year Quy Suu (748 BC), ascended the throne at the age of 35, and reigned for a total of 94 years, from the year Dinh Hoi (754 BC) to the year Canh Than (661 BC).
16. Hung Tao Vuong, whose given name was Duc Quan Lang, was born in the year Ky Ty (712 BC) and reigned for a total of 92 years, from the year Tan Dau (660 BC) to the year Nham Thin (569 BC).
17. Hung Nghi Vuong, whose given name was Bao Quang Lang, was born in the year of At Dau (576 BC) and ascended the throne at the age of 9. He 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 and reigned for a total of 150 years, from the year Quy Dau (408 BC) to the year Quy Mao (258 BC).
Statues of the 18 Hung Kings at Dong Xanh Park, Gia Lai . (Photo: Gia Lai Newspaper)
Many ancient documents suggest that the Hung Dynasty lasted approximately 2,600 years, with 18 kings ruling. This leads to an unbelievable calculation: on average, each king reigned for 150 years – a figure that seems to surpass all natural limits of human lifespan.
The Hung Kings' Genealogy records: "From the beginning, the Hung Dynasty had 18 branches, each passing down the national seal and insignia. 180 emperors ascended the throne, unifying the mountains and rivers, governing the country with their chariots and books, and constructing 120 palaces and fortresses. In total, the reigns of 18 generations of holy kings, their descendants and descendants, the imperial dynasty, lasted a total of 2,655 years, lived 8,618 years, fathered 986 royal grandsons and princesses, and had 14,370 grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They ruled in the South, from the mountaintops to the seas, enduring for eternity, forever and ever."
According to this document, the Hung Dynasty actually had 180 successive emperors who ruled for 2,655 years. This means that, on average, each Hung king reigned for about 15 years. The genealogical record also indicates that the kings had an average lifespan of about 48 years, a more reasonable and plausible figure.
Similar to the genealogical records, many scholars also believe that the number 18 does not represent 18 kings – 18 specific individuals – but rather 18 branches, each with many kings who ruled in succession and shared the same royal title (for example, there were many Hung kings known as Hung Hien Vuong). Even the number 18 is only symbolic, a convention to show that the Hung dynasty spanned many generations, as 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
![[Image] Close-up view of the interchange connecting the two expressways and Long Thanh Airport.](https://vphoto.vietnam.vn/thumb/1200x675/vietnam/resource/IMAGE/2026/05/25/1779703378210_ndo_br_z7863716673926-224453a31600126cce10622af6290afd-4549-jpg.webp)
![[Image] Hanoi's urban life under the challenge of a "scorching hot" environment](https://vphoto.vietnam.vn/thumb/1200x675/vietnam/resource/IMAGE/2026/05/25/1779706979265_nang-nong-t5-2026-minh-duy-7-4636-jpg.webp)
Comment (0)