King Minh Mang of the Nguyen Dynasty had a total of 43 wives, who gave birth to 142 children, including 78 princes and 64 princesses. His ability to have so many offspring was attributed to the “Minh Mang Pill.”
King Minh Mang, also known as Minh Menh, was the fourth son of Emperor Gia Long and the second king of the Nguyen Dynasty in the history of feudal Vietnam. He ruled from 1820 to 1840.
According to historical records, King Minh Mang was intelligent, well-educated, decisive, and implemented major reforms in both domestic and foreign affairs during his reign.
Not only was he known for his strategic talents, but King Minh Mang also left behind many famous legends among the 13 kings of the Nguyen Dynasty.
King Minh Mang gained fame for having the most wives and the largest number of children among the 13 kings of the Nguyen Dynasty. He had 43 wives who gave birth to 142 children, including 78 princes and 64 princesses. Many of them were daughters of officials and commoners who admired his talent.
In the book titled “Stories of the Nguyen Dynasty Kings” compiled by Nguyen Viet Ke, it is written that during his rest, the king was attended by five wives. “One wife prepared betel leaves, one fanned, one massaged, one put me to sleep, and one took care of miscellaneous tasks. Each had their own shift.”
According to folklore, the royal physicians studied and prepared medicinal prescriptions with tonifying and nourishing properties for the emperor to serve the harem.
Among these prescriptions, the most famous was the Minh Mang Pill, which helped King Minh Mang “impregnate three wives in one night.”
According to various anecdotal records found in Dai Nam’s True Records or Minh Menh’s Memoirs, King Minh Mang was conscious of his own health. Besides focusing on state affairs, he regularly walked, considering it “a method to prolong life,” and valued physical exercise because “one must participate in sports to become stronger day by day.”
Not only did King Minh Mang have many children, but his son, King Minh Menh, also became famous for having numerous offspring. Prince Tho Xuan Vuong Mien Dinh had a total of 144 children, while Prince Tuy Ly Vuong Mien Trinh had 114 children. King Thieu Tri (1807-1847) was renowned for having 64 children.
According to many historians, the large number of concubines in Minh Mang’s harem, coupled with the extensive descendants of the Nguyen family, burdened the nation and the dynasty.
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