Who was the Longest-Living Hùng King: A Four-Century Reign and a Name Synonymous with Vietnamese History?

From the 3rd millennium BC to the 3rd century BC, Vietnam was ruled by the Hung Dynasty, considered the first dynasty of our country. Various legends, historical narratives, and even official histories document this era.

Alongside the contributions of the Hung Kings, it is noteworthy that these ancient rulers lived exceptionally long lives. The shortest-lived among them was Hung Huy Vuong of the sixth generation, who reigned for 87 years and lived to be a hundred.

However, the most well-known for their longevity was Hung Hien Vuong, the second king of the Hung Dynasty. He ruled for 400 years and lived to be 420 years old.

Interestingly, the Hung King with the longest lifespan is also a familiar figure to the Vietnamese people, commonly known as Lac Long Quan.

Lac Long Quan and his wife, Au Co, are revered as the ancestors of the Vietnamese nation. The legend of “a hundred eggs” and the story of their 50 children, half of whom followed their father to the sea and the other half their mother to the mountains, is a tale told to every Vietnamese child.

Lac Long Quan is celebrated for his heroic deeds in defending the territory of the nation. Notably, he is famed for slaying the giant Ngư Tinh, which was over 50 tridents in length, and capturing the nine-tailed Hồ Tinh.

The longevity of the Hung Kings has long been a subject of debate and skepticism, even among feudal historians. Ngo Thi Si, a renowned historian, once questioned: “If people are not made of gold or stone, how could they live so long? This is truly incomprehensible.”

Considering the realities of ancient times, when science, medicine, and human knowledge were less advanced, it is remarkable to consider the longevity attributed to these rulers. In feudal times, a Vietnamese ruler living past 60 years was considered a long life, and even then, such individuals made up only 12% of the population.

One theory suggests that the 18 generations of Hung Kings may not refer to 18 individuals but rather 18 branches or lineages. Additionally, attributing incredible lifespans to these kings may have been a way for the people to deify and honor their ancient rulers.