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Who was the Only Vietnamese Princess Who Became an Empress Abroad?

During the Tran dynasty, a princess was married off to the Cham Kingdom in a strategic political alliance, with the ultimate goal of expanding the Great Viet empire's borders.

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2 September, 2024

Huyền Trân, the youngest daughter of King Trần Nhân Tông, was a princess of legendary beauty and grace. Her life story is an integral part of Vietnam’s cultural history.

Huyền Trân – The Only Vietnamese Princess Who Became a Queen in a Foreign Land

According to the Đại Việt Sử Ký Toàn Thư, in 1301, the elderly King Trần Nhân Tông, as the Grand Emperor, embarked on a leisurely trip to the Kingdom of Champa, where he was impressed by their advanced culture. He expressed his desire to forge a diplomatic relationship between the two kingdoms.

Before departing, he agreed to offer his daughter, Princess Huyền Trân, in marriage to King Chế Mân of Champa, despite his advanced age. Putting the nation’s interests first, Princess Huyền Trân accepted. After the marriage, she was crowned Queen of Champa by King Chế Mân.

As a queen in a foreign land, Huyền Trân dedicated herself to learning the Cham language and immersing herself in their customs and music. She even formed a troupe of female dancers and musicians, fostering understanding and respect between the two cultures.

The Cham people admired her greatly, with King Chế Mân describing her as “my exquisite white tea flower, who never ceases to amaze and move me.” The historical records also praised her wisdom, stating, “The princess possesses the wisdom of a sage.”

Unfortunately, just a year into her marriage, King Chế Mân passed away. Following the Cham tradition, queens were expected to join their deceased husbands on the funeral pyre. However, King Trần Anh Tông sent his general, Trần Khắc Chung, to rescue Huyền Trân and bring her back to Vietnam.

Upon her return, she took monastic vows and became a Buddhist nun, assuming the dharma name Hương Tràng. She first practiced at Trâu Sơn Mountain, also known as Vũ Ninh Mountain, in Quế Dương district of Kinh Bắc province. In 1311, she moved to Thiên Bản to be closer to her hometown of Thiên Trường and her aunt, Princess Thụy Bảo, who was also a nun.

Hương Tràng settled at Hổ Mountain, where she founded the Quảng Nghiêm Temple, commonly known as Nộn Sơn Temple. There, she devoted herself to Buddhist practices, agricultural development, and the wellbeing of the local community. She taught the locals how to cultivate food crops and medicinal herbs, contributing to their prosperity.

In 1340, the venerable nun Hương Tràng passed away peacefully. Grateful for her contributions, the people of Hổ Sơn erected a shrine in her honor at the Nộn Sơn Temple.

To this day, Huyền Trân is revered across Vietnam, with many temples and shrines dedicated to her memory. The people of Hổ Sơn, in particular, hold her in the highest esteem, considering her a guardian deity who not only protected the nation but also earned the recognition of the feudal dynasties.

Frequently asked questions

Lý Chiêu Hoàng, the only daughter of Emperor Lý Huệ Tông, became the empress of the Trần Dynasty in Vietnam at a young age. She later married a general, Trần Thủ Độ, who founded the Trần Dynasty and became the first emperor of the new dynasty.

Trần Thái Tông, the first emperor of the Trần Dynasty and husband of Lý Chiêu Hoàng, faced multiple invasions from the Mongol Empire during their reign. He successfully defended Vietnam against the Mongols and is remembered for his military leadership and strategic skills.

Lý Chiêu Hoàng’s father, Emperor Lý Huệ Tông, abdicated the throne and passed the position to her. She became empress at a very young age, and her reign was brief before passing the throne to the Trần Dynasty’s first emperor, Trần Thái Tông.

Lý Chiêu Hoàng’s story is unique in Vietnamese history as she is the only princess to have become an empress. Her life represents a significant transition period in Vietnam’s dynastic history, and her marriage into the Trần Dynasty played a crucial role in the establishment of their rule.

Besides Lý Chiêu Hoàng, Vietnam has a rich history of powerful female rulers. One notable example is Trưng Trắc, who led a rebellion against the Chinese Han Dynasty in the year 40 and briefly established an independent Vietnamese state. She is celebrated as a national hero in Vietnam for her bravery and resistance against foreign rule.