---
node: early_vietnam
type: period
slug: early_vietnam
title: "Early Vietnam"
lead: "Early Vietnam runs from the legendary Hung kings of Van Lang (trad. 2879 BC) to the Han conquest of 111 BC, anchored archaeologically by the bronze-drum Dong Son culture."
published: 2026-07-09
updated: 2026-07-09
image_file: early_vietnam.jpg
image_source: "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dong_Son_Bronze_Drum_19.jpg"
image_author: "Gary Todd"
image_license: "CC0"
---

## Overview

Tradition opens with the Hong Bang dynasty of Hung kings ruling Van Lang from 2879 BC — a legend first compiled in late-medieval chronicles, yet a living tradition: the Hung Kings' festival is a national holiday today. Archaeology anchors the era in the Dong Son culture of the Red River delta, roughly the first millennium BC, famed for its great bronze drums.

## Key developments

Traditional history continues with An Duong Vuong's kingdom of Au Lac (trad. 257 BC) and its spiral citadel of Co Loa. Then Trieu Da (Zhao Tuo), a Qin-era general who had founded his kingdom of Nam Viet at Panyu in 204 BC, annexed Au Lac around 179 BC (traditionally 208 BC).

## End and transition

Han China conquered Nam Viet in 111 BC, beginning a millennium of Chinese rule.