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.