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The Origins of Thục Phán – An Dương Vương
Thục Phán, known as An Dương Vương, established the state of Âu Lạc, merging Tây Âu and Lạc Việt tribes. Photo by Vietnam Historical Society
The issue of the origins of Thục Phán, also known as An Dương Vương, and the establishment of the state of Âu Lạc is a core aspect of Vietnamese history. This topic not only attracts the attention of scholars domestically but also internationally.
Historical Significance: Thục Phán’s unification of the Tây Âu and Lạc Việt tribes represents a pivotal moment in Vietnamese history, creating a stronger state capable of resisting external threats while maintaining cultural identity.
Timeline and Events
Before 3rd C. BC
Âu Lạc emerges after Văn Lang; An Dương Vương’s origins debated
Ancient Era
Chinese texts refer to An Dương Vương as “Thục Vương Tử” without specifying origins
14th-15th C.
Việt Sử Lược records Thục Phán overthrowing Hùng Vương, building Cổ Loa
15th Century
Đại Việt Sử Ký Toàn Thư specifies An Dương Vương from Ba Thục, ruled 50 years
18th Century
Ngô Thì Sĩ dismisses Thục lineage hypothesis
19th Century
Khâm Định Việt Sử questions Thục kingdom existence
1963
Discovery of “Cẩu chủa cheng vùa” legend reveals Thục Phán as Tây Âu leader
Historical Perspectives Through the Centuries
Ancient Chinese Records
Historical texts refer to An Dương Vương as “Thục Vương Tử” (son of the Thục king) but do not specify the origins of this Thục king, leaving room for interpretation.
14th-15th Centuries
Việt Sử Lược records that at the end of the Zhou dynasty, Hùng Vương was overthrown by Thục Phán, who built the Việt Thường citadel (Cổ Loa, Đông Anh, Hà Nội).
Đại Việt Sử Ký Toàn Thư (15th Century)
Ngô Sĩ Lien specifies that An Dương Vương was from Ba Thục, ruled for 50 years, and changed the name of the country from Văn Lang to Âu Lạc.
18th Century
Ngô Thì Sĩ reiterated the claims of the Đại Việt Sử Ký Toàn Thư but dismissed the hypothesis that An Dương Vương belonged to the Thục lineage.
19th Century
During the Reign of Tự Đức (1848-1883), the historical compilation Khâm Định Việt Sử Thông Giám raised questions regarding the existence of the Thục kingdom.
1963 Discovery
Ethnologists discovered and translated the legend “Cẩu chủa cheng vùa” (Nine Chieftains Vie for the Throne), revolutionizing understanding of Thục Phán’s origins.
“The discovery of the Tày legend ‘Cẩu chủa cheng vùa’ in 1963 fundamentally changed our understanding of Thục Phán’s origins, revealing him as a leader of the Tây Âu tribal alliance rather than a prince from the Chinese Thục kingdom.” — Professor Đào Duy Anh
The Nam Cương Kingdom and Tribal Unification
The 1963 discovery of the legend “Cẩu chủa cheng vùa” (Nine Chieftains Vie for the Throne) indicated that Thục Phán was the leader of a Tây Âu tribal alliance located north of Văn Lang, referred to as the Nam Cương Kingdom. This alliance consisted of ten mường (districts), with one central mường ruled by Thục Phán, encompassing areas of southern Guangxi, Cao Bằng, and potentially a broader northern mountainous region of Tonkin.
The Nam Cương Kingdom
Location:
Northern Văn Lang, including Cao Bằng and southern Guangxi
Structure:
Alliance of ten mường (districts)
Leadership:
Thục Phán ruled the central mường
Composition:
Tây Âu tribes, ancestors of modern Tày people
Significance:
Powerful alliance that eventually merged with Văn Lang
The Unification and Establishment of Âu Lạc
The Nam Cương Kingdom grew powerful while its neighbor, Văn Lang, weakened under the threat of invasion from the Qin Dynasty. Hùng Vương entrusted Thục Phán with the command of the resistance forces. After the death of another Tây Âu chieftain, Dịch Hu Tống, Thục Phán, along with other leaders from both the Tây Âu and Lạc Việt, organized the fight against the Qin forces.
A significant victory led by General Lý Bính resulted in the annihilation of over 300 Qin troops in present-day Cao Bằng, marking a turning point in the resistance. Following the successful campaign, the Hùng King ceded his throne to Thục Phán. He subsequently merged the territories of the Tây Âu and Lạc Việt, establishing the state of Âu Lạc and taking the title An Dương Vương, moving the capital to Cổ Loa (Đông Anh, Hà Nội).
Legacy and Cultural Significance
The cultural legacy of Thục Phán is commemorated through various artifacts and the “Stone of Oath” at the Hùng Kings’ Temple, where he vowed to uphold the legacy of the Hùng kings. The legend is further substantiated by physical relics and specific place names in Cao Bằng connected to the stories of the chieftains.
Researchers continue to explore the origins of Thục Phán, asserting that he led a coalition of the Tây Âu tribes in northern Văn Lang, specifically the Nam Cương Kingdom, comprising ten mường. Professor Đào Duy Anh noted that the discovery of the Tày legend has changed many perspectives regarding the establishment of Âu Lạc.
Archaeological Evidence: Discoveries of valuable artifacts used in the resistance against the Qin, such as bronze arrowheads associated with Thục Phán, have been found in locations like Hà Nội, Cao Bằng, and Thanh Hóa, supporting the historical connections between Thục Phán and the Hùng kings.
Modern Interpretations and Theories
In his work “Bàn về nước Âu Lạc và An Dương Vương,” author Nguyễn Duy Hinh posits that Thục Phán was the head of a Lạc Việt group, suggesting that the conflict between the Hùng kings and Thục Phán was an internal struggle within Âu Lạc. Many legends and historical texts depict Thục Phán as a descendant or relative of the Hùng kings.
Through these historical documents and legends, it can be affirmed that Thục Phán was a leader of the ancient Tày people and the chief of the Tây Âu tribal alliance centered in Cao Bằng. The traditions and folklore surrounding Cổ Loa and its vicinity align with the narrative of Thục Phán’s origins, reinforcing the idea that he was indeed a Tày chieftain. The local community in Cổ Loa continues to remember Thục Phán as a “mountain chieftain” whose roots trace back to Cao Bằng.
Key Theories About Thục Phán’s Origins
Chinese Thục Theory
Early historians suggested Thục Phán was a prince from the defeated Chinese Thục kingdom who fled south, but this theory has been largely disproven.
Tây Âu Chieftain Theory
Supported by the 1963 legend discovery, this theory identifies Thục Phán as a leader of the Tây Âu tribal alliance in the northern mountains.
Lạc Việt Leader Theory
Some scholars argue Thục Phán was actually from the Lạc Việt group, making the conflict an internal power struggle.
Hùng Dynasty Relative
Legends suggest Thục Phán may have been related to the Hùng kings, explaining the peaceful transition of power.
“Both the people of Cao Bằng and historians affirm that Thục Phán – An Dương Vương has his origins in Cao Bằng, making him a pivotal figure in the foundation of Vietnamese identity and sovereignty.” — Journal of Vietnamese Historical Studies
Conclusion
The origins of Thục Phán, who became An Dương Vương, represent a fascinating intersection of history, legend, and cultural identity in Vietnamese historiography. From early Chinese records that mentioned him as “Thục Vương Tử” to the groundbreaking discovery of the “Cẩu chủa cheng vùa” legend in 1963, our understanding of this pivotal figure has evolved significantly.
The current scholarly consensus, supported by ethnographic and archaeological evidence, identifies Thục Phán as a leader of the Tây Âu tribal alliance from the Cao Bằng region. His unification of the Tây Âu and Lạc Việt peoples created the state of Âu Lạc, which represented a stronger, more centralized political entity capable of resisting external threats.
This unification story embodies important themes in Vietnamese history: the ability to merge different ethnic groups into a unified whole, the resilience against foreign invasion, and the continuity of cultural identity despite political changes. The legacy of Thục Phán/An Dương Vương continues to be celebrated in modern Vietnam, particularly through the preservation of Cổ Loa Citadel and the ongoing cultural traditions that honor this formative period in the nation’s history.
The exploration of Thục Phán’s origins continues to enrich our understanding of Vietnam’s early history and the complex dynamics of power, cultural synthesis, and identity formation during this transformative period that laid the foundations for the Vietnamese nation.
