Phong Châu

For other uses, see Phong Châu (disambiguation).

Phong Châu (峯州) was the capital city of Văn Lang (now Vietnam) for the most part of the Hồng Bàng period,^[1] from the Third dynasty to the eighteenth dynasty of Hùng kings.

Phong Châu

峯州
Shown within Vietnam
Location	Bạch Hạc District, Việt Trì, Phú Thọ Province, Vietnam
Region	Northern Vietnam
Coordinates	21°16′54″N 105°26′31″E
Type	Settlement
History
Builder	Unknown, was already in existence during the third dynasty of Hùng kings
Abandoned	3rd century BC
Periods	Third dynasty to Eighteenth dynasty of Hùng kings

History

The historical site was the third capital of Văn Lang, following the previous capital Nghĩa Lĩnh. Its ruins are located near Bạch Hạc District, Việt Trì, Phú Thọ Province, and also the name of Phong Châu district, Phú Thọ province. The 15th century book Đại Việt sử ký toàn thư (Đại Việt Complete History) gave more information about Phong Châu.

According to legend, the site was where Âu Cơ, wife of King Lạc Long Quân, gave birth to their children,^[2] commemorated at the Hùng Temple in modern Phong Châu district, Phú Thọ province. For this reason, the history of Phú Thọ province is closely linked to that of the country itself.

Its eventual downfall was due to the weakening of the Hùng king, following the rise of foreign powers. In 258 BC, the Âu Việt tribes under the leadership of Thục Phán sacked Phong Châu during their invasion of Văn Lang. With the end of the Hùng King Epoch, the seat of government moved to Cổ Loa.

See also

• List of historical capitals of Vietnam

Other people from Phong Châu

• Kiều Công Tiễn^[3]
• Kiều Công Hãn (vi), a warlord who held Phong Châu, Bạch Hạc, Phu Tho Province, during the Anarchy of the 12 Warlords.

References

1. Anh Thư Hà, Hò̂ng Đức Trà̂n A brief chronology of Vietnam's history Page 4 2000 "while the remaining sons followed their father to the sea in the South, except for the eldest who was assigned to succeed his father as the next King Hùng. King Hùng named his country Văn Lang with Phong Châu (Bạch Hạc district, Phú Thọ ..."
2. North East VietNam: mountains and ethnic minorities - Page 61 Tim Doling - 2000 "The Hùng Kings Temple - The Hùng Kings Temple complex is located some 2% kilometers from the main highway in the Phong Châu District. It was here, according to Vietnamese legend, that the Fairy Âu Cơ, wife of King Lạc Long Quân, gave ..."
3. according to Từ điển Bách khoa toàn thư Việt Nam

Preceded by Nghĩa Lĩnh	Capital of Vietnam 26th or 20th century BC – 258 BC	Succeeded by Cổ Loa