Top 4 Ancient Beauties of Vietnam

Princess Huyen Tran (1287 - 1340) was the daughter of King Tran Nhan Tong and the sister of King Tran Anh Tong. Possessing enchanting beauty, intelligence, and wit, she was often compared to a celestial maiden. In 1293, after King Tran Nhan Tong abdicated, Princess Huyen Tran became the Queen Mother. Invited to Chiem Thanh, the Queen Mother decided to marry her daughter, Princess Huyen Tran, to King Xiem, Chế Mân, to maintain diplomatic relations and demand the territories of O and Ly as dowry. However, shortly after the marriage, King Chế Mân died, and according to tradition, the Queen Mother had to be immolated with the king. Fearing for her sister, King Tran Anh Tong sent Tran Khac Chung to Chiem Thanh to rescue Princess Huyen Tran. Pretending to pay respects, Tran Khac Chung successfully saved her and brought her back to Dai Viet by sea. According to Dai Viet Su Ky Toan Thu, Princess Huyen Tran and Tran Khac Chung developed a beautiful love during their time at sea. Upon returning to Thang Long, following the orders of Emperor Nhan Tong, the princess became a Buddhist nun on Buffalo Mountain (now in Bac Ninh). In 1340, she passed away, and the local people mourned her, honoring her as a Deity and establishing a shrine next to Non Son Pagoda.

An Tư princess's life is scarcely documented in historical records. Rumors suggest she was one of the most beautiful princesses, known for her purity, kindness, and generosity. According to the Complete Annals of Đại Việt, in the year 1285, the Mongol army besieged Gia Lâm and threatened Thăng Long. Emperor Thánh Tông and King Nhân Tông took small boats to Tam Trĩ, while the royal yacht sailed to Ngọc Sơn to mislead the enemy. However, the Mongol forces discovered their plan. On March 9th of the same year, the Mongol navy surrounded Tam Trĩ, almost capturing the two monarchs. The initial battles were unfavorable, and facing the enemy's strength, our forces needed time to regroup and organize for the fight. Therefore, Emperor Trần Thánh Tông reluctantly resorted to a strategy involving his youngest sister, Princess An Tư. He offered her to General Thoát Hoan, who readily accepted the proposal due to the princess's renowned beauty. Subsequently, the Trần army launched a counterattack, resulting in a decisive victory over the Mongol forces. General Thoát Hoan, son of Hốt Tất Liệt, had to 'squeeze into a copper tube to board the fleeing ship' back to China. After the triumph, the Trần kings conducted ceremonies to honor the deities but surprisingly omitted any mention of Princess An Tư.

Lý Chiêu Hoàng, also known as Lý Phế Hậu or the Saintly Empress Chiêu, was renowned for her beauty with a complexion akin to a painted flower. Her beauty and talent were unparalleled. Similar to Võ Tắc Thiên in China, she holds the distinction of being Vietnam's first and last empress. Chiêu Hoàng was the queen consort of Thái Tông until her dethronement in 1237 due to her inability to bear an heir. Her successor, Hiển Từ Thuận Thiên, was her older sister. After 1258, she remarried Lê Phụ Trần, a general who had assisted Thái Tông. They lived together for over two decades, having a son, the future regent Lê Tông, and a daughter, Princess Ứng Thụy Ngọc Khuê. She passed away about a year after Thái Tông at the age of 61. Folklore recounts that even in death, her hair remained jet black, lips as red as vermilion, and cheeks as vibrant as cherry blossoms.