Vietnamese Ancestors
1. According to LegendThe Vietnamese people believe that their ancestors are Lạc Long Quân and Âu Cơ, two legendary figures who are said to have founded the Vietnamese nation. The legend tells that Âu Cơ gave birth to 100 eggs, from which 50 children followed their father to the sea, while the other 50 followed their mother to the mountains, symbolizing the unity between different regions - the lowlands and the highlands.
2. Out of Africa theory
The "Out of Africa" theory posits that modern humans (Homo sapiens) originated in Africa about 200,000 years ago. Around 70,000 to 100,000 years ago, certain groups began migrating out of Africa, branching into different paths and spreading across the world, becoming the ancestors of various racial groups.
• Migration to Europe: One group moved into Europe, forming the white ethnic groups.
• Migration to East and Southeast Asia: Another group moved through the Middle East into East and Southeast Asia, giving rise to the Mongoloid groups of both the North and the South.
• Migration to Oceania and Australia: A group migrated to Oceania and Australia, forming the Australo-Melanesian groups.
The Australo-Melanesians were an ancient population that migrated early to Southeast Asia, including Vietnam, around 50,000–70,000 years ago, before continuing on to Australia and Oceania. Traces of their genetic and archaeological legacy persist, particularly among Vietnam's ethnic minorities, such as the Mạ, Mnông, and Ba Na, who exhibit a higher proportion of Australo-Melanesian ancestry compared to the Kinh majority.
3. Intermingling of Ethnic Groups
Before the appearance of the Mongoloid race, Southeast Asian groups initially belonged to the Australo-Melanesian race and had settled in the Southeast Asian region, including Vietnam, around 40,000–50,000 years ago. These people are considered distant ancestors of ancient Southeast Asian populations, including the Vietnamese.
Around 5,000 to 7,000 years ago, a wave of Mongoloid people from Southern China migrated into Southeast Asia and mixed with the indigenous Australo-Melanesian populations, forming the South Mongoloid ethnic groups, who are the close ancestors of the modern Vietnamese people.
Genetic studies show that the Vietnamese belong to the East Asian group, with gene lines closely related to current populations in Southeast Asia and South China.
Genetic studies show that the Vietnamese belong to the East Asian group, with gene lines closely related to current populations in Southeast Asia and South China.
4. According to Archaeology
Archaeological findings suggest that the ancient Vietnamese people may have originated from the Hoa Binh and Bac Son cultures, dating back about 10,000 years ago. These prehistoric cultures are significant, indicating that ancient people engaged in hunting, gathering, and using stone tools. Later, the Đông Sơn culture (around 700 BCE – 100 CE) flourished, leaving a clear imprint of the Lac Viet civilization, the direct ancestors of present-day Vietnamese.
5. According to History
Historically, the modern Vietnamese are believed to be descendants of the Baiyue (Bách Việt) people, an ancient group of ethnic communities living in southern China and northern Vietnam today. The Baiyue was a confederation of tribes and peoples, including the Lac Viet group, who are considered the direct ancestors of the Vietnamese people.
The history of the Baiyue is crucial, especially during the prehistoric and ancient periods. The term Baiyue refers to ancient ethnic groups that inhabited regions from southern China to modern-day Vietnam, before being influenced and assimilated by various Chinese dynasties, particularly during the Han Dynasty.
The Baiyue is not a single ethnic group but a collection of many tribes, each with its distinct culture, living in a vast area from southern China to Vietnam.
In historical records such as Đại Việt Sử Ký (The History of Great Viet) and Lịch Triều Hiến Chương Loại Chí (A Record of the Reigns of the Vietnamese Kings), the Baiyue is often mentioned in the context of wars, cultural exchanges, and historical events involving interactions with Chinese dynasties. The Baiyue played a significant role in shaping the culture and history of Vietnam.
Moreover, in Shiji (Records of the Grand Historian) by Sima Qian, the Baiyue is also mentioned in the context of the Han Dynasty’s territorial expansion and the cultural influence of China over the region.
The history of the Vietnamese people is a rich tapestry woven from ancient myths, archaeological discoveries, and historical migrations. From the legendary origins of Lạc Long Quân and Âu Cơ to the emergence of the Lạc Việt and Bách Việt cultures, the Vietnamese have a deep and diverse heritage. Over thousands of years, they absorbed influences from neighboring regions while preserving a unique identity. This blend of cultural exchange and continuity has shaped modern Vietnam and its people, forming a lasting connection to both their ancient roots and their evolving present.
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