Trung Sisters - Definition and Overview

The Trưng Sisters, known in Vietnamese as Hai Bà Trưng (the two Trưng women), are two 1st century women regarded as the national heroines of Vietnam.

According to tradition, Trưng Trắc's husband was a Vietnamese lord. After her husband was killed and she was raped by a Chinese general, Trưng Trắc and her younger sister Trưng Nhị spearheaded resistance to the occupying Chinese for three years before, according to tradition, drowning themselves instead of surrendering in AD 43.

The Trưng Sisters are highly revered in Vietnam, as they led the first resistance movement against the occupying Chinese. Many temples are dedicated to them, and a yearly holiday to commemorate their deaths are observed by many Vietnamese. In addition, numerous large streets in major cities are named after them. They are often depicted riding on elephants onto battle.

The stories of the Trung sisters and of another famous woman warrior, Triệu Thị Trinh, are cited by some historians as hints that Vietnamese society before Sinicization was a matriarchal one, where there are no obstacles for women in assuming leadership roles.

Example Usage of Sisters