Vietnamese monarchs were the rulers of Vietnam from ancient times until the early 20th century. The monarchy began with the legendary Hùng Kings, who are said to have founded the first Vietnamese state, Van Lang, around 2879 BC. Over the centuries, various dynasties, such as the Lý, Trần, and Nguyễn, played significant roles in shaping Vietnam's culture, politics, and society. The last ruling dynasty was the Nguyễn Dynasty, which lasted from 1802 to 1945. During this period, Vietnam faced internal strife and external pressures, including colonization by the French. The monarchy officially ended when Emperor Bảo Đại abdicated in 1945, marking the transition to a republic.