“The Complete Historical Records of Dai Viet” is the central monument of traditional historical thought of Vietnam, a state chronicle covering the period from ancient times to 1675, as officially revised in 1697. Volume I includes: An introductory chapter, including all the prefaces and supporting texts prepared over the more than four centuries during which this monument was compiled, as well as the first two chapters of the External Annals, covering the period from 2879 to 111 BC. This publication begins the publication of the world's first complete translation of a source into a foreign language. CONTENTS: The central monument of traditional Vietnamese historiography 10 Rules for the transfer of names, titles and terms used in translating the text 53 Introductory chapter External annals. Chapters I and IIIntroductory chapter 58Preface to the "continuation of the historical records of Daiviega" 58Memorandum [on the completion of] the "continuation of the records of the historical records of Daiviega" 62Preface to the External Annals of the "Complete Collection of the Historical Records of Daiviet" 66Petition for the presentation [to the Supreme Name] of the "Complete Collection" historical notes of Dai Viet" 68 Explanations [to the rules] for compiling the "Complete collection of historical notes of Dai Viet" 71 Table of contents of the weather chronology of "[Complete collection] of historical records of Dai Viet" 76 General discussion for public viewing of the mirror of Vietnamese [history] 84 External annals. Chapter I 109External Annals. Chapter and 123 Commentary 147Appendices 227Participants in the creation of TT 228List of abbreviations 259Bibliography 260Index of names and personal titles 271Index of institutions, positions and titles 302Index of geographical and topographic names 314Index of ethnic names 327Index of titles of essays 329Summary 341