Mac Dang Dung was a 7th generation descendant of a very famous Tran Dynasty's scholar named Mac Dinh Chi. He had a very poor up bringing, making his living as a fisherman. However, he was very strong and good with martial arts. He quit his job as a fisherman and became the body guard for Emperor Uy Muc of the Later Le Dynasty. After Emperor Tuong Duc, a cousin of Emperor Uy Muc who ousted him, was killed, the whole court was thrown into confusion and rivalry among different sides. An able general, Mac Dang Dung eventually helped the new Emperor Chieu Tong pacified all, and held absolute power in the name of Emperor Chieu Tong. Unable to stand his oppressive rule, Chieu Tong fled the court. Mac Dang Dung then put Chieu Tong's younger brother up as the new emperor. However, after only a few years, he forced the new emperor Cung Hoang to abdicate and took over the throne to form the Mac Dynasty. Although Mac Dang Dung dethroned the Later Le emperor, he was afraid that the people were still remembering the Later Le Dynasty. Therefore, he kept everything the same, from code of laws to custom. He also gave titles to the Later Le officials who killed themselve as remonstrations against his upsurp. He invited the ones who were still alive to come out of hiding to work for him. Adopting the Tran Dynasty's custom, he gave up the throne in 1530 to let his son rule, while he still watched over from behind the curtains.

Mac Dang Dung was one of the most able generals at the time. In only a short time, he managed to subdue all the fightings, and brought temporary peace for the people. After he became emperor, he was a good ruler who cared about the people. He tried to revive the economy and education, which were delayed and slowed down by years of incessant warfare.

Mac Dang Dung was criticized as being an upsurer and a coward. When the Ming Dynasty threatened to invade Vietnam, he surrendered and gave up some lands near the border so that the Chinese would not invade Vietnam. He only gets a 4 out of 10 for his rating.