Reigner : Kings Hung 1st to 18th
Period : ? to 257 BC (? years , 18 reigns)
Reign's Titles : Hung Vuong
Country's Name : Van Lang
Capital : Bach Hac (Phu Tho) .
Contemporary Chinese Dynasty: 2100 BC Xia Dynasty / 1600BC Shang Dynasty / 1100 BC Zhou Dynasty / 771 BC Spring and Autumn Period / 476BC Warring States .
History : In the legend, the Hung Vuong era was thriving by about 2000 BC, but there is no archaeological evidence of Hung Dynasty, only the evidence that by this time there was a water-rice civilization in the Red River Delta, at the mid- Bronze Age. According to the legend, the First Hung Vuong established the First State of Viet nation from 15 tribes of Lac Viet in responding the needs of co-operation in constructing hydraulic systems, and in struggle against the enemies. This is a very primitive form of a State with the King Hung on top, under him is a Court consisted of assistants - the Lac Has. The Reign's name was Van Lang and capital of the country settled in Phong Chau (now Viet Tri city, Phu Tho prov.) on the cross-point of three rivers where the Red river delta begins from the foot of mountains. The country composes of 15 Bo (region), each ruled by a Lac Tuong, usually Lac Tuong was a member of King Hung's family. Bo comprised the agricultural hamlets and villages based on a matriarchal clan relationship and headed by Bo Chinhs (usually an wise old man). The east border of the country was to the sea (Tonkin Gulf now), the west to Ba Shu (Southwestern China), the north to Dongting Lake, and the south to Hu Tun Kingdom (Champa ). The economy was based mainly on water-rice cultivation, and in addition were handicrafts, hunting and gathering, husbandry and fishing. Especially, the skill of bronze casting was at high level. The famous relics are Dong Son Bronze Drums on which depicted house models, clothing, custom, habits, and cultural activities of Hung era. There were 18 consecutive Hung reigns handed down from generation to generation.
Famous Names of the Reign :
The Hung Vuong era only lasted after about 2,000 years, according to the legend, but the history of that time is shrouded in a rich oral tradition of myth and legend. Many heroes appeared in that history, but the most considerable are :
Thanh (Saint) Giong : In the 6th Hung King Reign, the An tribe of south China invaded the Van Lang Kingdom. Being a brutal, skilled troop, the Ans swept down from the north, leaving rage and loathing in their wake. Hung King's army could not stop them and the King had to send his envoy to find a Deity who can stop the invasion as in his once dream. The Deity appeared at last in the form of a little boy, aged 3, who could not stand up or speak for all that time and whose birth was a curious mystery in the Giong village. By only one battle, the Deity won the victory, swept out the Ans and himself ascended to the sky. He was named Saint Giong and worshipped at many places in the country.
Chu Dong Tu : In one late reign of Hung, there lived a young fisherman, named Chu, in a rural hamlet on a river bank. He was so poor that got nothing to wear and his solution to deal with the other is to sink himself half in water. Although all his trying to make some more fish for a piece of clothe but he could hardly to keep himself from starving. Oneday, Tien Dung, a princess of Hung King passed the region by boat. Attracted by the scenery, she decided to stop at the wild place of river bank to take a bath. What happened is the spot where the princess had her bathing in a hangings is right place that Chu hidden himself by digging into the sand for being scared that someone could see him nude. Thought that the God's arrangement, Tien Dung then got married with Chu. The couple did a lot to help the people in the region, especially after Chu was trained by a Buddhist monk and became magic. Chu and his wife then ascended to the sky together with their village that they constructed in one night by magic. Now, the site that their village once situated is a pond, named One Night Pond. Chu was also worshipped as a National Deity.
Son Tinh (Tan Vien Mountain Deity) : Being a normal boy, he was took care and trained by God to become a powerful deity who ruled all the mountains and forests. His palace was settled in Tan Vien Mountain - a sacred place in Red River Delta. He got married with only princess of the 18th King Hung and that fact evoked a ferocious war between him and Thuy Tinh - deity of all rivers and lakes, who was later in offering the tributes to the King in a competition for reaching to princess. The war ended with the failure of Thuy Tinh. Hatred of Son Tinh, he made flood yearly to attack him for revenge. That's why Son Tinh helped Viet people to build the dike system to prevent flood.
Au Lac Reign
Reigner : Thuc Phan (An Dzuong Vuong)
Period : 257 BC to 208 BC (49 years , 1 reign)
Reign's Titles : -
Country's Name : Au Lac
Capital : Co Loa
Contemporary Chinese Dynasty: Qin (361- 206BC)
History :
In the 3rd century BC, the Van Lang State was declining slowly and was defeated in 257 BC by Au Viet tribe resided north of Van Lang. Thuc Phan, head of Au Viet, then unified the two tribes and two countries into one, established a new state - the Au Lac and proclaimed himself as An Dzuong Vuong. The capital of new state was at Co Loa (now Dong Anh dist. Hanoi). In 218 BC, the Chinese Qin Dynasty sent its 500,000 soldiers troop to invade the Au Lac and occupied the country. The Au Lac people under the leadership of Thuc Phan, had led an endure struggle against the Qin for 10 years and won at last. Recovered the country, Thuc Phan started to build the Co Loa Citadel with 9 large earthen ramparts constructed in a maze-like shape resembling the spirals of a snail, for defence purpose. With the citadel and some kind of new weapon, Au Lac was a military power at the time.
That time was at the early Iron Age in Vietnam, the people of Au Lac could mould some tools and weapons from Iron ore, but most of them were made from bronze. The agriculture stepped fowards with using buffalo in ploughing soil. The pottery was still primitive but better in baking treatment. Bricks and tiles were used in construction.
The administration system was similar the Kings Hung era : the country divided into 15 Bo (area) and under Bo were communes. King was on top, owned all the country, land, sea, etc., commanded army and appointed the positions, while Lac Tuong headed Bo and Bo Chinh led commune. The commoners were productive force, they cultivated and paid a rent for the rulers. They had also other duties to the commune and country including service in army. The slaves were the lowest rank in society.
Chao (Chinese) Domination
Reigner : Chao Ta (207 BC - 136 BC) / Chao Ho (136BC-124BC) / Chao An Ti (124BC-112BC)/ Chao H'shing(112BC-112BC) / Chao Shin T'su(112BC-111BC) .
Period : 207 BC - 111 BC (97 years , 5 reigns)
Reign's Titles : -
Country's Name : Au Lac prov. of Nan Yueh
Capital : -
Contemporary Chinese Dynasty: Han (206 BC - 220 AD)
History :
Chao Ta, in the chaos of Qin's situation, attempted to become an Emperor, had occupied the south of China and founded the Nan Yueh State , bordering the Au Lac. Many times, Chao invaded Au Lac but failed for Au Lac had a strong military force, solid Co Loa citadel and better weapons. In a well-prepared spy action, Chao got all Au Lac military secrets in hand and quickly defeated King An Dzuong. In 207 BC, after conquering the Au Lac, Ta annexed it to Nan Yueh and dominated Au Lac for almost 100 years with five reigns. In 111 BC, Chao was defeated by Han and Nan Yueh then was annexed to Han, re-named Chiao Chih.
Famous Names of the Reign :
Chao Ta, in the chaos of Qin's situation, attempted to become an Emperor, had occupied the south of China and founded the Nan Yueh State, bordering the Au Lac. Many times, Chao invaded Au Lac but failed for Au Lac had a strong military force, solid Co Loa citadel and better weapons. In a well-prepared spy action, Chao got all Au Lac military secrets in hand and quickly defeated King An Dzuong. In 207 BC, after conquering the Au Lac, Ta annexed it to Nan Yueh and dominated Au Lac for almost 100 years with five reigns. In 111 BC, Chao was defeated by Han and Nan Yueh then was annexed to Han, re-named Chiao Chih.
Han (Chinese) Domination
Reigner : Chinese Governors
Period : 111 BC - 220 AD (331 years)
Reign's Titles : -
Country's Name : Chiao Chih under Han
Capital : -
Contemporary Chinese Dynasty: Han (East) (206 BC - 9 AD) / Hsin (9-23) / Later Han (23-220) .
History :
Following the Chao, Han Dynasty of China took the domination of former Au Lac in 111 BC. The territory of Au Lac was comprised in 3 districts of Chiao Chih province, each ruled by a Chinese mandarin while the old system of lower rank rulers of Lac Hau , Lac Tuong were kept unchanged.Viet people had to pay tributes and many kind of taxes to the Hans. The Chinese mandarins tried to occupy the area of land and changed them into Chinese farms with Chinese peasants immigrated. But the imposition of a foreign administrative system and the Sinicization was not easy, numerous sporadic uprisings and rebellions are testimony to Viet strong resistance. In 40 AD, a rebellion of Trung Sisters (Trung Trac and Trung Nhi) took place and swept out the Han. Trung Trac became the Queen of the Independent Viet. The Capital was in Me Linh (now Phu Tho). But the State of Trung could'nt last very long, in 41AD, the Han sent their 200,000 soldiers troop to re-invade and after two years of brave resistance,the Trung Sisters were defeated in 43 AD.
After the collapsing of Trung Vuong, the Han rejected the system of Lac Hau, Lac Tuong and reinforced the administration with Hans. They forced Viet people to follow Han laws, Han way of living and immigrated vast numbers of Han people into Viet country, taught Han language in an attempt of Sinicization of Viet.The domination was very brutal with higher taxes and tributes. However, the Han also introduced Chinese writing, Confucianism,science , medicine, architecture and many other cultural aspects etc. The scholars and religious travellers also brought Buddhism,Taoism and the civil code of Confucianism to Viet people. In the 2nd century AD, many Buddhist pagodas were constructed in Luy Lau (Bac Ninh). These facts of Chinese civilization imprinted the northern Vietnamese so profoundly that it became a central factor in their complex make-up.
On that period, the Iron technology was prosperous in Viet country. The Viet got their know-how of moulding weapons, tools,gatgets from Iron. The agriculture reached a higher step for using iron ploughshare and buffalos and constructing canal system. There were two rice crops each year. Many kinds of fruit-trees and industrial trees were grew up.
The handicrafts also developed, apart from traditional pottery and weave, metallurgy, the technology of paper, glassware, and juwellery were transferred from China and quickly settled in Vietnam. In the 3rd century, the Viet even exported their paper to Roman country.
Along with the development of economy, the system of trade also spread all over country with all kind of markets.But the foreign trade was limited by the Hans.
The art of that time showed a mixture between the traditional and imported Chinese arts.
Famous Names of the Reign :
Trung Sisters and their woman-generals were the famous warriors . In a very short time, Trungs and their troop, almost a half were women, swept out the skilled, atrocious Han expeditionary corps, occupied 63 citadels and forts and founded an independent state. Being defeated by Hans, Trung Sisters commited suicide by sank themselves into Hat Giang River in 43 AD, the 2nd month of Lunar.
East Wu (Chinese) Domination
Reigner : Chinese Governors
Period : 220 - 280 (60 years)
Reign's Titles : -
Country's Name : Chiaozhou under Wu
Capital : -
Contemporary Chinese Dynasty: Three Kingdoms
History :
The East Han Dynasty collapsed in 220 and China was divided by three kingdoms : North Wei,West Shu and East Wu. Chiao Chih was under East Wu control and re-named Chiaozhou. The domination of the East Wu was very harsh and evocked many hatred among the Viet people. In 248, a rebellion led by Trieu Thi Trinh, a young girl-hero, rose up in a mountain region (now Thanh Hoa) and swept -down most of Chiaozhou territory in 6 months. She establihed a new Viet government to rule the country after wiping out the Wu. Her warriors were the Wu's panic. But the Wu's force was much stronger than her peasant troop, especially after reinforcing troop of Wu came from China and the rebellion was defeated after the ferocious battles. Ba (Ms.)Trieu was killed on the last battle at the age of 23.The independent state of Viet collapsed.
Famous Names of the Reign :
Ba (Ms.) Trieu was a National Hero , a military commander, a leader of Viet people of that time.
Chinese Domination from 280 to 543
Reigner : Chinese Governors
Period : 280 - 543 (263 years)
Reign's Titles : -
Country's Name : Chiaozhou under West Tsin / East Tsin / Song / Tse/ S'ung .
Capital : -
Contemporary Chinese Dynasty: West /East Tsin (281 -420) / Song (421- 479) / Tse (480 - 505)/ S'ung (506 -570) .
History :
Although the Dynasties in China succeeded each to another in almost 300 years, but the situation in Chiaozhou kept unchanged. The Chinese sent their mandarins to rule Chiaozhou as Governors .Viet people had to pay tributes and taxes, labours to Chinese Dynasties. Many aspects of Chinese culture infiltrated into Viet life, religion, belief, etc. The economy and and society were low-developed.
The Early Ly Dynasty
Reigner : Ly Nam De (544 - 548) / Trieu Viet Vuong (548 -571) / Ly Thien Bao (549 - 555) / Ly Phat Tu (571 - 602).
Period : 544 - 602 (58 years , 4 reigns)
Reign's Titles : Thien Duc / - / - / - .
Country's Name : Van Xuan (Eternal Spring).
Capital : Long Bien (Hanoi).
Contemporary Chinese Dynasty: S'ung Dynasty (505 - 570)/ Sui Dynasty (581 - 618)
History :
Ly Bon or Ly Bi was born in 503 in family of a local official and brought up by a Buddhist monk after his parent's death when he was 7. Being very intelligent and well trained by the monk, Ly Bon became the local people's leader who got very wide knowledge. For the cruel domination of the S'ung Dynasty over Viet people, he led an large uprising against Chinese ruler in 542. In 3 months, he swept out the S'ung from Chiaozhou. In attempt to re-occupy Chiaozhou, the S'ungs sent reinforcement troops at the end of 542 and again in 543, but they were all defeated by Ly Bon's ambush battles.
In 544, Ly Bon proclaimed himself Emperor of the Southern (Nam De), and named the country Van Xuan, the Capital situated in Hanoi now. He ordered to build up Khai Quoc (Founding the Country) Pagoda (now Tran Quoc Pagoda in Hanoi) to commenmorate the Buddhism's role in the foundation of Van Xuan.
In 545, the S'ung sent their army and navy to re -invade Van Xuan. Failed to stop them and suffered a great loss, Ly Nam De retreated into the jungle of Vinh Phuc now. A fierce battle happened here and Ly had to go further into the forest of Phu Tho. To adapt the situation, Ly divided army by two, one part led by himself to endure at the spot, and sent another led by Ly Thien Bao (his cousin) and Ly Phat Tu (a relative) to Thanh Hoa now to continue the resistance. Not long after, Ly Nam De suffered a serious desease and trusted Trieu Quang Phuc, his close general to continue the resistance. Ly Nam De died in 548 at his 45 age.
After Ly Nam De 's death, Ly Thien Bao proclaimed himself King Dao Lang and set up in Thanh Hoa, while Trieu Quang Phuc proclaimed himself King Trieu Viet and set up in a region of ponds and forest of Hung Yen now. In 550, Trieu Viet Vuong attacked successfuly the S'ung troop and took control over the Red River delta. In 555, Ly Thien Bao died and Ly Phat Tu succeeded him to command the garrison in Thanh Hoa.
In 557, Ly Phat Tu attacked Trieu Viet Vuong to win the throne but failed and accepted to control a half country by a peace treaty. But the situation ended in 571 when Ly Phat Tu suddenly attacked Trieu Viet Vuong and came on throne, proclaimed himself Later - Ly Nam De. The Later Ly Dynasty set up the Capital in Phong Chau (now Viet Tri). In 602, the Chinese Sui Dynasty after the unification of the China completed, expanded south to Van Xuan. Ly Phat Tu surrendered the country to the Sui and the Early Ly Dynasty ended.
Sui (Chinese) Domination
Reigner : Chinese Governors
Period : 602 - 618 (16 years)
Reign's Titles : -
Country's Name : Chiaozhou under Sui
Capital : -
Contemporary Chinese Dynasty: Sui (589 - 618)
History :
Chiaozhou under Sui Dynasty comprised from 3 districts, now they are : Red river delta provinces, Thanh Hoa, and Nghe An - Ha Tinh. The capital city of Chiaozhou was in Tong Binh (Hanoi now). The Sui lasted in 618 and the Tang Dynasty succeeded to control Chiaozhou.
Tang (Chinese) Domination
Reigner : Chinese Governors
Period : 618 - 905 (287 years)
Reign's Titles : -
Country's Name : -
Capital : -
Contemporary Chinese Dynasty: Tang (618 - 906)
History :
In 671, the Tang re-established Chiaozhou into 12 zhou (small provinces),59 districts under Department of Annam Domination (DAD) . The Chinese rulers kept the administration of zhou and districts up. The DAD headquarter was in Tong Binh (Hanoi) with a big garrison. Beside the annual tributes, people had to pay many kinds of tax on capitation, family,production etc. Taxes were very high. However, agriculture and handicraft achieved certain developments for importing new technologies from China, India.The highly developed Tang culture also influenced strongly Vietnamese, the Tang opened many schools teaching Chinese scripts and culture. Buddhism took a very important role in society, the monks were also teachers, doctors, advisers, etc.
But the Tang's rule was so harsh, brutal that many uprisings had been broken out along that period. Most noticeable were :
Mai Hac De (Mai the Black Emperor) (722) : Mai Thuc Loan was born in a poor peasant family,and was very famous for his strength, intelligence and the black complexion. In 722, being one of porters who were exhausting in transportation of Lychee fruites to Tang Emperor 's favourite concubine Yang Kuei-fei, Mai called for a rebellion and was warmly responded by the people. The rebels swept out the Tang from Vietnam and proclaimed Mai Thuc Loan Black Emperor, capital was in Van An (now Nghe An). But Mai Hac De could'nt stop the 100,000 soldiers of Tang reinforcing troop and had to shrink into the jungle and died there for a jungle disease. His son succeeded the father for a short time and was known as Mai Thieu De (Juvenile Emperor). The rebellion was collapsed not long after.
Bo Cai Dai Vuong (Emperor the Great Father) (791 -802) : Phung Hung, a local official and son of a former Mai Hac De's warrior, was very famous for kind-hearted and strength (he once killed a tiger to save a life of a man). In 766, he risen up a rebellion against the Tang's rule and resisted for 25 years until he could attack the headquarter of Tang troop in Hanoi and occupied the citadel after 7 days of fierce battles,in 791. The Tangs had to run away. Phung Hung got on throne in Hanoi and was honoured Bo Cai Dai Vuong by people. Phung Hung ruled the country for 7 years until he died in 799.His son, Phung An, succeeded to throne and ruled until 802 when he was defeated by Tang army.
Khuc Thua Du (905 - 907): He was a rich man, admired by people for good-natured. The Tang's tyranized rule made him to call for an uprising. His army swept out the Tangs in 905 and his demand of being Governor of Vietnam was accepted by the Tang Dynasty at last. He became the first Vietnamese chaired the seat of Governor.
The Autonomous Period
Reigner : Khuc Thua Du (905-907) /Khuc Hao (907-917) / Khuc Thua My (917-930) /Duong Dinh Nghe (931-938).
Period : 905 - 938 (33 years , 4 governors)
Reign's Titles : -
Country's Name : -
Capital : -
Contemporary Chinese Dynasty: Tang (618 - 906) / The Five Dynasties period (907 - 960)
History :
At the end of the 9th century,the situation of China was unrest, the Tang could'nt control Vietnam as before. Took that chance, Khuc Thua Du, a village notable raised a rebellion in 905, attacked the Tang garrison in Tong Binh (now Hanoi), wiped them out and proclaimed himself Governor, established the autonomous administration .The Tang was reluctant to admit the position. This was very important step to the independence. He died 2 years after and Khuc Hao, his son, replaced the father to seat the position.He applied many progressive policies, re-arranged the administration system with 5 local hierarchy. At the time the situation had changed in China : Tang Dynasty collapsed and the south of China fragmented into ten independent states, among them the Later S'ung Dynasty took control over Annam.The S'ung also accepted Khuc Hao as Governor of Annam and his rule lasted in 917 when he died. Khuc Thua My, his son succeeded the seat under S'ung adoption. In 930, the South Han encroached the S'ung did'nt admit the situation and sent a troop to invade. Khuc Thua My was captured and the Annam now was under ruling of a South Han Governor again.In 931, Duong Dinh Nghe or Dien Nghe, a former general of Khuc's army, lead a rebellion and expelled the South Han from Annam, re-established the autonomy. But the situation ended in 938 when Duong Dinh Nghe was assasinated by Kieu Cong Tien, one of his escorts who coveted the position of Governer. The assasination evocked a hatred of Tien and many uprisings occured after that. Fearful of the people's revenge, Tien entreated the help from the South Han Dynasty and they immediately sent army and navy to invade the Annam again.
Ngo Dynasty
Reigner : Ngo Quyen (Ngo Vuong) (939 - 944) / Duong Tam Kha (Duong Binh Vuong) (944 - 950) / Ngo Xuong Van (Nam Tan Vuong) (950 - 965 ) and Ngo Xuong Ngap (Thien Sach Vuong) (951 - 965).
Period : 939 - 965 (26 years , 4 reigns).
Reign's Titles : -
Country's Name : -
Capital : Co Loa (Hanoi)
Contemporary Chinese Dynasty: South Han / South T'chiu / Han An Ti / Later Chou (... - 959 ).
History :
Ngo Quyen was Duong Dinh Nghe's son - in - law and a talented general who commanded a garrison in Chau Ai (now Thanh Hoa) under Duong time. Heard about the assasination, he immediately sent his army to kill Kieu Cong Tien and planned an ambush for the South Han troop. He ordered to lay the wooden poles with sharp spikes on tops in the Bach Dang River mouth at high tide and enticed the South Han ships to pass the site into an ambush. Being fiercely attacked from the ambush at the time of low tide, the ships tried to sail away and most of them were pierced and sank.The South Han lost most of their navy and had to stop the invation. This was The First Bach Dang Victory in 938. A new era opened to Vietnam nation : the era of independence from Chinese Dynasties.
In 939, Ngo Quyen ascended the throne, named Ngo Vuong (King Ngo), settled the capital at Co Loa (now Hanoi), established an independent state of Annam.In his primitive administration system, the King was on top and himself decided everything. The court was very simple with two groups of officials : military and civil. Only the important region would be ruled by governors appointed by the King. The society under his reign was peaceful. He died in 944.
After Ngo Quyen's death, his brother - in - law Duong Tam Kha usurped the throne,proclaimed himself Duong Binh Vuong and ruled from 944 to 950.
In 950, Ngo Xuong Van, the younger son of Ngo Quyen staged a coup against Duong Binh Vuong.He crowned as Nam Tan Vuong and sent the envoys to find his older brother, Ngo Xuong Ngap, escaped from Duong Court in 944 and hid in the countryside. In 951, Ngo Xuong Ngap also crowned as Thien Sach Vuong, and there were two Kings co-ruled Vietnam that period.
From 944, the situation of the Ngo Dynasty had became unstable, many rebellions risen everywhere to claim to the territory. The wars between Ngo and the lords had prolonged almost 20 years. In one of the such battles in 965, Nam Tan Vuong was killed and Ngo Dynasty collapsed, the country was fractioned into 12 regions with 12 warlords ruled.
Famous Names of the Reign :
Ngo Quyen was confered as National Hero, who opened an era of independence for Vietnam nation. His victory on South Han in Bach Dang is one of the most glorious in the Vietnam history .
Dinh Dynasty
Reigner : Dinh Bo Linh (968 - 979) / Dinh Toan (979 - 980) .
Period : 968 - 980 (12 years , 2 reigns)
Reign's Titles : Thai Binh / Thai Binh .
Country's Name : Dai Co Viet
Capital : Hoa Lu
Contemporary Chinese Dynasty: Sung Dynasty (960 - 1279)
History :
The war between 12 warlords reached its top in the period of 966 - 968, leaving the hardships and misery in the life of people. Dinh Bo Linh, adopted son of Lord Tran Lam, who ruled the region of Bo Hai Khau (now Thai Binh), had succeeded Lam after his death and suppressed successfully the other 11 warlords in 968, took control over the country. In the same year, Dinh Bo Linh ascended the throne, proclaimed himself Dinh Tien Hoang De (The First Emperor of Dinh) and named the country Dai Co Viet , settled the Capital at Hoa Lu (now Ninh Binh). He also confered the most important titles of the Court : Nam Viet Vuong (King of Nam Viet) on his elder son, Dinh Lien, and Thap Dao Tuong Quan - General of Ten Corps (means Commander - in - Chief) on Le Hoan, a talented general of the Court. In the Dinh reigns, the King kept in his hand utmost power in politics, military, law, religion. Two officials assisting him were : Thai Su (highest rank in the court), Dai Su (a famous Buddhist monk). There were 3 groups of officials : Civil, Military and Religious (Buddhism only). The country was divided into 10 Lo (prov.). Lo comprised of Phu and Chau (dist. and region). But only the important areas were ruled by officials from the Court . The army was also divided into central and local. The economy based on agriculture but handicrafts were also encouraged, many working sites opened in Hoa Lu for weapon making, weaving, minting, ship-building,etc.. Many palaces and pagodas were constructed in that time.The basic unit of Dinh society was village, in which the land was common property that peasants could rent, and pay tax and responsible to fulfil duty toward the King. The education was not developed. Most of the literate persons were Buddhist monks and they were the advisors for the court and the common people also. The Buddhism was very venerated. The crimes were treated seriously in the Dinh reign.
In 979, Dinh Tien Hoang and Dinh Lien were assassinated by Do Thich, an eunuch and the younger son of Dinh Tien Hoang, Dinh Toan succeeded the throne at his 6 age.
Took this chance, the Sung Dynasty in China sent their army to invade Dai Co Viet in 981. On the difficult situation of the country, Queen-Mother Duong Van Nga decided to pass the throne to Thap Dao Tuong Quan Le Hoan, incompliance with the Court's requirement. During one month from ascending the throne, Le Hoan stopped both navy and infantry of Sung by fierce battles in Chi Lang river (now Lang Son) and Tay Ket, captured alive both general-commanders of two these troops, broke the attempt to invade of the Sungs. By this victory, the Vietnamese had affirmed national sovereignty.
Famous Names of the Reign :
Dinh Bo Linh, son of general in Duong Dinh Nghe Court, was very intelligent and brave boy at his childhood. His father died soon and he had to pasture buffalo for living. When on the field with the other boys, he used to order them to carry him onto their arms to march as if he was King, in the game of battle. Grew up in the chaos situation, witnessing the people's misery, he soon became desirous of stopping it and himself established a military troop for that purpose. With the troop, he attended Lord Tran Lam's force and became his most close assistant, then adopted son.
Duong Van Nga, wife of Dinh Bo Linh, was another noticeable character of the period. Being juvenile Empweror's mother, she was brave to pass the throne to Le Hoan in the situation of a coming invation. However,later she became Le Hoan's wife.
The Early Le Dynasty
Reigner : Le Hoan (Dai Hanh) (980 - 1005) / Le Long Viet (Trung Tong) (1005) / Le Long Dinh (Dai Thang Minh Quang Hieu) (1005 - 1009).
Period : 980 - 1009 (29 years , 3 reigns).
Reign's Titles : Thien Phuc / - / Ung Thien.
Country's Name : Dai Co Viet.
Capital : Hoa Lu.
Contemporary Chinese Dynasty: Sung Dynasty ( 960 - 1279 ).
History :
Le Hoan ascended the throne in 980, kept unchanged the country name Dai Co Viet and capital in Hoa Lu . Many Dinh's policies were also kept unchanged. In the administration system, the King held also the utmost power in politics, military, law, religion with the assists of Thai Su and Dai Su like in the Dinh time. The officials were divided into 3 groups of: Civil, Military and Religious . The system of Lo (prov.), Phu and Chau (dist. and region) was the same . The army organization was also unchanged . The economy in the Le time developed more highly for many investments in the transportation, roads, hydraulic systems were made.The society, education, and religion in the Le time was similar the Dinh.
In 981, the Sung invade troop attacked Dai Co Viet with both navy at Bach Dang River mouth and infantry at Chi Lang (Lang Son). Le Hoan arranged two ambush at these sites. The first ambush in Bach Dang destroyed most of Sung navy and the second wiped out the left of Sungs and ended the invasion.
In 1005, Le Hoan died and his 3rd son Le Long Viet was appointed to succeeded the throne by him before his death, but a fierce struggle between 4 princes for the throne broke out right after the mourning and only lasted after 7 months when Long Viet won at last. His reign lasted 3 days after by a coup staged by Long Dinh, his younger brother . Long Viet was killed in the coup.
Long Dinh ursurped the throne, proclaimed himself Dai Thang Minh Quang Hieu Hoang De (The Great Emperor of Glory,Wise and Victory). Being a wicked character man, Long Dinh was very lustful and brutal in ruling the country. For his extremely lustful life, he could only lie when attending the court ceremonies and famous with the name Le Ngoa Trieu (Le the King lay in Court). He died in 1009 in his 24.
Because his son was still a baby, the Court Council decided to raise Ly Cong Uan, a top rank general of the Court and famous for excelence in both politics and military to the throne. The Ly Dynasty began in 1009.
Famous Names of the Reign :
Le Hoan was a brave and talented general in the Dinh's army who achieved a lot of feats during the war and was confered the highest military rank of the Court at his 30 age. His glorious victory over the Sung was a proof that the Dinh Court's decision of handling over the Dinh's throne to him was appropriate in the situation.
Ly Dynasty
Reigner : Ly Cong Uan (Thai To) (1010-1028) / Ly Phat Ma (Thai Tong) (1028-1054) / Ly Nhat Ton (Thanh Tong) (1054-1072) / Ly Can Duc (Nhan Tong) (1072-1128) / Ly Dzuong Hoan (Than Tong) (1128-1138) / Ly Thien To (Anh Tong) (1138-1175) / Ly Long Can (Cao Tong) (1176-1210) / Ly Sam (Hue Tong) (1211-1224) / Ly Chieu Thanh (Chieu Hoang) (1224-1225) .
Period : 1010 - 1225 ( 215 years , 9 reigns )
Reign's Titles : Thuan Thien / Thien Thanh / Long Thuy / Thai Ninh / Thien Thuan/ Thieu Minh / Trinh Phu / Kien Gia / Then Xuong .
Country's Name : Dai Co Viet (1010-1054) / Dai Viet (1054 ..)
Capital : Hoa Lu (1010) / Thang Long (1010 ...)
Contemporary Chinese Dynasty: Sung (960 - 1229)
History :
Ly Cong Uan was born in 974 and brought up by a Buddhist monk for his mother died right after giving birth. He was trained on all necessary knowledges of a leader, a scholar and a military general because the monk, who took care of him was a wise bonze-superior and could foresee the future. And Ly had become a famous general in the Le Court when he was still very young. In 1009, after the death of the last Le Emperor, Ly was raised by the Court to the throne and became the first Ly Emperor (Thai To).
In 1010, Ly Thai To ordered to move the capital from Hoa Lu to Dai La (now Hanoi) and re-named it Thang Long (Ascending Dragon) for he saw a dragon ascended from the citadel at the moment he'd just arrived by boat,according to ancient history documents. Royal palaces, citadels, pagodas were constructed in Thang Long. He reorganized the government,with the Emperor on top who decided everything and important positions in the court belonged to his relatives. The country was divided into 24 Lo (province) comprising Huyen (District). Huyen was composed of Xa (Villages). The Emperor appointed the rulers for Lo only, the Huyen and Xa were ruled by elected council. All discontents could be submitted directly to the Emperor by ringing a huge bell hung in front of royal palace.
In 1042, the Lys released 'Criminal Code' to protect royal and people's property, in which the crime of killing buffalo would be fined seriously . The army was comprised from two : royal and local armies, the soldiers in the latter could be allowed to come home to work after 6 months in army and come back the army after 6 months at home.
In 1054 the Lys re-named the country Dai Viet (Viet the Great).
On agriculture, the Lys encouraged people to break soil by allowing them to possess that soil as own property (The other soil belonged to Emperor), built up the dike system, outlawed the killing or stealing buffallo, cut the tax in the crop-failured years. Other handicrafts also developed, especially the weave from worm-silk and pottery.
The villages were the communes with their own regulations, most of people in commune were peasants who cultivated on the land of King or Confered mandarins and paid the rent. The slaves belonged to the lowest rank of society.
The education was in the first step. In 1070, the Van Mieu (Temple of Literature) was established. A school opened in the capital to study Confucianism, literature, philosophy,etc. In 1075, the first examination was held to choose the talents. Chinese scripts was official letters.
Buddhism was the national religions, the pagodas were constructed everywhere.
Architecture and sculpture were prosperous : The 12-stages Bao Thien Stupa, 60m-high and One-pillar pagoda in Thang Long, the huge 3-tons weighted bell in Ha Bac, the big statue of Dzi Lac Buddha in Quang Ninh, etc., all were constructed at that time.
In 1075, the Sung of China,took the oppotunity that Ly Nhan Tong was still a 7 years old child,the ruling was made by his mother - Queen Mother Y Lan, prepared a invasion of Vietnam by stored their military ordnances in Nanning. Ly Thuong Kiet, commander - in - chief, a very talented general, sent his special force to Nanning to destroy all these stores and by this, stopped the invasion. On the other hand, he ordered to construct a 100 km-defence line on the south bank of Cau river (now Bac Giang) to prevent the other attempt to invade by the Sung. At the beginning of 1077, as predicted,the Sung sent 100,000 soldiers, 10,000 horses to invade Vietnam, but they had been stopped at the Song Cau line for 2 months, suffered from ferocious attacks by Ly Thuong Kiet and took flight at last. The country was rid of a invasion.
Ly Dynasty started to decline at Ly AnhTong (1138 - 1175) reign, and the next Cao Tong did nothing to improve the situation, but at his youth he indulged in play, ignored the ruling. The country fell in chaos by rebellions raised everywhere and the misery of people. In 1208, the Quach Boc rebellion caused the Court taking flight from the capital, the Emperor hiden in Phu Tho now and crown prince Sam hiden in Nam Dinh now. Sam then got married with Tran Thi Dzung, daughter of a fisherman of that region and was supported by Tran family to fight against the Quach rebellion and won at last. The members of Tran family were confered the important positions in the Court.
The crown prince Sam reigned in 1211 with the court that most important titles belonged to Tran family. Being a feeble spirit, Hue Tong (Sam) suffered a great pressure from Trans and became geting drunk all day, the ruling was almost done by Trans. In 1224, he was forced to hand down the throne to his younger daughter, the Chieu Thanh princess, because he had no son, and went into a Buddhist monastery. In 1227, he was forced to commit suicide by Tran Thu Do, Thai su (one of 3 positions at highest rank of the court) at his 33.
Ly Chieu Hoang or Phat Kim, Chieu Thanh princess, reigned at her 7 years old. In an attempt to usurp the throne, Thai su Tran Thu Do sent Tran Canh, his 8-years old nephew to serve Chieu Hoang as a courtier and a boy friend and Chieu Hoang was very fond of him . At this stage, Thu Do spreaded a rumour that Chieu Hoang wished to get married with Tran Canh and the wedding was soon hold under his pressure. The last result was, in 1225, Ly Chieu Hoang ceded the throne to her husband, Tran Canh. The Ly Dynasty ended, the Tran opened.
Famous Names of the Reign :
+ The First Royal Concubine Y Lan (? - 1117), real name Le Thi Yen, was the daughter of a poor peasant family. Her mother died when she was still a little girl and she had to suffer a bitter childhood with the allday long working on the field. Although the harsh conditions, she grew up,being famous for beauty, intelligence and working skills. That year, Emperor Ly Thanh Tong came to Dau Pagoda of this village to pray for having a son because at his 40, he was too much worry about the succeeder. Unlike the other people who come to see the Emperor, Yen kept singing on working on the field. Suprised at this and admired her for characters through a short interview, Thanh Tong got married with her and confered the title of First Royal Concubine, title name Y Lan (beauty, who rested against michelia tree). In 1066, she had a son later Emperor Nhan Tong. In the palace, she was wrapped in study and soon became a scholar. In 1069, Thanh Tong commanded himself a troop to fight the Champa, Y Lan was appointed Regent and she was very decisive to distribute relief to people in a famine for crop failure and by this, avoid the rebellions, chaos. When she acted as a regent for her 6 years old son, Emperor Nhan Tong, she trusted Ly Thuong Kiet to command the army and expectedly, he got a glorious victory over the Sung. Besides,she was kind-hearted Queen- Mother who always loves and helps the working people.
+ Thai uy (Commander- in- chief) Ly Thuong Kiet (1019 - 1105) was born in a Ngo family (his real name Ngo Tuan), father was a low rank general. In 1036, he served the Emperor as a captain in calvary. With his brave, intelligence and loyalty, he was granted to change to royal name Ly Thuong Kiet and given the important positions in the Court. In 1075 and 1077 he got 2 glorious victories over Sung invade troops and stopped their attempt to extend south.He was the Vietnamese leader, who wrote the First Declaration of Independence of the nation (in the form of a poem) :
The Emperor of south reigns the south country,
That's determined forever in the celestial book,
Why those savage people dare to invade ?
Their audacity is doomed to ignominious failure !
Ly Thuong Kiet is one of the National Hero, his name has been used to name the big street of Hanoi,on that street the PACIFIC R.I.M office situated.
+ To Hien Thanh (? - 1179), a scholar, general,the commander - in - chief of the Anh Tong Court, he was very famous loyalty and indomitable will.He also got a lot of military feats inthe wars against Ai Lao (Laos) and Champa. In 1176 when Anh Tong died, although the Queen - Mother Chieu Linh used gold and gem to bribe him but failed then brought pressure on him to ask him to change the Emperor's will of crown prince, but nothing could change his loyalty to the Emperor.
Le Phung Hieu (? - ?) served 2 reigns of Thai To and Thai Tong as a captain of special force. He was excellent in art of fighting. In 1028, when Thai To died, the court faced a coup led by three princes, Phung Hieu stopped that by a short battle, in which he cut the head of one prince and swept out the left. He got also many feats in the war against Champa. When the country became peaceful, he refused to keep any positions of the court to come back home. To reward him, Thai Tong allowed him to own the area of land which diameter was the distance of throwing a sword from the top of a mountain by Phung Hieu. The area then measured more than 1,000 Mau ( almost 400 Ha) according to legend.
Tran Dynasty
Reigner : Tran Canh (Thai Tong) (1225-1258) / Tran Hoang (Thanh Tong) (1258-1278) / Tran Kham (Nhan Tong) (1279-1293) / Tran Thuyen (Anh Tong) (1293-1314) / Tran Manh (Minh Tong) (1314-1329) / Tran Vuong (Hien Tong) (1329-1341) / Tran Hao (Du Tong) (1341-1369) / Duong Nhat Le (Usurped the throne) (1369-1370) / Tran Phu (Nghe Tong) (1370-1372) / Tran Kinh (Due Tong) (1373-1377) / Tran Hien (Phe De) (1377-1388) / Tran Ngung (Thuan Tong) (1388-1398) / Tran An (Thieu De) (1398-1400)
Period : 1225 - 1400 (175 years , 12 reigns)
Reign's Titles : Kien Trung/ Thieu Long / Thieu Bao / Hung Long / Dai Khanh / Khai Huu / Thieu Phong / Dai Dinh / Thieu Khanh / Long Khanh .
Country's Name : Dai Viet
Capital : Thang Long (now Hanoi)
Contemporary Chinese Dynasty: Sung (... -1279 ) / Yuan (1279 - 1368) / Ming (1369- ...)
History :
Tran Canh, the first Emperor of Tran Dynasty, crowned at his 8 with title Thai Tong as a result of an attempt to usurp the throne from the Lys, directed by Tran Thu Do. After quickly supressed the opposing forces, the Trans re-organized the administration system, appointed the royal family members for the important positions, encouraged development of agriculture, reclaimation and consolidation of dike system. Handicrafts and trade was also developed.The country divided into 12 Lo (province), each composed of numbers of Phu (Region), and Huyen (District), ruled by the officials appointed by the King. Huyen consisted of numbers of Xa (Village) - the smallest administrative unit. Xa was ruled by an official from the Court and an elected council. The basic laws of Ly reigns were re-confirmed.The Tran society was somewhat democratic : common people sometimes can meet the Emperor directly to ask his help. The society and economy, disordered under later Lys now recovered step by step. Military force was developed specially . Buddhism continued to be the National Religion.
In 1257, the Yuan (Mongol) Dynasty in China invaded Dai Viet with a 100,000 soldiers troop after conquered almost all China and most of Europe. Their cavalry was famous for skill and effect all over the world at the time. To avoid facing the tough force of Yuans, Thai Tong retreated his army into forest and waged a guerilla war that slowly eroded the enemy before launched a counter-attack in 1258 and swept out them. The First Resistance War ended successfully.
In following reigns, the country became prosperous for appropriate policies encouraging peasant to break fresh land, to establish new farms and villages, helping the poors, and encouraging study, organizing examinations to select talents. The Dai Viet culture developed well, many famous scholars had made their appearance in this period. The history books of Vietnam compilled by Le Van Huu was also first time published. The other works on science, medicine, military, weapon technology (cannon), ship-building were also released. On defence, Trans tried to train army, store rice and ammunition for a possible war,because of the growing threaten from the Yuans now completely controled over China.
In the reign of Nhan Tong (1279 - 1293), two invations of Yuans occured as predicted. In 1285, half million Yuans invaded Dai Viet with the best team of generals and best facility. Facing such a tough force, Nhan Tong appointed Tran Hung Dao, the most talented general to be Commander-in-Chief to direct the resistance war and summoned a conference of the village elders of all over the country to ask : Should we surrender to the Yuans or fight against them ? By that way he assembled all the nation behind him in the war. Hung Dao retreated the army into forest and conducted a guerilla war like King Thai Tong did in the war of 1257 (but that's his idea !). When the Yuans became exhausted from hostile climate, from prolonged war and disturbance of guerilla, he attacked them everywhere and soon got the win after fierce battles in Chuong Duong, Ham Tu, Van Kiep, etc. Half million of Yuan was destroyed completely, most of tough generals were cut their heads in the battles. The Second Resistance War ended after 6 months.
Two years after, in 1287, another time the Yuans attacked Dai Viet to revenge their defeats. This time, by a miraculous ambush with the wooden poles sharpened at the top which were laid in the Bach Dang River mouth at high tide, most of the Yuan's ships were sank when tried to escape from the ambush at low tide and more than 400 ships left were all captured together with crew, Hung Dao soon ended the 3rd Resistance War against the Yuan. They never dared come back Dai Viet anymore. Few years after the war, in 1293, Emperor NhanTong ceded the throne to his crown prince and went into Buddhist pagoda in Yen Tu Mountain to live a religious life. Later he became the First Ancestor of Truc Lam Buddhist sect.Over that period, Buddhism reached the top of its development, Buddhist pagoda were constructed in every villages. The architecture and sculpture were developed at a higher level of skills, especially proved in construction of royal palaces and pagodas.Some constructions left until now : Pho Minh pagoda (Nam Dinh), Citadel of Ho (Thanh Hoa), etc.
Tran Dynasty began to decline at Du Tong's reign (1341 - 1369), when Emperor indulged in playing, neglected affairs of the Court. The country disordered, rebellions raised up everywhere, people lived in miserable conditions. In the later reigns, Champa Kingdom in the south invaded Dai Viet many times, among which were two times they occupied Thang Long and plundered valuables and girls then set Royal palaces in fire before gone away.
In the reign of Thuan Tong (1388 - 1398),the ruling power was almost concentrated in hand of Ho Quy Ly, a high-ranking mandarin and father-in-law of the Emperor. Being a smart and tough character, Quy Ly realized the end of Tran Dynasty was coming. In 1394, he ordered to build a new capital in Thanh Hoa and in 1397 he forced the Emperor to move the capital over there. Next year, he forced the Emperor to cede the throne to 3 -years- old crown prince then leave the Court for a religious life. The Thieu De was the last Tran King (1398 - 1400). In 1400, Quy Ly forced Thieu De to cede the throne to him, after killed Thuan Tong who was a monk in the pagoda. Tran Dynasty ended after 175 years.
Famous Names of the Reign :
+ Tran Thi Dzung (? - ?), a famous woman, who influenced profoundly the birth, and the founding days of Tran Dynasty. As a girl of a fisherman in Nam Dinh now, she got married with Ly Dynasty crown prince Sam when he refuged there, in the rebellion of Quach Boc, under ruined Ly Cao Tong reign (1176 - 1210). Tran family then supported Sam to swep out the rebellion and then to ascend the throne. It was the first steps for Tran Dynasty's birth. But everything done at the time and later were under the influence of Ms. Dzung, who secretly hidden her love with Tran Thu Do, her cousin and the most important hero in founding the Tran Dynasty, to devote to her Tran family's cause.
+ Tran Thu Do (1194 - 1264) was main architector of Tran family. He was a smart and decisive, full of tricks. It was him who forced Ly Hue Tong to hand the crown to princess Ly Chieu Hoang and then arranged the marriage between Chieu Hoang with his nephew Tran Canh and then, the handing over the throne to Tran Canh. As a Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief of new Dynasty with a 10 years old king, he directed the court so skillfully, while suppressed resolutely the oppositions and re-organized the administrative system from the central to village. Under his ruling, the country became orderly and stable. He also took a very important role in the 1st resistance war against the Yuans. He was a typical politician in the history of Vietnam.
+ Tran Hung Dao (1228 - 1300), real name Quoc Tuan, the outstanding military general , who 3 times winned over the Yuans, the most skilled army all over the world. He was also a scholar who left many valuable works on military, and literature. After his death, he was worshipped as a national hero and saint all over the country. People believed that saint Tran (Hung Dao) was magicious and ready to help the miserables.
+ Tran Quang Khai (1240 - 1294) was second position after Hung Dao in army, he achieved many glorious feats in the 2nd and 3rd war against the Yuans. He was also a politician, poet.
+ Tran Nhat Dzuat (1253 - 1330) was very famous for intelligence and ability to know many languages. He took a very important role in solidifying the community of multi-nations on Dai Viet country through the wars. He was also a talented general, who achieved many feats, especially in Ham Tu battle. He was worshipped as a Saint by people. ' The 7th Prince ' was his name in public.
+ Tran Khanh Dzu (? - !329), a talented general wiht glorious feats in the wars.
+ Tran Binh Trong, a famous hero who sacrificed his life when being captured by Yuans in a battle and refusing the title ' King of the North ' that the Yuans offered to barter for some military secrets.
+ Tran Quoc Toan, being a 16 years old boy, he was not allowed to join the army in the war against the Yuans.But he founded himself his own army that most were the teens. His army was the panic of Yuans. He achieved many feats but sacrified his life at the last battle to swep out the Yuans from Dai Viet at his 16.
+ Pham Ngu Lao (1255 - 1320), a very famous general in the 2nd, and 3rd wars against the Yuans.
+ Nguyen Che Nghia, was also another famous general.
+ Le Van Huu (1230 - 1322), the outstanding historian and scholar. He was famous from his childhood for inteligence and quick-minded.In 1247, he got his doctor title at his 17. His work ' Dai Viet Su Ky ' (History of Dai Viet) composed in 22 volumes, published in 1272, was the first ever written history book of Vietnam.
Ho Dynasty
Reigner : Ho Quy Ly (1400-1401) / Ho Han Thuong (1401-1407)
Period : 1400 - 1407 , (7 years , 2 reigns)
Reign's Titles : Thanh Nguyen/ Thieu Thanh
Country's Name : Dai Ngu
Capital : Tay Do (Thanh Hoa)
Contemporary Chinese Dynasty: Ming (1369 - ...)
History :
Ho Quy Ly usurped the throne from Trans in 1400 and changed the name of the country into Dai Ngu, settled capital in Tay Do (Thanh Hoa). Quy Ly was an outstanding ruler, who made a lot of reforms during his ruling time. On the ideology, he released his book ' Minh Dao ' to criticize the old school of Confucianism and encourage the policies of limiting the area of land of one's own, also the number of slaves, of reducing number of monks, of limiting the power of lords, etc. On agriculture, he ordered to re-measure the cultivative land, to take a population census. On finance, he issued notes. On education and society, he reformed the examination regulations, opened new educational center, opened the public health department. On legislate, he compiled penal code and laws on organization of government. On transportation and hydraulics, he built many new national roads, canals, settled post-offices. On military, he enforced to the army, built the defence lines, built up the arm moulding factories, etc. Quy ly's reforms were progressive and surpassing his era.
In 1401, Quy Ly ceded the throne to his son, Ho Han Thuong, and himself became The Extreme High Father, but still decided the Court affairs himself.
In 1406, Chinese Ming Dynasty,under the pretext of usurping the throne by Ho Quy Ly, sent 800,000 soldiers to invade Dai Ngu. Quy Ly waged a resistance war, but he could'nt assemble the people behind him for being accused by people of killing all Tran royal family and mandarins on his coup in 1400. He failed to stop the Mings and had to retreat into Thanh Hoa. In 1407, the Mings sieged his last citadel and captured Quy Ly and his son at last. The Ho Dynasty ended.
The Mings applied a brutal dominion on former Dai Ngu by gathering all valuables, harsh rulings, raping women while killing men and castrating boys in an attempt to assimilate Vietnamese to Chinese.
The Later Tran Dynasties
Reigner : Mac Dang Dzung (1527-1529) / Mac Dang Dzoanh (1530-1540) / Mac Phuc Hai (1541-1546) / Mac Phuc Nguyen (1546-1561) / Mac Mau Hop (1562-1592).
Period : 1527 - 1592 (65 years, 5 reigns)
Reign's Titles : Minh Duc / Dai Chinh/ Quang Hoa / Vinh Dinh / Thuan Phuc
Country's Name : Dai Viet
Capital : Dong Do
Contemporary Chinese Dynasty: Ming (1369...)
History :
Tran Ngoi (1407 - 1409), a prince of Tran family, raised a rebellion at the end time of Ho Dynasty to recover the country from Ho. In 1407, he proclaimed himself as Emperor Gian Dinh and settled in a small region. But, being unable man, he was erroneous in ruling and his dynasty collapsed in 1409.
Tran Quy Khoang (1409 - 1414) was also a Tran prince , proclaimed himself Emperor Trung Quang, settled in Nghe An in 1409. He waged a resistance war against the Ming dominion with an army of small number. In 1414, he could'nt break the siege of Ming and was captured at last. On the way of extradition to China by the Mings, he commited suicide by sinking himself into sea. The later Tran Dynasties ended.
Period of Resistance Wars against the Mings
Reigner : -
Period : 1414 - 1427 (13 years)
Reign's Titles : -
Country's Name : Chiao Chih under Ming
Capital : -
Contemporary Chinese Dynasty: Ming (1269 ...)
History :
The Mings divided the country into districts ruled by Chinese Governors with a brutal domination. They collected elephants, horses, buffalo, etc., the valuables, weapons, ships, etc. to send to China. They suppressed heartlessly any protest by razing villages, burning houses and alive-burning men.. The taxes increased threefold compared with before. They asked to pay the tributes by girls, skilled workers, medicine doctors ,etc. Besides, the Mings destroyed the cultural architectures, burnt the ancient books, limited schooling, forced Viet people to follow Ming 's way of life.The Viet people was miserable under Ming ruling.
Many rebellions had raised up during these years, but most soon colappsed, only the Lam Son uprising force, led by Le Loi, could have lived for 10 years and expanded into a powerful army. At first, Le Loi used a guerilla tactics to fight the Mings, after 1225, he was strong enough to encircle the enemy's posts. In 1427, he blockaded Dong Quan citadel (now Hanoi), and Ming Dynasty had to send a reinforcing troop of 100,000 soldiers, led by famous general Liu Shan to rescue. An ambush at Chi Lang gateway in which Liu Shan was headcut, had stopped the intervention from China. Desperated for the situation, Commander of the Ming garrison in Dong Quan surrended to Le Loi. The resistance war against the Ming ended.
Le Dynasty
Reigner : Le Loi (Thai To)(1428-1433)/ Le Nguyen Long (Thai Tong)(1433-1442) / Le Bang Co (Nhan Tong) (1442-1459) / Le Nghi Dzan (usurped the throne)(1459) / Le Tu Thanh (Thanh Tong)(1460-1497) / Le Tang (Hien Tong) (1498-1504)/ Le Thuan (Tuc Tong) (1504) / Le Tuan (Uy Muc) (1505-1509)/ Le Oanh (Tuong Dzuc)(1509-1516) / Le Y (Chieu Tong) (1516-1522) / Le Xuan (Cung Hoang) (1522-1527)
Period : 1428 - 1527 (99 years, 10 reigns)
Reign's Titles : Thuan Thien / Thieu Binh /Thai Hoa / Thien Hung / Hong Duc / Canh Thong /Thai Trinh / Doan Khanh / Hong Thuan / Quang Thieu / Thong Nguyen.
Country's Name : Dai Viet
Capital : Dong Do (Hanoi)
Contemporary Chinese Dynasty: Ming (1269 ...)
History :
In 1428, Le Loi ascended the throne with title Thai To after swept out the Mings from the country. Under his ruling, he organized the administration system with the King on top, holding the utmost power on legislature, executive,and judiciary and himself being Commander-in-chief. To assist him were Ministries, King's office, Control office and High school instituition. There'd no Prime Minister in his court. He also did'nt allow the local armies founded. He compiled the laws, the protocols and regulations, reorganized the educational system and examinations, published neccessary books, etc. The Confucianism developed highly while the Buddhism decreased its influence in the Le court. In the next reigns, the economy was prosperous, agriculture developed on the basis of progressive policies, the constructing dike and hydraulic systems, handicrafts also extended, many guild-villages established : Bat Trang Pottery, Dai Bai Bronze Moulding..etc. In Thang Long (Hanoi), a trade town of 36 guild-streets was founded.
At Thanh Tong reign, the country was divided into 13 Dao (prov.), ruled by 3 offices : Administration, Military, and Judiciary. His reign was one of brightest period in history of Vietnam Dynasties. He dedicated to the country, favoured the talents, encouraged the extension of argriculture and handicrafts, opened the trade in and out bound. The first map of Dai Viet was releashed under his reign. The Hong Duc Laws compiled in this period was very progressive, and adequate. ' The Full History of Dai Viet ' written by historian Ngo Si Lien was published under supervision of the Emperor. Being a famous poet, Thanh Tong organized a group of 28 famous poets of the time and releashed a valuable collection of the group.
The Le Dynasty started to ruin under Uy Muc reign when the Emperor being dull, brutal and indulged in drinking, and girls. The country became chaotic, people was miserable, rebellions and coups occured frequently. The next reigns were not better, and in Chieu Tong reign, the ruling power was gathered in hand of Mac Dang Dung, a military general. In 1527, Dang Dung killed the Emperor and royal family and usurped the throne. The Le Dynasty ended.
Famous Names of the Reign :
+ Nguyen Trai (1380 - 1442), the National Hero, ideologist, politician, military strategist, poet, scholar, the Famous Name of the World Culture, confered by UNESCO in 1980, was the first ranking courtier who devoted to the resistance war against the Ming and the foundation of Tran Dynasty. He himself created the ideology of the Lam Son Movement in the book ' Binh Ngo Sach' (The way to defeat the Chinese) emphasized in heart-winning. For ten years of the resistance war, he had been always side by side with Le Loi as his only adviser, togetherwith him planning the steps of the war. Most of Nguyen Trai's plans proved adequate. In the victory day, Nguyen Trai himself written ' Binh Ngo Dai Cao ' - the second Decleration of Independence of Vietnam, and a beautiful piece of litery work. He was confered the highest ranking titles in the Le court, but his ideology was not used anylonger in the peaceful time, when the throne was strengthened firmly. Desperated, he left the court to lead a secluded life in Con Son Mountain (Hai Duong). He created many valuable works during that period. In 1442, Emperor Thai Tong, on the tour of Eastern garrisons, stayed at his place for a night, unfortunately Emperor died suddenly for unknown reason at his 20, with the presence of Nguyen Thi Lo, the favourable concubine of Nguyen Trai, famous for her beauty and knowledge. Nguyen and all family were arrested for accused assassination and executed. Twenty years later, under Thanh Tong reign, the Emperor releashed a proclaimation of clearing that false charge against Nguyen Trai.
+ Tran Nguyen Han (1385 - >) was most talented general of Le Loi and offspring of Tran Quang Khai, the famous general of Tran Dynasty. Togetherwith Nguyen Trai, he was most closed courtier to Le Loi at the first days of the resistance war. He achieved many victories in re-occupying region of Thuan Hoa, an important rear for the war, in blockade of Dong Quan, in conquering the citadel of Xuong Giang, and in a most important ambush to stop the reinforcing troop from China that led to the last victory over the Mings.
Mac Dynasty
Reigner : Mac Dang Dzung (1527-1529) / Mac Dang Dzoanh (1530-1540) / Mac Phuc Hai (1541-1546) / Mac Phuc Nguyen (1546-1561) / Mac Mau Hop (1562-1592).
Period : 1527 - 1592 (65 years, 5 reigns)
Reign's Titles : Minh Duc / Dai Chinh/ Quang Hoa / Vinh Dinh / Thuan Phuc
Country's Name : Dai Viet
Capital : Dong Do
Contemporary Chinese Dynasty: Ming (1369...)
History :
Mac Dang Dzung usurped the throne from Le's and founded the Mac Dynasty in 1527. He ruled only 2 years, then ceded to his son, Dang Dzoanh and became himself the Extreme High Father, but himself decided the important affairs. In the later reigns, the Macs had to face a powerful force, led by Nguyen Kim, a former courtier of Le court, whose aim was recovering the Le Dynasty. In 1533, the former courtiers of Le raised prince Le Ninh to the throne with title Trang Tong, settled the capital in Thanh Hoa,but most of the country still under the control of Mac's. Mac Emperors tried to enforce their army for coping with the Les but in 1559, the war expanded over most of Red River Delta provincies and Macs had to retreat into defend lines around Dong Do. Under reign of Mac Mau Hop , the Dynasty ruined badly for Mau Hop indulged in playing while the Le's force grew up into a powerful army. But most of power of Le court, now felt in Trinh Kiem's hand after the death of Nguyen Kim - his father-in-law, by an assassination in 1545. At the end of 1592, the navy of Le-Trinh attacked the Mac defence line, failed to suffer,the Mac army disintergrated at last. Mac Emperor was captured and executed. The survivers of royal family escaped into North border province Cao Bang and established a territory in the forest, following an advice of Nguyen Binh Khiem, the famous fortuneteller in a prediction of 7 years ago and only lasted after 85 years later. The mac Dynasty officially ended in 1592.
The Lords of later Mac in Cao Bang were : Mac Toan (1592) / Mac Kinh Chi (1592-1593) / Mac Kinh Cung (1593-1625) / Mac Kinh Khoan (1625-1638) / Mac Kinh Vu (1638-1677) with the titles : Vo An / Bao Dinh / Kien Thong / Long Thai / Thuan Duc.
Famous Names of the Reign :
+ Nguyen Binh Khiem (1491 - 1586), famous scholar, poet and outstanding fortune-teller in Vietnam history, was born in a intellectual mandarin family. Even in his childhood, Binh Khiem was very famous for intelligence and quick-minded. He achieved all highest ranks in 3 official examinations and was appointed to the important positions in Mac Dynasty. In the Phuc Hai reign (1541 - 1546), failed to persuade the Emperor to dismiss the courtiers for their graft and corruption, he left the court to seclude himself in his country and opened a school to teach the children. Many of his disciples later became the pillars of Dynasties.But the greatest contribution is his ablity of fortune-telling, by this, he was alot helpful for dynasties : Mac, Le, Trinh, Nguyen in planning the future. He left a book of predictions, that most of them proved exact through the history. He was worshipped by people as Trang Trinh.
The Restored Le Dynasty
Reigner : Le Trang Tong (1533-1548) /Le Trung Tong (1549-1556) /Le Anh Tong(1557-1573) /Le The Tong (1573-1599) / Le Kinh Tong (1600-1619) / Le Than Tong (1619-1643) (1649-1662) * / Le Chan Tong
(1643-1649) / Le Huyen Tong (1663-1671) / Le Gia Tong (1672-1675) / Le Hy Tong (1676-1705) / Le Dzu Tong (1705-1729) / Le Dzuy Phuong (1729-1732) / Le Thuan Tong (11732-1735) / Le Y Tong (1735-1740) / Le Hien Tong (1740-1786) / Le Chieu Thong (1787-1788) .
Period : 1533 - 1788 (255 years , 15 reigns )
Reign's Titles : Nguyen Hoa / Thuan Binh / Thien Huu / Gia Thai / Thuan Duc / Vinh To / Phuc Thai / Khanh Duc * / Canh Tri / Duong Duc / Vinh Tri / Vinh Thinh / Vinh Khanh / Long Duc / Vinh Huu / Canh Hung / Chieu Thong .
Country's Name : Dai Viet
Capital : Dong Do
Contemporary Chinese Dynasty: Ming (1369 -1649) / Manchou (1649 - ...)
History :
Trang Tong, a prince of Le Family, was raised up to throne in 1553 by Nguyen Kim, a former courtier of Le Dynasty and a resistance war against the Macs to recover Le Dynasty was also rooted from Thanh Hoa then expanded whole Tonkin. In that period, both dynasties Mac and Le co-existed, divided the country into South (Thanh Hoa, Nghe An) and North (the rest provinces).The situation continued for almost 50 years with 4 Le reigns until Mac Dynasty collapsed in 1592. The main feature of that period was most of power belonged to Lords Trinh. The first was Trinh Kiem, son-in-law and succeeder of Nguyen Kim after Kim's death in a assassination. Trinh Kiem gathered all powers and himself ruled the country while Le Emperors did nothing but seated in the court. Kiem, feared of the usurpation of power, attempted to kill sons of Nguyen Kim : Uong and Hoang. More lucky than his brother, Nguyen Hoang survived and, in his strategy following the advice of Nguyen Binh Khiem, the famous fortuneteller, asked Kiem to allow him to go ruling the south border with Champa province Thuan Hoa in 1558. Some tens years later, Nguyen Hoang, now was a powerful Lord of a large country of Quang Binh, Hue , Da Nang, raised a war against Trinhs. On the other hand, Nguyen Lords expanded south, pushed the Chams to shrink, step by step occupied most of their territory. The history of most of the 17th century and half of the 18th century is history of the 50-years- war and 100 -years-conflicts between Trinhs and Nguyens with Gianh River (Quang Binh) as border. In the North, the Trinh Lords ruled the court through usurping Le's power while in the South, Nguyen Lords headed south by signing the peace treaty with Khmer Kingdom, having authority on Prey Nokor port of Khmer (Saigon port now), and spreading over all Champa country. In the reign of Hien Tong, the Tay Son Rebellion occured (1771) in Binh Dinh under Nguyen Lords control. At first, the rebellion showed the aim of ' support Lord Nguyen Phuc Duong to suppress the bad-courtier Truong Phuoc Loan ', for these years were the declining period of Nguyen court in the South, the later lords were dull and most of strenght of the country wasted for the war with Trinhs. In 1777, Tay Son swept from the mountain to occupy all the southern, killed last Lord Phuoc Thuan. The only surviver, prince Nguyen Anh escaped abroad. Tay Son then headed the north, wiped out Lords Trinh court in a ' support the Le Dynasty ' action, recovered the power of Le Emperor and returned the south. The last emperor Le Chieu Thong, then could'nt stop the attempt to recover the Trinh force and was suppressed heavily by new Lord Trinh Bong. Tay Son again intervened and dissmissed Chieu Thong, founded an administration backed by them. This made Chieu Thong to fleed to China, asking the help from Manchou Dynasty now ruled China. In 1788, Manchou troop of 290,000 soldiers invaded Dai Viet and backed Chieu Thong to rule the north. In about 10 days at the beginning of 1789, Nguyen Hue, the Tay Son Emperor again headed the north and destroyed completely the Manchou, gained the control of the north and ascended the throne. The later Le Dynasty ended.
Reigner : Nguyen Nhac (1778 - 1793) / Nguyen Hue (1788 - 1792) / Nguyen Quang Toan (1793-1802)
Period : 1778 - 1802 (24 years , 3 reigns)
Reign's Titles : Thai Duc / Quang Trung / Canh Thinh .
Country's Name : Dai Viet
Capital : Phu Xuan (Hue)
Contemporary Chinese Dynasty: Manchou (1649 - ...)
History :
Three brothers of Nguyen family in Tay Son village (Binh Dinh province) raised a rebellion in 1771 during a political and social unrest under the reign of Lord Nguyen Phuoc Thuan (1765-1777). They were responded warmly by the miserable peasants and quickly became a notable force. In 1778, the Tay Son terminated the Nguyen reigns and took the control over middle of Vietnam from Gianh River to the south and Cochinchina. Nguyen Nhac, the eldest brother of Tay Son ascended the throne, proclaimed himself Emperor Thai Duc, established the Tay Son Dynasty with capital in Phu Xuan (Hue). Nguyen Anh, the only survived prince of Nguyen Lords family, escaped to Siam (Thailand) Kingdom to call for the help. In 1784, the Siams invaded Vietnam with 20,000 soldiers and a navy of 300 ships. Nguyen Hue, the youngest brother and talented general of Tay Son, directed a magicious ambush that killed most of Siam troop and ships in a section of Rach Gam - Xoai Mut River ( < > prov.), stopped the intervention from Siam.
In 1786, Nguyen Nhac sent his army directed by Nguyen Hue to occupy Thuan Hoa citadel of Trinh. After wiped out the Trinhs from Thuan Hoa, Hue continued to go north without informing Nhac's Court and exterminated the Trinhs while announcing that for supporting the Le Dynasty. He easily occupied Thang Long. Feared of the threat that Hue may take this chance to become Emperor, Nhac hastily advanced his troop to Thang Long and asked Hue to back Le Chieu Thong to re-organize his administrative system and returned Binh Dinh . Nguyen Nhac then divided the south into three parts : the middle provinces to Hai Van Pass were under Nguyen Hue ruling as King Bac Binh, the Cochinchina was under Nguyen Lu, the second brother as King Dong Dinh, and himself ruled at Qui Nhon with title the Central Emperor.
In the north, the situation was not improved after Nguyen Hue's leaving, Le Chieu Thong was very dull to control the court and was again usurped by Trinh Bong, a prince of former Trinh Lords. Again, Nguyen Hue headed the north, wiped out the Trinhs, re-arranged the court with a new Governor in 1788 and returned Phu Xuan for being stuck with battles against Nguyen Anh. Chieu Thong got angry with this and fled to China, got the help from Manchou Dynasty with 290,000 soldiers. They occupied Thang Long and backed a new government headed by Chieu Thong. Heard the news, Nguyen Hue decided to take the control over all Tonkin from the Les and he proclaimed himself Emperor Quang Trung before advance his army to Thang Long. Only in ten days of fighting, Quang Trung defeated completely that vast troop, re-occupied Thang Long and all Dai Viet territory. Then,he immediately returned back Phu Xuan to face Nguyen Anh, now became a powerful force with the supports from foreign countries and settled in Gia Dinh. In 1792, Nguyen Hue suddenly died at his 40.
His son, Quang Toan, succeeded the throne at his 11. Being a child, he was not able to reign with a unrest court and the threat from Nguyen Anh. In 1800, Nguyen Anh, with the support from Europe, occupied Quy Nhon citadel. In 1801, Anh occupied Phu Xuan, made Toan to fleed to Thang Long. In 1802, Anh blocked Thang Long. Failed to fight with Anh, Quang Toan escaped from Thang Long but then was captured and executed. The Tay Son ended after 24 years
Nguyen Dynasty
Reigner : Nguyen Phuc Anh (1802-1819) / Nguyen Phuc Dam (1820-1840) / Nguyen Mien Tong (1841-1847) / Nguyen Hong Nhiem (1848-1883) / Nguyen Ung Chan (1883) (Only 3 days) / Nguyen Hong Dzat (1883) (Only 6 months) / Nguyen Ung Dang (1883-1884) / Nguyen Ung Lich (1884-1885) / Nguyen Ung Xuy (1886-1888) / Nguyen Buu Lan (1889-1907) / Nguyen Vinh San (1907-1916)/ Nguyen Buu Dao (1916-1925) / Nguyen Vinh Thuy (1926-1945) .
Period : 1802 - 1945 (143 years , 13 reigns)
Reign's Titles : Gia Long / Minh Mang / Thieu Tri / Tu Duc / Dzuc Duc / Hiep Hoa / Kien Phuc / Ham Nghi / Dong Khanh / Thanh Thai / Dzuy Tan / Khai Dinh / Bao Dai .
Country's Name : Vietnam (1802 - 1919) , Dainam (1820 -1945)
Capital : Hue
Contemporary Chinese Dynasty: Manchou (1649 - 1916) / China Minquo (1916 ...)
History :
In Tayson rebellion in 1773, prince Nguyen Anh - the only survivor of Nguyen Warlord Family in the South of Vietnam, escaped with some loyalists and started a resistance war against the Tayson. After 29 years of war, Nguyen Anh won at last in 1802 with the weapons and some military officers hired from France by Monseigner Pigneau de Be'hain, a Jesuit who conducted a mission in Vietnam that period. Anh ascended the throne of Emperor in 1802 with the title Gia Long. In the same year, Anh sent an envoy to China to ask the approval from Manchou Reign for his throne and the country name Nam Viet, but the Manchou changed the name to Vietnam. It was the first time in its history, the country had been united in one kingdom from the border with China in the North to the Mekong Delta in the South. The capital settled in Hue. He divided the country into North part from Ninh Binh to the border with China consisted of 11 provinces (tran), South part from Binh Thuan downwards consisted of 5 'trans', and in the middle from Thanh Hoa to Binh Thuan were 7 other separated 'trans'. The Government consisted of 6 ministries, no position of Prime Minister to avoid power abuse, also no position of Queen to prevent the attempts to usurp from inside.
In Minh Mang Reign, the country name had been changed another time to Dai Nam (1838).
Under Nguyen dynasty economy, politics, society.. all developed very slowly, the way of thinking of ancient Chinese dynasties, even the way of living had been maintained as pattern for King and his Court to decide any behavior. Nguyen Emperors refused any idea to reform after the West countries or Japan, ignored any affections from outside in science, technology, culture or thinking. At the end of the 19th century, in Vietnam, the intellectuals still did'nt know matematics, physics, chemics.., just studied Confucianism, and wrote poems on scenery or praise the King's wisdom.
In 1858,France started their plan of invading Vietnam step by step. With the poor economy and a out-of-date army, Nguyen Dynasty could'nt resist against the French military force and had to make a number of concessions one after another. In 1883, Vietnam's independence ended with the domination of France. The French divided Vietnam into two parts : the Cochinchina as a colony, and the central and north as protectorate territories.
Under French domination, Nguyen Emperors were like puppets with no real power. Some of them : Ham Nghi, Thanh Thai, Dzuy Tan had the idea or even waged the resistance against the French, but they all soon failed.
The society and economy of Vietnam from that time developed in Western way. Everything changed, from the Vietnamese letters (before, the Chinese had been used as official letters), to the way of living. Vietnamese intellectuals now found them facing with science, technology, thinking of the West. A real revolution in all aspects happened in Vietnam society that time.
But, the French colonialism also exposed its harshness on Vietnamese that most were peasants : the exploitation of labours and natural sources, the abuse of authority, the violation of human rights, the poverty, the breaking traditional social society..etc, were consequences.
From the time of the first invasion battle of France, a movement of Vietnamese nationalism had risen and the French, for almost one century had faced with a seething voilence against and confrontations with the colonial authority. Many rebellions brok out, from the led-by former mandarins of Nguyen to the new West style political party led movements. The most successful, of course addressed itself to the peasantry and their grievances - fairer land distribution and release from poverty. The history of this peasant-based movement, which would eventually be known as Vienam Communist Party, was synonymous with its leader, Ho Chi Minh. Ho's party, in 40's created League for the independence of Vietnam (Viet Minh)- a coalition of nationalist, dominated by communists - to resist the Japanese invation and their occupation of Vietnam in early days of World War II.
By August 1945, exploited a perfect oppotunity of defeat of Japanese, Ho instigated the August Revolution, assuming complet control in northern and central Vietnam. On September,2,1945, Ho declared the new Democratic Republic of Vietnam in Hanoi. The last dynasty of Nguyen ended.
