MIDDLE AGES
 

Ngo Dynasty Dinh Dynasty The Early Le Dynasty Ly Dynasty Tran Dynasty Ho Dynasty The Later Tran Dynasties

Period Of Resistance Wars Against The Mings Le Dynasty Mac Dynasty The Restored Le Dynasty Tay Son Dynasty Nguyen Dynasty

Ngo Dynasty

History :
 

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 conferred 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
 

History :

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 Emperor's mother, she was brave to pass the throne to Le Hoan in the situation of a coming invasion. However, later she became Le Hoan's wife.

The Early Le Dynasty
 

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 usurped 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 excellence 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 conferred 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
 

History :

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 Conferred 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-defense 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 hidden in Phu Tho now and crown prince Sam hidden 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 conferred 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 rumor 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 all day 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. Surprised at this and admired her for characters through a short talk, Thanh Tong got married with her and conferred 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 cavalry. 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 in the 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
 

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 suppressed the opposing forces, the Trans re-organized the administration system, appointed the royal family members for the important positions, encouraged development of agriculture, reclamation 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.

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 Nhan Tong 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 sweep 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 won 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 magic 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 with 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 scarified his life at the last battle to sweep 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 intelligence 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
 

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 defense lines, built up the arm moulding factories, etc. Quy ly's reforms were progressive and surpassing his era.

 
The Later Tran Dynasties
 

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 couldn't break the siege of Ming and was captured at last. On the way of extradition to China by the Mings, he committed suicide by sinking himself into sea. The later Tran Dynasties ended.

 
Period of Resistance Wars against the Mings
 

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 collapsed, 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. Desperate for the situation, Commander of the Ming garrison in Dong Quan surrended to Le Loi. The resistance war against the Ming ended.

Le Dynasty
 

History :

He compiled the laws, the protocols and regulations, reorganized the educational system and examinations, published necessary 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 (province), 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, favored the talents, encouraged the extension of agriculture and handicrafts, opened the trade in and out bound. The first map of Dai Viet was released 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 released 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 occurred 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, conferred 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, together with 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 Declaration of Independence of Vietnam, and a beautiful piece of literary work. He was conferred the highest ranking titles in the Le court, but his ideology was not used any longer 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
 

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 provinces 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 defense line, failed to suffer, the Mac army disintegrated at last. Mac Emperor was captured and executed. The survivors 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 ability of fortune-telling, by this, he was a lot 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
 

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 occurred (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 strength 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 survivor, 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 couldn't stop the attempt to recover the Trinh force and was suppressed heavily by new Lord Trinh Bong. Tay Son again intervened and dismissed Chieu Thong, founded an administration backed by them. This made Chieu Thong to flee 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.

Famous Names of the Reign :
+ Trinh Lords hierarchy : (Reigning years) Trinh Kiem (1545 - 1570) / Trinh Tung (1570-1623) / Trinh Trang (1623-1657) /Trinh Tac (1657-1682) /Trinh Can (1682-1709) / Trinh Cuong (1709-1729) / Trinh Giang (1729-1740) / Trinh Dzoanh (1740-1767) / Trinh Sam (1767-1782) / Trinh C¸n (1782) (Only 2 months)/ Trinh Khai (1782-1786) / Trinh Bong (1787-1788).

+ Nguyen Lords hierarchy : Nguyen Kim (1533-1545) / Nguyen Hoang (1558- 1622) / Nguyen Phuoc Nguyen (1623-1634) / Nguyen Phuoc Lan (1635-1648) / Nguyen Phuoc Tan (1648-1687) / Nguyen Phuoc Tran (1687-1692) / Nguyen Phuoc Chu (1692 - 1715) / Nguyen Phuoc Cho (1715-1738) / Nguyen Phuoc Khoat (1738 - 1765) / Nguyen Phuoc Thuan (1765- 1777).

 
Tay Son Dynasty
 

History :

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 ( < > province), 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 flee 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

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 didn't know mathematics, physics, chemist.., 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 couldn't 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.

But, the French colonialism also exposed its harshness on Vietnamese that most were peasants : the exploitation of labors 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 violence against and confrontations with the colonial authority. Many rebellions broke 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. Later, the  League for the independence of Vietnam (Viet Minh) was established to resist the Japanese invasion and their occupation of Vietnam in early days of World War II.

By August Revolution in 1945, Viet Minh controlled almost all  Vietnam. On September, 2, 1945, Ho Chi Minh declared the new Democratic Republic of Vietnam in Hanoi. The last dynasty of Nguyen ended.