Vietnames summary history

PREHISTORIC ERA

Paleolithic Age

Human life started in Vietnam a very long time ago. As a matter of fact, archaeologists have found vestiges of Homo Erectis, or ape-man, in caves in the provinces of Lang Son and Nghe An. In the Pre-Paleolithic age (between 10,000 to 23,000 years ago), also known as the Son Vi era, the population was rather large and widespread. People living at that time, referred to as Homo Sapiens, were more civilized and used trimmed pebbles as tools. During the Hoa Binh-Bac Son era (between 6,000 to 10,000 years ago), people used trimmed stone tools and axes, made pottery and cultivated fields.

 Neolithic Age

During this period, groups of people with different cultural attributes formed. People at that time used sophisticatedly trimmed stone axes, produced skilful stone rings and nicely designed pottery goods.

Bronze Age

The Bronze Age community was able to produce bronze tools, arms and jewellery. They could harvest crops and raise several kinds of cattle such as buffaloes, oxen and pigs. There were three different cultural groups during that period: the Pre-Dong Son living in the Red river, Delta area, the Ma River and the Ca River; the Pre-Sa Huynh in the southern area of Central Vietnam; and the third one living in the Dong Nai River. The Pre-Dong Son group existed at the same time than the early Hung Vuong Dynasty era.

 Iron Age

Subgroups of the Pre-Dong Son culture were unified in the northern area of Central Vietnam and became the Dong Son culture. This group belonged to the early Iron Age since several iron-made tools were produced during this period. Also, its unique culture was characterized by sophisticated products, which included beautifully designed bronze drums.

The formation of Vietnam

Van Lang - Au Lac Nations

During the Dong Son period, only a state had formed. The unified culture, prevailing in regions comprised between the Sino-Vietnamese border and the northern bank of the Gianh River, madit clear that a nation of the ancient Viet people existed. The Van Lang Nation was then ruled by the Hung Kings.

Later, An Duong Vuong founded the Au Lac nation in the third century B.C. Records of this nation can be found in the annals written by Chinese historian, Xi Ma Tian. Remains of the Co Loa Citadel, which was built during the An Duong Vuong period, can still be seen today.

Champa Nation

In South Central Vietnam, the Pre-Sa Huynh culture evolved during the Iron Age. Back then, people were buried in tombs which contained many tools made of iron together with jewellery made of agate and jasper. People of this group lived between Thua Thien and the Dong Nai River’s Delta. The Sa Huynh culture was founded by the ancestors of the Cham, who founded the Champa Kingdom.

Chinese Domination Period (111 BC - 936 AD)

Au Lac was conquered by Zhao Juo (Trieu Da), the King of Nan Yue (Nam Viet) in 207 B.C. and Nan Yue was then conquered by the Han Empire. As a result, Au Lac was dominated by Han instead in 111 B.C. and was divided into districts. Since that time, Vietnam stayed under Chinese cultural hegemony for 11 centuries. During this period, a series of rebellions were organized to gain independence. However, the rebellions generally lasted a short time. The most famous acts of resistance against the Chinese during this period were the rebellion of the Trung Sisters - Hai Ba Trung (40 - 43 A.D.), of Ba Trieu (248). At the middle of the 6^th century, Ly Bi gained independence, set up Van Xuan country but it existed for a very short time. During the domination of the Sui (Tuy) and Tang (Duong) Empires, there were rebellions of Mai Thuc Loan (722), of Phung Hung (766 - 791)… and at last, with the glorious victory over the Nam Han in 938 in the Bach Dang River, Ngo Quyen rebellions ended more than 1,000 years of Chinese domination and the independence of the country resumed.

Stage of independence

A new page in Vietnamese history was turned in the beginning of the 10^th century with Ngo Quyen rebellions’ glorious victory over the Nam Han invaders in Bach Dang River. Ngo Quyen then set up an independent state, strived to consolidate the country, maintain unification and protect the independence. After his death in 965, the country was under the 12-army group disorder. In 968, the appearance of the first dynasty marked a very important point in The History of Vietnam.

Dinh Dynasty (968 - 980)

Country’s name: Dai Co Viet

Capital: Hoa Lu

 In 968, after quelling the 12-army group disorder, Dinh Bo Linh ascended the throne, alias Dinh Tien Hoang, and established the First Independent Dynasty in Vietnam. The country was named Dai Co Viet (The Great Viet), the capital was built in Hoa Lu (Ninh Binh Province).

Dinh Tien Hoang was poisoned in 979. His second sun became the King at the age of six. In 980, faced with the situation of being invaded (by Chinese invaders), the Royal Court elevated General Le Hoan to the throne to lead the Nation against Chinese invaders.

The Dinh Dynasty lasted in 13 years with 2 reigns.

Early Le Dynasty (980 - 1009)

Country’s name: Dai Co Viet

Capital: Hoa Lu

Le Hoan, took the alias Le Dai Hanh, led the Vietnamese people gained a famous victory over the Chinese on Bach Dang River.

After the victory, Le Hoan developed economy of country while in foreign affairs he did flexible but resolute foreign policies to defend the independence of the country.

The Early Le Dynasty lasted for 30 years with 3 reigns.

Ly Dynasty (1009 - 1225)

Country’s name: Dai Co Viet, Dai Viet (from 1054)

Capital: Hoa Lu (1009), Thang Long - Ascending Dragon (from 1010)

At the end of 1009, at Hoa Lu Capital (Ninh Binh province), Ly Cong Uan ascended the throne, took the alias Ly Thai To, and established the Ly Dynasty.

In 1010, he moved the capital to Dai La citadel (Hanoi at present) and renamed it Thang Long (Ascending Dragon). The king built a new capital that was circumscribed by three rivers: the Red River to the East, the To Lich river to the North and West, and the Kim Nguu river to the South.

Under the Ly dynasty, the Kings of reorganized the administration system, set up the first nation’s university (Temple of Literature), agriculture developed as people were building dikes along Red River to control flood and ploughing virgin soils. Villages specializing in producing pottery, bronze or iron items were formed.

A number of famous religious structures were built: the Dong Co temple was built on the bank of To Lich river (1028), the Dien Huu pagoda (known as One Pillar Pagoda) was built to the west of the Royal Enclosure (1049), the tower of Bao Thien pagoda (1057), and the Temple of Literature (1070). Buddhism prevailed and had a great impact on literature and arts, Confucianism started to develop.

The two most outstanding personalities of the Ly Dynasty were General Ly Thuong Kiet and Queen Y Lan. General Ly Thuong Kiet (1019 - 1105), who came from Thai Hoa guild on the southern part of the West Lake, was the organizer and leader of a successful resistance to the Sung invaders of China (1075 - 1077). Queen Y Lan (? - 1177) was adept in national administration. She instated many policies designed to develop agriculture and the silk trade and strove to improve the living conditions of the people.

The Ly Dynasty lasted for 217 years with 9 reigns.

Tran Dynasty (1226 - 1400)

Country’s name: Dai Viet, An Nam (from 1164)

Capital: Thang Long, Tay Do (from 1396)

After more than two centuries of rule, the Ly Dynasty went into decline and was replace by the Tran Dynasty, which restored political and social order.

The Royal Capital remained within its former limits, but the population grew. In 1230, the Court reorganized the administrative units, and the civilian settlement area was divided into 61 guilds.

Many foreign traders and residents came to the capital. Merchandise boats from China and other Southeastern Asian countries came to trade at Hoi Thong and Van Don Ports.

Confucianism examinations were held regularly during the Tran Dynasty. The Nom script was used widely in literary works as the first documents on the country’s history were compiled.

The country’s independence was maintained thanks to the resistance against the repeated assaults of the Mongolians led by the Tran Kings and General Tran Hung Dao in 1258, 1285 and 1288.

The Tran Dynasty lasted for 175 years with 12 reigns.

Ho Dynasty (1400 - 1407)

Country’s name: Dai Ngu

Capital: Tay Do

Ho Quy Ly usurped the throne of the Tran Kings and established the Ho Dynasty in 1400. The Ho Dynasty carried out reforms to overcome the crisis, which began late in the Tran Dynasty.

Ho Quy Ly set up a new capital in Thanh Hoa province, named Tay Do (capital in the west), and renamed Thang Long as Dong Do.

He imposed policies to reduce feudal tenure and servants and issued paper notes instead of coins. However, his policies did not bring about many improvements. The people did not support him. Consequently, King Ho could not organize resistance against the Ming invasion and the country was conquered by the Ming Empire.

The Ho Dynasty lasted for 8 years with 2 reigns.

Late Tran Dynasty (1407 - 1413)

The Ming invaders came to An Nam under the pretext of protecting Tran Dynasty to occupy the country. Tran’s descendants proclaimed emperors and lead people against Ming invaders to restore Tran Dynasty. Unfortunately, because of scattered man’s heart so late Tran Dynasty lasted for only 7 years with 2 Kings.

Ming’s Domination (1414 - 1428)

After occupying the country, Ming invaders set up policies and forced people following them to assimilate Vietnamese.

In 1418, Le Loi, a local leader, led an uprising in Lam Son (Thanh Hoa province) to secure the independence spread over the country. The resistance lasted 10 years, after the victory in Dong Quan (Thang Long) in 1428, the last of the Ming troops left the country. Until this day, Le Loi is revered as country’s one of the greatest national heroes.

 Le Dynasty (1428 - 1527)

Country’s name: Dai Viet

Capital: Dong Do, Dong Kinh (1430 - 1466), Trung Do (from 1466)

Following the victory of the Lam Son insurrection, the Le Dynasty established rule. On the 29^th April 1428, Le Loi ascended the throne as Emperor Le Thai To. In 1430, he renamed Dong Do as Dong Kinh, and once again in 1466, he renamed it Trung Do.

The capital was extended to the east. In the 15^th century, agriculture, industry, and trade developed as society stabilized. The first law of Vietnam, Hong Duc law, was issued; it clearly described the perspective of Vietnam’s political, social, and economical status at that time.

The Le Dynasty elevated Confucianism as the orthodox State religion and stressed the importance of civil service examinations. In 1487, stone tablets containing the names of Ph.D graduates began to be displayed at the Temple of Literature.

The Le Dynasty retained its vigor for more than a hundred years until declining in the 16^th century and nearly collapsed by the late 18^th century.

The Le Dynasty lasted for 100 years with 10 reigns.

imposed policies to reduce feudal tenure and servants and issued paper notes instead of coins. However, his policies did not bring about many improvements. The people did not support him. Consequently, King Ho could not organize resistance against the Ming invasion and the country was conquered by the Ming Empire.

The Ho Dynasty lasted for 8 years with 2 reigns.

Late Tran Dynasty (1407 - 1413)

The Ming invaders came to An Nam under the pretext of protecting Tran Dynasty to occupy the country. Tran’s descendants proclaimed emperors and lead people against Ming invaders to restore Tran Dynasty. Unfortunately, because of scattered man’s heart so late Tran Dynasty lasted for only 7 years with 2 Kings.

Ming’s Domination (1414 - 1428)

After occupying the country, Ming invaders set up policies and forced people following them to assimilate Vietnamese.

In 1418, Le Loi, a local leader, led an uprising in Lam Son (Thanh Hoa province) to secure the independence spread over the country. The resistance lasted 10 years, after the victory in Dong Quan (Thang Long) in 1428, the last of the Ming troops left the country. Until this day, Le Loi is revered as country’s one of the greatest national heroes.

Le Dynasty (1428 - 1527)

Country’s name: Dai Viet

Capital: Dong Do, Dong Kinh (1430 - 1466), Trung Do (from 1466)

Following the victory of the Lam Son insurrection, the Le Dynasty established rule. On the 29^th April 1428, Le Loi ascended the throne as Emperor Le Thai To. In 1430, he renamed Dong Do as Dong Kinh, and once again in 1466, he renamed it Trung Do.

The capital was extended to the east. In the 15^th century, agriculture, industry, and trade developed as society stabilized. The first law of Vietnam, Hong Duc law, was issued; it clearly described the perspective of Vietnam’s political, social, and economical status at that time.

The Le Dynasty elevated Confucianism as the orthodox State religion and stressed the importance of civil service examinations. In 1487, stone tablets containing the names of Ph.D graduates began to be displayed at the Temple of Literature.

The Le Dynasty retained its vigor for more than a hundred years until declining in the 16^th century and nearly collapsed by the late 18^th century.

The Le Dynasty lasted for 100 years with 10 reigns.

Mac Dynasty (1527 - 1592)

Country’s name: An Nam

Capital: Duong Kinh (Hai Duong province)

The Confucian model of monarchy in Vietnam gave rise to two contradictions: one among the various factions of the ruling circle, and the other, between the autocratic state and the people. During the 16^th century, the explosive development of these contradictions brought about the collapse of the Le Dynasty, which was replaced in 1527 by the Mac Dynasty. The new dynasty adjusted certain policies and, for an initial period, brought about greater social stability, buoyancy in trading and handicraft productions, and the restoration of Buddhism and Taoism. But the regime could not create the basic conditions for steady development of the society.

The Mac Dynasty lasted for 66 years with 5 reigns.

Late Le Court (1533 - 1789)

Country’s name: An Nam

Capital: Thang Long

At the time under Mac Dynasty, opposition forces, relying on the influence of the monarchy and Confucian thought, appeared under the guise of restoring the Le Dynasty. In the 1533, these forces rallied in Thanh Hoa province, set up a puppet Le Court and launched a war that eventually drove the Mac Dynasty from the capital.

The Late Dynasty lasted for 266 years with 16 reigns.

Trinh Lords (1545 - 1786) in the North & Nguyen Lords (1558 - 1802) in the South

From 1545, all the powers in the restored Le Court actually belonged to the Trinh family. The Trinh clan mobilized a resistance against Mac Dynasty and conquered the capital. Dong Kinh remained the capital but was renamed Thang Long - The Le King returned his position in the 1592, but Trinh Lords actually took power. This was the beginning of the “Le King - Trinh Lord” rule, which lasted until 1786.

Meanwhile, in the South, Nguyen Lords extended Vietnam to the Mekong Delta and carried out a war against Trinh Lords, which lasted from 1627 to 1772. The Trinh Lords repeatedly failed in attempting to take over the area under the Nguyen control.

During this time, Vietnam had great political and social-economic changes. At the end of 16th century, Vietnam contact trading with the West as Portugal, Spain, Holland, England, and France… the Catholicism was first introduced in Vietnam.

Tay Son Dynasty (1788 - 1802)

Country’s name: An Nam

Capital: Phu Xuan

During the summer of 1786, the Tay Son army from the South invaded North Vietnam with a view of destroying regime of the Trinh Lords. On July 21, 1786 Thang Long fell into the hands of the Tay Son troops.

Nguyen Hue, the Commander-in-Chief of the Tay Son army, graciously returned power to the Le King. Thereafter, Nguyen Hue returned to the South. The Le King, however, could not manage the affairs of the country, and an acute scramble for power arose among several militant groups, making Tay Son intervention on two occasions, the second one led by Nguyen Hue himself.

By the end of 1788, the country faced a large-scale aggression launched by the Manchi Dynasty of China. The news reached Phu Xuan (present day Hue), the country’s capital, and Nguyen Hue ascended the throne as Emperor Quang Trung on December 22^nd 1788. He immediately set out for North Vietnam with his army. By noon of January 30^th 1789, the enemy’s positions were smashed, and the enemy troops retreated to China panic. At present, a festival is held annually in the Dong Da hill area to celebrate the victory.

Emperor Quang Trung passed away in 1792. His 10-year sun was placed on the throne. 10 years later, Tay Son Dynasty was replaced by Nguyen Dynasty - the descendant of Nguyen Lords.

The Tay Son Dynasty lasted for 15 years with 2 reigns.

Nguyen Dynasty (1802 - 1945)

Country’s name: Nam Viet

Capital: Phu Xuan

In 1802, Nguyen Anh ascended the throne and established the Nguyen Dynasty - the last Dynasty in Vietnam. He took the alias Gia Long and renamed the country as Nam Viet.

King Gia Long ordered to build Hue citadel, promulgated laws to control over the country, developed the economy, repaired roads… He has a real ability and intellect.

But the development of country under the next reigns was slowed down because of the closed economic policy.

July 1858 is the beginning of the French colonialists in Vietnam for nearly a century. During this period, a lot of rebellions against the Royal Court and the French colonialists marked a stage struggling for independence and freedom of the country and ended with the August Revolution in 1945.

August 1945, King Bao Dai, the last King of the Nguyen Dynasty, left his throne. This event ended a long feudal time in Vietnam history.

From august revolution up to now (1945 - now)

Country’s name: Vietnam

Capital: Hanoi

2nd September 1945, President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence and the Democratic Republic of Vietnam came into being. The capital is Hanoi.

At the end of 1946, the French colonialists returned and reoccupied the country. For 9 years, the Vietnamese people carried out the war of resistance against the French. It ended by the Dien Bien Phu Great Victory on 7th May 1954. An agreement for peace was signed by the French and Vietnam government in Geneva. According it, a general election would be held throughout the country for a united government but it didn’t happen.

The American Imperialists replace the French and occupied the South. The Vietnamese people one more time carried out the anti-American resistance war for 21 years. At 11:30 on 30th April 1975, the country completely unified.

In 1976, the country was renamed as the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Hanoi still being as The Capital, Sai Gon was renamed as Ho Chi Minh City.

After two wars, the economy of Vietnam was backward, subsidized and underdeveloped. Since 1986, Vietnam has carried out the opened market economy, under the leadership of the Vietnam Communist Party.

Nowadays, Vietnam economy gradually has being improved and integrated into the World’s Economy.

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