Exhaustive History of Feudal Vietnam: From Proto-History to the Nguyen Dynasty

Prosperous Centralized Feudalism Under the Le So Dynasty (1428 - 1527)

• Foundational Leadership and Establishment

  • Leader of Resistance and Founder: $Lê\,Lợi$ led the resistance against the Ming dynasty and founded the Le So dynasty.
  • First Monarch: $Lê\,Thái\,Tổ$ served as the first king of the dynasty.
  • Capital and Location: After ascending the throne in $1428$, $Lê\,Lợi$ established the capital at $Đông\,Kinh$. This location was previously known as $Đông\,Quan$ during the Ming occupation.
  • National Identity: The official national name (quốc hiệu) was $Đại\,Việt$.
  • Chronology: The Le So dynasty officially existed from $1428$ to $1527$.

• Peak of Centralized Power

  • The Golden Age: King $Lê\,Thành\,Tông$ brought the centralized feudal system of the Le So period to its peak.
  • Dominant Ideology: $Confucianism$ (Nho giáo) held an exclusive and dominant position in socio-political life.

• Central Administration and Bureaucracy

  • The Six Departments (Lục bộ): The central administrative system under $Lê\,Thành\,Tông$ was divided into 6 departments:
    • Bộ Lại: Responsible for the recruitment, appointment, and management of officials.
    • Bộ Hộ: Managed financial income and expenditure, household registration, and land records.
    • Bộ Lễ: Oversaw ceremonies, examinations, and the education system.
    • Bộ Binh: Managed matters concerning the military and national defense.
    • Bộ Hình: Responsible for trials and the enforcement of laws.
    • Bộ Công: Managed construction, maintenance of dykes, and bridge building.
  • Supervisory Organs:
    • Ngự sử đài: Specialized in advising the king and monitoring the conduct of officials.
    • Lục khoa: A system of 6 agencies tasked with supervising the specific work of the Six Departments (Lục bộ).
  • Official Count: During the reign of $Lê\,Thành\,Tông$, there were a total of $5,370$ civil and military officials.

• Local Administration and Territorial Divisions

  • Evolution of Divisions: Under $Lê\,Thái\,Tổ$, the country was divided into $5$ circuits (đạo). Under $Lê\,Thành\,Tông$ ($1466$), these were reorganized into $13$ circuits (đạo thừa tuyên).
  • The Three Offices (Tam ty): Each circuit was led by three specialized offices:
    • Hiến sát sứ ty (Hiến ty): Responsible for legal disputes and law enforcement.
    • Đô tổng binh sứ ty (Đô ty): In charge of military affairs.
    • Thừa tuyên bố chính sứ ty (Tuyên ty): Managed administration, household registration, and tax collection.
  • The Commune (Xã): This served as the smallest administrative unit.

• Legal System and Mapping

  • Comprehensive Code: The official legal code was the $Quốc\,triều\,hình\,luật$, also commonly known as the $Hong\,Duc\,Law$ (Luật Hồng Đức).
  • Cartography: The first national map completed under $Lê\,Thành\,Tông$ was named the $Bản\,đồ\,Hồng\,Đức$.

• Military and Socio-Economic Policies

  • Ngụ binh ư nông: A military policy involving rotating soldiers between active duty and returning home to engage in agricultural work.
  • Military Structure: The army was divided into the regular army protecting the king/capital (Cấm binh or Thân binh) and local regional forces (Ngoại binh).
  • Land Management (Phép quân điền): The state system for distributing public land to the population, with redistribution occurring periodically every $6$ years.
  • Agricultural Officials: Specialist positions included the $Khuyến\,nông\,sứ$ (promoting production), $Hà\,đê\,sứ$ (dyke maintenance), and $Đồn\,điền\,sứ$ (managing the reclamation of wasteland).
  • Infrastructure: The most famous system of canals and dykes in the $Thanh\,Hóa$ region was the $Nhà\,Lê\,River$.

• Trade, Economy, and Social Structure

  • Craft Villages: Famous centers included the $Bát\,Tràng$ pottery village near Thăng Long, the $Huê\,Cầu$ dyeing village in $Đường\,Hào$ ($Hưng\,Yên$), and capital-based guilds like $Tăng\,Kiếm$ (parasols and armor). Each Thăng Long guild was managed by a $Phường\,trưởng$.
  • Currency: $1$ quan was equal to $10$ tiền; $1$ tiền was equal to $60$ đồng.
  • Trade Control: The $Đề\,cử$ monitored the flow of goods and currency at border crossings.
  • Social Hierarchy: The majority were free citizens ($Bình\,dân$ or "tự dân"), while the lowest status was held by bondservants ($Nô\,tì$).

• Education, Science, and Culture

  • Doctoral Recognition: King $Lê\,Thành\,Tông$ initiated the practice of engraving the names of doctorate graduates onto stone steles at $Văn\,Miếu$ in $1484$; the first stele honored graduates of the $1442$ exam.
  • Examination Tiers: The highest exam held at the palace under royal approval was the $Thi\,Đình$, occurring every $3$ years. A total of $988$ Doctors (Tiến sĩ) were selected during the dynasty.
  • Literature and Arts:
    • Tao Đàn (Tao Đàn nhị thập bát tú): A famous literary society founded by $Lê\,Thành\,Tông$.
    • Hồng Đức quốc âm thi tập: A collection of Nom poems by $Lê\,Thành\,Tông$ praising national beauty.
  • Key Academic Works:
    • History: $Ngô\,Sĩ\,Liên$ compiled the 15-volume $Đại\,Việt\,sử\,ký\,toàn\,thư$.
    • Geography: $Nguyễn\,Trãi$ wrote the $Dư\,địa\,chí$.
    • Mathematics: $Lương\,Thế\,Vinh$ wrote the $Đại\,thành\,toán\,pháp$.
    • Medicine: $Phan\,Phu\,Tiên$ compiled the $Bản\,thảo\,thực\,vật\,toát\,yếu$.
  • Cultural Shifts: $Lương\,Đăng$ reformed court music based on Ming dynasty models. The "Le Dragon" (Rồng thời Lê) became the most majestic and characteristic artistic image in sculpture.
  • Tragedy: The $Lệ\,Chi\,Viên$ case resulted in the execution of $Nguyễn\,Trãi$ and three generations of his family.

National Liberation and the Lam Son Uprising (Early 15th Century)

• The Ming Occupation

  • Invasion: The Ming invaded at the end of $1406$ under general $Trương\,Phụ$.
  • Annexation: The country’s name was changed to $Quận\,Giao\,Chỉ$ (District of Giao Chi), and the capital was renamed $Đông\,Quan$.
  • Administrative Structure: The Ming established three offices (Tam ty): Thừa tuyên bố chính sứ ty (Civil/Finance), Đô chỉ huy sứ ty (Military), and Án sát sứ ty (Judicial/Inspection). The land was divided into $15$ prefectures (phủ).
  • Exploitation Policies: The Ming burned or looted historical and literary works and imposed monopolies, such as the salt tax ($Độc\,quyền\,thuế\,muối$).

• Resistance Movements Prior to Lam Son

  • Later Tran Dynasty: $Trần\,Ngỗi$ (Giản Định Đế) led an uprising in $Yên\,Mô$ ($Ninh\,Bình$) in $1407$, winning the battle of $Bô\,Cô$ ($Nam\,Định$) in $1408$. The movement failed internally when he executed generals $Đặng\,Tất$ and $Nguyễn\,Cảnh\,Chân$.
  • Trùng Quang Đế: $Trần\,Quý\,Khoáng$ took the throne in $1409$.

• The Lam Son Uprising (1418 - 1427)

  • Leadership and Core Values: Started on $7/2/1418$, led by $Lê\,Lợi$ (who called himself $Bình\,Định\,Vương$). At the $Lũng\,Nhai$ oath in $1416$, $18$ patriots pledged their loyalty. $Nguyễn\,Trãi$ presented the strategic "$Bình\,Ngô\,sách$".
  • Heroism: $Lê\,Lai$ sacrificed his life by disguising himself as $Lê\,Lợi$ to allow the leader to escape Ming encirclement. The army had to retreat to Mount $Chí\,Linh$ three times in the early phase.
  • Structural Strategy: $Nguyễn\,Chích$ proposed moving the campaign to $Nghệ\,An$ in $1424$, starting with the battle of $Đa\,Căng$. The new headquarters were established at $Trà\,Lân$.
  • Expansion: $Tân\,Bình$ and $Thuận\,Hóa$ (modern-day $Quảng\,Bình$ to $Thừa\,Thiên\,Huế$) were liberated in $1425$ by generals $Trần\,Nguyên\,Hãn$ and $Lê\,Ngân$.

• The Decisive Victories

  • Tốt Động - Chúc Động (November 1426): $Vương\,Thông$ was defeated by a force utilizing muddy terrain.
  • Chi Lăng - Xương Giang (1427): This strategic "besiege the city, destroy the reinforcements" campaign defeated two Ming armies led by $Liễu\,Thăng$ (entering via Chi Lăng) and $Mộc\,Thạnh$ (entering via Vân Nam). $Liễu\,Thăng$ was beheaded at $Mã\,Yên$ Mountain. Generals $Thôi\,Tụ$ and $Hoàng\,Phúc$ were captured alive.
  • Conclusion: The war ended with the $Đông\,Quan$ oath on $10/12/1427$, where $Vương\,Thông$ agreed to withdraw. $Lê\,Lợi$ demonstrated humanitarianism by providing $500$ ships and thousands of horses for the retreating Ming forces.
  • Bình Ngô Đại Cáo: Known as the second Declaration of Independence, written by $Nguyễn\,Trãi$. It emphasizes the core principle of "Great Righteousness" ($Nhân\,nghĩa$) and "Supreme Kindness" ($Chí\,nhân$) to defeat tyranny.

The Dai Viet State Under the Ly and Tran Dynasties

• The Ly Dynasty (1009 - 1225)

  • Capital Shift: $Lý\,Thái\,Tổ$ issued the "Edict on the Transfer of the Capital" ($Chiếu\,dời\,đô$) in $1010$, moving from $Hoa\,Lư$ to Thăng Long (formerly $Đại\,La$).
  • National Milestones: Name changed to $Đại\,Việt$ in $1054$. The first written law, $Hình\,thư$, was issued in $1042$. The highest official was the $Tể\,tướng$ (Prime Minister).
  • Education and Religion: $Văn\,Miếu$ was built in $1070$, and $Quốc\,Tử\,Giám$ in $1076$. $Buddhism$ was the state religion ($Quốc\,giáo$). Famous architecture includes the One Pillar Pagoda ($Chùa\,Một\,Cột$) built in $1049$.
  • Military: Defeated the Song ($1075$ - $1077$) under $Lý\,Thường\,Kiệt$. The decisive battle was on the $Như\,Nguyệt$ River, where the poem "$Nam\,quốc\,sơn\,hà$" was first recited.

• The Tran Dynasty (1226 - 1400)

  • Founding: $Trần\,Thủ\,Độ$ facilitated the power transfer to $Trần\,Thái\,Tông$. The dynasty utilized the $Thái\,thượng\,hoàng$ system (retired kings as advisors).
  • Regional Government: Subdivided into $12$ circuits (lộ) led by an $An\,phủ\,sứ$.
  • Mongol Resistance: Key gatherings included the $Bình\,Than$ conference ($1282$) for vanguards and the $Diên\,Hồng$ conference ($1284$) for elders. $Trần\,Quốc\,Tuấn$ wrote the "$Hịch\,tướng\,sĩ$." In $1288$, the Mongol navy was destroyed on the $Bạch\,Đằng$ River; general $Ô\,Mã\,Nhi$ was captured, and $Thoát\,Hoan$ fled in a copper pipe.
  • Culture: $Lê\,Văn\,Hưu$ compiled the first history $Đại\,Việt\,sử\,ký$. $Trần\,Nhân\,Tông$ founded the $Trúc\,Lâm\,Yên\,Tử$ Zen sect. $Nguyễn\,Thuyên$ wrote the first Nôm literature, "$Văn\,tế\,cá\,sấu$."
  • Society: Land types included $Thái\ ấp$ (fiefdoms for nobles) and $Điền\ trang$ (estates reclaimed by nobles). Bondservants in these estates were called $Điền\ trang\ nô\ tì$.

• The Ho Dynasty (1400 - 1407)

  • Founder and Capital: $Hồ\,Quý\,Ly$ took over in $1400$, naming the country $Đại\,Ngu$ and the capital $Tây\,Đô$ ($Thanh\,Hóa$).
  • Bold Reforms: Issued the first paper money ($Thông\,bảo\,hội\,sao$), limited land holdings ($Phép\,hạn\,điền$), and bondservants ($Phép\,hạn\,nô$). $Hồ\,Nguyên\,Trừng$ invented the "$Thần\,cơ$" cannon and two-deck warships. In $1396$, math was added to the national exams.

The Van Lang Kingdom and Early Primitive Societies

• Archaeological Foundations

  • Early Humans: Traces of $Homo\,erectus$ found at $Thẩm\,Khuyên$ and $Thẩm\,Hai$ ($Lạng\,Sơn$, $500,000$ years ago). $Núi\,Đọ$ ($Thanh\,Hóa$) provided Paleolithic tools ($300,000$ years ago). $Homo\,sapiens$ teeth found at $Hang\,Hùm$ ($80,000$ years ago).
  • Key Transitions: The Mesolithic $Hòa\,Bình$ culture ($Madeleine\,Colani$, $1932$) marked the start of primitive agriculture. The Neolithic $Bắc\,Sơn$ culture introduced polished stone and the "$Bắc\,Sơn\,mark$." Post-Neolithic cultures include $Hạ\,Long$, $Bàu\,Tró$, and $Quỳnh\,Văn$ (distinctive shell mounds and crouched burials).

• The Van Lang State

  • Establishment: Based on the $Đông\,Sơn$ bronze culture, capital at $Phong\,Châu$ ($Phú\,Thọ$). Ruled by $18$ generations of $Hùng\,Vương$.
  • Government: Central: $Hùng\,Vương$ assisted by $Lạc\,hầu$ (civil) and $Lạc\,tướng$ (military). Local: The country had $15$ tribes (bộ) governed by $Lạc\,tướng$. Villages (chiềng, chạ) were led by $Bồ\,chính$ (elders).
  • Society: $Lạc\,dân$ (free farmers) were the majority; bondservants were known as $Tì\,bạt$.
  • Culture: Totems include the $Chim\,Lạc$. Rituals like tattooing, betel nut chewing, and square/round cakes ($bánh\,chưng, bánh\,dày$). Technology centered on the bronze drum, symbolized by the Sun Star in the center.

The Struggle for Independence (10th Century)

• Founders of Autonomy

  • Khúc Thừa Dụ: Captured power from the Tang in $905$, becoming a $Tiết\,độ\,sứ$.
  • Khúc Hạo: Established administrative levels (Lộ, phủ, châu, giáp, xã) and a policy of "benevolence and simplicity."
  • Dương Đình Nghệ: Defeated the Southern Han in $931$. He was later betrayed and killed by $Kiều\,Công\,Tiễn$.

• Ngô Quyền and the Final Victory

  • Bạch Đằng (938): $Ngô\,Quyền$ defeated the Southern Han led by $Hoằng\,Tháo$ using wooden stakes. He ended the period of Northern domination, took the title $Ngô\,Vương$, and based the capital at $Cổ\,Loa$.

• Dinh and Early Le Dynasties

  • Đinh Bộ Lĩnh: Reunited the country after the "$12\,Warlords\,Conflict$," naming himself $Vạn\,Thắng\,Vương$. Established the capital at $Hoa\,Lư$ and named the country $Đại\,Cồ\,Việt$.
  • Lê Hoàn (Lê Đại Hành): Invited to take the throne by Dowager $Dương\,Vân\,Nga$. He defeated the Song in $981$ (beheading general $Hầu\,Nhân\,Bảo$) and performed the first $Tịch\,điền$ ritual.

The Tay Son Movement and Early 19th Century

• The Uprising (1771 - 1789)

  • Leadership: Brothers $Nguyễn\,Nhạc, Nguyễn\,Huệ, Nguyễn\,Lữ$ started from $Gia\,Lai$ with the motto "Take from the rich, give to the poor."
  • Key Victories: Defeated the Siam army ($1785$) at $Rạch\,Gầm\,Xoài\,Mút$. Defeated the Qing ($1789$) at the battle of $Ngọc\,Hồi\,Đống\,Đa$; commander $Sầm\,Nghi\,Đống$ committed suicide.

• Quang Trung’s Reign (1788 - 1792)

  • Reforms: Promoted agriculture ($Chiếu\,khuyến\,nông$), requested talent ($Chiếu\,cầu\,hiền$), and mandated the use of $Chu\,Nom$ as the national script. Established the $Viện\,Sùng\,chính$ under $Nguyễn\,Thiếp$ to translate texts. Designed numerical identity tags ($Tín\,bài$) to manage the population.

The Nguyen Dynasty (Dai Nam)

• Political Structure

  • Establishment: $Gia\,Long$ ($Nguyễn\,Ánh$) founded the dynasty in $1802$ after defeating the Tay Son. Capital moved to $Phú\,Xuân$ ($Huế$).
  • Nomenclature: Name "$Vietnam$" officially recognized in $1804$; "$Dai\,Nam$" in $1838$.
  • Administrative Reform: King $Minh\,Mạng$ reorganized the country into $30$ provinces and the prefecture of $Thừa\,Thiên$. Established the Secret Council ($Cơ\,mật\,viện$) for security/diplomacy.
  • Law of the Land: The $Hoàng\,Việt\,luật\,lệ$ (Gia Long Law) was compiled by $Nguyễn\,Văn\,Thành$. The policy of "$Tứ\,bất$' (Four Nots) prevented local power by not appointing Queens, Prime Ministers, Valedictorians, or Vassal Kings.

• Economy and Culture

  • Reclamation: $Nguyễn\,Công\,Trứ$ reclaimed land to establish $Tiền\,Hải$ and $Kim\,Sơn$ districts.
  • Literature: $Nguyễn\,Du$ wrote "$The\ Tale\ of\ Kieu$." $Phan\,Huy\,Chú$ authored the first encyclopedia, $Lịch\,triều\,hiến\,chương\,loại\,chí$.
  • Science: $Lê\,Hữu\,Trác$ (Hải Thượng Lãn Ông) founded Vietnamese pharmacy with $Hải\,Thượng\,y\,tông\,tâm\,lĩnh$. $Vauban$ military architecture was used for Hue's capital.
  • Conflicts: Frequent peasant uprisings occurred under $Phan\,Bá\,Vành, Lê\,Văn\,Khôi$, and $Cao\,Bá\,Quát$. Resistance against France started in $1858$ at $Sơn\,Trà$ led by $Nguyễn\,Tri\,Phương$.