Japan History

1. Complete Annals of Dai Viet — Author: Ngo Si Lien and historians of the Le Dynasty. — Main content:  — The first official national history of Vietnam, documenting the entire history from the Hong Bang period through the Later Le Dynasty.  — Two main sections: + External Annals: Founding legends, the formation of early states such as Van Lang and Au Lac, and events related to the period of Chinese domination. + Internal Annals: Independent dynasties from Ngo, Dinh, Ly, and Tran to the Later Le, emphasizing crucial military, political, and cultural events, and the reforms of King Le Thanh Tong.

The book is not only entertaining but also reflects the folk consciousness, worldview, and aspirations for peace and freedom of the Vietnamese people.

2. Linh Nam Chich Quai — Author: Tran The Phap, compiled by Vu Quynh and Kieu Phu. — Main content:  — A collection of typical Vietnamese folk tales, legends, and myths.  — Purpose: To explain the origins of culture and the national spirit through fictional stories imbued with mythological elements.  — Notable stories include: + The legend of Lac Long Quan and Au Co + The legend of Hoan Kiem Lake + The story of Thanh Giong

The book is not only entertaining but also reflects the folk consciousness, worldview, and the aspirations of the Vietnamese people for peace and freedom.

— The first period of Chinese domination (179 BC — 111 BC): Vietnam was annexed into the Nam Viet country of the Trieu Dynasty, and subsequently annexed by the Han Dynasty. — The period from Ngo Quyen to the Nguyen Dynasty (939 — 19th century). — During the Nguyen Dynasty: Although tributes were still paid to China in the early period, this influence gradually decreased after the French invasion when Vietnam became a French colony.

Paying tribute not only demonstrated political dependence but also reflected a flexible diplomatic strategy to maintain peace and preserve its territory, especially considering Vietnam’s status as a small nation adjacent to a powerful empire like China.

Has Vietnam ever considered other countries as vassals? — During the Ly Dynasty (1009–1225) and Tran Dynasty (1225–1400), Vietnamese dynasties demonstrated superior power in the Southeast Asian region and maintained vassal relationships with surrounding countries, particularly Champa. — However, these vassal relationships were often neither long-term nor absolute, as Champa occasionally rebelled against Dai Viet’s control. This relationship was primarily based on a temporary power differential rather than a stable vassal system akin to China’s relationship with East Asian nations.

When did Vietnam begin to conquer Champa? — Champa was a kingdom that existed from the 2nd to the 17th century, located in present-day Central Vietnam. This spanned many long historical periods: — Initial period: Ly Dynasty and Tran Dynasty (in the 11th century) — Expansion period: Ho Dynasty and Later Le Dynasty — The final stage: Nguyen Dynasty

Vietnam began conquering Champa territory in the 11th century under the Ly Dynasty, a process that spanned many centuries with key milestones in 1069, 1471, and finally in 1832. This expansion reflects Vietnam’s southward strategy—one of the vital forces that shaped its current national territory.

10th Century: Bach Dang: Ngo Nguyen vs Southern Han

11th Century Song–Dai Viet War

13th Century The War Against the Yuan-Mongols (1285 and 1287–1288)

16th Century — Border Disputes During the Mac-Ming Period (1540) — The Nguyen Lords Resist the Ming and Tay Son Dynasties

20th Century — 1979 Sino-Vietnamese Border War — South China Sea Conflict