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History of Vietnam

Hồng Bàng Dynasty prior to 257 BCE Thục Dynasty 257–207 BCE First Chinese domination 207 BCE – 39 CE • Triệu Dynasty 207–111 BCE Trưng Sisters 40–43 Second Chinese domination 43–544 • Lady Triệu's Rebellion 248 Anterior Lý Dynasty Triệu Việt Vương 544–602 Third Chinese domination 602–905 • Mai Hắc Đế 722 • Phùng Hưng 791–798 Autonomy 905–938 • Khúc Family 906–930 • Dương Đình Nghệ 931–937 • Kiều Công Tiễn 937–938 Ngô Dynasty 939–967 • The 12 Lords Rebellion 966–968 Đinh Dynasty 968–980 Prior Lê Dynasty 980–1009 Lý Dynasty 1009–1225 Trần Dynasty 1225–1400 Hồ Dynasty 1400–1407 Fourth Chinese domination 1407–1427 • Posterior Trần Dynasty 1407–1413 • Lam Sơn Rebellion 1418–1427 Later Lê Dynasty 1428–1788 • Early Lê 1428–1788 • Restored Lê 1533–1788 • Mạc Dynasty 1527–1592 • Trịnh-Nguyễn War 1627–1673 Tây Sơn Dynasty 1778–1802 Nguyễn Dynasty 1802–1945 • Western imperialism 1887–1945 • Empire of Vietnam 1945 Indochina Wars 1945–1975 Partition 1954 • Democratic Republic  of Vietnam 1945–1949 and 1955–1976 • State of Vietnam 1949–1955 • Republic of Vietnam 1955–1975 • Rep. of South Vietnam 1975–1976 Socialist Republic of Vietnam from 1976   Related topics Kingdom of Champa c. 100–1471 List of Vietnamese monarchs Economic history of Vietnam Prehistoric cultures of Vietnam v • d • e

Triệu Việt Vương (Hán tự: 趙越王; 548-570; real name: Triệu Quang Phục, 趙光復) was recognized by Emperor Lý Nam Đế as the best lieutenant and general in the army. Both were occupied with fighting the invasion of the Liang Dynasty and, through his military excellence, Triệu Quang Phục gained considerable political influence at court.

Recognizing the superior strength of the Liang army, Triệu Quang Phục would often retreat to more favorable terrains where he could employ guerrilla warfare and wage a war of attrition against the enemy. Triệu Quang Phục was the first general to understand and make extensive use of guerilla and attrition warfare methods as a means of decimating and slowly demoralizing the enemy. Triệu Quang Phục withdraw his troops to an undeveloped region, full of swamps, muddy area called đàm Dạ Trạch. In this area he established small camps and at nightfall would go surprise the enemy, and steal their supplies and arms as well.

After Lý Nam Đế stepped down from the ruling position in 548, he appointed Triệu Quang Phục to co-rule the country along with his (the emperor's) brother, Lý Thiên Bảo. Lý Thiên Bảo died of an illness in 555 and left no heirs, making Triệu the effective head of the nation. Still, he did not proclaim himself emperor (taking the name Triệu Việt Vương) until Lý Nam Đế died of an illness in 548.

As strong as the Chinese were, they could not make headway against the type of warfare devised by the emperor-general Triệu Việt Vương. This undecisive period lasted until 557 when finally a respite came for the Vạn Xuân (northern Vietnamese) country. China at this time was under the chaotic rule of the Southern and Northern Dynasties and the famous Chinese general Chen Pa H'sien's (Trần Bá Tiên) skills and troops were needed in his homeland to quell a revolt. The Vietnamese forces, however, had no time to rejoice at the news of this temporary respite.

Shortly after Lý Thiên Bảo died, a Lý family member, Lý Phật Tự (Lý Thiên Bảo's cousin) made claim to the emperor's throne and challenged him. Both sides vied against one another for the throne with no decisive victory. Wary about engaging in internal fighting that would only frustrate the people, Triệu Việt Vương negotiated a truce and peace. From Long Biên northward would be Lý Phật Tự's new territory and the land south of Long Biên would belong to Triệu Việt Vương.

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