The Top 8 Most Noteworthy Historical Events of Vietnam Linked to the Year of the Dog

The Temple of Literature - National University is one of Hanoi’s most significant and diverse historical sites, located to the south of the ancient Thang Long Citadel. According to historical records, the Temple of Literature was first built in 1070 under King Ly Thanh Tong, and the National University was established in 1076 during the reign of King Ly Nhan Tong.

Today, this site has been recognized by the Vietnamese government as one of the 23 National Special Heritage sites. The Temple of Literature - National University complex includes: the Van Lake, the Temple of Literature and National University grounds, the Giám Garden, and the central architectural structure which houses the Temple of Literature – a place dedicated to Confucius – and the National University – the first university in Vietnam. The complex is enclosed by a brick wall, with the space inside divided into five sections, each featuring different architectural styles. These sections are separated by walls with three gates (the central gate and two side gates). From outside to inside, the sequence of gates includes: the Temple of Literature Gate, Đại Trung Gate, Đại Thành Gate, and the Thái Học Gate. Over the span of more than 700 years, this university trained thousands of talented individuals for the country.

Today, the Temple of Literature - National University serves as a popular tourist destination for both domestic and international visitors. It is also a place where outstanding students are honored, and it hosts an annual poetry festival on the 15th day of the first lunar month. Notably, it is a place where modern-day students visit to pray for success before exams.

The royal abdication event traces back to the final king of the Ly Dynasty, Ly Chieu Hoang. Born as Ly Phat Kim, she was the second daughter of King Ly Hue Tong. Born during the decline of the Ly Dynasty, her reign was marked by unexpected turns and she became known as Ly Phe Hau or Chieu Thanh Hoang Hau, the ninth and final emperor of the Ly Dynasty from 1224 to 1225. In Vietnamese history, she holds the distinction of being the first and only female monarch, particularly as she was chosen by her father, King Ly Hue Tong, to succeed him despite many underlying political intrigues.

At the end of 1225 and the beginning of 1226, Chieu Hoang, with the help of Tran Thu Do, abdicated in favor of Tran Thai Tong (Tran Canh), marking a peaceful transfer of power between the two dynasties. This marked the official end of over 200 years of Ly rule. Tran Canh ascended the throne as Emperor Thai Tong, and the Tran Dynasty ruled for 175 years, producing many famous figures such as Tran Hung Dao, Tran Quang Khai, Tran Khat Chan, cultural icons like Chu Van An, Truong Han Sieu, and Nguyen Bieu, ushering in a period of prosperity for the country.

Today, the temple dedicated to the last Ly emperor, Ly Chieu Hoang, known as the Dragon Temple, is located within the historical site of Den Do – a complex dedicated to eight kings of the Ly Dynasty. The Dragon Temple was built during the late Tran Dynasty in the 13th century under the reign of Tran Nhan Tong (1281).

The Lam Son Uprising began under extremely difficult circumstances. Numerous uprisings against the Minh forces had been brutally suppressed, with General Truong Phu ordering savage massacres of the insurgents and civilians alike (decapitations, burning of bodies, and disembowelment) to terrorize the Vietnamese people.

In the spring of the Year of the Dog 1418, Le Loi, along with his allies such as Le Van An, Le Sat, Luu Nhan Chu, and Nguyen Ly, totaling 50 generals (19 of whom had previously sworn an oath in the Lung Nhai meeting in 1416), raised the flag of rebellion in Lam Son. Le Loi declared himself King Binh Dinh and called upon the Vietnamese people to unite and fight the invading Minh forces to save their homeland. Lam Son, located in the present-day Tho Xuan district in Thanh Hoa province, became the base for the rebellion. The Lam Son Uprising lasted a decade, from 1418 to 1428, and led to victory.

Le Loi ascended to the throne in 1428, becoming Emperor Le Thai To, and officially founded the Later Le Dynasty. His triumph over the Minh forces during the Lam Son Uprising cemented his legacy as a national hero in Vietnamese history.

Nguyen Phuc Anh, commonly known as Nguyen Anh or Emperor Gia Long, was the founder of the Nguyen Dynasty, the last feudal ruling family in Vietnamese history, reigning from 1802 until his death in 1820.

During his 18-year reign (1802–1820), despite focusing on consolidating the power of his dynasty, Emperor Gia Long did not forget the importance of asserting sovereignty over Vietnam's maritime territories, particularly in the Paracel Islands. The Nguyen Dynasty, under his leadership, recognized the necessity of exploring and securing the maritime frontier due to the Paracels’ distance from the mainland. The emperor sent military expeditions to survey the islands, signaling his long-term vision and strategic foresight, as the islands served as a crucial barrier against potential maritime threats. Throughout his reign, Emperor Gia Long sent military expeditions to the Paracel Islands three times to conduct hydrographic surveys, reinforcing the unity of his kingdom and affirming that the islands were inseparable from the nation’s territory.

Additionally, Emperor Gia Long played a significant role in facilitating French influence in Vietnam by inviting them to help build fortifications, train the military, and allowing the propagation of Christianity. Under his rule, Vietnam became a formidable military power in Indochina, establishing a division of influence with Siam over Cambodia.

If the event of September 2, 1945, at Ba Dinh Square marked the birth of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, then January 6, 1946, is also considered a pivotal moment in the nation's history. This was the first general election in Vietnam, a historic milestone. Newspapers across the country echoed the call with bold headlines: "Everyone, head to the ballot box" and President Ho Chi Minh’s advice: "I urge all men and women over 18 to go vote today and elect worthy representatives to our first National Assembly."

Just over four months after Vietnam declared its independence, the entire nation participated in this grand event – the first general election. Under the brutal colonial and feudal rule, the Vietnamese people had been deprived of all democratic rights. The August Revolution had breathed new life into every aspect of society, restoring the people's sovereignty. For the first time, citizens were free to discuss, deliberate, and choose representatives to the National Assembly of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. Despite the complex political situation, with French colonialists waging war in the south and establishing the puppet regime of "Autonomous Cochinchina," and 180,000 Nationalist Chinese troops disarming the Japanese in the north, the people still placed their trust in the Viet Minh and other genuine patriots. On the morning of January 6, citizens of Hanoi eagerly went to the polls with joy and optimism, making the general election a resounding success.

The First National Assembly (1946-1960), then called the People's Congress, was the first legislative body of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. During its first term, it passed two constitutions (1946 and 1959), 16 laws, 50 resolutions, and three coalition governments led by President Ho Chi Minh. This marked a significant turning point in Vietnam’s revolutionary journey.

The first major event in history connected to the Year of the Dog was when Lý Bí ascended to the throne. Lý Nam Đế - Lý Bí, born on September 12, Year Quý Mùi (October 17, 503), was a man of both scholarly and martial prowess. From a young age, he exhibited exceptional intelligence and talent. Having served as an official under the Liang Dynasty, he grew disillusioned with the corrupt and oppressive rule of the local officials. Disgusted with the exploitation of the common people, he resigned and returned to his homeland to rally troops and form alliances with other brave leaders to start a rebellion in Giao Châu.

In late 541, Lý Bí officially raised the banner of revolt against the Liang Dynasty. His cause quickly gained support, with military leaders like Triệu Quang Phục, Phạm Tu, Trịnh Đô, and Lý Công Tuấn joining his ranks. By April 542, the Liang Emperor sent his generals, including Trần Hầu, Ninh Cự, Úy Trí, and Nguyễn Hán, to suppress the rebellion. However, through strategic brilliance and decisive action, Lý Bí’s forces defeated the Liang army and took full control of Giao Châu. In late 542, the Liang Emperor sent generals Tôn Quýnh and Lư Tử Hùng to attack once more. Anticipating this, Lý Bí moved his forces to the Hợp Phố Peninsula and decisively defeated the Liang army, causing heavy casualties. This victory marked a key turning point in Lý Bí’s rise to power.

In the first month of the Year of the Dog (544), Lý Bí declared himself Lý Nam Đế and officially ascended the throne, adopting the reign title Thiên Đức (Heavenly Virtue). He established the nation of Vạn Xuân, symbolizing his hope for a prosperous and lasting state. He set up his capital near the Tô Lịch River (modern-day Hanoi), constructing the Vạn Thọ Palace as the royal seat. He established a dual administrative system with separate civil and military branches. He appointed Triệu Túc as the Grand Chancellor, Tinh Thiều to lead the civil administration, and Phạm Tu to head the military.

The temple dedicated to Lý Nam Đế - Lý Bí is located in Đạo Đức commune, Bình Xuyên district, Vĩnh Phúc province.

The second significant historical event connected to the Year of the Dog was the Battle of Bạch Đằng in 938, a defining conflict between the Vietnamese forces, known at the time as the Tĩnh Hải Army (with no official national identity), led by Ngô Quyền, and the army of the Southern Han on the Bạch Đằng River. Thanks to Ngô Quyền's strategic use of stakes planted in the river, the Vietnamese forces emerged victorious. The battle proved to be a decisive moment, as the Southern Han forces suffered heavy losses, with more than half of their army drowning, and the Southern Han Prince Lưu Hoàng Tháo was killed by Ngô Quyền himself.

The victory at Bạch Đằng in 938 marked a new era in Vietnamese history, ushering in a period of independence for the Vietnamese people. This triumph not only ended the Southern Han's attempts at invasion but also solidified the existence of a free and strong nation, enhancing the national spirit of self-determination. With this military victory, Ngô Quyền, the hero of the resistance, took a significant step toward solidifying Vietnam's independence and sovereignty.

Another significant historical event was the edict to move the capital issued by Ly Thai To - Ly Cong Uan in the Year of the Dog, 1010. Ly Cong Uan, born on March 8, 974, and passing away on March 31, 1028, was the founder of the Ly dynasty in Vietnam, reigning from 1009 until his death in 1028. Originally a senior military official under the Later Le dynasty, in 1009, after the death of the last king of the Le dynasty, Le Long Dinh, Ly Cong Uan was elevated to the throne with the support of Dao Cam Moc and the monk Van Hanh. During his reign, he focused on consolidating the country, earning the trust of the people, and suppressing revolts.

One of the most remarkable events during this period was the edict to move the capital from Hoa Lu (today's Ninh Binh) to Dai La (now Hanoi) in July 1010. This location was considered ideal, as it had a favorable geomantic position, surrounded by mountains and rivers, symbolizing the dragon coiling and the tiger sitting, with clear and open surroundings. The landscape was flat, and the land was fertile, ensuring protection from floods and prosperity for its people. This strategic choice for the new capital enabled Vietnam to thrive, becoming the political, economic, and cultural center of the country, and laying the foundation for the Ly dynasty's long-lasting rule, which lasted over 200 years.