Top 10 Exceptional Generals in Vietnamese History

Ngô Quyền, born on March 12, 898 (Đinh Tỵ), into a prestigious family in Đường Lâm, Ái Châu. His father, Ngô Mân, held the position of regional officer in Đường Lâm. Ngô Quyền is described in historical records as a noble and brave hero with great intelligence. He is also known as Tiền Ngô Vương, the first king of the Ngô dynasty in Vietnamese history. In 937, Dương Đình Nghệ was assassinated by Kiều Công Tiễn, and Ngô Quyền led his army into battle. Fearing Ngô Quyền, Công Tiễn sent someone to seek help from the Southern Han dynasty. In 938, Ngô Quyền led his army to capture Đại La and killed Kiều Công Tiễn.

One of Ngô Quyền's most remarkable achievements is the Battle of Bạch Đằng River against the Southern Han army. Taking advantage of the tide, he had wooden stakes covered with iron placed in the river, ready to trap the enemy. The result of this battle is well known— the Southern Han army suffered a complete defeat. General Lưu Hoàng Tháo, along with more than half of his soldiers, perished. After defeating the Southern Han dynasty, Ngô Quyền ascended the throne, ending 1000 years of Northern domination and ushering in the first feudal era in Vietnamese history.

Lý Thường Kiệt was the first brilliant general we want to mention. His real name was Ngô Tuấn, born in Bắc Biên village, Phúc Xá commune (now part of Ngọc Thụy commune, Gia Lâm district, Hanoi), later he moved his residence to Thái Hòa ward (now part of downtown Hanoi).

Ngô Tuấn, who later adopted the name Thường Kiệt, displayed talents in both internal and external affairs. For his significant victory against the Song dynasty's army from 1075 to 1077, he received high honors from the court. Additionally, he adopted the family name of the contemporary Lý Emperor, becoming known as Lý Thường Kiệt. This name became so familiar that many later generations forgot his original family name and personal name. He was born in the year of Kỷ Mùi (1019) and passed away in the year of Ất Dậu (1105) at the age of 86.

Historian Nguyễn Khắc Thuần wrote: in military terms, Lý Thường Kiệt was a great general, the soul of the country's greatest achievements in the 11th century. In politics, Lý Thường Kiệt was a revered figure, a reliable pillar for the Lý dynasty, especially during the reign of Emperor Lý Nhân Tông (1072-1127). In literary history, Lý Thường Kiệt was a literary giant, the author of the poem Nam Quốc Sơn Hà - a heroic piece as sacred as the nation's first declaration of independence.

According to Vietnamese historical accounts, during that time, the ruling dynasty of the Tang in China was increasingly weakening. Seizing this opportunity, the oppressive rulers in Annam (Vietnam) continued to exploit and oppress the people, leading to extreme hardships and grievances. Hatred for the ruling policies of the Tang administration grew, and in 766, Phùng Hưng initiated a major uprising against the oppressive rule of the Tang dynasty.

The uprising led by Phùng Hưng received widespread support from the people across Giao Châu (ancient name for northern Vietnam). Initially, the three brothers of the Phùng family controlled Đường Lâm and then the rebel forces conquered a large area around Phong Châu, establishing a stronghold to resist the invaders.

Phùng Hưng assumed the title Đô Quân, Phùng Hải as Đô Bảo, and Phùng Dĩnh as Đô Tổng, each leading forces to secure vulnerable areas. The Tang dynasty's general, Cao Chính Bình, attempted to suppress the rebellion but was unsuccessful. This situation persisted for more than 20 years. In April 791, Phùng Hưng and his commanders besieged Tống Bình (Hanoi). The forces under Phùng Hưng's command, divided into five paths led by generals Phùng Hải, Phùng Dĩnh, Đỗ Anh Hàn, Bồ Phá Cần, and chief commander Phùng Hưng, launched an assault to besiege the city.

The battle was fierce, and the enemy suffered heavy casualties. Cao Chính Bình had to defend within the city, fearing sickness and death. Phùng Hưng seized control of the fortress, entered the capital of Đô Hộ, and assumed governance over the nation. After his death, Phùng Hưng was revered as Bố Cái Đại Vương.

Quang Trung, originally named Nguyễn Huệ, is known by the titles Quang Trung Emperor, North Pacific Ruler, and the second Emperor of the Tây Sơn dynasty. Born in 1753, he passed away in 1792, 525 years after Trần Hưng Đạo.

Since the Tây Sơn uprising, Nguyễn Huệ emerged as a remarkable leader of the 18th-century peasant movement and a great national hero. At Ngọc Hồi, Đống Đa, the Tây Sơn forces achieved a significant victory, crushing the formidable Qing invaders. The Qing general, Sầm Nghi Đống, had to commit suicide, leading many of his subordinates to follow suit.

Nguyễn Huệ's impactful life contributed significantly to the unification of the country during the Tây Sơn dynasty. After 20 years of continuous warfare and three years of governance, when the country began to show positive changes, Quang Trung passed away suddenly at the age of 39.

According to Việt Nam sử lược (Vietnamese concise history), Nguyễn Huệ was planning to reclaim lost territories in the North, but before realizing this aspiration, he fell ill and passed away. Although his life was short, Nguyễn Huệ's career shone brightly with remarkable achievements, repelling invading forces with great prowess and rapid strategies.

Trần Hưng Đạo, also known as Trần Quốc Tuấn, or Hưng Đạo Vương, was one of the most brilliant military strategists in history. He was the son of An Sinh Vương Trần Liễu, the grandson of King Trần Thái Tông, born in Tức Mặc village, Mỹ Lộc district, Hà Nam Ninh province (now part of Nam Định province). His birth year is unclear, with some sources stating 1228, while others mention 1230 or 1232.

He passed away on the 20th of August in the Canh Tý year (corresponding to the 5th of September, 1300), at the age of over 70. The contemporary people built a temple named Đền Kiếp Bạc in Chí Linh, Hải Dương, to honor him. His three victories against the Mongol invaders (1257 - 1288) significantly contributed to the glory of the Trần dynasty. The Complete Annals of Đại Việt stated: “The echo reached the North, making them often refer to him as An Nam Hưng Đạo Vương without daring to call his name directly.”

Historian Nguyễn Huệ Chi wrote that he was a “military genius with strategic vision and the greatest national hero of the Trần dynasty.” He always adhered to the idea of building the regime's strength on the foundation of the people's power.

Lê Trọng Tấn, born as Lê Trọng Tố, from Nghĩa Lộ village, An Định (old), Yên Nghĩa commune, Hoài Đức district, Hà Tây province (now part of Hanoi), was a General of the Vietnam People's Army. He was one of the most skilled military commanders in Vietnam, leading the forces to the South in the Mường Thanh campaign, capturing General De Castries in the Dien Bien Phu campaign in 1975. Additionally, as the Commander-in-Chief, he led the forces to the South to capture General Dương Văn Minh in the Independence Palace.

The life and revolutionary career of General Lê Trọng Tấn are closely tied to the triumphs and milestones of the Vietnam People's Army. Many strategically significant battles and campaigns during the resistance against the French colonialists and the U.S. imperialists, such as Border Campaign (1950), Hòa Bình (1951), Northwest (1952), Upper Laos (1953), Dien Bien Phu (1954), Route 9 - South Laos (1971), Quảng Trị (1972), Da Nang (1975), General Offensive and Uprising of 1975... bear the indelible mark of General Lê Trọng Tấn. As General Võ Nguyên Giáp remarked: “General Lê Trọng Tấn is one of the most adept campaign commanders, a masterful commander in joint operations among the branches of our armed forces.”

Võ Nguyên Giáp, born on 25/08/1911, passed away on 4th October 2013, (158 years after Quang Trung - Nguyễn Huệ). He was born into a Confucian family, the son of Mr. Võ Quang Nghiêm (Võ Nguyên Thân) - a virtuous Confucian scholar, and Mrs. Nguyễn Thị Kiên in An Xá village, Lộc Thủy commune, Lệ Thủy district, Quảng Bình province.

General Võ Nguyên Giáp outstandingly fulfilled his responsibilities, not only through a few battles and campaigns, but also in both resistance wars against the two most formidable powers of the time, French colonialism and American imperialism.

History has proven the military prowess and strategy of the Chief Commander of the Vietnam People's Army, Võ Nguyên Giáp, exemplified by the Dien Bien Phu Campaign in the air (1954) and the Hồ Chí Minh Campaign, concluding with victory in the war against the United States (1975).

World history has recognized the name and career of the Commander-in-Chief of the Vietnam People's Army, General Võ Nguyên Giáp, as one of the most legendary military leaders in human history. The art of people's war, combining guerrilla warfare and regular warfare, developed by General Võ Nguyên Giáp, reached the pinnacle of human achievement and is considered a model for many modern wars.

General Văn Tiến Dũng (1917-2002), formerly: Member of the Politburo, Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army, Minister of National Defense, Secretary of the Central Military Party Committee, was an outstanding military strategist and brilliant military leader of the Vietnamese nation.

During the years 1951-1953, under the command of Commander-in-Chief Văn Tiến Dũng, Division 320 (one of the first major divisions of the Vietnam People's Army) along with local guerrilla forces fought hundreds of large and small battles, annihilated and captured a large force of enemy mechanized troops, contributing to disrupting the strategic plans of French colonialism on the Northern Delta battlefield, thwarting the enemy's scheme of 'using Vietnamese to fight against Vietnamese, using war to sustain war.'

In November 1953, the Politburo decided to transfer Comrade Lieutenant General Văn Tiến Dũng, Commander of Division 320, to become the Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army. During the Dien Bien Phu Campaign, as assigned by the Central High Command, Comrade Văn Tiến Dũng, along with Comrade Nguyễn Chí Thanh, served as a military advisor, assisting the Politburo and the Party Central Committee in directing the battlefield in the Red River Delta while organizing the mobilization of human and material resources to support the Dien Bien Phu Front.

If in the resistance war against French colonialism, Comrade Văn Tiến Dũng demonstrated his strategic prowess through skillful command in the enemy's hinterland, then in the resistance war against American imperialism, his name became associated with large-scale strategic campaigns. Notably, the historical Ho Chi Minh Campaign (April 1975), where, as the Commander, he, along with the High Command, implemented deeply the guiding ideology of the Politburo: 'Rapid, bold, surprising, and certain victory.' They captured Saigon swiftly while ensuring minimal damage to the city, minimizing human and material losses.

For his revolutionary contributions and achievements, General Văn Tiến Dũng was awarded the Gold Star, Ho Chi Minh Order, and many other prestigious medals by the Party and the State.

On March 17, 2002, General Văn Tiến Dũng passed away at the age of 85, leaving profound grief among comrades, colleagues, people, and soldiers nationwide. Alongside General Võ Nguyên Giáp, he was one of the two strategic generals of the Vietnamese revolution known to the world.

General Nguyễn Chí Thanh, born Nguyễn Vịnh, hailed from a humble farming family in Niêm Phò village, Quảng Thọ commune, Quảng Điền district, Thừa Thiên Huế province. Driven by a love for the country and an intolerance for injustice, from a young age, Nguyễn Vịnh joined the youth in the village in the struggle against the oppressors and participated in the grassroots movement. He was admitted to the Communist Party of Indochina at the age of 23 and later appointed as the Secretary of the local party branch.

Having experienced imprisonment by the French colonialists in Huế, Lao Bảo, Buôn Ma Thuột, and successfully escaped, from the peak of the 'Anti-Japanese Rescue the Nation' movement to the triumph of the August Revolution, he operated in the South Central region. He was selected to the Central Committee Executive Board and held the position of Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee in Trung Kỳ.

After the nationwide resistance war, he held various important positions within the Party and the State: Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee of Thừa Thiên province, Secretary of the Bình-Trị-Thiên Interzone Party Committee, Secretary of the 4th Interzone Party Committee, Deputy Secretary of the Central Military Party Committee, and Chairman of the Political Department of the General Staff.

At the 2nd Party Congress (February 1951), he was selected by the Central Committee to join the Politburo. Starting from early 1961, General Nguyễn Chí Thanh was assigned the task of heading the Central Rural Work Committee. From October 1964 until his passing, General Nguyễn Chí Thanh served as the Secretary of the Central Committee for the Southern Region and concurrently the Political Commissar of the Liberation Armed Forces in South Vietnam. In any role, in the most challenging fronts and during the hottest moments, General Nguyễn Chí Thanh consistently excelled in the tasks entrusted by the Party, the State, and the People. Amidst the fierce anti-American and national salvation war in both regions, General Nguyễn Chí Thanh suddenly passed away after a severe heart attack at 9 a.m. on July 6, 1967.

Comrade Lê Đức Anh, born on 1/2/1920 in Phú Lộc - Thừa Thiên Huế. According to the memoirs of the former State President - General Lê Đức Anh titled 'Life and Revolutionary Career,' he was born into a pure farming family.

In 1937, he began participating in revolutionary activities, and from 1945 onwards, Comrade Lê Đức Anh joined the Việt Nam Liberation Army (predecessor of the People's Army of Vietnam), holding positions from Platoon Leader to Political Officer at the Battalion and Regimental levels. In February 1964, anticipating the complex developments on the Southern front, our side foresaw that the enemy would pour troops and conduct major offensives in the near future. Therefore, Comrade Lê Đức Anh was redirected southward to reinforce the forces on site. In 1969, he was appointed as the Commander of Military Region 9. At the end of 1974, Comrade Lê Đức Anh was reassigned as the Deputy Commander of the Liberation Army in the South, with a promotion from Colonel to Lieutenant General.

In 1980, Comrade Lê Đức Anh was promoted to the rank of Senior General. In 1984, he was awarded the rank of General. In December 1986, Comrade Lê Đức Anh was appointed as the Chief of the General Staff of the People's Army of Vietnam. From February 1987 to August 1991, he served as the Minister of National Defense and the First Secretary of the Central Military Party Committee.

In 1991, he was elected as a Permanent member of the Politburo, and in 1992, the National Assembly approved his election to the position of State President. He held this position until 1997, after which he transitioned to become an Adviser to the Party Central Committee. From April 2001, he officially retired.

General Lê Đức Anh was awarded various State honors, including the Golden Star, Ho Chi Minh Order, First-Class Military Exploit Order, First-Class Victory Order, and more.