Top 12 Renowned Generals in Vietnamese History

Surely, this name is no longer unfamiliar to every Vietnamese. Ngo Quyen (898-944) was born in Chau Duong Lam, the son-in-law of Tiet Do Su Chau Dinh Nghe. In 937, Duong Dinh Nghe was assassinated by Kieu Cong Tien, and Ngo Quyen led his army to fight. Fearing, Cong Tien sent someone to seek help from the Southern Han. In 938, Ngo Quyen led his army to capture Dai La, killing Kieu Cong Tien.

He is famous for the battle against the Southern Han army in 938 at the Bach Dang River. At that time, he used bamboo stakes and took advantage of the tide to fight the enemy, resulting in the Southern Han army fleeing, and more than half of the enemy soldiers lost their lives. After that, he became the king, ending 1000 years of Northern domination, ushering in the first feudal period for our country.

Ngo Quyen is included in the list of fourteen national heroes of Vietnam. Phan Boi Chau sees him as the Ancestor of National Revival for Vietnam.

Le Hoan born in 941 in Xuan Lap, Tho Xuan, Thanh Hoa (some theories say: Le Hoan born in Thanh Liem, Ha Nam) into a poor family, with father named Le Mich and mother named Dang Thi Sen. Orphaned at a young age, Le Hoan had to work as an adopted child for a small official. As he grew up, he followed Nam Viet Vuong Dinh Lien and achieved many feats when Dinh Tien Hoang suppressed the 12 rebellious warlords, unified the country, and established the foundation of the Dinh Dynasty.

He was appointed as the General of the Ten Virtues by Dinh Tien Hoang when he was just 30 years old. When Dinh Tien Hoang and his son were assassinated by Do Thich, and Dinh Toan, only 6 years old, ascended the throne. Taking advantage of the situation, the Song Dynasty sent troops to invade our country. For the sake of the nation, Queen Dowager Duong Van Nga handed over the throne to Le Hoan. Le Hoan ascended the throne with the reign name Le Dai Hanh, keeping the country's name as Dai Co Viet, and establishing the capital in Hoa Lu.

Dinh Tien Hoang (born on March 22, 924 – passed away in October 979), alias Dinh Bo Linh or sometimes referred to as Dinh Hoan. Dinh Bo Linh is the emperor (king) who founded the Dinh Dynasty, the Dai Co Viet country in the history of Vietnam.

Dinh Bo Linh, born in Hoa Lu, Dai Hoang Prefecture (Now Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh), was the son of Dinh Cong Tru, a general of Duong Dinh Nghe, holding the position of Chu Hoan's historian. His father passed away early, and Dinh Bo Linh returned to his hometown with his mother, living in the mountains. The local children revered him as their leader, performing ceremonies as if serving a king. In their leisure time, they would make a makeshift palanquin to carry him, using a bamboo flag as a symbol, mimicking the royal entourage. In their free time, the children would gather firewood to offer to their 'king' in a ritualistic manner. Due to his kind upbringing, coupled with life experience and a wise, determined nature, Dinh Bo Linh grew up intelligent, charismatic, strategically talented, and possessing a wise temperament.

His name is associated with many legends such as the fake battle tales and the story of the dragon's veins in Vietnamese land. In 926, the country was in chaos with the formation of 12 warlords. He, along with Dinh Lien, recruited talented soldiers, suppressed the chaos, and saved the nation. In 968, he ascended to the throne as Emperor Dinh Tien Hoang, establishing the capital in Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh.

Tran Hung Dao (Chinese: 陳興道; 1231 – 1300), born Tran Quoc Tuan (Chinese: 陳國峻), with the title Hung Dao Grand Duke, was a politician and military strategist, a prominent figure in the royal Tran dynasty of Dai Viet during his time. After his passing, he was posthumously revered by the people as Duc Thanh Tran (德聖陳), also known as Cuu Thien Vu De (九天武帝). He is well-known in Vietnamese history for leading the army to repel two invasions by the Yuan-Mongol forces in 1285 and 1288.

Most historical research documents and folklore commonly use the abbreviated name 'Tran Hung Dao' instead of the full title 'Hung Dao Grand Duke Tran Quoc Tuan,' which includes the bestowed title. He is one of the 14 exemplary heroes of the Vietnamese nation.

In February 1984, the Royal Society of England's scientific council ranked him among the top 10 most skilled generals in the world. People reverently refer to him as Duc Thanh Tran, and memorials in his honor are erected in various places.

Ly Thuong Kiet (Hán-Nôm: 李常傑; 1019 – 1105) was a renowned military, political, and administrative figure during the Ly dynasty in Dai Viet. He served in three reigns: Ly Thai Tong, Ly Thanh Tong, and Ly Nhan Tong, achieving significant accomplishments, making him one of the two greatest generals of the Ly dynasty, alongside Le Phung Hieu.

In Vietnamese history, he is notable for conquering Chiem Thanh (1069), devastating three provinces: Kham, Ung, and Liem of the Song dynasty (1075–1076), and successfully repelling the invasion of Dai Viet by the Song forces led by Quach Quy and Trieu Tiet. Particularly, the battles in the provinces of Kham, Ung, and Liem elevated his reputation beyond Dai Viet and became known in Song territory.

In 2013, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism honored him as one of the 14 most outstanding national heroes in Vietnamese history. The warship USS Chincoteague (AVP-24) during the years 1972 - 1975 was named RVNS Ly Thuong Kiet (HQ-16) to commemorate him. He is famous for various legendary battles, including the one on the Như Nguyệt River, and the poetic masterpiece 'Nam Quoc Son Ha' in history.

Vo Nguyen Giap (1911-2013) was born in An Xa commune, Le Thuy district, Quang Binh province. He was the leader and founder of the Vietnam People's Army on December 22, 1944. In 1954, he led the Vietnamese army to the glorious victory of Dien Bien Phu.

General Vo Nguyen Giap excellently fulfilled his duties not only in a few battles and campaigns but in both resistance wars against the two most formidable powers of the time, French colonialists and the American Empire.

He also contributed to the defeat of the American Empire in 1975, liberating the nation. He was one of the few generals who had no formal military training. General Vo Nguyen Giap is the second Vietnamese general ranked among the top 10 greatest generals in the world by the Royal Society of the UK. He passed away on October 4, 2013, at Military Hospital 108 in Hanoi, at the age of 103.

Quang Trung Emperor (born in 1753 – passed away on September 16, 1792), posthumously known as Tay Son Thai Zu (西山太祖; used to distinguish from Nguyen Thai To of the Nguyen dynasty), also known as Bac Binh Vuong, birth name Ho Thom, originally from Nghe An later changed to Nguyen Hue (阮惠), Nguyen Quang Binh (阮光平), was a Vietnamese politician and military leader, the second emperor of the Tay Son dynasty, after Emperor Thai Duc Nguyen Nhac abdicated and passed the throne to him.

Nguyen Hue and his two brothers, collectively known as the Tay Son triumvirate, were leaders of the Tay Son uprising that ended the Trinh-Nguyen internal conflict between the two feudal groups, Trinh in the north, and Nguyen in the south, overthrowing these two groups and the Later Le dynasty, ending the Dich Trong – Dich Ngoai division that lasted for two centuries.

Additionally, Quang Trung defeated the invasions of Dai Viet by Siam from the south and Dai Thanh from the north. He personally led the army in battle from the age of 18, fought for 20 consecutive years, experienced dozens of major battles, and never lost a single one.

Pham Ngu Lao (Hán tự: 范五老; 1255 – 1320) was a prominent general in Vietnamese history, known for his significant contributions in both the second (1285) and third (1288) anti-Mongol invasions. During his time, his reputation was second only to Hung Dao Vuong Tran Quoc Tuan, widely regarded as the greatest military strategist in Vietnamese feudal history.

In the two campaigns against the Yuan-Mongol invasions (1285-1288), Pham Ngu Lao achieved numerous military successes. In 1285, during the second anti-Yuan campaign, he, along with Tran Quang Khai, advanced to Chương Dương and Hàm Tử, defeating the giant enemy fleet and liberating Thang Long. Subsequently, Pham Ngu Lao was ordered to lead 30,000 troops to ambush the enemy at Vạn Kiếp, blocking the enemy's retreat route to the north and annihilating two enemy generals, Ly Quan and Ly Hang.

In the third anti-Yuan campaign (1287), Pham Ngu Lao and his generals set up an ambush to harass the enemy's withdrawal on the Bạch Đằng River. In this battle, the Tran army captured the Yuan generals Phan Tiep, Ao Lo Xich, and O Ma Nhi. Pham Ngu Lao continued to pursue the flank of Thoat Hoan's army on land.

In 1290, King Tran Nhan Tong entrusted him with the command of the Thanh Duc army, conferring the title of Huu Kim Ngo Dai Tuong Quan. In 1294, for his achievements in the Ai Lao campaign, he was awarded the Kim Phu (golden tally). In 1297, for his contributions in the Ai Lao campaign, he received the Van Phu (cloud tally). In 1301, he was appointed as the Thanh Ve Dai Tuong Quan and received the Quy Phu (tortoise tally). During the reign of King Tran Anh Tong, he was promoted to the position of Dien suy Thuong Tuong Quan, with the title of Quan Noi Hau. One of Pham Ngu Lao's daughters, Tinh Hue, became the queen consort of King Anh Tong.

Pham Ngu Lao launched three punitive expeditions against the encroachment and disturbances of the Ai Lao forces in 1294, 1297, and 1301. He also achieved two victories against the Chiêm Thành forces in 1312, forcing the Chiêm king Che Chi to surrender. In 1318, King Che Nang fled to Java.

According to Vietnamese legend, during the 18th Hung King dynasty, Ly Ong Trong held a small position in a district hamlet. Legend has it that he was two trượng three thước tall. Known for his firm and just nature, as well as his compassion for the people, there is a story of him encountering a cruel soldier beating peasants mercilessly. Ong Trong, angered by the scene, killed the soldier and was sentenced to death by the court. However, the king, recognizing Ong Trong's talents and strength, spared his life. Ong Trong then resigned from his position, seeking knowledge in distant lands. During the reign of Thục An Dương Vương, he became a skilled general who assisted the king and was sent as an envoy to the Qin state.

At that time, the Qin state faced threats from the northern invaders. Despite building the Great Wall of Vạn Lý, Qin Thủy Hoàng couldn't find peace. Recognizing the military prowess of Ly Ong Trong from the Au Lac region, the Qin king expressed a desire for Ong Trong's assistance in repelling the northern invaders. Ong Trong was appointed Vạn Tín hầu. He led his forces to defend the Lam Thao region (present-day Cam Túc, China), defeating the enemy every time they approached. The northern invaders were so terrified that they dared not violate the Qin border anymore. The Qin king, deeply impressed, conferred high titles upon him, rewarded him generously, and even married a princess to Ly Ong Trong, hoping to keep him in Qin for an extended period. After some time, Ly Ong Trong, feeling homesick, requested permission to return to his homeland.

Upon hearing that Ly Ong Trong had returned, the northern invaders once again attacked Qin. The Qin king sent an envoy to Au Lac to invite Ong Trong. However, Ong Trong, unwilling to go, was declared deceased by the Thục king. In desperation, the Qin king had a giant bronze statue of Ly Ong Trong (hollow inside, accommodating dozens of people, with mechanical movements imitating reality) cast and placed at the Kim Mã gate in the Hàm Dương citadel. The northern invaders, mistaking it for Ong Trong, refrained from attacking Qin, thinking he had returned. Since then, people from the northern regions often referred to such large statues as 'Ly Ong Trong.'

General Nguyen Chi Thanh, born Nguyen Vinh, hailed from a humble farming family in Niem Pho hamlet, Quang Tho commune, Quang Dien district, Thua Thien Hue province. With a love for the country and a refusal to accept injustice, Nguyen Vinh, from a young age, participated in the struggle against tyrants and joined the grassroots movement. He was admitted to the Communist Party of Indochina at the age of 23 and later appointed as the Party Secretary at the local level.

Having endured numerous hardships under French colonial rule in Hue, Lao Bao, Buon Ma Thuot, and successfully escaped from captivity, from the peak of the 'Resist Japan, Save the Nation' movement to the success of the August Revolution, Comrade Nguyen Chi Thanh operated in the South Central region. He was elected to the Central Committee and held the position of Party Secretary of Central Region.

After the nationwide resistance war, Comrade Nguyen Chi Thanh held various important positions in the Party and the State: Party Secretary of Thua Thien province, Party Secretary of the Binh-Tri-Thien Region, Party Secretary of the Liaison Committee of Region 4, Deputy Party Secretary of the Central Military Commission, and Head of the Political Department of the General Staff.

At the 2nd Party Congress (February 1951), Comrade Nguyen Chi Thanh was elected to the Politburo. From early 1961, General Nguyen Chi Thanh was assigned the task of leading the Central Rural Work Committee. From October 1964 until his passing, General Nguyen Chi Thanh held the position of Party Secretary of the Southern Bureau, concurrently serving as the Political Commissar of the Liberation Armed Forces in South Vietnam.

In any position, in the most challenging fronts, during the hottest periods, General Nguyen Chi Thanh always excellently fulfilled the tasks entrusted by the Party, the State, and the People. Amidst the fierce anti-American resistance and national salvation in both regions, General Nguyen Chi Thanh suddenly passed away after a severe heart attack at 9 a.m. on July 6, 1967.

Phung Hung originated from Duong Lam - the birthplace of another great hero, Ngo Quyen. According to Viet Su Tieu An, Phung Hung was robust and possessed the strength of a tiger in his youth.

Le Trong Tan , born Le Trong To, from Nghia Lo village, former An Dinh hamlet, Yen Nghia commune, Hoai Duc district, Ha Tay province (now part of Hanoi), is a General of the People's Army of Vietnam. He is one of the most skilled military commanders in Vietnam, leading forces in the South during the Battle of Muong Thanh, capturing General De Castries in the Dien Bien Phu campaign in 1975. Additionally, General Le Trong Tan commanded forces in the South to attack the Independence Palace, capturing General Duong Van Minh.

The life and revolutionary career of General Le Trong Tan are closely associated with the triumphs and milestones of the People's Army of Vietnam. Many strategic battles and campaigns during the resistance against French colonialism and the U.S. imperialist invasion, such as Border Campaign (1950), Hanoi (1951), Northwest (1952), Upper Laos (1953), Dien Bien Phu (1954), Route 9 – Southern Laos (1971), Quang Tri (1972), Da Nang (1975), the General Offensive and Uprising in Spring 1975, bear the indelible mark of General Le Trong Tan.

Just as General Vo Nguyen Giap remarked: “General Le Trong Tan is one of the most proficient campaign commanders, a masterful commander of combined arms operations in our army.”