Top 5 Renowned Vietnamese Military Commanders Recognized Worldwide

The Hero in Commoner's Garb, who overthrew two feudal power structures in the Central and Northern regions, defeated Siamese and Qing invaders, and fulfilled the dream of national reunification at the close of the 18th century, was Quang Trung - Nguyen Hue (1753 - 1792). Born into an ordinary family in the remote Tay Son village of Binh Dinh province, with little formal education and no military background, Nguyen Hue's rise to greatness is extraordinary. At just 18, he led a ragtag army with primitive weapons and transformed them into a powerful, undefeated force throughout his military career. A young man of 18 would never have achieved such success without extraordinary leadership and tactical genius. In his military strategy, he focused on key strategic targets, acting swiftly and decisively, catching his enemies off guard. Nguyen Hue was also a visionary political leader. While initially focusing on the peasant movement to overthrow the oppressive Trinh - Nguyen regime, he quickly recognized the broader national goal of reunification and driving out foreign invaders. His political success was further bolstered by widespread support from local talents. Military leaders such as Tran Quang Dieu, Vu Van Dung, Dang Tien Dong, and Ngo Van So stood by him, while intellectuals from the North like Ngo Thi Nham, Phan Huy Ich, and La Son Phu Tu Nguyen Thiep also joined his cause. In the Central region, he gained the wholehearted support of Tran Van Ky, a respected scholar who helped him establish his administration and connect with other prominent local figures. Over 17 years of relentless activity, the Tay Son uprising achieved numerous glorious victories, including:

• Overthrowing the feudal Nguyễn, Trịnh, and Lê regimes.

• Reuniting the nation, restoring national sovereignty.

• Defeating invasions by Siam and the Qing, protecting Vietnam’s independence and territorial integrity.

These victories were made possible by the broad support of the people. The people's intense dissatisfaction, desire to fight against oppression, and deep patriotism drove them to join the struggle against both domestic tyrants and foreign invaders. This unity of the people and their unwavering resolve proved indomitable, overcoming immense obstacles and driving out the enemy. The leadership of Quang Trung and his military command was key to these successes. He utilized the people's patriotic spirit and the soldiers' determination to achieve victory. In the fight against the Nguyễn, Trịnh, and Lê factions, the Tay Son leaders aligned their efforts with the needs of the common people, applying effective strategies and tactics that united various social classes. During the resistance against the Siamese and Qing invasions, Quang Trung demonstrated remarkable bravery, seizing opportunities and exploiting the weaknesses of the enemy. As a result, he launched rapid and unexpected strikes that left the enemy unable to respond in time. Quang Trung was an extraordinary leader of the peasant movement, a military and political genius. He stands as one of Vietnam's greatest national heroes, instrumental in the reunification of the country after more than two centuries of division.

General Vo Nguyen Giap was born on August 25, 1911, in An Xa village, Loc Thuy commune, Le Thuy district, Quang Binh province, to a Confucian family. His father, Vo Quang Nghiem (also known as Vo Nguyen Than), was a man of great integrity, and his mother was Nguyen Thi Kien. General Giap is known as a commander with many unique distinctions.

• He is the only general in history who was never formally trained at any military academy and did not follow the traditional military rank system. He was promoted to General on May 28, 1948, at the age of 37, becoming the first General of the Vietnam People’s Army. Later, President Ho Chi Minh explained: 'Defeat a colonel, promote to colonel; defeat a brigadier, promote to brigadier; defeat a general, promote to general.'
• General Vo Nguyen Giap also holds the distinction of being the first and only Chief of General Staff in the history of the Vietnam People’s Army. After 1975, with the changing political landscape, the position of Chief of General Staff was dissolved.
• According to American historian Cecil Curay, 'General Giap is the only military leader in modern history to fight from a position of severe disadvantage—lacking equipment, financial resources, and even an army at the start—but he managed to defeat the remnants of the Japanese Empire, the French colonial army (the second-largest empire), and even the U.S. military (one of the two superpowers of the world)... General Giap is the greatest living expert in people's warfare, and a logistics genius for all time.'
• Professor Le Van Lan, a prominent historian, claims that General Vo Nguyen Giap is the only 'holy general' to have emerged in Vietnam in nearly 800 years, since the first holy general, King Tran Quoc Tuan.
• General Giap passed away at the age of 103, making him the longest-living military commander in recorded history. Yet, to the Vietnamese people, he remains an immortal hero.

The Victory at Bach Dang River Defeats the Southern Han Army marked the pinnacle of Vietnamese military strategy. For this reason, Ngo Quyen is hailed by historians as the 'king of kings' of Vietnam. Ngo Quyen was born in Duong Lam district and is also known as Tien Ngo Vuong, the first king of the Ngo Dynasty in Vietnamese history. In 937, after Dương Đình Nghệ was assassinated by Kiều Công Tiễn, Ngo Quyen led his army into battle. Kiều Công Tiễn, fearful of retaliation, sought help from the Southern Han Dynasty. In 938, Ngo Quyen attacked and captured the Đại La citadel, killing Kiều Công Tiễn. After receiving a plea for help from Kiều Công Tiễn, Southern Han Emperor Liu Gong saw this as a chance to invade again and avenge his previous defeat. He sent his son, Hoang Thao (appointed as Prince of Jiao), to invade Vietnam. The Southern Han army set up camp at Hải Môn, ready to support Hoàng Tháo. On the Vietnamese side, after dealing with Kiều Công Tiễn, Ngo Quyen, aware that Hoàng Tháo was preparing a naval invasion, quickly strategized with his generals. Understanding the tides of the Bach Dang River, Ngo Quyen realized, “Hoang Thao's army is exhausted, and with the news of Kiều Công Tiễn’s death, they will be demoralized. Our forces are still strong, and the enemy is weary, we can defeat them easily.” The Bach Dang River, a vital transportation route, provided the perfect location for a decisive battle. The tides at Bach Dang rise from midnight to early morning, making it ideal for a surprise attack. In late 938, in the cold and persistent rain, the Vietnamese forces worked tirelessly, setting up thousands of sharpened wooden stakes, ready to ambush the Southern Han fleet. After over a month of preparation, the battle was set. Ngo Quyen’s forces, stationed along both banks of the river, set a trap. As the Southern Han forces approached, Ngo Quyen led a small fleet to lure them into the narrow river. Once the enemy was trapped, the Vietnamese forces, aided by the rising tide, launched a full attack. The Southern Han fleet, now helpless, was pierced by the sharp stakes, sinking many ships. Hoàng Tháo was killed in the battle. The Vietnamese army destroyed over a hundred thousand of the Southern Han forces, effectively ending the Southern Han’s expansionist ambitions in Vietnam. Historian Lê Văn Hưu praised the victory, stating: 'Tien Ngo Vuong was able to defeat the Southern Han's massive army with a smaller, well-coordinated force, and established his kingdom, ending a thousand years of Chinese domination.' In the spring of 939, Ngo Quyen declared himself king and established his capital in Cổ Loa, ushering in an era of independence for Vietnam. He reigned for six years before passing away.