Naval history of Vietnam

Last updated

Army and warfare made their first appearance in Vietnamese history during the 3rd millennium BC. Throughout thousands of years, wars played a great role in shaping the identity and culture of people inhabited the land which is modern day Vietnam.

Contents

Early period

From the beginning of the founding of the Vietnamese Nation in the 1st millennium BC, the Hùng Vương period spawned many legends of fighting against seaborne invasions of Quynh Chau (now China) from the north and Ho Ton (later to become Champa) from the south. During the era of the Kingdom of Âu Lạc, when the Cổ Loa Citadel was constructed, King An Dương Vương relied on the Hoang Giang River as a natural fortification to protect the south flank of the citadel. In the 6th century, Emperor Lý Nam Đế built naval forces to fend off the invasion of Liang dynasty's (China) forces in the Tô Lịch River, Dien Triet lake; and then, King Triệu Quang Phục used guerrilla tactics against the Chinese military at Da Trach lagoon (Khoái Châu, Hải Dương). [1]

In the 10th century, the Imperial Vietnamese Navy became a regularised force. Naval forces of Khúc Thừa Dụ in Hong Chau (now Ninh Giang District, Hải Dương), Dương Đình Nghệ in Ai Chau, Thanh Hóa and of King Ngô Quyền himself were raised by enlisting and training the fishermen along rivers and seasides. Those elements became well-trained and experienced naval forces, ready to protect the country.

Dynastic period

Model of 17th century gunboat ThuyenchienDaiViet2.JPG
Model of 17th century gunboat

In Trần dynasty era, the dynasties were occupied with raising naval forces and naval bases. Particularly, the Vân Đồn port had an important role in protecting the northeast territorial waters of Vietnam. In 1075 Lý Thường Kiệt mobilised a fleet to ferry 50,000 marines across the Gulf of Tonkin to invade Qinzhou, China. The amphibious assault was well planned and executed with incredible speed that Qinzhou's garrison was totally taken by surprise. The fortress town was taken in one night.

To retaliate, the Song dynasty of China mustered a huge invasion force, with a naval arm to provide support to land operations. They were already fearful of Vietnam's reputation at sea combat, thus a large enough force was organised so as to "not lose even if they can't score a win". Lý Kế Nguyên, a Vietnamese commander stationed in Vân Đồn, Quảng Ninh, however, had absolute confidence in his fleet that he went on the offensive and took on the Chinese invasion fleet on the high sea. Lý defeated the Chinese so badly that their admiral sent messengers to urge Chinese coastal guards to fortify their post in fear of a reverse-invasion.

In 1077, the Imperial Vietnamese Navy fought the Battle of Cầu River against the Chinese Song dynasty forces. This was the final battle Song dynasty would fight on Vietnamese land or waters. The battle lasted for several months, and ended with the victory of the Vietnamese Navy and the loss of many Song sailors. This victory demonstrated the successful tactics of war and active defence of the famous Admiral Lý Thường Kiệt who faced a naval force numerically superior to his own. [2] The Song dynasty lost a total of 8,000 soldiers/sailors and 5.19 million ounces of silver, including all costs of the war. [3]

The Đại Việt sử ký toàn thư records that in 1467 in An Bang province of Đại Việt (now Quảng Ninh Province) a Chinese ship blew off course onto the shore. The Chinese were detained and not allowed to return to China as ordered by Emperor Lê Thánh Tông. [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] This incident may be the same one where Wu Rui was captured. [9] One of the renowned victories in Vietnamese naval history was the Battle of Rạch Gầm-Xoài Mút in Tây Sơn dynasty, during which Nguyễn Huệ (Emperor Quang Trung) defeated the Siamese (Thai) naval force. The battle occurred in present-day Tiền Giang Province on 19 January 1785. Nguyễn Huệ's forces completely destroyed over 50,000 Siamese sailors and 300 warships.[ citation needed ]

Model of warship used by Nguyen Hue in the Battle of Rach Gam-Xoai Mut Tau chien trong tran Xoai Mut.JPG
Model of warship used by Nguyễn Huệ in the Battle of Rạch Gầm-Xoài Mút

In the Nguyễn dynasty period, 19th century Nguyen Emperor Gia Long used his new Chu Su Naval workshop to improve the Vietnamese Navy. Gia Long had first attempted to acquire modern naval vessels in 1781, when on the advice of Bishop Pigneau de Behaine, he had chartered Portuguese vessels of European design, complete with crew and artillery. This initial experience proved to be disastrous. For reasons that remain unclear, two of the vessels fled in the midst of battle against the Tây Sơn, while angry Vietnamese soldiers killed the third crew.

In 1789, Pigneau de Behaine returned to Vietnam from Pondicherry with two vessels, which stayed in the Nguyễn dynasty service long-term. Over time, Vietnamese sailors replaced the original French and Indian crew under the command of French officers. These vessels became the foundation for an expanded military and merchant Nguyễn dynasty naval force, with Gia Long chartering and purchasing more European vessels to reinforce Vietnamese-built ships. However, traditional Vietnamese-style galleys and small sailing ships remained the majority of the fleet. In 1799, a British trader by the name of Berry reported that the Nguyễn dynasty's fleet had departed Saigon along the Saigon River with 100 galleys, 40 junks, 200 smaller boats and 800 carriers, accompanied by three European sloops.[ citation needed ] In 1801, one naval division was reported to have included nine European vessels armed with 60 guns, five vessels with 50 guns, 40 with 16 guns, 100 junks, 119 galleys and 365 smaller boats.[ citation needed ] [10]

French ships invaded Saigon with the brig L'Esperance that was sunk in 1861 by Nguyen Trung Truc's naval forces Prise de Saigon 18 Fevrier 1859 Antoine Morel-Fatio.jpg
French ships invaded Saigon with the brig L'Esperance that was sunk in 1861 by Nguyễn Trung Trực's naval forces

In the middle of the 19th century, the Vietnamese Navy fought against the French in many battles. Due to disadvantages in technology, the Vietnamese Navy could not defeat the French Navy, but there were still several battles during which the Vietnamese Navy caused heavy damages to the French. The Vietnamese were especially successful in the Battle of Nhat Tao canal held by Nguyễn Trung Trực on 10 December 1861. Nguyễn Trung Trực's naval forces ambushed the French brig L'Esperance at the Vam Co River, Mekong Delta. Truc's 150 men were grouped into three columns. The first group of 61 sailors under Hoang Khac Nhuong was to attack a nearby pro-French village to provoke an incident and lure the French forces into an ambush. Truc commanded the second group of 59 partisans along with Vo Van Quang, and was assigned to burn and sink the vessel. A third force of 30 sailors was commanded by Ho Quang and Nguyen Van Hoc.[ citation needed ] Due to the surprise attack, the French Navy suffered major damage: the brig L'Esperance was sunk, 17 French sailors and 20 pro-French Vietnamese naval auxiliaries were killed, only eight people escaped, including two French sailors and six sailors of Tagal (Filipino) background employed by the French.

Modern Period

Related Research Articles

Vietnamese literature is the literature, both oral and written, created largely by the Vietnamese. Early Vietnamese literature has been greatly influenced by Chinese literature. As Literary Chinese was the formal written language for government documents, a majority of literary works were composed in Hán văn or as văn ngôn. From the 10th century, a minority of literary works were composed in chữ Nôm, the former writing system for the Vietnamese language. The Nôm script better represented Vietnamese literature as it led to the creation of different poetic forms like Lục bát and Song thất lục bát. It also allowed for Vietnamese reduplication to be used in Vietnamese poetry.

<i>Đại Việt sử ký toàn thư</i> Official historical text of the Vietnamese Lê dynasty

The Đại Việt sử ký toàn thư is the official national chronicle of the Đại Việt, that was originally compiled by the royal historian Ngô Sĩ Liên under the order of the Emperor Lê Thánh Tông and was finished in 1479 during the Lê period. The 15-volume book covered the period from Hồng Bàng dynasty to the coronation of Lê Thái Tổ, the first emperor of the Lê dynasty in 1428. In compiling his work, Ngô Sĩ Liên based on two principal historical sources which were Đại Việt sử ký by Lê Văn Hưu and Đại Việt sử ký tục biên by Phan Phu Tiên. After its publication, Đại Việt sử ký toàn thư was continually supplemented by other historians of the royal court such as Vũ Quỳnh and Phạm Công Trứ. Today the most popular version of Đại Việt sử ký toàn thư is the Nội các quan bản edition which was completed in 1697 with the additional information up to 1656 during the reign of the Emperor Lê Thần Tông and the Lord Trịnh Tráng. Đại Việt sử ký toàn thư is considered the most important and comprehensive historical book. The chronicle, which was modeled after Sima Qian’s Records of the Grand Historian, provides a chronological history beginning with the legendary Hồng Bàng dynasty and continuing to the founding of the house of Lê in 1428.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nguyễn Trung Trực</span> Vietnamese militia organizer (1838–1868)

Nguyễn Trung Trực, born Nguyễn Văn Lịch, was a Vietnamese fisherman who organized and led village militia forces which fought against French colonial forces in the Mekong Delta in southern Vietnam in the 1860s. He was active in Tân An and Rạch Giá from the initial French invasion until he was captured and executed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paris by Night 91</span> Episode of Paris by Night

Paris By Night 91: Huế, Sài Gòn, Hà Nội is a Paris By Night program produced by Thúy Nga that was filmed at the Terrace Theater at the Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center on January 12, 2008 and January 13, 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hương Thủy (singer)</span>

Nguyễn Thị Hương Thủy, commonly known by her stage name Hương Thủy, is a Vietnamese-language singer from southern Vietnam known for ca dao and cải lương singing. She appears on the long running Vietnamese diaspora variety show Paris by Night, making her debut in Paris By Night 72: Tiếng Hát Từ Nhịp Tim. She also acts in their plays and musicals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paris by Night 59</span> Episode of Paris by Night

Paris By Night 59: Cây Đa Bến Cũ is a Paris By Night TV program produced by Thúy Nga that was filmed at CBC Toronto Studios - Studio 40, Toronto, Canada in 2000. Nguyễn Ngọc Ngạn was the master of ceremonies for this program. This was a volume in the series Paris By Night that did not include a comedy skit or have something known as a "Hài Kịch". The DVD version of Paris By Night required only a single disc, while the VHS version is a three-tape set. This program had no audience. On April 25, 2019, the show was uploaded in its entirety to the official Thúy Nga Productions YouTube channel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paris by Night 98</span> Episode of Paris by Night

Paris by Night 98: Fly With Us to Las Vegas is a Paris by Night program produced by Thúy Nga that was filmed at the Theatre for the Performing Arts in Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino on September 18 and 19, 2009 and had a DVD release on December 10, 2009. The show was hosted by Nguyễn Ngọc Ngạn and Nguyễn Cao Kỳ Duyên.

The following is a list of political organizations and armed forces in Vietnam, since 1912:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle of Ngọc Hồi-Đống Đa</span> Battle between Qing-dynasty China and Tây Sơn-dynasty Vietnam (1788-89)

The Battle of Ngọc Hồi-Đống Đa, also known as Victory of Kỷ Dậu, was fought between the forces of the Vietnamese Tây Sơn dynasty and the Qing dynasty in Ngọc Hồi and Đống Đa in northern Vietnam from 1788 to 1789. It resulted in the failure of the Chinese to restore the last Lê emperor Chiêu Thống, who had been usurped by the Tây Sơn. It is considered one of the greatest victories in Vietnamese military history.

Lý Thị Ngọc Kiều, dharma name Diệu Nhân (妙因), was a princess during the Lý dynasty in Vietnamese history. She was the 17th leader of the Vietnamese Vinītaruci school of Buddhism.

Nguyễn Hữu Cầu was the leader of a rebellion of Tonkin peasantry in the 18th century.

The Arbitrator is a 2017 Vietnamese crime drama series, based on the Israel crime drama series The Arbitrator (Ha-Borer).

Đặng Thụy was a Vietnamese official of Revival Lê dynasty.

During the Mongol invasions of Vietnam the Trần dynasty (1225–1400) successful employed military tactics and strategies including scorched earth and hit and run tactics designed to take advantage of terrain.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lê Chất</span> Vietnamese general (d. 1826)

Lê Chất, also known as Lê Văn Chất (黎文質), Lê Tông Chất (黎宗質) or Lê Công Chất (黎公質), was a general of Tây Sơn dynasty. Later he became a general of Nguyễn dynasty.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Assembly Building of Vietnam</span> Government building in Hanoi

The National Assembly Building of Vietnam, also known as the New Ba Đình Hall, is a public building located on Ba Đình Square across from the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in Hanoi, Vietnam. Construction started on October 12, 2009, and finished on October 20, 2014. The building is used by the National Assembly of Vietnam for its sessions and other official functions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Seals of the Nguyễn dynasty</span> Collection of seals made for Vietnamese emperors between 1802 and 1945

The seals of the Nguyễn dynasty can refer to a collection of seals specifically made for the emperors of the Nguyễn dynasty, who reigned over Vietnam between the years 1802 and 1945, or to seals produced during this period in Vietnamese history in general.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Government of the Nguyễn dynasty</span> National government of the Nguyễn dynasty

The government of the Nguyễn dynasty, officially the Southern Court and commonly referred to as the Huế Court, centred around the emperor as the absolute monarch, surrounded by various imperial agencies and ministries which stayed under the emperor's presidency. Following the signing of the Patenôtre Treaty the French took over a lot of control and while the government of the Nguyễn dynasty still nominally ruled the French protectorates of Annam and Tonkin, in reality the French maintained control over these territories and the Nguyễn government became subsidiary to the administration of French Indochina. During World War II the Japanese launched a coup d'état outsting the French and establishing the Empire of Vietnam which was ruled by the Nguyễn government. During the August Revolution the Nguyễn government was abolished in the aftermath of World War II.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">13th Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam</span> Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam

The 13th Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) has been in session since the conclusion of the 13th National Congress in 2021. It elected, at its 1st Plenary Session, the Politburo, about half of the membership of the Secretariat and the Central Inspection Commission of the 13th term.

The 3rd Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Vietnam (WPV) was elected at the 3rd WPV National Congress. It elected the 3rd Politburo and the 3rd Secretariat.

References

  1. "Truyền thống quân thủy của cha ông trong lịch sử dân tộc – Quân chủng Hải quân". Qdnd.vn. 15 October 2009. Archived from the original on 21 April 2013. Retrieved 21 May 2013.
  2. Phan Huy Lê, Bùi Đăng Dũng, Phan Đại Doãn, Phạm Thị Tâm, Trần Bá Chí 1998 , pp. 69–71
  3. Phan Huy Lê, Bùi Đăng Dũng, Phan Đại Doãn, Phạm Thị Tâm, Trần Bá Chí 1998 , pp. 72–75
  4. Cooke (2011), p. 108 The Tongking Gulf Through History , p. 108, at Google Books
  5. PGS.TSKH Nguyễn Hải Kế (Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Hai Ke) (28 March 2013). "CÓ MỘT VÂN ĐỒN Ở GIỮA YÊN BANG, YÊN QUẢNG KHÔNG TĨNH LẶNG". 广州日报大洋网(http://www.dayoo.com). Archived from the original on 2 December 2013. Retrieved 26 July 2013.
  6. Nguyễn Hải Kế (22 April 2013). "CÓ MỘT VÂN ĐỒN Ở GIỮA YÊN BANG, YÊN QUẢNG KHÔNG TĨNH LẶNG". www.dayoo.com. Archived from the original on 27 July 2013. Retrieved 26 July 2013.
  7. Lê Văn Hưu; Phan Phu Tiên; Ngô Sĩ Liên, eds. (1993). "Đại Việt Sử Ký Toàn Thư (Chapter: Phần 26 (Bản kỷ thực lục Q2(a) Nhà Hậu Lê (1460–1472).)". Viện Khoa Học Xã Hội Việt Nam dịch (1985–1992). Nhà xuất bản Khoa Học Xã Hội (Hà Nội) ấn hành (1993). Archived from the original on 21 September 2013. Retrieved 26 July 2013.
  8. Lê Văn Hưu; Phan Phu Tiên; Ngô Sĩ Liên, eds. (1993). "Đại Việt Sử Ký Toàn Thư (Chapter: DVSK Bản Kỷ Thực Lục 12: Nhà Hậu Lê (1460–1472) ... Phần 1(Đại Việt Sử Ký Bản Kỷ Thực Lục Quyển XII [1a] Kỷ Nhà Lê Thánh Tông Thuần Hoàng Đế))". Viện Khoa Học Xã Hội Việt Nam dịch (1985–1992). Nhà xuất bản Khoa Học Xã Hội (Hà Nội) ấn hành (1993). Retrieved 26 July 2013.
  9. Cooke (2011), p. 109 The Tongking Gulf Through History , p. 109, at Google Books
  10. "Bí mật hải quân nhà Nguyễn – Kỳ 1: Từ thủy quân đến hải quân | Thanh Niên Online". Thanhnien.com.vn. 19 September 2011. Retrieved 21 May 2013.