Vietnam under Chinese rule was a long and dark period

Dương Trọng Văn October 15, 2023 Vietnam experienced over a thousand years of Chinese rule, from 111 BCE to 938 CE. This was a long and dark period in Vietnamese history, when the Vietnamese people were subjected to severe oppression and exploitation. One of the most famous true stories from this period is the story of the two sisters Trưng Trắc and Trưng Nhị. In 40 CE, the husband of Trưng Trắc, a Vietnamese chief, was killed by the Chinese. Trưng Trắc and her sister rose up against Chinese rule and quickly won a victory. The two Trưng sisters proclaimed themselves queens and established an independent Vietnam.

However, the rule of the Trưng dynasty lasted only three years. In 43 CE, Han troops came to Vietnam to suppress the uprising. The two Trưng sisters died heroically, but the spirit of Vietnamese resistance was never extinguished.

Throughout the period of Chinese occupation, the Vietnamese people continuously fought for independence. One of the most famous struggles was the resistance of Bà Triệu. In 248 CE, Bà Triệu led an army of tens of thousands of people against the Ngô. The resistance of Bà Triệu lasted for three years, but in the end, Bà Triệu died heroically.

Under Chinese rule, the Vietnamese people were subjected to severe oppression and exploitation. The Chinese imposed their culture and language on the Vietnamese people. The Vietnamese were forced to pay heavy taxes and to serve in the Chinese army.

However, the Vietnamese people never submitted to Chinese rule. They continuously fought for independence and finally won their victory in 938 CE, with the Battle of Bạch Đằng of Ngô Quyền.

Some other true stories from the period of Vietnam under Chinese rule:

The story of Lý Bí: In 542 CE, Lý Bí led a revolt of the Vietnamese against the rule of the Liang dynasty. The revolt was successful and Lý Bí established the Triệu dynasty, an independent Vietnam.
The story of Mai Thúc Loan: In 722 CE, Mai Thúc Loan led a revolt of the Vietnamese against the rule of the Tang dynasty. The revolt was successful and Mai Thúc Loan proclaimed himself emperor. However, the rule of Mai Thúc Loan lasted only a few years. In 723 CE, Tang troops came to Vietnam to suppress the revolt. Mai Thúc Loan died heroically.
The story of Khúc Hạo: In 905 CE, Khúc Hạo led a revolt of the Vietnamese against the rule of the Tang dynasty. The revolt was successful and Khúc Hạo proclaimed himself governor. Khúc Hạo abolished the harsh policies of the Tang dynasty and issued many policies beneficial to the Vietnamese.

Analysis The period of Vietnam under Chinese rule was a time of great suffering for the Vietnamese people. The Chinese imposed their rule through a combination of military force, cultural assimilation, and economic exploitation. The Vietnamese people were forced to pay heavy taxes, serve in the Chinese army, and adopt Chinese customs and beliefs.

Despite the oppression they faced, the Vietnamese people never gave up their fight for independence. They rose up in revolt again and again, and eventually they were successful in driving out the Chinese.

The Vietnamese victory over the Chinese was a turning point in Vietnamese history. It marked the beginning of a period of independence and self-determination for the Vietnamese people. The Vietnamese people's struggle for independence is a story of courage, determination, and resilience. It is a story that is still celebrated by Vietnamese people today.

Some specific examples of the oppression and exploitation that the Vietnamese people faced under Chinese rule:

The Chinese forced the Vietnamese people to pay heavy taxes in the form of grain, labor, and money.
The Chinese forced the Vietnamese people to serve in the Chinese army, often in campaigns far from Vietnam.
The Chinese imposed their culture and language on the Vietnamese people, forcing them to adopt Chinese customs and beliefs.

Some specific examples of the Vietnamese people's resistance to Chinese rule:

The two Trưng sisters' rebellion in 40 CE was the first major revolt against Chinese rule.
The Lý Bí rebellion in 542 CE led to the establishment of the Triệu dynasty, an independent Vietnam.
The Mai Thúc Loan rebellion in 722 CE lasted for three years before being suppressed by the Chinese.
The Khúc Hạo rebellion in 905 CE led to the establishment of a semi-independent Vietnamese state.

Conclusion The period of Vietnam under Chinese rule was a long and dark period in Vietnamese history. However, the Vietnamese people never submitted to Chinese rule. They continuously fought for independence and finally won their victory.