Đại Việt and Champa: The Early Centuries

For most of the first millennium until the early 10th century, the northern half of Vietnam remained a province of Imperial China, punctuated only by brief periods of independence. In 938, the country regained its sovereignty, but within a few decades, the Song dynasty invaded. From that time until the late 13th century, Vietnam—then known as Đại Cồ Việt and later Đại Việt—fought to defend its territory against the Song, and later, alongside Champa, resisted the Mongol-led Yuan dynasties. This book, Volume 3A, explores the key events of this turbulent period. To gather material for this volume, the author personally visited most of the historical sites mentioned in the text. Dr Đỗ Thị Thùy Lan, Senior Lecturer in the Department of History at Vietnam National University, Hanoi, reviewed the manuscript and provided valuable feedback. Dr James A. Anderson, Associate Professor in the Department of History at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, contributed the foreword, concluding:

“Tan Pham’s account of 10th to 13th-century Vietnamese history offers a detailed, well-researched narrative that goes beyond the typical nationalist interpretations of the past. By presenting a balanced and nuanced view of Vietnam’s historical interactions with China and the Cham civilization, Pham provides readers with valuable insights into the values and motivations that shaped this period. These insights are not just of academic interest; they offer guidance for understanding current geopolitical dynamics and for navigating the complex relationships that will shape our future. As we look to the past for the values that can guide us forward, Pham’s work stands as a crucial resource, illuminating the path with a clear and thoughtful examination of history.”

This book is the first of four volumes covering the period of Vietnamese history from the 10th to the 16th centuries, alongside Volumes 3B, 3C, and 3D of the series A Traveller’s Story of Vietnam’s Past. Together, they continue the narrative from Volume 1, The Bronze Drums and The Earrings, and Volume 2, One Thousand Years: The Stories of Giao Châu, the Kingdoms of Linyi, Funan and Zhenla. The book has 360 pages and features 99 figures and illustrations.