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Đại Việt

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Đại Việt was the official name for several Vietnamese kingdoms.

VietnamChampa1
VietnamChampa1

These monarchies ruled in eastern Mainland Southeast Asia for many centuries. The name lasted from the 10th century until the early 19th century. The center of this land was near modern-day Hanoi. This historical state is very important today. It served as the main precursor to the country of Vietnam. It helped build the nation's historic and cultural identity.

Bản đồ kinh thành Thăng Long, theo Hồng Đức bản đồ sách 洪德版圖冊 (1490)
Bản đồ kinh thành Thăng Long, theo Hồng Đức bản đồ sách 洪德版圖冊 (1490)

The story of Đại Việt began with a leader named Đinh Bộ Lĩnh. In 968, he adopted the name Đại Cồ Việt. He did this after his successful campaigns ended a time of local fighting.

VuaDinhTienHoang
VuaDinhTienHoang

Later, the name changed to Đại Việt. This happened when Lý Nhật Tôn took the throne in 1054. The state grew in power and size over time. It slowly took in lands from Champa and Cambodia. This moved the borders toward the south and the west.

VietnamChampa1
VietnamChampa1

Many different ruling families held power during these years. The history is divided into eight different dynasties. These include the Đinh, Early Lê, Lý, and Trần dynasties. Other groups like the Hồ, Later Lê, Mạc, and Tây Sơn also ruled.

Trần Anh Tông TLĐSXSĐ
Trần Anh Tông TLĐSXSĐ

For a long time, the state was unified. This lasted from the 960s until 1533. After that, the land became fragmented for 262 years. During this split, several noble clans ruled their own areas at once.

Relations with Imperial China were a big part of life. Because of diplomacy, China knew the land by other names. From 975 to 1164, it was called the Principality of Giao Chỉ. Later, it was known as the Kingdom of Annam.

万国来朝图 Annam (安南国) delegates in Beijing in 1761
万国来朝图 Annam (安南国) delegates in Beijing in 1761

This change happened when Emperor Xiaozong of Song recognized its independence. The name Annam was used until 1804. These names show how the region fit into the wider world.

Royaume d'Annam 1653 par Jean Somer 04996
Royaume d'Annam 1653 par Jean Somer 04996

The name "Việt" has a very long and interesting history. Long ago, the term referred to many different groups of people. These people lived in southern China and northern Vietnam.

Le Dynasty Ceramic Plate (9735631777)
Le Dynasty Ceramic Plate (9735631777)

They were often called the Baiyue or the Hundred Yue. These groups had many different languages and customs. Over time, the name became a political term for the region. Eventually, the name changed again in 1804. The first emperor of the Nguyễn dynasty changed it to Việt Nam.

Tay Do castle North gate
Tay Do castle North gate
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Later Liang.png
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VuaDinhTienHoang.jpg
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Thái Bình Hưng Bảo - Dr. Luke Roberts 01.jpg
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Ly Cong Uan (BN).jpg
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VietnamChampa1.gif
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Bia đá Chùa Dạm.JPG
File:Tabula Rogeriana 1929 copy by Konrad Miller.jpg
Tabula Rogeriana 1929 copy by Konrad Miller.jpg
File:Tay Do castle North gate.JPG
Tay Do castle North gate.JPG
File:Bản đồ kinh thành Thăng Long, theo Hồng Đức bản đồ sách 洪德版圖冊 (1490).jpg
Bản đồ kinh thành Thăng Long, theo Hồng...
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Van Mieu Hanoi 5.jpg
File:Royaume_d'Annam_1653_par_Jean_Somer_04996.jpg
Royaume_d'Annam_1653_par_Jean_Somer_04996.jpg
File:Ordre qui s'observe, dans la marche, de la pompe funebre, a la enterrement des Roys de Tunquin - Tavernier Jean Baptiste - 1692.jpg
Ordre qui s'observe, dans la marche, de...

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