Early Independence (938 CE - 1009 CE) [Continuing ]

Early in the 10th century AD, as China became politically fragmented, successive lords from the Khúc family and then Dương Đình Nghệ ruled Giao Châu autonomously under the Tang title of Tiết Độ Sứ (Virtuous Lord), yet stopping short of proclaiming themselves kings.

In 938 AD, the kingdom of Southern Han sent troops to conquer autonomous Giao Châu. Ngô Quyền, Dương Đình Nghệ's son-in-law, defeated the Southern Han fleet at the Bạch Đằng River then proclaimed himself King Ngô, effectively began the age of independence for Vietnam.

Ngô Quyền's untimely death after a short reign resulted in a power struggle for the throne, the country's first major civil war, The upheavals of Twelve warlords (Loạn Thập Nhị Sứ Quân). The war lasted from 945 CE to 967 CE when the clan led by Đinh Bộ Lĩnh defeated the other warlords, unifying the country. Dinh founded the Đinh Dynasty and proclaimed himself First Emperor (Tiên Hoàng) of Đại Cồ Việt(meaning Great Vietland), with its capital in Hoa Lư(modern day Ninh Bình). However, the Chinese Song Dynasty only officially recognized him as Prince of Jiaozhi (Giao Chỉ Quận Vương). Emperor Đinh introduced strict penal codes to prevent chaos to happen again. He tried to form alliances by granting the title of Queen to 5 women from the 5 most influential families.

In 979 CE, Emperor Đinh Bộ Lĩnh and his crown prince Đinh Liễn were assassinated, leaving his lone surviving son, the 6-year-old Đinh Toàn, to assume the throne. Taking advantage of the situation, Chinese Song Dynasty invaded Đại Cồ Việt. Facing such grave threat to national independence, the court's Commander of the Ten Armies(Thập Đạo Tướng Quân) Lê Hoàn took the throne(with help from his secret lover, Empress Dương, Đinh Toàn's mother), founding the Former Lê Dynasty. A capable military tactician, Le Hoan realized the risks of engaging the mighty Chinese troops head on; thus he tricked the invading army into Chi Lăng Pass, then ambushed and killed their commander, quickly ending the threat to his young nation in 981 CE. The Song Dynasty withdrew their troops yet would not recognize Le Hoàn as Prince of Jiaozhi until 12 years later; nevetheless, he is referred to in his realm as Đại Hành Emperor(Đại Hành Hoàng Đế). Emperor Le Hoàn was also the first Vietnamese monarch who began the southward expansion process against the kingdom of Champa.

Emperor Le Hoàn's death in 1005 CE resulted in infighting for the throne amongst his sons. The eventual winner, Lê Long Đĩnh, became the most notorious tyrant in Vietnamese history. He devised sadistic punishments of prisoners for his own entertainement and indulged in sexual activities. Toward the end of his short life(he died at 24), Lê Long Đĩnh became so ill that he had to lie down when meeting with his officials in court.