Ngô dynasty

By the time, eg around 930 AD, Ngo Quyen rises to power, Vietnam was a Chinese province and vassal state to China named Giao Chi. Every year the governor/administrator of Giao Chi has to pay respect and offerings to China. At the beginning of 900 AD, China was plagued, weakened again, by internal fighting between various dynasties, the celestial emperor of China thus has his mind and hands full. However should an opportunity come for example a concrete request for support or help from Vietnam, he, the Chinese emperor will try to regain that Southern part of China called Giao Chi dat.

1. Duong Dinh Nghe was the Chinese administrator around 930 AD. It should be brought to attention, Duong Dinh Nghe was a skillful, talented general under Khuc Hao ,. descendant of the Khuc family dynasty who wrestled Chinese control for 3 generations. Duong Dinh Nghe anyway was challenged and defeated eventually by his general Kieu Cong Tien who then moved up to the governor/administrator post.

2. Ngo Vuong, Vietnam emperor from 939-944: Ngo Quyen (897-944) was Duong Dinh Nghe's favorite and loyal general. He served under Duong Dinh Nghe and fought so well, Duong Dinh Nghe gave one his daughter's hands to Ngo Quyen. Having seen his mentor and father-in-law killed, Ngo Quyen then took revenge, challenged and defeated Kieu Cong Tien in 938. This latter before his death and battle with Ngo Quyen sent an emissary to China and ask for help. The Chinese emperor sent an army to the South to rescue Cong Tien in 939. Ngo Quyen waited at Bach Dang river to destroy the Chinese army, the 1st of many victories at this famous river. Ngo Quyen then ascended to the throne with the name Ngo Vuong. He moved the capital back to Co Loa thanh. He reigned for only 5 years till 944 at the age of 47. A short reign for an ambitious emperor to reorganize the country.

3. Duong Tam Kha, emperor (944-950): Before his death, Ngo Vuong's will would like to see his brother-in law Duong Tam Kha regent for his son Ngo Xuong Ngap when he died. However Ngo Vuong's wish is not fulfilled. Duong Tam Kha usurped the throne. He proclaimed himself emperor Ngo Binh Vuong and took Ngo Xuong Ngap's younger brother, Xuong Van as adapted son and heir to the throne. Fearing for his life, Ngo Xuoung Ngap meanwhile, went into hiding with his retenue. Duong Tam Kha or Ngo Binh Vuong's reign was unpopular, he was not much liked by the people at that time. Revolts and rebellion sprung up everywhere.

4. Ngo Xuong Van - Ngo Xuong Ngap, emperors (950-954): Knowing the situation, Ngo Xuong Van deposed Duong Tam Kha in 950 and gave himself the Ngo Nam Tan Vuong. But out of respect for his uncle, Xuong Van does not want to kill his uncle. He demoted him and sent him to a remote area. Ngo Xuong Van then looked for his older brother Xuong Ngap to share the throne

5. Ngo Xuong Ngap, emperor (954-965): Brought back by his younger brother Ngo Xuong Van to the throne, Ngo Xuong Ngap soon relied on his elderly rights to impose his will to rule Giao Chi as dictator. The country is ripe now for open rivalries between different lords who fought each other for the next successor. Hau Ngo Vuong (or Ngo Thien Sach Vuong) is his emperor's name.

6. Ngo Xuong Xi, emperor (965-968): After Ngo Xuong Ngap's death in 965, his son Xuong Xi succeeded him. But as he ascended the throne Ngo Xuong Xi soon has the daunting task of having his rule recognized by the now open rivalry between 12 lords who fought against each other. With him, the country was totally thrown into the Thap Nhi Xu Quan rebellion.

7. The 12 lords rebellion or Thap Nhi Xu Quan (965-968): They are:

         - Ngo Xuong Xi whose rule was contested now
         - Do Canh Thac
         - Tran Lam who proclaims himself Tran Minh Cong. He took under his wings Dinh Bo Linh, who soon will emerge and prove himself as the strongest lord of the 12 lords and eventually the successor to the Ngo dynasty.
         - Kieu Cong Han who proclaims himself Kieu Cong Che
         - Nguyen Khoan who proclaims himself Nguyen Thai Binh (Supreme Peace!)
         - Ngo Nhat Khanh
         - Ly Khue
         - Nguyen Thu Thiep
         - Lu Duong
         - Nguyen Sieu
         - Kieu Thuan
         - and Pham Bach Ho