The Vietnamese ambush victory at Tốt Động–Chúc Động in 1426 effectively ended Ming military dominance and led directly to Vietnamese independence in 1428.
Key Facts
- Date
- November 7, 1426
- Location
- Between Tốt Động and Chúc Động, Red River Delta
- Conflict duration
- Part of 14-year Lam Sơn uprising
- Vietnamese weapon advantage
- Hand cannons used in ambush
- Ming response
- Wang Tong retreated to Dong Kinh, besieged 4 days later
- Independence achieved
- 1428
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The Lam Sơn uprising had been waged for 14 years against Ming Chinese occupation of Vietnam. By 1426, Lê Lợi's forces had grown strong enough to confront Ming field armies directly. A Ming army under General Wang Tong advanced toward Lê Lợi's positions in the Red River Delta, providing the Vietnamese an opportunity to set a decisive trap.
On November 7, 1426, Vietnamese forces under Lê Lợi, the Prince of Pacification, staged a successful ambush against the advancing Ming army between the villages of Tốt Động and Chúc Động near present-day Hanoi. Armed with hand cannons, the Vietnamese decisively routed the Ming troops, capturing most of their weapons, supplies, and horses.
General Wang Tong was forced to retreat to Dong Kinh (Hanoi), where just four days later he and the city came under siege by Lê Lợi's army. This defeat effectively destroyed Ming military power in Vietnam and set the stage for the formal restoration of Vietnamese independence in 1428.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Lê Lợi (Prince of Pacification).
Side B
1 belligerent
Wang Tong.