Ngo Quyen’s victory at Bach Dang marked the end of over a millennium of Northern domination, ushering in an era of independence and autonomy for the nation.
Ngo Quyen (897 – 944) was born and raised in Cam Lam hamlet, Duong Lam commune, Son Tay town. From a young age, he exhibited exceptional talent and determination beyond his peers. His prowess caught the attention of General Duong Dinh Nghe. Admiring Ngo Quyen’s virtues, General Nghe arranged for his daughter to marry him and entrusted him with the Ai Chau region.
After the incident where Kieu Cong Tien rebelled, killing Duong Dinh Nghe to seize the Teatime Commissioner position in the Year of Dinh Dau (937), causing widespread resentment, Ngo Quyen covertly moved his troops from Thanh Hoa to establish a military presence in the Hai Phong region. There, he recruited additional forces, trained soldiers, and awaited the day to eliminate the rebellious elements. Fearing Ngo Quyen’s retaliation, Kieu Cong Tien sent envoys bearing precious gold and silver to seek assistance from the Southern Han king. In late 938, Hoang Thao led the Southern Han naval forces, comprising 20,000 troops and thousands of warships, to invade our country along the northeastern coast.
Faced with this situation, Ngo Quyen dispatched troops to eliminate Kieu Cong Tien and the internal threat. Simultaneously, he ordered soldiers and the local population of Thuy Nguyen – Hai Phong to cut timber, shape the ends, and drive stakes into the mouth of the Bach Dang River, creating a formidable defense.
Ngo Quyen sent 200 light boats to the enemy’s location to provoke a battle, feigning retreat to lure the enemy ships into the trap. As the tidal waters receded, Ngo Quyen ordered a counterattack from multiple directions, causing the enemy ships to rapidly withdraw and collide with the sharp stakes, shattering into pieces. Our forces emerged victorious.
Ngo Quyen’s victory at Bach Dang concluded over a thousand years of Northern domination, initiating an epoch of independence and autonomy for the nation. In 939, Ngo Quyen proclaimed himself King and established the capital in Co Loa.
To commemorate Ngo Quyen’s significant contributions, each year on the anniversary of his passing, the Party Committee, government, and people of Hanoi, Son Tay town, Duong Lam commune, and Cam Lam hamlet hold solemn ceremonies to honor his merits to the people and the country.
Delegates paid homage in remembrance of King Ngo Quyen.
The Temple and Tomb of Ngo Quyen in Duong Lam
Ngo Quyen Monument in the center of Son Tay town.
The commemoration of the 1079th anniversary of the death of National Hero Ngo Quyen in 2023 occurred on September 28, 2023 (the 14th day of the eighth lunar month). Mr. Tran Sy Thanh – Party Central Committee Member – Deputy Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee – Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee; Ms. Nguyen Thi Tuyen – Party Central Committee Member – Permanent Deputy Secretary of the City Party Committee of Hanoi; Ms. Ngo Thi Thanh Hang – Former Party Central Committee Member – Former Permanent Deputy Secretary of the City Party Committee of Hanoi; along with members of the City Party Committee Standing Board, People’s Council, People’s Committee, Fatherland Front, departments, sectors, and mass organizations in Son Tay town, communes, and wards attended the ceremony alongside a large number of citizens and visitors from various regions who gathered at the National Monument of the Temple and Tomb of Ngo Quyen to participate in the commemorative ceremony. People’s Artist Quoc Chiem delivered a commemorative speech during the ceremony.
Cam Lam, Duong Lam – the hometown of King Ngo Quyen
In an atmosphere of solemnity and respect, delegates offered incense and flowers to commemorate Ngo Quyen’s contributions to the people and the nation. The 1079th-anniversary ceremony of the death of the national hero – King Ngo Quyen, was also an opportunity for delegates and visitors to revisit the unwavering struggle traditions against foreign invaders of our nation and further take pride in the patriotic spirit of our forefathers.
Quang Thanh