The tiger is also known as the god of the mountain and forest and the king of all kinds of animals. For Vietnamese people, the year of the tiger often comes with significant events in the nation’s history.
In 2010, along with the arrival of a new spring, we are entering a new year of the tiger that reminds us of unforgettable events in the nation’s history.
The year of tiger in 714, Mai Thuc Loan, also known as Mai Hac De (the Black Emperor), successfully led a heroic revolt against Chinese invaders, halting the domination of the Chinese Tang dynasty and bringing back national liberation.
The year of tiger in 906, Khuc Thua Du led insurgent troops to struggle against the Chinese Tang aggressor and take over Dai La Citadel proclaiming himself Governor. On February 7, 906 (the 11th day of the first lunar month), the Chinese Tang dynasty was overthrown, and the Vietnamese people ruled their own territory, successfully ending more than 1000 years of Chinese domination.
The year of tiger in 966, the 12 Lords Rebellion (Loạn 12 Sứ Quân) was a period of chaos and civil war in the history of Vietnam, from 966 to 968 AD during the Ngo Dynasty, due to a conflict of succession after the death of King Ngo Quyen.
The year of tiger in 1002, King Le Dai Hanh intensified a series of measures to adjust and reform the administrative and political system. He issued laws, renamed administrative units and divided mandarins into two groups – civil and military. He also reorganized and streamlined the army.
The year of tiger in 1038, King Ly Thai Ton himself got involved in ploughing in Bo Hai rice field to promote agriculture and set an example for local farmers. This fine customs was then upheld by generations throughout the ensuing dynasties.
The year of tiger in 1158, mandarin Nguyen Quoc advised King Ly Anh Ton to set a glass box at the royal court so that mandarins and the people could file complaints, denunciations and petitions on paper. The King followed the advice and received the box full of petition papers one month later. This method proved the effective in drawing people’s opinions and demonstrated democratic progress.
The year of tiger in 1230, the Tran dynasty issued many documents regulating the organisation and management of authorities. The same year, the dynasty also revised some articles in its existing laws.
The year of tiger in 1242, the Tran dynasty began administrative reform on a large scale, divided its territory into different administrative units and reorganised local mandarin networks. The Tran dynasty made a family record book, classifying citizens and imposing taxes.
The year of tiger in 1374, a feudal Court examination was organised to select candidates with good academic results. The examination was held every seven years to select the top 30 candidates. The same year, the Tran dynasty also introduced measures to preserve traditional cultural values. The dynasty prohibited people from wearing Chinese-style clothes and speaking the Lao and Cambodian languages.
The year of tiger in 1398, Mandarin Ho Quy Ly implemented a comprehensive land reform.
The year of tiger in 1506, the Le dynasty launched a large examination at Giang Vo royal court. More than 30,000 candidates at the event competed in writing skills and mathematics. As a result, 1,519 candidates passed the exam.
The year of tiger in 1614, the Vietnamese alphabet was first introduced in Vietnam by Portuguese priests.
The year of tiger in 1650, businesspeople from France, Italy, Portugal, the Netherlands and Japan were allowed to extend their stay in Thanh Tri village on the outskirt of Hanoi, to run their businesses in the capital city. Vietnam’s foreign trade relations began to develop strongly.
The year of tiger in 1698, the Mandarin Nguyen Huu Canh moved to the south to establish Gia Dinh palace in order to manage two districts, namely Phuoc Long in Bien Hoa and Tan Binh in Saigon, stretching from the Saigon River to Vam Co Dong River. The former Saigon (nowadays Ho Chi Minh City) was established during that time.
The year of tiger in 1782, three brothers, Nguyen Nhac, Nguyen Hue and Nguyen Lu, launched an uprising in 1771 that ousted the Trinh-Le regime in the north and eventually toppled the Nguyen Lord in the south. The Tay Son uprising achieved great success and took control of the whole country. Lord Nguyen Anh suffered a heavy defeat and fled to foreign countries to call for support.
The year of tiger in 1806, Nguyen Anh took the throne and named himself Gia Long, becoming the first King of the last feudal dynasty in Vietnam’s history.
The year of tiger in 1830, the Nguyen Dynasty sent many mandarin delegations to various countries around the world to establish and develop diplomatic relations.
The year of tiger in 1854, Cao Ba Quat rose up in arms against the offensive ruling Nguyen dynasty. Although the uprising received strong support from the people, it was trounced by the Nguyen dynasty.
The year of tiger in 1866, the Truong Quyen insurgent army coordinated with the Pokum Pao insurgent army to fight French invaders. They claimed victories in many localities in Vietnam and Cambodia.
The year of tiger in 1950, the border campaign achieved great success. Vietnamese troops liberated the 750-km Vietnam-China border area and destroyed the strategic corridor and blockade of the French colonials.
The year of tiger in 1986, the 6th National Party Congress was held, opening a new chapter for national renewal process.
The year of tiger in 1998, all provinces and cities in Vietnam celebrated the 300th anniversary of the establishment of the former Saigon city (now Ho Chi Minh City) and the 30th anniversary of the Mau Than (The Year of Monkey) General Uprising in 1968. Various activities also took place to mark the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Paris Peace Agreement on Ending the War and Restoring Peace in Vietnam.
The year of tiger in 2010, Vietnam celebrated the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the 35th anniversary of Southern Liberation Day and National Unification, the 120th birth anniversary of the late President Ho Chi Minh, the 65th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day. A variety of activities will also be held to mark the 1,000th anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi and the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the Vietnam National Unified Front. The year will also see the organisation of Party congresses at all level and the 11th National Party Congress.