List of wars involving Vietnam

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

This is a list of wars involving the

Socialist Republic of Vietnam
and its predecessor states.

Ancient era

Hồng Bàng dynasty (2879 BC–258 BC)

Conflict Combatant 1 Combatant 2 Brief description
Âu ViệtLạc Việt War
(258 BC)[a]
Văn Lang
(Lạc Việt)
Âu Việt Victory for Âu Việt

Âu Lạc (258 BC179 BC)

Conflict Combatant 1 Combatant 2 Brief description
Qin campaign against the Baiyue
(221 BC214 BC)
Baiyue tribes: Qin dynasty Defeat
Âu LạcNanyue War
(179 BC)
Âu Lạc
Triệu Đà
Defeat

Triệu dynasty (179 BC111 BC)

Conflict Combatant 1 Combatant 2 Brief description
Han–Nanyue War
(111 BC)
Nanyue
Western Han
Defeat

Chinese Domination era

544 AD
)

Conflict Event Combatant 1 Combatant 2 Brief description
Trưng sisters' rebellion
(40 AD43 AD
)
Uprising
(40 AD)
Trưng sisters in Lingnan
Eastern Han
Rebel victory
Han counterattack
(43 AD)
Trưng sisters in Lingnan
Eastern Han
Defeat
Chu Đạt's rebellion
(157)
Chu Đạt in Jiuzhen
Eastern Han
Rebel defeat
Wuhu rebellion
(178–181)
Hepu and Jiaozhi
Eastern Han
Rebel defeat
Independence of Lâm Ấp
(192)
Khu Liên in Xianglin (Huế)
Eastern Han
Rebel victory
Lady Triệu's rebellion
(248)
Lady Triệu in Jiuzhen Eastern Wu Rebel defeat
Jin–Wu War
(263–280)
Local rebels in Jiaozhi
Jin dynasty
Eastern Wu Victory for Jin
Jin–Lâm Ấp
conflicts
(351–415)
Jin dynasty Lâm Ấp Victory for Jin
Liu Song–Lâm Ấp
War
(445–446)
Liu Song
Lâm Ấp Victory for Liu Song
  • Sack of
    Liu Song
Lý Trường Nhân's rebellion
(468)
Lý Trường Nhân in Jiaozhou
Liu Song
Rebel victory
Lý Bí's rebellion
(541–544)
Lý Bí in Jiaozhi Liang dynasty Rebel victory

Early Lý dynasty (544–602)

Conflict Early Lý dynasty
and allies
Opponents Brief description
Liang–Vạn Xuân War
(545–550)
Vạn Xuân
Liang dynasty Victory for
Vạn Xuân
Vạn Xuân–Dã Năng War
(557–571)
Vạn Xuân
Dã Năng (vi) Victory for Dã Năng
  • Vạn Xuân
  • Merger of
    Vạn Xuân
    and Dã Năng
Sui–Vạn Xuân War
(602)
Vạn Xuân
Sui dynasty Defeat

Third Chinese domination (602–905)

Conflict Combatant 1 Combatant 2 Brief description
Sui–Lâm Ấp War
(605)
Sui dynasty Lâm Ấp Victory for Sui
Lý Tự Tiên's rebellion
(679)
Lý Tự Tiên and Đinh Kiến in Annan Tang dynasty Victory for Tang
Mai Thúc Loan's rebellion

(722–723)
Mai Thúc Loan in Annan Tang dynasty Victory for Tang
Javanese raids in modern-day Vietnamese coast
(767, 774 & 787)
Tang dynasty
Champa
Javanese raiders Victory for Tang
Phùng Hưng's rebellion
(791)
Phùng Hưng in Annan Tang dynasty Rebel defeat
Hoàn Vương–Tang conflicts
(803–809)
Tang dynasty Hoàn Vương Victory for Tang
Dương Thanh's rebellion
(819–831)
Dương Thanh in Annan Tang dynasty Rebel defeat
Tang–Nanzhao war
(846–866)
Nanzhao
Local rebels in Northern Vietnam
Tang dynasty Victory for Tang
Khúc Thừa Dụ's rebellion
(905)
Khúc Thừa Dụ in Tĩnh Hải quân Tang dynasty Rebel victory

Monarchical era

Autonomous period under Khúc clan and Dương Đình Nghệ (905–938)

Conflict Event Combatant 1 Combatant 2 Brief description
Tĩnh Hải quânSouthern Han War (930) Tĩnh Hải quân Southern Han Defeat
Southern HanAnnan War
(931–938)
Dương Đình Nghệ campaign
(931)
Dương Đình Nghệ in Annan
Southern Han Victory
Battle of Bạch Đằng
(938)
Ngô Quyền in Annan Southern Han Victory

Ngô dynasty (939–965)

Conflict Event Combatant 1 Combatant 2 Brief description
Dương Tam Kha's coup d'état
(944)
Ngô Xương Ngập Dương Tam Kha Victory for Dương Tam Kha
Countercoup against Dương Tam Kha
(950)
Dương Tam Kha Ngô Xương Văn Victory for Ngô Xương Văn
Anarchy of the 12 Warlords
(965–968)
Lã Xử Bình's coup d'état
(965)
Ngô Xương Xí Lã Xử Bình Victory for Lã Xử Bình
  • Lã Xử Bình usurps rulership, however, local warlords refuse to recognize Lã Xử Bình
  • Vietnamese lands fragmented into 12 domains, each administered by a powerful warlord
Đinh Bộ Lĩnh's Unification War
(967–968)
Đinh Bộ Lĩnh
and allies
Opposing factions in the 12 Warlords Victory for Đinh Bộ Lĩnh (Đinh Tiên Hoàng)
  • Unification of Vietnam into
    Đại Cồ Việt
  • Establishment of Đinh dynasty

Đinh dynasty (968–980)

Conflict Đinh dynasty and allies Opponents Brief description
Countercoup against Lê Hoàn
(979)
Lê Hoàn

Supported by:
Dương Vân Nga

Đinh Điền (vi), Nguyễn Bặc, Phạm Hạp
Ngô Nhật Khánh
Victory for Lê Hoàn

Early Lê dynasty (980–1009)

Conflict Early Lê dynasty
and allies
Opponents Brief description
Song–Đại Cồ Việt War
(981)
Đại Cồ Việt
Song dynasty Victory
  • Đại Cồ Việt
First Champa–Đại Cồ Việt War
(982)
Đại Cồ Việt
Champa Victory
Wars of the Early Lê dynasty succession
(1005)
Lê Long Việt Lê Long Tích (vi) Victory for Lê Long Việt
Lê Ngọa Triều Lê Long Cân (vi), Lê Long Kính (vi), Lê Long Đinh (vi) Victory for Lê Ngọa Triều
  • Lê Ngọa Triều
    retains the crown

Later Lý dynasty (1009–1225)

Conflict Event Later Lý dynasty
and allies
Opponents Brief description
Đại Cồ Việt
War
(1014)
Đại Cồ Việt
Dali Kingdom Victory
War of the Later Lý dynasty succession
(1028)
Khai Thiên Vương Đông Chinh Vương (Lý Thái Tổ's son)
Vũ Đức Vương
Dực Thánh Vương (Lý Thái Tổ's brother)
Victory for Khai Thiên Vương
Nong Quanfu's rebellion
(1038–1041)
Đại Cồ Việt
Nong Quanfu's Kingdom of Longevity Victory
Second
Đại Cồ Việt
War
(1044)
Đại Cồ Việt
Champa Victory
Nong Zhigao's rebellion
(1048–1055)
Đại Cồ Việt
Nong Zhigao's Dali Victory
First ChampaĐại Việt War
(1069)
Đại Việt Champa Victory
Đại Việt–Song War

(1075–1077)
Viet invasion
(1075)
Đại Việt Song dynasty Indecisive
  • Đại Việt troops capture several Song forts and retreats
Song counterattack (1077) Đại Việt Song dynasty Victory
Đại Việt–Khmer War

(1123–1150)
Khmer campaign (1123–1124) Đại Việt Khmer Empire Victory
Khmer–Champa joint invasion (1132) Đại Việt Khmer Empire
Champa
Victory
  • Invasion repelled
  • Champa briefly regains control of Ma Linh, Bố Chính, Địa Lý
Viet campaign (1136) Đại Việt Khmer Empire
Champa
Indecisive
  • Leads to
    Khmer–Cham War
Further Suryavarman II's expeditions (1136–1150) Đại Việt Khmer Empire Victory
Quách Bốc's rebellion
(1209)
Đại Việt Quách Bốc Victory
Nguyễn Nộn's rebellion
(1213–1219)
Đại Việt Nguyễn Nộn (vi)

Trần dynasty (1225–1400)

Conflict Event Trần dynasty and allies Opponents Brief description
Second ChampaĐại Việt War
(1252)
Đại Việt Champa Victory
Đại Việt–Mongol War
(1257–1258)
or First Đại Việt–Mongol War
Đại Việt Mongol Empire Defeat
  • Mongol troops briefly occupies
    Southern Song
  • Trần Thái Tông submits to the Mongols
  • Vietnamese sources claim victory
First Đại Việt–Yuan War
(1285)
or Second Đại Việt–Mongol War
Yuan advance
(January – May)
Đại Việt Yuan dynasty Defeat
  • Thăng Long
    and retreats
  • Thăng Long
    but fail to turn it into a strategic gain
Đại Việt counteroffensive
(May – June)
Đại Việt
Champa
Yuan dynasty Victory
  • Yuan invasion repelled
Second Đại Việt–Yuan War
(1287–1288)
or Third Đại Việt–Mongol War
Yuan advance
(1287 – January 1288)
Đại Việt Yuan dynasty Defeat
  • Thăng Long
Battle of Bạch Đằng River
(1288)
Đại Việt Yuan dynasty Victory
  • Yuan invasion repelled
Đại Việt–Muang Sua War
(1294–1301)
Đại Việt Muang Sua Victory
Third ChampaĐại Việt War
(1311)
Đại Việt Champa Victory
Fourth ChampaĐại Việt War
(1318)
Đại Việt Champa Victory
Champa–Đại Việt War
(1367–1396)
Battle of Chiêm Động
(1367)
Đại Việt Champa Defeat
  • Beginning of a series of Champan counter-offensives
Coup against Dương Nhật Lễ
(1369–1370)
Dương Nhật Lễ Trần Phủ Rulership change
  • Trần Phủ (Trần Nghệ Tông) crowned King
  • Chế Bồng Nga
    to avenge her
Sack of Thăng Long
(1371)
Đại Việt Champa Defeat
  • Champans set the city on fire, seized women, jewels, and silks. All Vietnamese books held in the royal palace were lost
Battle of Vijaya
(1377)
Đại Việt Champa Defeat
Trần Khát Chân's last stand
(1390)
Đại Việt Champa Victory
Hồ Quý Ly's coup d'état
(1399–1400)
Trần Thuận Tông and Trần Thiếu Đế Hồ Quý Ly Rulership change

Hồ dynasty (1400–1407)

Conflict Event Hồ dynasty and allies Opponents Brief description
Champa–Đại Ngu War
(1400–1407)
First Đại Ngu campaign
(1400)
Đại Ngu
Champa Defeat
Second Đại Ngu campaign
(1402)
Đại Ngu
Champa Victory
  • Đại Ngu annexes Chiêm Động and Cổ Lũy (present-day
    Quảng Nam and Quảng Ngãi
    )
Third Đại Ngu campaign
(1403)
Đại Ngu
Champa Defeat
  • Đại Ngu fails to capture Vijaya
Champan campaign
(1407)
Đại Ngu
Champa
Ming dynasty
Defeat
  • Champa recaptures Chiêm Động and Cổ Lũy
Đại Ngu–Ming War
(1406–1407)
Đại Ngu
Ming dynasty Defeat

Fourth Chinese Domination (1407–1428)

Conflict Event Vietnamese people Opponents Brief description
Later Trần rebellion
(1407–1413)
Later Trần rebels in Jiaozhi Ming dynasty Rebel defeat
Lam Sơn uprising
(1418–1428)
Early phases
(1418–1422)
Lê Lợi in Jiaozhi Ming dynasty Rebel defeat
Capture of Nghệ An
(1424–1425)
Lê Lợi in Jiaozhi Ming dynasty Rebel victory
  • Nghệ An
    , a turning point in his rebellion
Battle of Tốt Động – Chúc Động
(1426)
Lê Lợi in Jiaozhi Ming dynasty Rebel victory
Siege of Đông Quan

(1427)
Lê Lợi in Jiaozhi Ming dynasty Rebel victory
  • Đông Quan
Battle of Chi Lăng
(1427)
Lê Lợi in Jiaozhi Ming dynasty Rebel victory
Siege of Xương Giang
(1427)
Lê Lợi in Jiaozhi Ming dynasty Rebel victory
  • Ming troops withdraw orderly with "the solemn oath of eternal friendship", under Lê Lợi (Lê Thái Tổ)'s supervision
  • Issuance of Bình Ngô đại cáo
  • Establishment of
    Later Lê dynasty

Later Lê dynasty (1428–1789)

Early period (1428–1527)

Conflict Event Later Lê dynasty
and allies
Opponents Brief description
Đại Việt–Ngưu Hống war
(1431–1432)
Đại Việt Ngưu Hống Victory
Sixth Champa–Đại Việt War
(1446)
Đại Việt Champa Victory
Later Lê dynasty succession crisis
(1459–1460)
Lê Nghi Dân's coup d'état
(1459)
Lê Nhân Tông Lê Nghi Dân Victory for Lê Nghi Dân
Countercoup against Lê Nghi Dân
(1460)
Lê Nghi Dân Lê Lăng and Nguyễn Xí Victory for Lê Lăng and Nguyễn Xí
  • High-ranking mandarins install
    Lê Tư Thành
    (Lê Thánh Tông) as King
Seventh Champa–Đại Việt War
(1471)
Đại Việt Champa Victory
Đại Việt–Lan Xang War
(1479–1484)
or White Elephant War
Đại Việt Defeat (see analysis)
  • Sack of
    Xiangkhouang by Đại Việt
  • Muang Phuan retains its tributary relationship with Lan Xang
  • Lao, Lanna, Chinese sources claim coalitional victory while Vietnamese sources claim victory
Lê Oanh
's coup d'état
(1509)
Lê Uy Mục
Lê Oanh
Victory for Lê Oanh
  • Usurpation of
    Lê Oanh
    (Lê Tương Dực)
Trần Tuân's rebellion
(1511–1512)
Đại Việt Trần Tuân (vi) Victory
Crisis of the late Later Lê dynasty – Early period
(1516–1526)
Trịnh Duy Sản's coup d'état
(1516)
Lê Tương Dực Trịnh Duy Sản (vi), Trịnh Duy Đại Victory
Trần Cảo's rebellion
(1516–1521)
Đại Việt Trần Cảo Victory
  • Death of Trịnh Duy Sản
Trịnh Tuy's coup d'état
(1518–1522)
Lê Chiêu Tông Trịnh Tuy Victory
Mạc Đăng Dung's coup d'état
(1522–1526)
Lê Chiêu Tông, Trịnh Tuy Mạc Đăng Dung Defeat
  • Lê Xuân
    (Lê Cung hoàng) as King, then deposes him and installs himself as King.
  • Brief collapse of
    Later Lê dynasty
  • Establishment of Mạc dynasty

Restored Lê period (1533–1789)

During this period, there existed 3 dynasties and 3 lordships: Mạc dynasty (1527–1677), Restored Lê (1533–1789), and Tây Sơn dynasty (1778–1802); Trịnh lords (1545–1787), Nguyễn lords (1558–1802), and Bầu lords (1527–1689); each with varying degrees of power and control over the country. This period is considered to be one of the most complicated periods in the history of Vietnam.

Conflict Event Aggressor Defender Brief description
Lê–Mạc War
(1533–1677)
Later Lê dynasty
's return to Vietnam
(1533–1543)
Nguyễn Kim, Lê Trang Tông Mạc dynasty Victory for Nguyễn Kim
Battle of Yên Mô
(1545)
Nguyễn Kim, Lê Trang Tông Mạc dynasty Victory for Mạc
Battle of
Thăng Long

(1551)
Southern dynasty Mạc dynasty Stalemate
  • Lê troops capture
    Thăng Long but then retreat due to fears of a Mạc
    ambush
Battle of Thuận Hóa
(1554)
Southern dynasty Mạc dynasty Victory for Lê
Prince Mạc Kính Điển's Southern campaigns
(1555–1579)
Northern dynasty Southern dynasty Stalemate
Lê Northern campaigns
(1584–1592)
Southern dynasty Northern dynasty Victory for Later Lê dynasty
Later campaigns
(1592–1677)
Đại Việt Mạc dynasty
Bầu lords

Supported by:

Victory
First Đại Việt–Panduranga War
(1611)
Đàng Trong Panduranga Victory for Nguyễn
First Trịnh–Nguyễn War
(1627–1672)
Early phases
(1627–1648)
Đàng Ngoài

Dutch East India Company (1643)

Đàng Trong Stalemate
Battle of Nghệ An
(1655–1660)
Đàng Trong Đàng Ngoài Victory for Trịnh
Later campaigns
(1661–1672)
Đàng Ngoài Đàng Trong Victory for Nguyễn
  • Armistice reached
  • Vietnam divided into Northern
    Later Lê dynasty
    holds sway over little Vietnamese land
  • Gianh river
    serves as demarcation line
Second Đại Việt–Panduranga War
(1653)
Đàng Trong Panduranga Victory
First Cambodia–Đại Việt War
(1658)
Đàng Trong

Barom Reachea V

Cambodia Victory
Second Cambodia–Đại Việt War
(1674)
Đàng Trong

Ang Nan

Cambodia Victory
Third Đại Việt–Panduranga War
(1693–1697)
Đàng Trong Panduranga Defeat
Third Cambodia–Đại Việt War
(1699)
Đàng Trong Cambodia Victory
Fourth Cambodia–Đại Việt War
(1708)
Đàng Trong

Ang Em

Cambodia

Ayutthaya Siam

Victory
  • Kingdom of Cambodia
First Đại Việt–Siam War
(1714)
Đàng Trong

Cambodia

Ayutthaya Siam

Thommo Reachea III

Defeat
  • Đại Việt loses suzerainty over Cambodia but annexes several border provinces of it
Hoàng Công Chất's rebellion
(1739–1769)
Hoàng Công Chất (vi) Đàng Ngoài Victory
Lê Duy Mật's rebellion
(1740–1770)
Lê Duy Mật Đàng Ngoài Victory
Nguyễn Hữu Cầu's rebellion
(1743–1751)
Nguyễn Hữu Cầu Đàng Ngoài Victory
Nguyễn Danh Phương's rebellion
(1744–1751)
Nguyễn Danh Phương Đàng Ngoài Victory
Đại ViệtLuang Phrabang War
(1749)[1]
Đàng Ngoài Luang Phrabang Defeat
Fifth Cambodia–Đại Việt War
(1753–1756)
Đàng Trong Cambodia
  • Chey Chettha VII
Victory
Second Đại Việt–Siam War
(1771–1773)
Đàng Trong

Cambodia

Thonburi Siam
Ang Non II
Defeat
Tây Sơn uprising
(1771–1777)
First Tây Sơn campaigns
(1771–1774)
Tây Sơn
Đàng Trong Rebel victory
Second Trịnh-Nguyễn War
(1774–1775)
Đàng Ngoài

Tây Sơn

Đàng Trong Victory for Trịnh
Gia Định
campaigns
(1776–1777)
Tây Sơn
Đàng Trong Rebel victory

Tây Sơn dynasty (1778–1802)

Conflict Event Tây Sơn dynasty
and allies
Opponents Brief description
Third Đại Việt-Siam War
(1785)
Đàng Trong
Nguyễn Ánh
Victory
  • Vietnamese forces repel the first ever Siam invasion of Vietnam
  • Escape of
    Siam
Tây Sơn–Trịnh War
(1786)
Đàng Trong Đàng Ngoài Victory for Tây Sơn
Nguyễn Huệ–Nguyễn Nhạc
conflict
(1786)
Quy Nhơn
Nguyễn Huệ in Phú Xuân
Indecisive
  • Vietnam divided into three parts:
Đại Việt–Qing War
(1788–1789)
Đại Việt  Qing dynasty

Lê Chiêu Thống

Victory
  • Nguyễn Huệ
  • Nguyễn Huệ
    (Quang Trung) proclaims Emperor
  • Qing recognizes Quang Trung as ruler of Vietnam
Lê Duy Chỉ's rebellion
(1791)
Đại Việt
Supported by:
Cambodia
Lê Duy Chỉ (
Rattanakosin Siam
Victory
  • Tây Sơn troops reach Siam–Vientiane border and retreat
Tây Sơn–Nguyễn War
(1792–1802)
Battle of Quy Nhơn
(1799–1801)
Đại Việt
Nguyễn Ánh

Supported by:
Victory for Nguyễn Ánh
  • Near-annihilation of Tây Sơn navy
  • Turning point of the war
Battle of Huế
(1801)
Đại Việt
Nguyễn Ánh

Supported by:
Battle of Thăng Long
(1802)
Đại Việt
Nguyễn Ánh

Supported by:
Victory for Nguyễn Ánh

Nguyễn dynasty – Independent period (1802–1887)

Conflict Event Nguyễn dynasty
and allies
Opponents Brief description Monarch
Cambodian rebellion

(1811–1812)
Ang Chan
Ang Snguon
Victory Gia Long
Phan Bá Vành's rebellion
(1821–1827)
Việt Nam
Phan Bá Vành Victory Minh Mạng
Ja Lidong's rebellion
(1822–1823)
Việt Nam
Ja Lidong Victory
Anouvong's rebellion
(1826–1828)
Việt Nam
Rattanakosin Siam
Defeat
Siam–Việt Nam War

(1831–1834)
Việt Nam
Rattanakosin Siam
Victory
  • Annexation of
    Việt Nam
Lê Duy Lương's rebellion
(1832–1837)
Việt Nam
Lê Duy Lương (vi) rebels Victory
Lê Văn Khôi's rebellion
(1833–1835)
Việt Nam
Lê Văn Khôi rebels Victory
Nông Văn Vân's rebellion
(1833–1835)
Việt Nam
Nông Văn Vân rebels Victory
Ja Thak Wa's rebellion
(1834–1835)
Việt Nam
Ja Thak Wa
rebels
Victory
Đại Nam–Siam War

(1841–1845)
Đại Nam
Rattanakosin Siam
Indecisive
  • Joint Siamese-Vietnamese suzerainty of Cambodia.
Thiệu Trị
Cao Bá Quát's rebellion
(1854–1856)
Đại Nam
Cao Bá Quát Victory Tự Đức
Cochinchina campaign
(1858–1862)
Siege of Đà Nẵng
(1858–1860)
Đại Nam
Spain
Victory
Siege of Sài Gòn
(1859–1861)
Đại Nam
Spain
Defeat
Battle of Chí Hòa Fortress
(1861)
Đại Nam
Spain
Defeat
Capture of Mỹ Tho
(1861)
Đại Nam
Spain
Defeat
Capture of Biên Hòa
(1861)
Đại Nam
Spain
Defeat
Capture of Vĩnh Long
(1862)
Đại Nam
Spain
Defeat
Garnier Expedition
(1873–1874)
Đại Nam
Black Flag Army
 French Third Republic Defeat
Tonkin campaign
(1883–1886)
Capture of Nam Định
(1883)
 French Third Republic Defeat
Battle of Cầu Giấy
(1883)
Black Flag Army  French Third Republic Victory
Battle of Thuận An
(1883)
Đại Nam
 French Third Republic Defeat
Sơn Tây campaign
(1883)
 French Third Republic Defeat
Bắc Ninh campaign
(1884)
 French Third Republic Defeat
  • Tientsin Accord
Capture of Hưng Hóa
(1884)
Đại Nam
Black Flag Army
 French Third Republic Defeat
Sino–French War

(1884–1885)
 Qing dynasty
Supported by:
 French Third Republic Defeat
  • Treaty of Tientsin (1885)
  • Đại Nam

Colonial era

French Indochina (1887–1945)

Conflict French Indochina
and allies
Opponents Brief description Monarch
Yên Thế insurrection
(1884–1913)
 French Third Republic
French Indochina
Hoàng Hoa Thám forces Victory for French Indochina
Cần Vương movement
(1885–1896)
 French Third Republic
French Indochina
Hàm Nghi
Tôn Thất Thuyết

Tonkin:

Annam:

Victory for French Indochina
Franco-Siamese conflict

(1893)
 French Third Republic
French Indochina
Rattanakosin Siam
Victory for French Indochina Thành Thái
Cochinchina uprising
(1916)
 French Third Republic
French Indochina
Cochinchina rebels Victory for French Indochina
Thái Nguyên uprising
(1917)
 French Third Republic
French Indochina
Thái Nguyên rebels Victory for French Indochina Khải Định
Yên Bái mutiny
(1930)
 French Third Republic
French Indochina
Nationalist rebels Victory for French Indochina Bảo Đại
Nghệ–Tĩnh Soviets
(1930–1931)
 French Third Republic
French Indochina
Communist rebels Victory for French Indochina
Japanese invasion of Indochina
(1940)
 Vichy France
French Indochina
 Empire of Japan Victory for Japan
  • Occupation of Tonkin by Japan
Franco–Thai War
(1940–1941)
 Vichy France
French Indochina
 Thailand Military indecisive
Thai political victory
  • Disputed enclaves returned to Thailand
Cochinchina uprising
(1940)
 Empire of Japan
 Vichy France
French Indochina
Communist rebels Victory for French Indochina
Japanese coup d'état
(1945)
 Vichy France
French Indochina
 Empire of Japan Victory for Japan
August Revolution
(1945)
 Third French Republic
 Empire of Japan
Empire of Vietnam
Việt Minh
Victory for Việt Minh

Republican era

North Vietnam (1945–1976)

Conflict Event North Vietnam
and allies
Opponents Brief description General Secretary
Chinese troops enter Vietnam
(1945)
 Democratic Republic of Vietnam  Republic of China

Supported by:
 France

Victory Hồ Chí Minh
Partisan conflict in the
Democratic Republic of Vietnam

(1945–1947)
North Vietnam Việt Minh Vietnamese Kuomintang Front

National Union Front

National Front

Supported by:

Victory
  • Anti-
    Việt Minh
    parties and political organizations crushed
Operation Masterdom
(1945–1946)
North Vietnam Việt Minh

Việt Nam Quốc Dân Đảng

 United Kingdom

 France

 Japan

Defeat
First Indochina War
(1946–1954)
Hải Phòng incident
(1946)
 Democratic Republic of Vietnam  France Defeat
Battle of Hà Nội
(1946)
 Democratic Republic of Vietnam  France Defeat
Việt Bắc campaign
(1947)
 Democratic Republic of Vietnam  France Indecisive
  • France fails to cripple Việt Minh leadership
Border campaign
(1950)
 Democratic Republic of Vietnam  France
 State of Vietnam
Supported by:
 United States
Victory
Operation Castor
(1953)
 Democratic Republic of Vietnam  France
 State of Vietnam
Defeat
  • Successful French establishment of the Điện Biên Phủ outpost, a major site in Việt Minh's supply routes
Battle of Điện Biên Phủ
(1954)
 Democratic Republic of Vietnam

Supported by:

 France
 State of Vietnam
Supported by:
 United States
Victory
Summary
Democratic Republic of Vietnam

Laos Lao Issara (1946–1949)
Laos Pathet Lao (since 1949)
Khmer Issarak

Supported by:

 France

Supported by:

Victory
Hồ Chí Minh
Second Indochina War
(1955–1975)[b]
Including:
North Vietnamese invasion of Laos
(1958–1959)
 North Vietnam
Laos Pathet Lao
Kingdom of Laos Kingdom of Laos Victory
Hồ Chí Minh
Battle of Ấp Bắc

(1963)
 
Việt Cộng
 South Vietnam
 United States
Victory
Battle of An Lão
(1964)
 
Việt Cộng
 South Vietnam Victory
Battle of Bình Giã

(1964–1965)
 
Việt Cộng
 South Vietnam
 United States
Victory
Operation Rolling Thunder
(1965–1968)
 North Vietnam
 China
 North Korea
 United States
 South Vietnam
Victory
Battle of Ba Gia
(1965)
 
Việt Cộng
 South Vietnam Victory
Battle of Đồng Xoài
(1965)
 
Việt Cộng
 South Vietnam
 United States
Victory
Battle of Ia Đrăng
(1965)
 
Việt Cộng
 United States Indecisive
Operation Masher
(1966)
 
Việt Cộng
 United States
 South Vietnam
Defeat
Operation Thayer
(1966–1967)
 
Việt Cộng
 United States
 South Vietnam
 South Korea
Defeat
Operation Cedar Falls
(1967)
 
Việt Cộng
 United States
 South Vietnam
Indecisive
Operation Junction City
(1967)
 
Việt Cộng
 United States Indecisive
Battle of Cồn Tiên
(1967–1968)
 
Việt Cộng
 United States
 South Vietnam
Defeat
Operation Wheeler/Wallowa
(1967–1968)
 
Việt Cộng
 United States Defeat
  • Mỹ Lai massacre
Battle of Khe Sanh
(1968)
 
Việt Cộng
Pathet Lao
 United States
 South Vietnam
 Kingdom of Laos
Indecisive
Tết Offensive

(1968)
 
Việt Cộng
 United States
 South Vietnam
 South Korea
 Australia
 New Zealand
 Thailand
Tactical defeat
Political victory
Operation Speedy Express
(1968–1969)
 
Việt Cộng
 United States Defeat
Cambodia campaign

(1970)
 
Việt Cộng
Khmer Rouge
 United States
 South Vietnam
 Khmer Republic
Defeat
  • Anti-Vietnam War protests
    escalate in the U.S.
  • Political victory for the Khmer Rouge
Lê Duẩn
Operation Lam Son 719
(1971)
 
Việt Cộng
Pathet Lao
 United States
 South Vietnam
 Kingdom of Laos
Victory
Easter Offensive
(1972)
 
Việt Cộng
 United States
 South Vietnam
Indecisive
Operation Linebacker
(1972)
 North Vietnam  United States
 South Vietnam
Indecisive
Operation Linebacker II
(1972)
 North Vietnam  United States
 South Vietnam
Indecisive
Battle of Ấp Đá Biên
(1973)
 North Vietnam  United States
 South Vietnam
Defeat
Battle of Svay Rieng
(1974)
 
Việt Cộng
 South Vietnam Defeat
Battle of Phước Long
(1975)
 
Việt Cộng
 South Vietnam Victory
Tây Nguyên campaign
(1975)
 
Việt Cộng
 South Vietnam Victory
Huế–Đà Nẵng campaign
(1975)
 
Việt Cộng
 South Vietnam Victory
Battle of Xuân Lộc
(1975)
 
Việt Cộng
 South Vietnam Victory
Fall of Saigon
(1975)
 
Việt Cộng
 South Vietnam Victory
Summary
Supported by:
Victory
  • Communist governments seize power in South Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos
  • Reunification of Vietnam
  • Establishment of the
    Lao People's Democratic Republic
    .
  • Fall of the
    Kingdom of Cambodia
  • Foundation but eventual collapse of the Khmer Republic
  • Foundation of the Democratic Kampuchea
  • Beginning of the
    Cambodian genocide

State of Vietnam (1949–1955)

Conflict Event State of Vietnam
and allies
Opponents Brief description Chief of State
First Indochina War
(1946–1954)
Border campaign
(1950)
 France
 State of Vietnam
Supported by:
 United States
 Democratic Republic of Vietnam Defeat Bảo Đại
Battle of Vĩnh Yên
(1951)
 France
 State of Vietnam
Supported by:
 United States
 Democratic Republic of Vietnam Victory
Operation Castor
(1953)
 France
 State of Vietnam
 Democratic Republic of Vietnam Victory
Battle of Điện Biên Phủ
(1954)
 France
 State of Vietnam
Supported by:
 United States
 Democratic Republic of Vietnam

Supported by:

Defeat
Summary  France

Supported by:

Democratic Republic of Vietnam

Laos Lao Issara (1946–1949)
Laos Pathet Lao (since 1949)
Khmer Issarak

Supported by:
 China (since 1949)
 East Germany (since 1950)
 Soviet Union (since 1952)

Defeat
Conflict around the State of Vietnam referendum
(1955)
Ngô Đình Diệm
groups

Supported by:
 United States

State of Vietnam Pro-Bảo Đại groups

Vietnamese Kuomintang
Nationalist Party of Greater Vietnam
Supported by:
 France

Victory for Ngô Đình Diệm
  • Ngô Đình Diệm
    becomes president
  • Establishment of South Vietnam

South Vietnam (1955–1975)

Conflict South Vietnam
and allies
Opponents Result President
Vietnam War
(1955–1975)
Supported by:
Defeat
1960 South Vietnamese coup attempt
Army of the Republic of Vietnam loyalists
Presidential Guard
 Army of the Republic of Vietnam rebels
 Republic of Vietnam Marine Division rebels
Republic of Vietnam Airborne Division rebels
Victory
Ngô Đình Diệm
Buddhist crisis
(1963)
 South Vietnam Buddhists Indecisive
  • Beginning of the
    1963 South Vietnamese coup
1963 South Vietnamese coup
Army of the Republic of Vietnam loyalists
Presidential Guard
Army of the Republic of Vietnam Special Forces
Republic of Vietnam Air Force rebels
Republic of Vietnam Airborne Division rebels
Supported by:
 United States
  • CIA
Defeat
Montagnard rebellion
(1964–1969)
 South Vietnam BAJARAKA
FULRO
Victory Nguyễn Văn Thiệu (since 1967)
January 1964 South Vietnamese coup State of Vietnam Revolutionary Military Council led by Dương Văn Minh  Army of the Republic of Vietnam rebels led by Nguyễn Khánh Defeat Interregnum (various military juntas)
September 1964 South Vietnamese coup attempt  South Vietnam  Army of the Republic of Vietnam rebels Success
December 1964 South Vietnamese coup State of Vietnam High National Council  Army of the Republic of Vietnam rebels Coup defeat
1965 South Vietnamese coup  South Vietnam  Army of the Republic of Vietnam rebels Victory
Buddhist Uprising
(1966)
 South Vietnam  Army of the Republic of Vietnam rebels
Buddhists monks
Victory
Northeast Cay incident
(1968)
 South Vietnam  Philippines Defeat Nguyễn Văn Thiệu
Southwest Cay incident
(1970)
 South Vietnam  Philippines Victory
  • Recapture of
    Republic of Vietnam
Battle of the Paracel Islands
(1974)
 South Vietnam  China Defeat

Vietnam

Conflict Vietnam and allies Opponents Result General Secretary
Insurgency in the Central Highlands

(1975–1992)
 Vietnam FULRO Victory
Insurgency in Laos
(1975–2007)
 Vietnam
 Laos
Laos Hmong insurgents Victory
Cambodian–Vietnamese War
(1977–1989)
 
State of Cambodia

Supported by:
 Democratic Kampuchea (1979–1982)
Post-invasion:
 CGDK/NGC (1982–1990)

 Thailand (border clashes)
Supported by:

Victory
  • Removal of the Khmer Rouge from power
  • 1991 Paris Peace Accords
Sino–Vietnamese War

(1979)
 Vietnam  China Stalemate
  • Both sides claim victory
Lê Duẩn
Sino-Vietnamese conflicts

(1979–1991)
 Vietnam  China Stalemate
  • Normalization of bilateral relations
Lê Duẩn (until July 1986)
Trường Chinh (July–December 1986)
Nguyễn Văn Linh (1986–1991)
Đỗ Mười(since 1991)
Thai–Laotian Border War
(1987–1988)
 Vietnam
 Laos
 Thailand Victory
  • Peace talks in Bangkok
Nguyễn Văn Linh
Johnson South Reef Skirmish

(1988)
 Vietnam  China Defeat

Notes

  1. ^ 258 BC is the current consensus. Some Vietnamese sources such as the Đại Việt sử lược and the Đại Việt sử ký toàn thư contend that this event took place in 208 BC; whereas the Chinese Records of the Grand Historian dates the enthronement of Thục Phán in 218 BC, amidst the Qin campaign against the Baiyue.
  2. ^ Start date remains disputed, but North Vietnam did not intervene before 1959.

Citations

References