Battle of Ngọc Hồi-Đống Đa
Thăng Long (modern Hanoi), Vietnam
What happened
The Tây Sơn army led by Nguyễn Huệ (later Emperor Quang Trung) fought a Qing Chinese army under Sun Shiyi, which had come to put the Lê emperor Lê Chiêu Thống back on the throne. A Qing army had taken Thăng Long and planned to celebrate the Lunar New Year (Tết) there. Nguyễn Huệ marched his army north in secret and struck during the holiday. His troops broke through the forts at Ngọc Hồi and Đống Đa, and the Qing army retreated.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It is considered one of the greatest victories in Vietnamese history. The Qing gave up trying to restore the Lê dynasty.
What came next
Later in 1789 the Qing emperor made peace and recognised Nguyễn Huệ as king. Nguyễn Huệ died in 1792 and remains a national hero in Vietnam.
Did you know?
Đống Đa Mound in Hanoi is named after the battle, and people gather there for a festival to remember it.
Timeline
- 28 January 1789The Tây Sơn army launches a surprise attack at Tết.
- 30 January 1789The forts at Ngọc Hồi fall and the Qing withdraw.
- 1789The Qing emperor recognises Nguyễn Huệ as king.
- 1792Nguyễn Huệ (Quang Trung) dies.