Vietnam: A bust of Ly Thuong Kiet (1019 - 1105 CE), Vietnamese army general, Army Museum, Hanoi

Lý Thường Kiệt (李常傑; 1019–1105) is among the most revered of Vietnam’s national heroes and the only Viet general to take the fight to China. In 1075, this redoubtable warrior mounted a pre-emptive invasion of Guangxi and Guangdong, defeating the Chinese armies and killing Truong Thu Tiet, the Guangxi governor. The Chinese reacted furiously, sending a huge force against the offending Viets, only to be defeated with losses estimated at 400,000 men.

Ly Thuong Kiet penned what is considered the first Vietnamese declaration of independence and is regarded as a Vietnamese national hero.

Copyright:

CPA Media Co. Ltd.

Photographer:

David Henley

Credit:

Pictures From Asia