---
node: ly_dynasty
type: period
slug: ly_dynasty
title: "Ly dynasty"
lead: "The Ly dynasty (1009–1225) was Vietnam's first long-lived dynasty: it founded Thang Long (modern Hanoi), named the state Dai Viet, built exam-based institutions, and repelled a Song invasion."
published: 2026-07-09
updated: 2026-07-09
---

## Overview

Ly Thai To moved the capital in 1010 to Thang Long — Ascending Dragon, modern Hanoi. In 1054 the state took the name Dai Viet. The dynasty blended Buddhism, its own faith, with Chinese-style governance.

## Key developments

Institutions followed: the Temple of Literature (1070), the first civil-service examinations (1075), and the Imperial Academy (1076). The general Ly Thuong Kiet struck Song China preemptively and repelled its invasion of 1075–77. The poem Nam quoc son ha — Mountains and rivers of the southern country — traditionally linked to that war, is remembered in Vietnam as a first declaration of independence.

## End and transition

Court decline let the Tran family take the throne peacefully in 1225 through a marriage arrangement.