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The Bach Dang
Stake-Yard is situated in the marshy zone of the village of Yen
Giang commune that borders the Chanh river in Yen Hung district,
Quang Ninh province. It was officially recognized as zone of
Vietnam's historic vestiges on March 22, 1988; the 700th
anniversary af a great victory at Bach Dang against Mongol
invaders.
The stake-yard is the site where Tran Hung Dao, a national hero
of the 13th century, is forever honoured. |
In 1288 after two unsuccessful military offensives (1258 and
1285), Kublai Khan sent an invasion force of 300,000 men to North
Vietnam. The ruling Tran Court organized a plan of strategic
withdrawal, and established guerrilla warfare to wear down their
enemy. The invading forces dwindled, tried by both climate and the
constant attacks, and were forced to withdraw. Tran Hung Dao had his
men plant steel-tipped wooden stakes in the bed of Bach Dang river
to create a line of defense blocking the Mongol retreat.
On the 8th day of the 3rd lunar month, as the fleet entered the
mouth of the river, a few small boats engaged the enemy. When the
tide ebbed, the fleet was thrown on to the wooden stakes, while
Dao's army moved in for the kill. The 300,000 men were either killed
or taken prisoner, and 400 enemy warships were destroyed.
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