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The Trung Sisters - Page 2

© Michelle Munro

In 40 AD the rebellion openly declared war on China. The army squashed the opposition at To Dinh's residence and other key sites. Within a year they had reclaimed the land stretching from Hue into southern China and emancipated 56 provinces.

The people declared Trung Trac and Trung Nhi co-queens. The girls set up their Royal Court in Me-linh, an ancient political center. Returning to traditional Vietnamese ideals, they established a simpler, kinder government and abrogated Chinese tribute taxes. The Queens spent the next few years rebuilding the country while constantly battling with the Chinese. In 43 AD, the Han Emperor sent a legion to recapture the territory. Outnumbered and outarmed, the Vietnamese troops suffered a devastating defeat. Defiant to the end, Trung Trac and Trung Nhi chose to reject the conquest and maintain their honor. On February 6, 43 AD they committed suicide by drowning themselves in the Hat Giang River. Many of their generals followed the sisters in the Vietnamese tradition.

Although it would be many years before Vietnam would gain independence, the Trung Sisters planted the seeds of rebellion by leading the first national uprising against the Chinese. Some feel had they not resisted, there would presently be no Vietnamese nation. Over the years temples were built to honor Trung Trac and Trung Nhi and the sisters are celebrated annually with a national holiday.

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