Battles of the Ma River

The Battles of the Ma River were two battles fought between the Ming Dynasty and Vietnamese rebels during the Lam Sơn uprising. The first was a Ming victory, but the second time the Annamese beat off the enemy attacks.

In 1420, Le Loi's troops were able to camp on the banks of the Ma River and threaten the capital of Thanh Hoa Province. A Ming counter-attack, however, drove them back to the mountains in 1423. But the Ming troops were also worn out, and their command agreed to a truce proposed by Le Loi, who resolutely resisted all attempts to buy him off with promises of riches and honours. In 1424, the Ming again attacked, but the insurgents had time to strengthen their position.