Bình định Giao Nam lục: sử liệu Trung Quốc thời Minh viết về cuộc chiến Minh - Hồ

Abstract

Binh dinh Giao Nam luc (The Book on The Pacification of Giao Nam) is a collection of Chinese historical records documenting the Ming dynasty's conquest of Đại Ngu (the name of Vietnam during the Hồ dynasty) during the final two years of the Ho Dynasty, 1406-1407. In terms of value, this book supplements Vietnamese historical sources by providing details not recorded in Dai Viet su ky toan thu (Complete Annals of Dai Viet), especially the letters exchanged between Ho Quy Ly and the Ming forces. However, the book also has certain shortcomings as it was compiled from the Ming perspective—for instance, it omits the Ming army's losses and contains distorted information and events when compared to Vietnamese records. These inaccuracies may have resulted from the Ming's limited understanding of the situation in Dai Ngu, or they may have been intentional for political purposes. Nevertheless, the book remains a valuable and highly reliable source of information that helps deepen our understanding of the war and the figure Ho Quy Ly. This article outlines several content-related aspects of Binh dinh Giao Nam luc, including its contributions and limitations.