Nanyue

Nanyue, also spelled Nam Việt, was an ancient kingdom that existed from 204 BCE to 111 BCE in what is now southern China and northern Vietnam. It was founded by the Qin general Zhao Tuo, who declared independence after the fall of the Qin dynasty and established his capital at Linyi (modern Guangzhou). The kingdom’s territory extended over modern Guangdong and Guangxi provinces in China as well as the Red River Delta in Vietnam.

The political system of Nanyue combined Chinese bureaucratic elements with local tribal structures. Zhao Tuo adopted the title of king of Yue and governed through a council of nobles, but also maintained a standing army and a civil service staffed by educated officials. The culture of Nanyue was syncretic, blending Han Chinese customs with indigenous Viet‑Kinh traditions, and it produced notable artistic works such as bronze drums and lacquerware that reflected both cultures.

Nanyue maintained a pragmatic relationship with the Han Empire. It paid tribute and avoided direct military conflict for several decades, while also participating in regional trade networks that linked the South China coast with the inland plains. Han influence penetrated through cultural exchanges, the spread of Confucianism, and the introduction of Chinese writing.

The kingdom’s decline began under the reign of Queen Zhao and was accelerated by internal succession disputes. In 111 BCE, the Han emperor Wen dispatched an expedition that successfully annexed Nanyue, incorporating its territory into the Han’s administrative system. The annexation marked the end of Nanyue as an independent polity, but its legacy persisted in the continued cultural exchange between the Chinese and Vietnamese peoples.