L?Thu?ng Ki?t (???; 1019-1105) is among the most revered of Vietnam's national heroes and the only Viet general to take the fight to China. In 1075; this redoubtable warrior mounted a pre-emptive invasion of Guangxi and Guangdong; defeating the Chinese armies and killing Truong Thu Tiet; the Guangxi governor. The Chinese reacted furiously; sending a huge force against the offending Viets; only to be defeated with losses estimated at 400;000 men.

Ly Thuong Kiet penned what is considered the first Vietnamese declaration of independence and is regarded as a Vietnamese national hero. Pictures From Asia David Henley