Quang Ninh during the Mac Dynasty (16th century)

The An Bang region had several hundred years of strong development thanks to the corridor of communication with the South China region, from Ninh Hai to Dong Trieu. Especially with the development of Van Don trading port along the coast and islands from Hai Ninh to Quang Yen, it really played a role as the driving force for the country's economic development. However, after the years of peace and prosperity under King Le Thanh Tong (late 15th century), the Dai Viet monarchy society in the 16th century declined, leading to political instability and chaos.

According to Dai Viet Su Ky Toan Thu, in 1504, King Le Hien Tong passed away. The succeeding emperors all died young, were either cruel or incompetent. This led to power struggles and killings. In 1527, Mac Dang Dung deposed King Le, ascended the throne, and established the Mac Dynasty.

Vu Linh Temple in Yen Hai Ward (Quang Yen Town) worships Pham Tu Nghi - a character closely related to the history of the Mac Dynasty. *Source:* **dulichquangyen.vn**

Mac Dang Dung (1483-1541) was from Co Trai village, Nghi Duong district (now Hai Phong ). During the Le Dynasty, Nghi Duong belonged to the administrative unit of An Bang with the common name of Hai Dong. In 1530, Mac Dang Dung passed the throne to his son Mac Dang Doanh and retired as the Supreme Emperor. In 1540, Dang Doanh died, Mac Dang Dung brought his nephew Mac Phuc Hai to the throne. In 1544, Mac Phuc Hai died. Mac Kinh Dien, Mac Phuc Hai's younger brother, wanted to put Mac Phuc Nguyen, Mac Phuc Hai's son, on the throne, but Mac Dang Dung's son-in-law Pham Tu Nghi (1509-1551) wanted to put Mac Dang Dung's son, Mac Chinh Trung, on the throne. Not getting the consent of the Mac Dynasty's princes, Pham Tu Nghi rebelled and helped Mac Chinh Trung return to Hoa Duong (now Hung Ha, Thai Binh) to establish a court. The Mac Dynasty sent troops to chase them away, so Pham Tu Nghi brought the "court" to occupy Yen Quang.

According to Dai Viet Thong Su by Le Quy Don, after occupying Yen Quang (present-day Quang Ninh ), Pham Tu Nghi entered the entire territory of China, inciting coastal people to rebel, looting and causing chaos in Kham Chau and Quang Dong. The Ming Dynasty forced the Mac Dynasty to suppress Pham Tu Nghi's rebellion and in 1548 (according to Dai Viet Su Ky Toan Thu, he was killed in 1551), Mac Kinh Dien killed Pham Tu Nghi and sent his head to China.

During the 4 years of occupying An Quang land, Pham Tu Nghi's activities were closely associated with this land. Although he was a general serving the Mac dynasty, a dynasty opposing the Le dynasty, Pham Tu Nghi was still conferred the title of god by the Later Le and Nguyen dynasties. Currently, in the Ha Nam region (Quang Yen town), there are many places worshiping Pham Tu Nghi as the village's tutelary god, such as Hai Yen communal house, Vu Linh temple (Yen Hai ward), Pham Tu Nghi temple and Quynh Bieu communal house (Lien Hoa commune), Tran Hung Dao temple (Lien Vi commune) and Pham Tu Nghi temple (Lien Vi commune). In addition, he is also worshiped in many places in Hai Phong. Each relic has stories about Pham Tu Nghi.

Many Mac Dynasty household utensils were found at the Van Don Commercial Port. Many fishermen in Ha Long Bay still collect them when pulling their nets at some island beaches in the Bay.

During its 65 years of existence, Hai Dong - with the focus on present-day Quang Ninh - was the strategic land of the Mac Dynasty. The Mac army's strength was naval warfare, so Trinh Kiem concentrated his troops to attack this area. But it was not until 1600 that Lord Trinh, Trinh Tung, was able to eradicate the remnants of the Mac family in Yen Quang.

The Mac Dynasty left many historical and cultural marks on the land of Quang Ninh today (we will explain more in the next article). Currently, descendants of the Mac family live in many places in Quang Ninh.

Mr. Mac Van Quang, Head of the Liaison Committee of the Mac Clan in Quang Ninh (residing in Zone 10, Hong Hai Ward, Ha Long City) said that the descendants of the Mac clan in Quang Ninh today mostly come from other provinces and cities. The most populous and the longest-standing are the two Mac clans in Hong Thai Tay and Tan Viet communes (Dong Trieu). On the death anniversaries of Mac Dinh Chi and Mac Dang Dung, the Liaison Committee of the Mac Clan in Quang Ninh always sends representatives to burn incense and pay respect to their ancestors.

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