Following the brief Hồ Dynasty, Vietnamese independence was momentarily interrupted from 1407 to 1427 by the Chinese Ming Dynasty, but was restored by Lê Lợi, the founder of the Lê Dynasty.

Vietnam reaches its zenith in the Lê Dynasty of the 15th century, especially during the reign of Emperor Lê Thánh Tông (1460–1497).

Between the 11th and 18th centuries, Vietnam expands southward in a process known as nam tiến (southward expansion), and it eventually conquers the kingdom of Champa and part of the Khmer Empire.

From the 16th century onwards, civil strife and frequent infighting engulfs much of Vietnam.

First, the Chinese-supported Mạc Dynasty challengs the Lê Dynasty's power.

After the Mạc Dynasty is defeated, the Lê Dynasty is reinstalled, but with no actual power.

Power is divided between the Trịnh Lords in the North and the Nguyễn Lords in the South, who engage in a civil war for more than four decades before a truce is called in the 1670s.

During this time, the Nguyễn expand southern Vietnam into the Mekong Delta, annexing the Central Highlands and the Khmer land in the Mekong Delta.The division of the country endsa century later when the Tây Sơn brothers defeat both and establish their new dynasty.

However, their rule does not last long and they are defeated by the remnants of the Nguyễn Lords led by Nguyễn Ánh.

Nguyễn Ánh unifies Vietnam, and establishes the Nguyễn Dynasty, ruling under the name Gia Long.