Early in the 10th century, as China became politically fragmented, successive lords from the Khuc family, followed by Dương Đình Nghe, ruled Giao Chau autonomously under the Tang title of Tiet Do Su (Virtuous Lord), but stopping short of proclaiming themselves kings.

In 938, the kingdom of Southern Han sent troops to conquer autonomous Giao Chau. Ngo Quyen, Duong Đinh Nghe's son-in-law, defeated the Southern Han fleet at the Battle of Bach Dang River (938). He then proclaimed himself King Ngo and effectively began the age of independence for Vietnam.

Ngo Quyen's untimely death after a short reign resulted in a power struggle for the throne, the country's first major civil war, The upheavals of Twelve warlords. The war lasted from 945 AD to 967 AD when the clan led by Dinh Bo Linh defeated the other warlords, unifying the country. Dinh founded the Đinh Dynasty and proclaimed himself First Emperor (Tiên Hoàng) of Đai Co Viet (Great Viet Land), with its capital in Hoa Lư (modern day Ninh Binh). However, the Chinese Song Dynasty only officially recognized him as Prince of Jiaozhi (Giao Chi Quan Vuong). Emperor Dinh introduced strict penal codes to prevent chaos from happening again. He tried to form alliances by granting the title of Queen to five women from the five most influential families.

In 979 AD, Emperor Dinh Bo Linh and his crown prince Dinh Lien were assassinated, leaving his lone surviving son, the 6-year-old Dinh Toan, to assume the throne. Taking advantage of the situation, the Chinese Song Dynasty invaded Đại Cồ Việt. Facing such a grave threat to national independence, the court's Commander of the Ten Armies (Thap Đạo Tướng Quân) Le Hoan took the throne , founding the Former Le Dynasty. A capable military tactician, Lê Hoan realized the risks of engaging the mighty Chinese troops head on; thus he tricked the invading army into Chi Lang Pass, then ambushed and killed their commander, quickly ending the threat to his young nation in 981 AD. The Song Dynasty withdrew their troops yet would not recognize Le Hoan as Prince of Jiaozhi until 12 years later; nevertheless, he is referred to in his realm as Đại Hành Emperor (Đại Hành Hoàng Đế). Emperor Lê Hoan was also the first Vietnamese monarch who began the southward expansion process against the kingdom of Champa.

Emperor Le Hoan's death in 1005 AD resulted in infighting for the throne amongst his sons. The eventual winner, Le Long Đinh, became the most notorious tyrant in Vietnamese history. He devised sadistic punishments of prisoners for his own entertainment and indulged in sexual activities. Toward the end of his short life (he died at 24), Lê Long Đĩnh became so ill that he had to lie down when meeting with his officials in court.