Il modello confuciana della monarchia assoluta in Vietnam ha dato luogo a due contraddizioni: una tra le varie fazioni della classe dirigente, e l'altro, tra l'élite e il popolo. During the 16th century, the explosive development of these contradictions brought about the collapse of the early Le Dynasty, which was replaced in 1527 by the Mac (1527-1592).
The new Dynasty adjusted certain policies and, at the initial period, could ensure social stability, and boost production and the restoration of Buddhism and Taoism. But this regime failed to create the basic conditions for a steady development of society. In the meantime, opposition forces, relying on the influence of the monarchy and Confucian ideology, rose up in many localities under the guise of restoring the Le Dynasty. In 1533, these forces rallied in Thanh Hoa, set up a puppet Le Court against the Mac. Da parte di 1545, all the powers of the restored Le Court were actually concentrated in the hands of the Trinh family. This was the beginning of the “Le King-Trinh Lord” period which lasted until 1786.
Dong Kinh remained the capital but was renamed Thang Long. New architectural masterpieces were created in Thang Long. In addition to the Royal Enclosure reserved for the Le Kings, there had appeared a palace for the Trinh Lords, the true center of power over the country. As a metropolis, Thang Long boasted its fast development and prosperity.
Thanks to the growth of the commodity economy and the expansion of foreign trade, the 17th and 18th centuries witnessed a stage of national prosperity. Old towns thrived while new towns and commercial ports emerged. Thang Long headed the list of these towns and cities, and people from all around flocked there. According to Alexandre de Rhodes, Thang Long aveva allora una popolazione di circa un milione di persone, ma Dampier stimò che ce ne fossero 20,000 case.
L’economia di Thang Long era basata sull’agricoltura, artigianato e commercio.
Molti cittadini divennero ricchi proprietari di negozi, ma la maggior parte erano piccoli produttori e commercianti. Thang Long non poteva ancora uscire dalla struttura di città medievale dell’Est per diventare una “città liberale” come quelle dell’Ovest..
Quindi, Thang Long era ancora un importante centro culturale del paese. I suoi abitanti si vantavano del loro stile di vita raffinato e delle opere architettoniche e artistiche (templi, pagode, case comunali, statue squisitamente scolpite, altari, e porte cadenti). Thang Long era anche orgoglioso del suo villaggio di dipinti di Tu Thap (sulla riva del Lago della Spada Restaurata), which was later called Hang Trong painting school.