Mật Châu

Mật Châu lies in the upper valley of the Lam River, among the forested hills of western Nghệ An. The fortress of Trà Lân stood on the river's left bank in the Con Cuông country, guarding a route into the interior. In 1424 Lê Lợi led the Lam Sơn insurgents into Nghệ An and besieged the stronghold, which was held by Cầm Bành. Its capture helped the rebels establish themselves in the region during their struggle against Ming rule.