Court lady Murasaki Shikibu writes The Tale of Genji, often considered one of the world's first novels.
Approximate date.
Forces of Đại Cồ Việt under Lê Hoàn defeat a Song dynasty invasion, including an engagement on the Bạch Đằng River.
The artisan Bi Sheng creates movable type from fired clay, the earliest known movable-type printing.
The military compendium Wujing Zongyao contains the earliest surviving written formulas for gunpowder.
After the Chenqiao mutiny, Zhao Kuangyin becomes Emperor Taizu; the Song era sees remarkable economic and technological growth.
To disrupt Song preparations for invasion, Lý Thường Kiệt attacks Qin, Lian and Yong prefectures in southern China (1075–1076).
Lý Thường Kiệt halts the Song invasion at the Như Nguyệt (Cầu) River; tradition links the poem "Nam quốc sơn hà" to the battle.