Southward expansion of the Han dynasty

Southward expansion of the Han dynasty
	; Map of the expansion of the Han dynasty in 2nd century BC
Date	2nd century BC
Location	Southern China and Northern Vietnam
Result	Han victory Cultural assimilation and displacement of the Baiyue and Dian tribes by the Han dynasty; Han Chinese settlement and migration southward; Han Chinese contact and trade with various Southeast Asian states;
Belligerents
Han dynasty	Nanyue; Minyue; Dian

The southward expansion of the Han dynasty was a series of military campaigns and expeditions by the Han dynasty in modern-day Southern China and Northern Vietnam. Military expansion to the south began under the previous Qin dynasty and continued during the Han era. Campaigns were dispatched to conquer the Baiyue tribes, leading to the Han dynasty's annexation of Minyue in 135 BC and 111 BC, Nanyue in 111 BC, and Dian in 109 BC.

Han Chinese culture took root into the newly conquered territories and the Baiyue and Dian tribes were eventually assimilated or displaced by the Han Empire. Evidence of Han dynasty influences are apparent in artifacts excavated in the Baiyue tombs of modern southern China. This sphere of influence eventually extended to various ancient Southeast Asian states, where contact led to the spread of Han Chinese culture, trade and political diplomacy. The increased demand for Chinese silk also led to the establishment of the Silk Road connecting Europe, the Near East, and China.