By 2001, about 30 out of 400 vestiges of Dong Son culture nationwide have been discovered in Ha Nam, some typical ones as Ngoc Lu kettledrums and 17 other drums, bronze jars and axes, boat tombs in Kim Bang, Duy Tien. Cultural values of this culture accumulated all strengths to exist and develop during 1000 year under Chinese domination. When chances came, Ha Nam people and people nationwide stood to fight invaders and gain national independence.

In Hung King's dynasty, Ha Nam belonged to Giao Chi, including districts of Duy Tien, Kim Bang, Thanh Liem, Binh Luc and a part of Ly Nhan district. Ha Nam residents in this period passed the process of conquering, adapting and owning this deep land. They and other ancient Viet people contributed to building the first native civilization of our nation - Van Lang-Au Lac civilization. Ha Nam residents and people from remote areas went to lowland to reclaim and reside. Then they created a more comfortable life and a native civilization.

In the struggle of Hai Ba Trung, Ha Nam had many woman Generals following them such as Nguyet Nga in Duy Tien and Cao Thi Lien in Thanh Liem. Besides, Ha Nam was also the base of Le Chan General in Kim Bang in the fighting against Dong Han invader.

In the struggle of Ly Bi and Trieu Quang Phuc, Dinh Loi, Thanh Liem resident, was a talented General who helped Ly Bi to defeat Luong aggressors and created many successes. After the victory in 542, Ly Bi nominated him to defend Northeastern region. After the death of Ly Bi in 548, he followed the management of Trieu Quang Phuc to continue fighting till the complete victory. He was recognized "Sinh than Dai Vuong".

In the initial period of building and defending an independent and sovereign nation (dynasties of Khuc, Ngo, Dinh and pre-Le), the land and people of Ha Nam actively supported Khuc Thua Du and Duong Dinh Nghe. After Ngo Quyen died, his relatives brought 40 people to reside in Thanh Liem.

When Dinh Bo Linh raised a flag to fight against invaders, Monk Nguyen Minh Quang, the chair of Bao Thai pagoda, also actively encouraged his disciples to stand under Dinh Bo Linh's flag. Besides, there were many people support him and recruited troops to quell the revolt. Those were Nguyen Ninh and Nguyen Tinh in Binh Luc district and Truong Nguyen, who was a talented General of Binh Bo Linh, considered as a national character. On October 979, Do Thich killed Dinh Tien Hoang and his eldest son and Le Hoan became a King in 980. He strengthened national defence and developed the economy. He himself went to plough in Doi Son (Duy Tien).

"In the spring of the 8th year of Dinh Hoi's reign, King started to plough in Doi mountain and Ban Hai mountain, and got a small jar of gold and a small jar of silver. Thus, he named these fields as gold and silver fields", wrote "Dai Viet su ky toan thu", (Part 1, H.1972, pp 141). From this event, Le Hoan became the first King in our history to go to field to encourage policies to appreciate agriculture for many following generations.

In this period, the traditional handicrafts in Ha Nam like silkworm breeding and weaving continued developing. In 985, Le Hoan donated 10,000 lengths of silk to Tong's King. Pre-Le dynasty not only promoted agriculture, small handicrafts, and commerce but also widened traffic system to serve economic development demand and people's life.