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Vo Duy Duong was born in Cu Lam Nam Hamlet, Nhon Tan Commune, An Nhon District. Under the Nguyen dynasty, when taking part in a martial arts competition, he lifted five 60-kg-bells at once. He was, then, also called Ngu Linh Duong (ngu means five).
In 1857, responding to the appeal for reclaiming in the south, his family moved to Dong Thap to set up the plantation, becoming rich. But, in 1859 when the French colonialists occupied Gia Dinh, Vo Duy Duong, Truong Dinh, and Nguyen Huu Huan rose up. He, Vo Duy Duong, mobilized thousands of people, including mercenary soldiers and a French named Liguet. To honor his credit for saving the country, he was nominated the "Thien Ho Duong" and "Lanh binh" titles. His insurgent army was called "Thien Ho Duong" soldiers.
With the "Can Vuong" (Aid the King) slogan, his insurgent army located in Dong Thap Muoi where the terrain was full of obstacles and difficulties of access. There were posts around defended by thousands of soldiers. They used the guerilla tactics to cause great loss for French colonialists in Ha Tien, Rach Gia, and Dong Thap.
In 1862, the feudal dynasty surrendered the French colonialism, which made the insurgent armies surrender. Vo Duy Duong didn't, however, obey the order and, as a result, he was hunted. After Nguyen Huu Huan and Truong Dinh were killed in the anti-French resistance war, Vo Duy Duong strongly continued the war against the French colonialism.
In April, 1866, the French colonialists mobilized soldiers to attack his revolutionary bases. Many fierce fights happened, in which the insurgent army killed hundreds of soldiers. Although the insurgent army withdrew from fights, they were still hunted and gradually weakened. Vo Duy Duong died from illness at the age of 39.
To commemorate his merits, a commemoration house was built in Nhon Tan Commune. Also, a temple was set up in Go Thap of My Hoa Commune, Thap Muoi District, Dong Thap province.
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