Tô Hiến Thành was trusted to become the regent to help the young Emperor run the court and administer his nation.
After the death of Anh Tông, his uppermost consort (now became Empress Dowager Chiêu Linh(died 1200)) wanted to dethrone her son Long Xưởng, who was the former Crown Prince.
At death's door, he recommended Empress Dowager Đỗ an official named Trần Trung Tá.
One year later, Empress Dowager Đỗ appointed Lý Kính Tu to teach her son.
The king was meek and lenient while young, but after he grew and directly administered his reign, he became more and more cruel and sent the nation into turmoil.
The codes and rules of his reign were obscure and immoral, leading the people to conflict with the local administration and rebel from the injustice and drudgery.
In March 1189, Cao Tông took a trip around the nation and built pagoda or temples wherever a deity or spirit was said to reside.
In August 1203, the king of Champa, Vidyanandana, entered Cửa Lò seeking asylum from a Khmer invasion.
In addition to the internal conflict and constant hunger during this time, the Song dynasty invaded with their Northern Army and the Vietnamese living in the areas tried to flee.
Du retreated to Cổ Miệt and united with the army of Đòan Thương and Đoàn Chủ from Hồng Châu.
Phạm Du bribed high-ranking officials in the capital and accused Bỉnh Di of a ferocious massacre.
Cao Tông allowed Trần Hinh to convoke Phạm Du to come to the court and also called Bỉnh Di back.
After being told of Bỉnh Di's imprisonment, one of his subordinates named Quách Bốc led his army to the Đại Thanh Gate of the citadel and overthrew it to save *.
Cao Tông fled to Tam Nông, Phú Thọ and lodged at the residence of Hà Vạn, who was a minority leader holding a substantial force.
The Crown Prince Sảm, who later became the succeeding king Lý Huệ Tông, fled to Hải Ấp, Thái Bình with his mother, Noble Consort Đoàn and his two younger sisters.
When that Lý Sảm established his own court and arbitrarily conferred titles, Cao Tông sought to suppress his military power.
Trần Lý and Tô Trung Từ led their army to the capital to defeat Quách Bốc.
Because Phạm Du was dead and Tô Trung Từ held the most power in the court, Cao Tông was forced to work with him.
Even though Đàm Dĩ Mông worked with the rebel Quách Bốc when he occupied the citadel, he became the Thái úy – a rather high official.