Nguyen Dynasty facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

The Nguyễn Dynasty was the last imperial family of rulers in Vietnam. The Nguyễn emperors ruled Vietnam for a long time, from 1802 until 1945. Their main city and capital was Huế. It's interesting to know that nearly 40 percent of all Vietnamese people today have the family name Nguyễn. This name comes from this powerful dynasty.

How the Nguyễn Dynasty Began
Life During the Nguyễn Dynasty
Challenges and Changes
The End of the Dynasty
Images for kids
See also

How the Nguyễn Dynasty Began

The Nguyễn family wasn't new to power. Before becoming emperors, they were powerful lords who controlled parts of Vietnam for centuries. They often fought against other powerful families, like the Trịnh lords.

One key figure was Nguyễn Ánh. He faced many challenges, including a big rebellion called the Tây Sơn rebellion. This rebellion took over much of Vietnam. Nguyễn Ánh had to flee and seek help from other countries, like Siam (modern-day Thailand).

He also got help from a French priest named Pigneau de Behaine. This priest helped Nguyễn Ánh get support and weapons from France. With this help, Nguyễn Ánh fought hard to take back control. He finally defeated the Tây Sơn rebels and united Vietnam.

In 1802, Nguyễn Ánh became Emperor Gia Long. He started the Nguyễn Dynasty, ruling over a unified Vietnam.

Life During the Nguyễn Dynasty

The Nguyễn emperors worked to make Vietnam strong and organized. They set up new laws and rules for the country. They also built many beautiful palaces and temples, especially in their capital city, Huế.

The emperors believed strongly in Confucianism. This was a system of beliefs that focused on good behavior, respect, and order in society. They encouraged people to follow Confucian ideas.

Education was important. People could take special exams to become government officials. These exams tested their knowledge of Confucian texts and history. Passing these exams was a great honor.

The dynasty also had a strong army and navy. They tried to keep Vietnam safe from outside threats.

Challenges and Changes

Over time, the Nguyễn Dynasty faced many challenges. One big challenge came from European countries, especially France. France wanted to expand its influence and trade in Asia.

French forces began attacking Vietnamese cities, like Saigon and Da Nang, in the mid-1800s. The Nguyễn emperors tried to resist, but the French had more modern weapons.

Slowly, France took more and more control over Vietnam. They forced the Nguyễn emperors to sign treaties that gave France power. By the late 1800s, Vietnam became part of French Indochina. This meant Vietnam was ruled by France, even though the Nguyễn emperors still had some power as figureheads.

The End of the Dynasty

The Nguyễn Dynasty continued to exist under French rule. The emperors had less real power and mostly followed French directions.

During World War II, Japan took control of Vietnam for a short time. After the war, in 1945, Emperor Bảo Đại, the last Nguyễn emperor, stepped down. This marked the official end of the Nguyễn Dynasty.

After centuries of ruling, the Nguyễn Dynasty came to an end. Vietnam then entered a new period of its history, eventually becoming an independent country.

Images for kids

A map showing the Mạc dynasty (pink) and Lê dynasty (yellow) in 1540.
A map showing the division between the Trịnh-Lê (purple) and Nguyễn (green) families in 1560.
The cover of a 1930 book about Nguyễn Ánh's exile.
Nguyễn Ánh meeting King Rama I in Bangkok in 1782.
A map of Vietnam at the end of the 18th century, showing different ruling groups.
A portrait of Emperor Minh Mạng from 1828.
French and Spanish forces capturing Saigon in 1859.
A Vietnamese group visiting France in 1863 to discuss a peace treaty.
The Treaty of Saigon from 1862.
A Vietnamese mission visiting Napoleon III in 1863.
French victory at Thuan An in August 1883.
Coins used during the Nguyễn Dynasty.
A map of the Indochina Peninsula in 1883, showing Vietnamese regions.
An old text from the Đồng Khánh period discussing different ethnic groups.
Buddhist monks in South Vietnam in 1828.
A church in Sơn Tây in 1884.
Children playing a traditional game in Quỳ Châu, Nghệ An province, in 1920.
A silver coin from the Tự Đức period with an imperial sun symbol.
Signatures on the 1787 Treaty of Versailles.
Pigneau de Behaine, the French priest who helped Nguyễn Ánh.
A painting of the capture of Saigon by Charles Rigault de Genouilly in 1859.
The bombardment of Biên Hòa in 1861.
French warships at Da Nang in September 1858.
The capture of Bac Ninh during the Tonkin campaign.
The capture of Ninh Bình by French sailors.
A French attack on the citadel of Hải Dương.
French soldiers at Bắc Ninh in 1884.
A French naval gun supporting an attack at Gia Cuc.
French warships near the Thuan An forts in 1883.
The attack on the Thuận An forts in August 1883.
The capture of Sơn Tây in December 1883.
The capture of Nam Định in July 1883.
French troops attacking Nam Định fortress.
The capture of Hưng Hóa.
Admiral Amédée Courbet and Harmand in Huế in August 1883.
The signing of the Treaty of Huế in August 1883.
A French propaganda painting from Hanoi in 1942.
The first page of Hoàng Triều luật lệ, a civil law introduced by Emperor Gia Long.
A map of the Dai Nam Empire in Indochina in 1839.
A drawing of a Nguyễn Vietnamese soldier from 1844.
Candidates on their way to an examination school in 1897.
The Imperial examination council.
An examiner from the ministry of education in Nam Định in 1897.
Examiner Tran-Si-Trac in 1897.
Exam supervision from above in 1897.
Graduates receiving a feast from the Emperor after passing exams in Nam Định in 1897.
Graduates showing gratitude to French and Vietnamese governors in 1897.
Graduates showing gratitude at the Confucian temple in 1897.
New graduates receiving their uniforms from the Emperor in Nam Định in 1897.
Candidates checking their names on the result boards.
French Indochina governor Paul Doumer joining the honor ceremony for graduates.
A tailoring class in a colonial school in Hanoi.
A geography class in a colonial school in Hanoi in 1920.
An early photograph of the Fortress of Da Nang in 1845.
Nobles leaving the Imperial Palace.
A Vietnamese noble man.
A group of musicians in Hue in 1919.
A group of female musicians from Cochinchina performing in Marseille in 1922.
A drawing of Huế city from 1875.
An 1884 drawing of a marriage ceremony in Tonkin.
A Nguyễn-dynasty elephant parade in Huế.
A drawing of Tet (New Year) holiday in a temple in Vietnam.
An Imperial seal made during the Minh Mạng period.
Dragon designs found on imperial buildings.