Nguyen Hue facts for kids

This painting from the late 1700s shows the Qianlong Emperor meeting Nguyễn Quang Hiển, who was sent by Nguyen Hue to make peace in Beijing.

Nguyen Hue (born in 1753, died in 1792) was a very important general and emperor in the history of Vietnam. He was part of the Tay Son Dynasty. Nguyen Hue was born in a place called Tay Son, in Binh Dinh Province. He is famous for winning big battles. These included defeating a Siamese army at Rach Gam and a Qing army at Dong Da, near Thang Long.

Who Was Emperor Quang Trung?

Nguyen Hue is also known as Emperor Quang Trung. He was one of three brothers who led the Tay Son movement. This movement helped unite Vietnam during a time of trouble. He was a brilliant military leader. He became emperor in 1788.

Early Life and Rise to Power

Nguyen Hue grew up in Tay Son, a region in central Vietnam. He and his brothers, Nguyen Nhac and Nguyen Lu, started a rebellion. They wanted to overthrow the corrupt rulers of their time. Their movement quickly gained many followers. They fought for justice and a better life for ordinary people.

Great Military Victories

Nguyen Hue was a master of warfare. He led his armies to several amazing victories.

Battle of Rach Gam–Xoai Mut

In 1785, Nguyen Hue faced a large Siamese (Thai) army. This army had invaded southern Vietnam. He used clever tactics at the Rach Gam–Xoai Mut river. He tricked the enemy into a trap. His forces then attacked from all sides. This battle was a huge win for the Tay Son forces. It showed Nguyen Hue's skill as a commander.

Victory at Dong Da

His most famous victory was in 1789. A large army from the Qing Empire (China) invaded Vietnam. They wanted to put a new ruler on the throne. Nguyen Hue led his army on a lightning-fast march. He surprised the Qing forces during the Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday. The battle took place at Dong Da, near Thang Long (modern-day Hanoi). Nguyen Hue's army won a decisive victory. This battle secured Vietnam's independence.

Emperor and Reforms

After his victories, Nguyen Hue became Emperor Quang Trung. He tried to make many improvements for Vietnam. He encouraged education and trade. He also worked to create a new writing system for Vietnamese. This system was based on Vietnamese sounds, not Chinese characters. He wanted to make the country stronger and more modern.

Legacy of Nguyen Hue

Nguyen Hue died young, in 1792. Despite his short reign, he left a lasting impact. He is remembered as a national hero in Vietnam. His military genius and efforts to reform the country are still celebrated today. Many streets, schools, and monuments are named after him.

Images for kids

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  A bronze statue of Tây Sơn Brothers (Nguyễn Nhạc, Nguyễn Lữ and Nguyễn Huệ).

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  Vietnamese monument of the battle

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  A royal edict of Quang Trung in 1790 on translating classical Chinese texts into Vietnamese script(Chữ Nôm)

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  Statue of Quang Trung at Đống Đa Mound

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  Qing portrait of Quang Trung.

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  Quang Trung thông bảo (光中通寶), A coin issued during the reign of Emperor Quang Trung

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  Royal order concerning tax exemption.

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  weapons of Tây Sơn army

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  Nguyễn Huệ, as depicted on the South Vietnamese 200 đồng banknote.

See also

In Spanish: Nguyễn Huệ para niños