nguyenservice

The Nguyen Dynasty Tradition of Service to Vietnam
By Sir Joseph A. Crisp II, VCML

      Politics is often seen as a dirty business, and it is unfortunate but not surprising that those who took power illegally from the legitimate Nguyen Imperial Dynasty, have done everything in their power to distort the facts and ruin the noble reputation of the Great Nguyen Dynasty, which has always been dedicated in various ways and through diverse members, to the service, protection and advancement of the people and nation of Vietnam. Throughout all of the ancient history of the nation, some members of the Nguyen House have used various techniques to improve the lives of their people and the condition of their sacred homeland. Still today, decades after the rightful monarchy has been overthrown through deciet and illegal force, members of the Nguyen Dynasty continue to carry on the ancient family tradition of service to Vietnam.
       In the interest of conserving time and space we will begin with the first Nguyen monarch, the Emperor Gia Long. Prior to the reign of the Nguyen all of Vietnam had been divided between the Mac, Trinh and Nguyen. Even after the Tay Son had taken power the people of Vietnam viewed the Tay Son as usurpers and continued to recognize the Le Emperor as the legitimate ruler of the country. The Tay Son regime proved to be unstable, numerous struggles broke out and when the last legitimate Le Dynasty Emperor died the people called on the Nguyen forces of Nguyen Anh (Gia Long) to unite the country, end the civil wars and restore the former empire of the great Viet people. In spite of great personal suffering and hardship Nguyen Anh succeeded in defeating the Tay Son and uniting his country for the first time in centuries as Emperor Gia Long. It was here that Vietnamese nationalism was born as all people recognized themselves as one nation from north to south.
       The Nguyen Dynasty greatly enriched Vietnamese culture in the areas of music, literature and architecture. Still today, the ruling city of the Dynasty, the Holy Citadel of Hue, is considered to be the cultural center of Vietnam, where the national heritage and traditions are still the most well preserved. Following the reign of Emperor Gia Long the "Golden Era" of Vietnamese history came with the reign of his son, Emperor Minh Mang. Under his leadership the nation was expanded, the united government firmly established and a major invasion by Siam was repulsed. Many monuments and historic buildings were constructed during the reign of the Minh Mang Emperor, who was well known as a gentle and intelligent scholar, despite the efforts of the French to ruin his historic image.
       During the period of the French intervention the Nguyen monarchs showed great restraint and peaceful intentions. Emperor Thieu Tri was curious to learn about modern French technology and commuted many court sentances against foreigners in order to keep peace and tranquility with France. Unfortunately, foreign incursion continued and most of the reign of the Emperor Tu Duc, from 1847-1883, was spent desperately trying to fight off the French invaders. Although the Vietnamese armies were ultimately defeated, the Emperor Tu Duc will always be remembered for his great contributions to Vietnamese literature through his many poetic compositions and great writing. Emperor Tu Duc was considered the most intelligent and well educated Asian monarch of his time.
       Following the death of Emperor Tu Duc there was a crisis in Viet Nam as the French and government officials struggled for power.In one year three monarchs were enthroned and deposed during this time of turmoil. After France had taken control of most of the country, the heroic Emperor Ham Nghi and the great loyal patriot Phan Dinh Phung launched the Can Vuong Movement to save the king and liberate Vietnam from colonial control. The war in the jungles and mountains lasted for many years, even after the brave Emperor Ham Nghi was betrayed and exiled to French North Africa. Following the example of Ham Nghi, the young Emperor Duy Tan also planned an uprising against the French. He had always placed the welfare of his people before all else during his reign. In 1916, when Emperor Duy Tan was organizing his revolution he was captured and exiled. The colonial authorities also took this opportunity to exile his father, Emperor Thanh Thai, who had also been deposed for his resistance to the colonial regime.
       As French exploitation increased in Vietnam the Nguyen Dynasty did not cease to speak out on behalf of their country. In 1922 the Emperor Khai Dinh journeyed to France to urge the colonial government to cease their brutal tactics and grant autonomy and self-government to Vietnam. His son, Emperor Bao Dai, was promised freedom to rule as an independent king, but had restrictions placed on his regime. He ended forced labor and demanded that France grant Vietnam direct representation in the ministry of colonies and allow Vietnamese officials to oversee the local government. The politicians in Paris used the outbreak of World War II to put off dealing with Emperor Bao Dai. In 1945, after Japan had disarmed the French military, Emperor Bao Dai declared the independence of Vietnam and adopted the principle of "the most important thing is the people" (from Mencius) as the basis for his government.
       Today, the Imperial Nguyen Dynasty has the same sacred goals and duty to Vietnam as displayed by the past Emperors and members of the Imperial Family. They are still carrying on the tradition of service to the Fatherland that the Nguyen Dynasty has always shown throughout their ancient history. Today, just as in the time of the Great Father of Vietnam, Emperor Gia Long, the nation is suffering under the rule of usurpers and must be reunited under a traditional, stable and free government that will give the people of Vietnam personal, legal and political freedom, and restore the greatness the nation once knew under the reign of the poet-kings of the Nguyen Dynasty.