Gia Long Biography

Gia Long was the first emperor of the Nguyen dynasty as well as the founding father of the modern nation of Vietnam. Born as Nguyen Phúc Anh, he was the nephew of the last Nguyen lord who ruled over southern Vietnam. In spite of being born into a royal family, he had to encounter many difficulties in his early life as he became the target of rival groups who attempted to wipe out the Nguyen clan completely. After the deaths of his father and uncle at the hands of the rival leaders, Nguyen Phúc Anh fled to the southern coastal tip of Vietnam where by chance he met a French priest, Pigneau de Behaine, who would eventually become his trusted adviser and play a major role in his rise to power. He escaped with the help of the priest and later on sought aid from the French in his struggle against his rivals. With the help of the French, and equipped with advanced European armaments, he was successful in securing victories over his rivals. He declared himself the emperor, assuming the title Gia Long. He gave his country its modern name, ‘Vietnam’, and for the first time in centuries, the nation was united and free of outside control. He was a cautious ruler, a devoted follower of the teachings of Confucius and a great admirer of Chinese culture