Famous Vietnamese Emperors & Kings

Bảo Đại was the 13th and final emperor of the Nguyễn dynasty in Vietnam. He ruled as emperor of Annam and de jure monarch of Tonkin from 1926 to 1945, under French Indochina's protectorate. During World War II, Bảo Đại was used by the Japanese to proclaim the Empire of Vietnam but abdicated after Japan's surrender. He later served as the chief of state of the non-communist State of Vietnam from 1949 to 1955, before being ousted by Prime Minister Ngô Đình Diệm in 1955.

Gia Long was the founding emperor of the Nguyễn dynasty in Vietnam, ruling until 1820. He successfully reunited Vietnam after years of conflict, expanding its territory and strengthening its military. Gia Long implemented Confucian principles, reinstated the civil service system, and modernized the country's defenses with French assistance. He relocated the capital to Huế, fortified key areas, and allowed Roman Catholic missionaries to operate. His reign saw Vietnam's military dominance in Indochina, including the expulsion of Siamese forces from Cambodia.

Lê Lợi was a Vietnamese rebel leader who founded the Later Lê dynasty and became the first king of the restored kingdom of Đại Việt after it was conquered by the Ming dynasty. Known for his effective guerrilla tactics, he led a successful resistance movement against Ming rule, driving their armies out of Vietnam and restoring Vietnamese independence. Lê Lợi's strategic prowess, including constantly moving his camps and utilizing small irregular bands to ambush larger forces, solidified his reputation as one of Vietnam's greatest heroes.

Minh Mạng was the second emperor of the Nguyễn dynasty of Vietnam. He ruled from 1820 until his death in 1841. Known for his opposition to French involvement, Minh Mạng completed the final Vietnamese conquest of Champa, temporarily annexed Cambodia, and upheld rigid Confucian orthodoxy. His professional life was marked by a strong sense of duty to his empire and a commitment to maintaining Vietnamese sovereignty and traditional values.

Ngô Quyền, also known as Tiền Ngô Vương, was a warlord who rose to become the founding king of the Ngô dynasty of Vietnam. He reigned from 939 to 944 and is celebrated for his victory over the Southern Han dynasty at the Battle of Bạch Đằng River in 938. This battle marked the end of 1,000 years of Chinese rule over Vietnam. Ngô Quyền's legacy is honored in Vietnamese national history, and a district in modern Haiphong is named after him.

Tự Đức was the fourth emperor of the Nguyễn dynasty of Vietnam, ruling from 1847 to 1883. During his reign, he focused on administrative reforms, military expansion, and cultural preservation. Tự Đức implemented various policies to centralize power, improve governance, and strengthen the economy. He also promoted Confucian values and traditional Vietnamese culture. Despite facing challenges such as internal rebellions and external threats, Tự Đức's professional life was marked by efforts to modernize and stabilize the empire while upholding its cultural heritage.

Emperor Duy Tân was the 11th emperor of the Nguyễn dynasty in Vietnam. He reigned for nine years between 1907 and 1916. Duy Tân's professional life was marked by a focus on modernization and reform in Vietnam. He sought to bring about renovation and change during his reign. Duy Tân implemented various policies aimed at modernizing the country and improving its infrastructure. His efforts to reform the government and society reflected his commitment to progress and development in Vietnam.

Emperor Hàm Nghi briefly ruled the Vietnamese Nguyễn dynasty for one year. During his short reign, he faced challenges from the French colonial forces, leading to his resistance and eventual exile. Despite his limited time on the throne, Emperor Hàm Nghi demonstrated a strong will and determination to protect Vietnamese sovereignty. His defiance against the French occupation symbolized his commitment to defending his country's independence and resisting foreign influence during a tumultuous period in Vietnamese history.

Đinh Bộ Lĩnh, also known as Đinh Tiên Hoàng, was the founding emperor of the short-lived Đinh dynasty in Vietnam. He played a crucial role in establishing Vietnamese independence and political unity in the 10th century by defeating twelve rebellious warlords and unifying the country. He declared independence from the Chinese Southern Han dynasty and renamed the nation Đại Cồ Việt upon his ascension. Đinh Bộ Lĩnh's leadership and military prowess solidified his position as the first emperor of Vietnam.

Thành Thái reigned as emperor of Vietnam for 18 years, from 1889 to 1907. He was known as one of the three "patriotic emperors" in Vietnamese history for his actions and views against French colonial rule. Thành Thái's professional life was marked by his efforts to resist foreign influence and maintain Vietnamese independence. His reign was characterized by his commitment to upholding Vietnamese sovereignty and his opposition to external control over the country's affairs.

The Trưng sisters were Luoyue military leaders who led a rebellion against Chinese domination of Vietnam. After commanding a successful uprising, they ruled as monarchs for three years. Trưng Trắc was the first female monarch and queen in Vietnamese history, known as Queen Trưng. Their leadership and bravery in battle against the Eastern Han general Ma Yuan's forces solidified their status as national heroines of Vietnam. Despite their eventual deaths in battle, the Trưng sisters left a lasting legacy of resistance and empowerment in Vietnamese history.

Khúc Thừa Dụ was a prominent jiedushi of Tĩnh Hải quân under the Chinese Tang dynasty in the early 10th century. As the head of the Khúc family in Hải Dương, he was renowned for his wealth and benevolence. He assumed leadership during the decline of the Tang dynasty, marking the onset of an independent Vietnam. Khúc Thừa Dụ played a pivotal role in solidifying the region's autonomy and prosperity, setting the stage for his son Khúc Hạo to further enhance the area's development.

Khải Định was the 12th emperor of the Nguyễn dynasty in Vietnam, reigning from 1916 to 1925. He focused on modernizing Vietnam, introducing reforms in administration, education, and infrastructure. Khải Định also promoted arts and culture, commissioning the construction of the elaborate Khải Định Tomb. He faced challenges during his reign, including dealing with French colonial rule and managing the country's finances. Despite criticisms, Khải Định's efforts left a lasting impact on Vietnam's development and cultural heritage.

Nguyễn Phúc Tần was a skilled and strategic ruler who led the Nguyễn lords in south Vietnam from 1648 to 1687. During his reign, he successfully ended the Trịnh–Nguyễn War and expanded his territory by annexing Champa lands. Tần's military prowess was evident in battles such as Truong Duc and his ability to defend against Trịnh forces. His diplomatic skills were highlighted in negotiating a truce with Trịnh Tạc, establishing a border at the Linh River that lasted for a century.

Lê Thánh Tông was an emperor of Đại Việt, known for his extensive administrative, military, education, and fiscal reforms. He came to power through a coup d'état against his brother and was praised for his conquests of Champa states, expanding Đại Việt territory in the south. He led a cultural revolution that replaced the old aristocracy with literati scholars. His reign, known as the Prospered reign of Hồng Đức, established him as one of the greatest emperors in Vietnamese history.

Lý Nam Đế began his professional life as a magistrate in the Chinese Liang dynasty in Jiaozhou. He later rose to prominence and became the founding emperor of the Early Lý dynasty of Vietnam, ruling from 544 to 548. Lý Nam Đế's leadership and governance skills were instrumental in establishing and consolidating his reign over Vietnam during this period. His experience as a magistrate provided him with the necessary expertise to effectively govern and administer the newly formed dynasty, contributing to its stability and growth.

Setthathirath II was the king of the Lao Kingdom of Lān Xāng. He spent his early years in exile in Vietnam before reclaiming the throne by ousting King Nan Tharat with the help of Vietnamese forces. He declared himself king in 1700 and moved the sacred Prabang Buddha to Vientiane in 1705. Setthathirath II extended his reign by sending his brother to capture Loung Prabang, leading to the division of Lan Xang into separate kingdoms, including Luang Phrabang and Champasak.