Exhibition highlights diplomatic activities under Nguyễn Dynasty

A Nguyễn Dynasty document to be displayed at the exhibition. — Photo courtesy of National Archives Centre

HÀ NỘI — A three-dimensional exhibition featuring documents selected from the collection of the Nguyễn Dynasty’s Imperial Archives -World Document Heritage will commence on August 22 at https://archives.org.vn, according to Hà Nội’s Department of Culture and Sports.

Entitled Bang Giao Triều Nguyễn: Giữa Làn Gió Đông – Tây (Nguyễn Dynasty’s diplomacy between the East and the West), the event is jointly organised by the National Archives Centre under the State Records and Archives Department.

The exhibition introduces to the public for the first time hundreds of unique documents on the country’s diplomatic activities in the first over 50 years of independence under the Nguyễn Dynasty between 1802 and 1858.

It consists of two parts with the first part shows that Kings of the Nguyễn Dynasty from Gia Long to Tự Đức in their relations with Western countries, the UK, France, and the US consistently implemented a closed-door policy. However, the dynasty did not completely “cut off” relations with the West. The Nguyễn kings dispatched delegations to buy essential goods, guns and ammunition, learn about science and technology of other countries. Besides, Western ships also received support and reception from the Nguyễn Dynasty many times.

Meanwhile, the second part reflects that the Nguyễn Dynasty priotised developing relations with Eastern countries such as Lanxang (now Laos) and Siam (now Thailand), especially with neighbouring China.

The exhibition is expected to provide visitors with useful information, new perspectives and gain further insights into the country’s diplomatic activities under the Nguyễn Dynasty.

The Nguyễn Dynasty, which started in 1802 and ended in 1945, was the last period of feudal rule in Vietnamese history, including two periods: the independent period (1802-1883) and the French colonial period (1883-1945). During the independent period, the Nguyễn Dynasty developed many policies to strengthen and develop the country. — VNA/VNS