Emperor Ham Nghi’s descendants reconnect with Vietnam’s history in Quang Tri

Emperor Ham Nghi (1871–1944) was the eighth emperor of the Nguyen Dynasty, remembered for his pivotal role in Vietnam’s resistance against French colonization.

Crowned at the age of 13, he soon became a symbol of national defiance, issuing the Can Vuong (Aid the King) edict, calling upon the people to resist foreign rule. After being captured and exiled to Algiers in 1888, he reinvented himself as a painter and sculptor, channelling his longing for Vietnam into art. His legacy endures not only in history books but also through his descendants, who have worked to preserve his memory.

In early November 2024, the emperor’s descendants from various countries gathered at the Tan So Citadel Historical Site in Cam Chinh Commune, Cam Lo District, Quang Tri Province. The event was marked by the donation of precious artifacts, further enriching the collection at the Shrine of Emperor Ham Nghi and Can Vuong generals. This gathering also provided a deeper understanding of the young emperor’s legacy, shedding light on his lesser-known life as an artist in exile.

A highlight of the event was the introduction of the book Ham Nghi: Exiled Emperor, Artist in Algiers, along with the inauguration of an exhibition displaying artifacts and documents related to the emperor and the Can Vuong movement. Authored by Dr. Amandine Dabat, a fifth-generation descendant, the book takes readers on an intimate journey through Ham Nghi’s life, emphasising his dual identity as both a patriot and an artist.

Spanning over 500 pages, the book includes 71 pages of paintings, 12 pages of sculptures, and 68 pages of historical photographs and letters. It details how Ham Nghi, despite being under colonial surveillance, carved out a new identity as an artist while still yearning for his homeland. His paintings, which rarely depicted people, often featured melancholic landscapes dominated by solitary trees—visual metaphors for his exile and longing for Vietnam. “Through his paintings, the emperor expressed his sorrow and homesickness. It was his way of enduring hardship,” Dr. Dabat explained.

One of the most poignant aspects of the event was the donation of historical artifacts by descendants, including Dang Van Giap, a fourth-generation descendant residing in Canada. He presented two pairs of ivory chopsticks once owned by Empress Dowager Tu Du, who gifted them to his great-grandmother, Phan Thi Hoa, when Emperor Ham Nghi fled Hue to rally the resistance at Tan So.

“These chopsticks were used daily by the emperor during his time in Tan So, where he issued the Can Vuong edict,” Giap recounted. “They were believed to change color upon contact with poison, a safeguard against assassination.” The chopsticks, intricately carved with silver embellishments, serve as a tangible link to the emperor’s struggles and the loyalty of those who followed him.

Dr. Dabat also contributed several of Ham Nghi’s personal belongings, including a tea set, a toothpick holder, and a smoking pipe. She emphasized that their presence at Tan So Citadel reinforces the site’s historical authenticity and cultural significance.

“We all recognize the profound connection between Tan So and Emperor Ham Nghi. This is why I wanted to present my book and these artifacts here. Among them, the smoking pipe holds particular significance, as it was with him during his escape through this very site. By donating it, I hope to highlight the citadel’s pivotal role in the Can Vuong movement and the emperor’s attachment to it,” Dr. Dabat shared.

The event also reinforced the relationship between Cam Lo District and the emperor’s descendants, both within Vietnam and abroad. Local authorities aspire to secure funding to build an exhibition hall and, eventually, a Can Vuong Museum at Tan So Citadel. Their long-term vision includes restoring the fortress and its historic structures, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the story of Vietnam’s resistance against colonial rule and the enduring legacy of a young emperor who never gave up on his homeland.

Chairman of the Cam Lo People’s Committee, Tran Anh Tuan, highlighted the broader implications of preserving this history: “We hope that visitors to Tan So Citadel will not only learn about our nation’s heroic past but also appreciate the courage of Emperor Ham Nghi, whose call to arms inspired a national resistance.”

By showcasing Emperor Ham Nghi’s artistic achievements and patriotism, this event ensures that his story continues to inspire future generations both as a revolutionary and as an artist whose brushstrokes captured the soul of an exiled king.

Hoang Nam