menu_open

Patriotic spirit from the defense of Thuan An estuary in the late 19th century

7/21/2025 2:54:49 PM
View font:
French ships at Thuan An estuary on August 18, 1883, from “The Northern War” by L. Huard, Paris 1887
When France concentrated troops at the Thuan An estuary (in August 1883), it was also a time when the Nguyen Dynasty was on the decline. More than 140 years after the fall of Thuan An, there are still relics, figures, and events that remind future generations of the patriotism and fighting spirit of the ancestors.
French ships at Thuan An estuary on August 18, 1883, from “The Northern War” by L. Huard, Paris 1887

From the moment they first opened fire to invade Vietnam in the mid-19th century, French colonialists consistently faced fierce resistance from both the entire People and the Nguyen Dynasty's army. With their ambition of conquest, the French colonialists gradually occupied many parts of our territory, and eventually decided to launch a crucial attack on the nation's “nerve center”, Hue Imperial Capital, between 1883 and 1885.

In the French colonialists' plan to attack Hue Imperial Capital in 1883, Thuan An Fortress was identified as a priority military target to be captured to open the way into the inner city. Just as France was urgently preparing its forces for this campaign, Emperor Tu Duc passed away on July 19, 1883. This left a significant power vacuum in the royal court, exposing internal divisions and fierce disputes.

According to historical records, on August 18, 1883, France dispatched many warships and hundreds of soldiers to anchor off the Thuan An estuary; they then sent an ultimatum demanding that Hue court disarm all its forts. At that time, the newly enthroned Emperor Hiep Hoa sent envoys to negotiate a truce, but it was unsuccessful. Not long after, France opened fire, and our troops resisted fiercely, though many shots missed their targets. Tran Hai Fort fell, and most of its defenders were killed.

At the recent scientific conference titled “Historical figures in the defense of national sovereignty at Thuan An Estuary and Hue Imperial capital (1883 - 1885)”, organized by Hue City’s Historical Science Association at the end of last month, many experts and historical researchers praised the courageous and sacrificial spirit of the soldiers and officials during this period in defending the nation.

According to Le Minh Khiem, a researcher (Hue City), in the battle of Thuan An, the Nguyen Dynasty's army and people fiercely fought to protect every inch of land at the gateway to Hue Imperial Citadel. However, with superior and modern equipment, the French colonialists eventually gained the upper hand.

“The fall of Thuan An, with Tran Hai and Hoa Duan forts falling into enemy hands, marked the beginning of a dark and sorrowful period in the nation's history, leading to a series of subsequent events such as the fall of the Imperial Capital, and the Can Vuong movement. The soldiers and people who sacrificed to protect Thuan An will always be remembered by later generations. The heroic actions of generals such as Le Si, Lam Hoanh, and Tran Thuc Nhan, etc., were continued by Ton That Thuyet, Tran Xuan Soan, and Ho Van Hien in the battle of Hue Imperial Capital in 1885 to protect the country's independence and self-reliance,” remarked Mr. Khiem.

Speaking about this event, Mr. Khiem said that the folk ballad “The Fall of Thuan An” was later circulated anonymously, but was surely written by a contemporary witness, providing very realistic and vivid images of a tragic and heroic disaster in the history. Recently, collectors have transcribed it to preserve it, the six-eight word verse poetry form varies slightly in individual words or phrases.

Meanwhile, according to Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Tat Thang (Faculty of History, University of Education, Hue University), the soldiers who fell in the battle of Thuan An died in the final moments of national independence, as heroes resisting the French. Although they could not withstand the enemy's attack, they became paragons because they sacrificed themselves for a great and righteous cause.

It was the courage of the Vietnamese people that made the French army admire. Mr. Thang cited this from the memoirs of a French warship commanding officer named Destelan, who praised the extraordinary fighting spirit and noble sacrifice of our army as follows: “The gunners died on their cannons; they were brave men. They lay down, and the sand buried them in the earth behind the cannons, making them magnificent…”

“It was their courage for justice and for the country that led Hue court, under the reign of Emperor Kien Phuc, to immediately recognize their contributions after their sacrifice. In January 1884, it granted pensions and posthumous honors to the families of those who died in the battle of Thuan An,” said Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Tat Thang.

Story and photo: NHAT MINH
EMC Đã kết nối EMC