Discover the unique foreign policy of the Nguyen Dynasty through 3D exhibition

This is an event organized by National Archives Center I, State Records and Archives Department to celebrate the Traditional Day of Vietnam's Diplomacy (August 28).

The exhibition will introduce to the public hundreds of unique documents, many of which are published for the first time, about our country's diplomatic activities during the first 50 years of independence and autonomy under the Nguyen Dynasty (1802-1858), before the French colonialists invaded and turned our country into a colony.

3D exhibition space

The documents introduced at the exhibition Nguyen Dynasty Diplomacy: Between the East-West Winds are mainly selected from the Nguyen Dynasty Royal Records - World Documentary Heritage. For example, these are artifacts and documents such as the Royal Records of the 16th year of Gia Long (1817) stating that the ship brought gifts from King Ba Lang Sa (France) to the King of Vietnam to show friendship. In 1825, the French Navy Colonel Count came to Da Nang to request to establish a consulate and establish trade, but King Minh Mang refused. The map of the journey to China as an envoy during the Minh Mang period (1825)...

With a unique 3D space, the exhibition will introduce viewers to a historical space through two parts: Closing the West Gate and Opening the East Gate.

In 1825, the French Navy Colonel Count came to Da Nang to request to establish a consulate and establish trade, but King Minh Mang refused (Source: "Vietnam in the past through French engravings")

Part 1 is on the theme of Closing the Door to the West. Through the Royal Records, it is shown that the Nguyen Dynasty kings from Gia Long to Tu Duc consistently implemented the policy of "self-defense" and "closed-off" in their relations with other countries. However, the Nguyen Dynasty did not completely cut off relations with anything related to the West (mainly England, France, and the United States).

The Nguyen Dynasty kings sent delegations to study the situation in the West, buy necessities, guns and ammunition from the West, and learn about science and technology. In addition, Western ships also received help and reception from the Nguyen Dynasty many times. Some Confucian scholars also submitted petitions to propose friendly relations with the West.

Franco-Spanish Mission (Source: “Vietnam in the past through French engravings”)

Part 2 is about Opening the East. While implementing the "no Western" policy, the Nguyen Dynasty kings prioritized developing relations with Eastern countries such as Cambodia, Laos, Siam (Thailand)... especially with neighboring China.

The exhibition is expected to bring viewers interesting experiences, discoveries, useful information, new perspectives and deeper understanding of our country's diplomatic activities under the Nguyen Dynasty. Learning about the diplomatic activities of our ancestors is also a way for us to "separate the bad from the good", drawing out values ​​for contemporary life./.

Source: https://toquoc.vn/kham-pha-chinh-sach-ngoai-giao-doc-dao-cua-trieu-nguyen-qua-trien-lam-3d-20240820111545538.htm