Another view of the "Closed-door policy" of the Nguyen Dynasty (Vietnam) with Western countries (1802 - 1858)

• Published in: Cogent arts & humanities 2021-01, Vol.8 (1)
• Main Authors: Xuan Hiep, Tran, Hung, Tran Dinh, Tuan Binh, Nguyen, Chuong, Nguyen Anh, Thai Bao, Tran
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: "Closed-door"; Anti-access; Colonialism; Foreign policy; History; Humanities; International relations; limited access; Nguyen Dynasty; Research methodology; Social sciences
• ISSN: 2331-1983; 2331-1983
• DOI: 10.1080/23311983.2021.1973648

The Nguyen Dynasty was the last monarchy in Vietnamese history, established after Nguyen Anh ascended the throne in 1802 and ended when Bao Dai abdicated in 1945, a total of 143 years. Stemming from the sense of protecting the throne of the feudal regime associated with the protection of national security, the Nguyen kings implemented foreign policy in a complicated historical context, especially was in the face of the growing pressure of Western colonialism. As a result , The Nguyen Kings had a "difficult problem" with behavioral culture and foreign policies with Western countries, particularly France, leading to implementing an "unclear" and "inconsistent" foreign pocily. This article presents a different perspective on the Nguyen Dynasty's relations with Western countries during the period of independence and self-control (1802-1858). Accordingly, the author look at the Nguyen Dynasty's Diplomatic relations to the West in the view of the development, with the approach: From Limited access policy (under reigns of King Gia Long and King Minh Mang) to Anti-access policy (under reigns of King Thieu Tri and King Tu Duc). From there, it shows a different view of the contact process between Eastern and Western civilizations, specifically between Vietnam and other countries, such as France, Britain, and America in the Modern period.