Khai Dinh Emperor is the 12th ruler of the Nguyen dynasty. Born Nguyen Phuc Buu Dao, he ruled during a controversial time. From his early life and close ties with the French to his beautiful yet expensive tomb, Khai Dinh’s story is both fascinating and debated. Walking through Hue, I often feel his presence in the palaces and monuments he left behind.
Khai Dinh Emperor Biography and Ascent to the Throne (1885–1916)
Khai Dinh was born on October 8, 1885, as Nguyen Phuc Buu Dao, the son of Emperor Dong Khanh. His rise to the throne was unusual because his father was known for cooperating closely with the French. This connection shaped Bửu Đảo’s future.
Before him, the emperors Thanh Thai and Duy Tan resisted the French and were exiled. The French wanted a king they could control, so they chose Bửu Đảo, the son of their loyal supporter.
At first, some in the royal family worried because he was older and had no children, which could make succession difficult. But after he had a son, these concerns disappeared. He became emperor on May 18, 1916, and took the name Khai Dinh, which means “auger of peace and stability.” Looking back, the name feels ironic, since his reign, which lasted until 1925, was marked by French control and public criticism.
Puppet Ruler: Collaboration with the French
People often describe Khai Dinh as a puppet ruler. History shows that he was put on the throne mainly to serve the French, and he followed their instructions closely. He worked with the French and carried out their policies, giving them an appearance of legitimacy. In other words, Khai Dinh was a puppet for the colonial government.
He was not completely happy with his role, but he chose to cooperate closely with the French. He had little real power and did not make major political decisions. All important matters were handled by the French Résident Supérieur. A common phrase about him was “mu ni che tai,” meaning he simply obeyed without question. He can be seen as someone acting in a play directed entirely by the French.
Even before becoming emperor, he had a reputation as a playboy. Historical records say that as Phung Hoa Cong, he was undisciplined and loved gambling. One story tells that he lost so much money that he had to sell three of his personal guards to pay his debts.
Khai Dinh was often accused of selling out his country, and this applied not only to politics but also to his personal life. He was the 12th Emperor of the Nguyen dynasty, but his leadership is remembered as weak and controversial.
Condemnation and Unpopularity
Because Khai Dinh always followed the French, he was very unpopular with the Vietnamese people. His unpopularity was not quiet, it was expressed openly by nationalist leaders who spoke for the people.
One of the most famous critics was Phan Chau Trinh. In 1922, while Khai Dinh visited France for the Marseilles Colonial Exhibition, Phan Chau Trinh sent a strong letter called the “Seven Accusations”. He accused the emperor of living in luxury while ordinary Vietnamese were suffering under French rule and even demanded that Khai Dinh step down.
Another important figure, Nguyen Ai Quoc (later Ho Chi Minh), also criticized him. Nguyen Ai Quoc wrote a play called “The Bamboo Dragon” that showed Khai Dinh as all ceremony and no real power, a perfect example of a puppet ruler. He also wrote the short story “Vi Hanh” (A Secret Trip). People joked that Khai Dinh was more of a figure in a play than a true emperor.
The public even wrote satirical verses mocking him, such as: “A rumor says Khai Dinh flatters the West / He is the founder of this flattering profession.” These poems show just how much the people disliked his cooperation with the French.
Lavish Spending and Tax Burdens
Khai Dinh loved luxury, which angered the people:
- In 1924, Khai Dinh celebrated his 40th birthday with a huge and expensive ceremony. He built several display halls. There was a large three-room hall, a smaller two-room hall near the Ngo Mon Gate, and six extra pavilions. These were meant to show off the gifts he received from royalty and officials. While it was meant to display wealth, many people saw it as wasteful during a time when ordinary people were struggling.
- Khai Dinh became even more unpopular in 1923 when he allowed the French to raise taxes by 30% on Vietnamese peasants. Most of this money was used to pay for his tomb, Ung Lang. Forcing poor farmers to fund his luxury created a lot of suffering and made him known as a self-serving ruler.
- Despite the controversy, his tomb, Ung Lang, is impressive and beautiful. It mixes European Gothic styles with traditional Vietnamese design, making it unique among Nguyen dynasty tombs. The mosaics and size of the construction show his love for luxury and unusual designs. Khai Dinh is buried at Ung Lang, which remains a major historical site. You can learn more in this detailed Hue city guide.
He also ordered arrests of nationalist leaders, showing how he used his limited power to support the French and suppress resistance.
Personal Life and Succession: Khai Dinh’s Family and Final Years
Khai Dinh’s personal life was as complicated as his rule. He is the only Nguyen emperor officially recorded to have had homosexual desires. Records show he rarely slept with his wives and was very close to his male guard, Nguyen Dac Vong, with whom he reportedly always slept. His concubine Ba Phi described him as weak and “not interested in sex.”
He had 12 wives, but only one son. The mother of his heir was his concubine Hoang Thi Cuc, who later became Empress Dowager Tu Cung.
Khải Định suffered poor health and drug addiction. He died of tuberculosis in Hue on November 6, 1925, at 40. His son Bao Dai succeeded him, becoming the last emperor of the Nguyễn dynasty.
Huracars’ Local Take: Khai Dinh’s reign hurt Vietnam politically and financially, but his tomb, Ung Lang, now draws tourists and preserves Hue’s unique history.