The Vietnamese Imperial Family Council Yesterday and Today Throughout the history of the Nguyen Imperial Dynasty, a Family Council has existed to look after the affairs of the dynasty. The Imperial Family Council has been used to advise the Emperor, deal with internal family matters, investigate problem and in necessary times, to designate an heir to the Golden Throne if an emperor is in any way lost with no official successor. Over the years, the Imperial Family Council has been called upon to perform important tasks in a number of difficult situations. Some have even given their lives in the performance of their duties to the dynasty. One example was the President of the Imperial Family Council, Prince Gia Hung. During his time of service, Viet Nam was in a desperate position, torn between the powerful regents and the aggressive French. On August 1, 1884 the young Emperor Kien Phuc died, most likely as a result of poisoning by the regent Nguyen Van Tuong who the Emperor had found to be guilty of corrupt activities. In 1885, Prince Gia Hung of the Imperial Family Council organized a secret in-depth investigation into the cause of death of His Majesty Kien Phuc. A short time later, Prince Gia Hung vanished without a trace, probably murdered by the regent Ton That Thuyet. Over the years, the Council had to perform many difficult tasks as the Nguyen Dynasty struggled to deal with the growing power of the French in Viet Nam. It was especially important during the reigns of their majesties Thanh Thai and Duy Tan. After the forced exile of Emperor Duy Tan, it was the Imperial Family Council which was obliged to choose his successor, which was the Duke of Phung Hoa, later Emperor Khai Dinh. The Council also helped in making many difficult decisions during the reign and eventual abdication of Emperor Bao Dai. After the loss of the monarchy, there was a period of confusion for the Nguyen Dynasty. There was a great variety of opinions concerning how the Imperial Family should respond to the many threats facing the people and nation of Viet Nam. The victory of Communist forces in taking control of Viet Nam, caused the Council to be disrupted and lost over time completely. However, Emperor Bao Dai and other leading members of the Nguyen Dynasty were still very much determined to do all they could in the service of their people and to maintain some form of organization for the Vietnamese Imperial Family. As a result of this, in 1993, Emperor Bao Dai authorized the establishment of the Vietnamese Imperial Family Overseas Central Council in Los Angeles, California under the leadership of Prince Nguyen-Phuc Buu Phuc, Prince Nguyen-Phuc Buu Chanh and I.N. Ton That Ngoc to handle all important matters for the Nguyen Imperial Dynasty. Since the death of the Emperor Bao Dai, the Imperial Family Council has been called upon to take the lead in organizing the activities and programs of the Nguyen Dynasty and the loyalist Vietnamese community. Crown Prince Bao Long has been informed of these events, but has stated that he prefers to remain outside of any political activities, a decision which is respected by the rest of the Imperial Family. Today, the Imperial Family Council has been busy with many activities to inform, organize and direct the international community of loyal Vietnamese nationalists. Efforts have included the establishment of a network of international support of leading officials for the goals of the Nguyen Dynasty, the restoration of the Order of the Dragon of Annam and the formation of cooperation among anti-communist groups and charitable foundations to aid the people of Viet Nam who must endure political, religious and ethnic oppression. |
