Nguyễn Huệ

1753 – 16 September 1792

Nguyễn Huệ, who reigned as Emperor Quang Trung, was the most brilliant military leader of Vietnam's Tây Sơn rebellion and the second emperor of the Tây Sơn dynasty. He never lost a major battle, defeating a Siamese invasion in 1785 and a massive Qing invasion at Ngọc Hồi-Đống Đa in 1789. His sudden death at about age 39 cut short ambitious reform plans and hastened the dynasty's fall.

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Life events

Born in Bình Định province
1753

Nguyễn Huệ was born in Tây Sơn district, Bình Định, in south-central Vietnam, the youngest of three brothers.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Joined his brothers in launching the Tây Sơn rebellion
1771

With his brothers Nguyễn Nhạc and Nguyễn Lữ, Nguyễn Huệ rose against the Nguyễn lords who ruled southern Vietnam.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Captured the Nguyễn lords' capital of Gia Định
1777

Tây Sơn forces under Nguyễn Huệ repeatedly took Gia Định (modern Ho Chi Minh City), destroying the power of the Nguyễn lords in the south.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Destroyed the Siamese invasion at Rạch Gầm-Xoài Mút
January 1785

Nguyễn Huệ ambushed and annihilated a Siamese fleet and army invading the Mekong Delta in support of Nguyễn Ánh.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Captured Phú Xuân and marched north to Thăng Long
1786

Nguyễn Huệ took the Trịnh-held city of Phú Xuân (Huế) and then seized the northern capital Thăng Long, toppling the Trịnh lords.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Married Princess Lê Ngọc Hân
1786

Nguyễn Huệ married Ngọc Hân, daughter of the Lê emperor Lê Hiển Tông, cementing his position in the north.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Proclaimed himself Emperor Quang Trung
22 December 1788

Facing a Qing invasion in support of the deposed Lê dynasty, Nguyễn Huệ declared himself emperor before marching north.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Defeated the Qing army at the Battle of Ngọc Hồi-Đống Đa
January 1789

In a lightning campaign during the Tết holiday, Quang Trung routed a large Qing expeditionary force and retook Thăng Long.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Died suddenly in Phú Xuân
16 September 1792

Emperor Quang Trung died unexpectedly at about age 39 while planning campaigns against Nguyễn Ánh, and was succeeded by his young son Cảnh Thịnh.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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