RESEARCH ON SOME CULTURAL POLICIES OF THE MINH MANG DYNASTY (1820 - 1841) IN THE SOUTHERN VIETNAM

Abstract

During the Minh Mang era (1820 - 1841), the Southern region evolved into a prosperous and multifaceted area characterized by a rich tapestry of ethnicities, social strata, and economic elements, thereby establishing a cultural and social identity distinct from numerous other regions within the nation. In alignment with the overarching objective of a cohesive advancement of the cultural and social fabric of the entire country, the Minh Mang dynasty promulgated and enacted various cultural policies pertinent to this region. Through an examination of the translated and published Han Nom historical documents from the Nguyen dynasty, this article elucidates the cultural policies implemented by the Minh Mang dynasty in the Southern region. The research reveals that the Minh Mang dynasty not only reinforced the proliferation of Confucian education but also disseminated Confucian ideals, constructed symbols of authority and the official culture of the dynasty, and standardized several local cultural institutions alongside the governance of social life by the Nguyen dynasty in the Southern region during the initial half of the 19th century.