Volume 2 - Issue 1, January - February 2026

This article analyzes the pivotal role of the Hue Court in shaping and adjusting relations with Siam during the reign of Emperor Minh Mang (1820 - 1840). In the early stage, the Hue Court maintained a policy of amicable diplomacy, evidenced by its refusal of anti-Siamese alliances and the provision of relief to distressed Siamese fishermen. However, confronted with the Chakri Dynasty's "eastward expansion" in the buffer zones of Laos and Cambodia, Emperor Minh Mang shifted from neutral diplomacy to a more pragmatic and assertive policy. The Court's resolute protection of influence in Cambodia aimed not only to affirm its regional superpower status but also to transform this territory into a strategic "security shield" for Southern Vietnam (Nam Ky). The research findings clarify the Hue Court’s diplomatic artistry of "knowing oneself and others," combining flexibility with firmness to safeguard national sovereignty amidst the complex geopolitical landscape of 19th-century Southeast Asia.

Dr.Nguyen Van Luan,"The Role of the Hue Court in Shaping Relations with Siam During the Minh Mang Reign" International Journal of Advanced Multidisciplinary Research and Educational Development, V2(1): Page(822-827) Jan-Feb 2026. ISSN: 3107-6513. www.ijamred.com. Published by Scientific and Academic Research Publishing.