Nguyen Dang Tam was born on February 1st 1867 at Tan-phu-Dong village, commune of An-Trung, Sadec region pertaining to the city of Vinh-Long. His residence was registered later at My-duc village, Thach-Bang commune, district of Phong-Phu, Quang-Ninh region from the city of Quang-Binh, the birthplace of his father Nguyen Van Giai.
Already well known at an early age as an outstanding learner of Chinese literature whose momentum and influence were fading due to French domination, he turned to the new language and studied at the College de My-tho where he also did really well and earned a reputation of being highly intelligent.
Upon graduating at the College de My-tho, he was assigned to teach at the main school there. He after worked for the Service of Trade, then for the Colonial Political Office, central Vietnam obtaining the title of Commis principal (First secretary).
Erudite and with a profound knowledge of Confucianism, he later became a member of the Annam Court in central Vietnam where he was elevated to the position of Minister of Rites, Education and Culture at the Imperial Court. The long and distinguished career he held during this transitional period in Vietnamese history is shown below:
CURRICULUM VITAE
January 1884: French elementary diploma
(Brevet Elémentaire Titre Français)
March 13, 1885: Teacher 3rd class at My-tho college
October 1, 1885: resigned from teaching profession
June 8, 1887: probate Secretary at the Trade Office
December 1, 1887: Assistant Secretary 2nd class
April 1, 1888: Full Secretary 2nd class
March 16, 1889: left position at the Trade Office
April 27, 1889: Assistant Translator 2nd class
Residence générale branch, Central Vietnam
January 1, 1890: Assistant Translator 1st class
November 1, 1890: Full Translator 6th class
July 1, 1892: Full Translator 5th class
July 4, 1893: demoted as full Translator 6th class
November 1, 1894: regained as full Translator 5th class
April 7, 1895: transferred to Annam Court
Archives Academy (assistant Clerk)
January 1, 1897: Full Translator 4th class
June 14, 1897: Full Clerk, Archives Institute
January 1, 1899: Full Translator 3rd class
Januay 1, 1901: Full Translator 2nd class
January 1, 1903: Full Translator 1st class
January 1, 1906: Principal Interpreter 2nd class
February 17, 1908: passed examination for Secretary
political branch (Commis)
March 1, 1908: Political Secretary 3rd class
July 14, 1911: Political Secretary 2nd class
December 10, 1911: honorific promotion as Thai-Thuong Tu-Khanh (3rd level)
July 14, 1915: Political Secretary 1st class
July 8, 1919: elevated as Senior Secretary, effective since july 14, 1915, date of promotion as political Secretary 1st class.
July 1, 1920: Senior political Secretary, 2nd class.
August 1, 1920: honorific promotion as Tuan-Vu (2nd level)
March 5, 1923: transferred from Tuan-Vu to be Gen. Inspector, 2nd level with added position as Gen. Secretary of Privy Council
January 12, 1924: honorific elevation as Minister (2nd level, with added position as General Secretary of Privy Council)
March 13, 1926: Imperial Grand Officer (first class), Minister of Rites, Education and Culture also in charge as General Secretary of Court Privy Council (Secrétaire Général du Co-mat)
AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
January 19, 1906: Kim-Khanh medal, second class
March 7, 1906 : Médaile d'Honneur en argent de 2è classe (Ngân-bôi tinh nhi hang)
December 1, 1907: Médaille de l'Alliance Française
April 10, 1911: Médaille d'Honneur en argent de 1ère classe (Ngân-bôi tinh nhut hang)
October 28, 1916: Médaille d'Honneur en or de 2è classe (Kim-bôi tinh nhi hang)
March 31, 1920: bestowed with Chevalier de l'Ordre Royal du Cambodge (Ngu-Dang Boi-tinh Cao-Mien Quoc)
January 2, 1922: Médaille d'Officier d'Académie (Huan chuong Han lâm vien Dai Phap)
May 25, 1922: Médaille des Millions d'Éléphants et du Parasol blanc (Van Tuong boi-tinh Ai-Lao Quoc)
February 6, 1923: bestowed with Officier du Dragon d'Annam (Dai-Nam Tu-dang Long boi-tinh)
March 11, 1924: awarded Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur (Ngu-dang Bac-dau buu-tinh)
December 2, 1925: received decree for Chevalier de l'Étoile Noire de Bénin (Duc-Giam Quoc thuong Buu-tinh)
February 22, 1926: received Emperor decree for Kim-Khanh medal first class.
This short biography of Grand Officer and Minister Nguyen Dang Tam underscored the impressive and rewarding career he had. His achievements during the two imperial reigns could be explained by two qualities : moral rectitude and unfettered honesty, the personal earmarks that made him so respected.
As a Southerner and having the privilege to serve and attain one of the highest position in the Imperial Court, he instilled much pride and hope to his southern folks in Vinh-Long Sadec during that period. He became Hiep Ta Dai Hoc Si, the highest title bestowed to Court officials, and senior Minister of His Majesty Khai Dinh.
In the interregnum leading to Bao Dai, the last emperor of the Nguyen dynasty, he was an instrumental but less known figure during that sensitive period in Vietnamese history. One should further explore his role because it's still elusive to most of us.
Source of this article: Sadec Nhon-vat-Chi document titled
'' Lich-Su Le-Bo Thuong-Thu Nam-Trieu Nguyen Dang Tam''
Photo: Enthroning ceremony of Bao Dai, January 8, 1926
(Nguyen Dang Tam is third from right)
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