Regarding the artillery of the Nguyen Dynasty, the large-caliber guns were cannons and cannons; the small-caliber guns were matchlocks. There were also other traditional weapons such as spears, lances, swords, bows and arrows, etc.
During the independence period (1802 – 1883), the Nguyen Dynasty army was quite developed in the early stages. Many units were equipped with modern weapons such as flamethrowers, explosives, cannons, and artillery (cannons, iron cannons). Under the Minh Mang Dynasty, each guard (from 500-600 soldiers) had up to 2 cannons and 200 stone cannons, with a ratio of 4 gunners for every 10 soldiers. However, during the Tu Duc Dynasty, the equipment had seriously declined; each team (50 soldiers) had only 5 cannons, with a ratio of 1 gunner for every 10 soldiers.
Regarding the navy, according to the records in Dai Nam Thuc Luc of the Institute of History:
- In the 21st year of Minh Mang (1840), it was recorded: “Buy from the West 3 steam-powered warships, named: The large one is named Yen Phi; the medium one is named Van Phi; the small one is called Vu Phi.”
- In the 18th year of Tu Duc (1865), it was recorded: “Buy more large steam-powered copper-clad ships, named Thuan Tiep; 2 floors, 1 chimney, 2 masts; 9 truong 3 thuoc 6 tac long; 1 truong 6 thuoc wide; 8 thuoc 3 tac deep. The weapons on the ship include: 6 cannons, 15 cannons, 5 cannons and 8 rooms that can carry 600,000 pounds; the ship’s hull is engraved with the words ‘manufactured in 1864’. The purchase price is 134,300 silver coins (including the ship’s price, crew, coal, firewood, materials, spare parts).”
Although the Minh Mang and Tu Duc dynasties were determined to invest in purchasing modern Western weapons, this was too late compared to the country being attacked and occupied by the French. In addition, the Nguyen Dynasty’s economy was in decline and exhaustion under Tu Duc, which was also the reason why the army at that time was weak, had outdated equipment compared to other countries, was poorly trained and did not receive proper attention from the court. The Nguyen Dynasty army during this period was defeated by the French army and the country fell under the domination of French colonialists.
Institute of History. Dai Nam Thuc Luc. Volume 15
Institute of History. Dai Nam Thuc Luc. Volume 33
