Emperor Tự Đức’s ‘Bad Weather’: Interpreting Natural Disasters in Vietnam, 1847–1883

Abstract

A string of bad weather including storms, floods, typhoons and droughts wreaked havoc on Vietnam’s state infrastructure and human life during Tự Đức’s 36-year reign. Historical accounts have recycled the view that the emperor was universally blamed for disasters and that he was unresponsive to the suffering of his people. Contrary to this picture, this chapter suggests that Tự Đức was not detached and inactive in the face of crisis, but rather that he was deeply concerned about disasters and the impact of natural calamities. It suggests that the causes for disaster were not only ascribed to the emperor’s wrongdoing, but were also linked to a complex web of spiritual and social factors. This deepens our understanding of the mechanisms of governance during Tự Đức’s reign and provides greater insight into Tự Đức’s relationships with his officials and his subjects.