GOVERNANCE IN NORTHWESTERN VIETNAM UNDER THE NGUYỄN DYNASTY (1802–1884): SEEN THROUGH THE THỔ QUAN (NATIVE OFFICIALS) – LƯU QUAN (IMPERIALLY APPOINTED OFFICIALS) POLICY

DOI: 10.18173/2354-1067.2026-0006

Abstract

Between 1802 and 1884, the Northwestroughly corresponding to Hưng Hóa province-posed a persistent challenge to the Nguyễn dynasty because of its rugged terrain, multiethnic population, and borderland location. From an initial acceptance of hereditary thổ quan (native officials) under Gia Long and during the first half of Minh Mạng’s reign, the court in 1829 abolished hereditary succession and gradually replaced hereditary offices with lưu quan (imperially appointed officials). The Nguyễn court progressively implemented a more centralized administrative model: strengthening governance at the levels of phủ (prefecture), huyện (district), and châu (subprefecture), as well as tổng (canton) and xã (commune/village); compiling household and land registers, opening schools, and tightening public order and border defense. While firmly pursuing centralization, the Nguyễn court also made pragmatic exceptions in remote, malarial uplands. The case of Hưng Hóa reveals a hybrid mode of governance - one that reflects both the drive to consolidate power and the limits of a monarchical state amid the political turbulence of the nineteenth century.