The youthful photos of Queen Nam Phuong not only capture her timeless beauty, but also reflect the image of a modern, intelligent and kind-hearted queen mother.
Queen Nam Phuong's real name was Nguyen Huu Thi Lan, born in 1914 in Go Cong, now part of Go Cong town (Tien Giang). Her father, Nguyen Huu Hao, was one of the richest people in the South. Her mother, Le Thi Binh, was the daughter of Le Phat Dat, one of the four richest people in Vietnam at that time.The Queen was a French citizen and had the French name Jeanne Mariette Thérèse. She and her older sister lived in Saigon until the age of 12, when they went to France to study at the prestigious Couvent des Oiseaux girls' school in Paris.After 6 years of high school, in 1932 she passed her baccalaureate and returned home on the D'Artagnan ship of the Messagerie Maritime company.Queen Nam Phuong possesses a typical Asian beauty with jet-black hair, sharp eyes and a constant smile on her lips.She has a straight nose and white skin, the noble demeanor of a noble family.Not only outstanding for her dignified beauty and tall, slender figure, Nguyen Huu Thi Lan also possesses intelligence, is fluent in many foreign languages, has a skillful way of behaving and a noble demeanor.In August 1933 in Da Lat, Nguyen Huu Thi Lan met Emperor Bao Dai for the first time when she was only 18 years old. King Bao Dai chose her as his Queen not only because of her outstanding beauty, but also because she had intelligence, a good family background and a forgiving soul.Nguyen Huu Thi Lan in a traditional ao dai, believed to have been photographed at her official introduction to the Royal family before her wedding in 1934.She became Queen Nam Phuong on her wedding day. The day she was crowned Queen, the whole country's press reported it.Names like Trang An newspaper, Ha Thanh Ngo Bao, Phu Nu Tan Van, Dien Tin… called her “a typical woman” of the new era – possessing all the qualities of beauty, intelligence, virtue and diplomatic talent. The Queen wore royal attire on her wedding day.Nam Phuong wore a Japanese dress and a turban on the day of her coronation as Queen.Not only was she the life partner of King Bao Dai, Queen Nam Phuong was also a companion and a collaborator.While King Bao Dai took care of state affairs, she took on the role of harem girl, maintained rituals, educated children, and actively participated in charity work, donations, took care of orphanages, and encouraged learning.Queen Nam Phuong and King Bao Dai during their visit to France in 1939.Nguyen Phuc Bao Long – her eldest son – was the last crown prince of the Nguyen dynasty.In addition, Prince Bao Thang and Princesses Phuong Mai, Phuong Lien, and Phuong Dung were all cared for and educated by her in the spirit of East-West harmony.The Queen and her children in May 1939 in Le Monde colonial illustré.Emperor Bao Dai, Queen Nam Phuong and their children in May 1939.Photo of Queen Nam Phuong and her children published in the Indochine hebdomadaire illustré newspaper in 1942.Although her reign as Queen was only over 10 years (1934–1945), the mark that Queen Nam Phuong left behind was symbolic.According to records, she left behind for posterity the image of an exemplary national mother. From her beauty, education to her social role, she became a powerful symbol of inspiration for Vietnamese women on their journey to step out of the mold, reach for knowledge, and assert their own value.
