This 1787 alliance initiated French involvement in Vietnamese affairs and laid the groundwork for France's eventual colonial presence in Indochina.
Key Facts
- Signing date
- November 21, 1787
- French signatory
- Armand Marc, comte de Montmorin
- Vietnamese representative
- Pierre Pigneau de Béhaine
- Troops promised by France
- 1,650 troops on four frigates
- Concessions promised by Nguyễn Ánh
- Pulo-Condore and Tourane (Da Nang) concession
- Treaty implementation
- Blocked by Governor of Pondicherry, Count de Conway
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The Tây Sơn rebellion had devastated the Nguyễn family when Nguyễn Phúc Ánh was a teenager. Seeking to reclaim his throne, Ánh turned to the French Catholic bishop Pigneau de Béhaine, who traveled to France in 1787 as Ánh's envoy, bringing Ánh's seven-year-old son as proof of his authority to negotiate on the lord's behalf.
On November 21, 1787, Pigneau de Béhaine and French Foreign Minister Armand Marc, comte de Montmorin, signed the Treaty of Versailles at Versailles. France pledged 1,650 soldiers on four frigates to help Nguyễn Ánh regain his throne; in return, Ánh agreed to cede Pulo-Condore, grant France a concession at Tourane, and extend exclusive trading rights to French merchants.
Although the Governor of Pondicherry refused to implement the treaty, Pigneau de Béhaine raised a private French force that, between 1789 and 1799, helped Nguyễn Ánh unify Vietnam and become Emperor Gia Long. French officers trained Vietnamese troops, built Vauban-style fortifications, and several remained in senior government positions, establishing lasting French influence that prefigured colonial expansion in Indochina.
Political Outcome
Treaty signed but not implemented by French colonial authorities; French volunteers nonetheless aided Nguyễn Ánh in unifying Vietnam under Emperor Gia Long by 1799.
Nguyễn Ánh in exile, throne held by Tây Sơn rulers
French influence established in Indochina; Nguyễn Ánh ultimately unified Vietnam as Emperor Gia Long