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Reunion Island and Viet Nam
We have several members from Reunion Island who shared photos of fowls that look just like gà nòi. This is unique because we have not seen gà nòi anywhere else except for the U.S. and the neighboring countries to VN where gà nòi have been imported in recent years. Regardless of whether gà nòi were brought to Reunion Island, there was a special connection between that Island and Vietnam.
Prince Nguyễn Phúc Vĩnh San (Duy Tân) became Emperor of Viet Nam on September 5th 1907 at the age of eight and was exiled to Reunion Island in 1916 by the French. (The relationship between France and the Nguyễn's dynasty started back in 1777 when the founder of the Nguyễn's dynasty, Emperor Gia Long started fighting against the house of Tây Sơn. The House of Tây Sơn includes Nguyễn Nhạc, Nguyễn Huệ, and Nguyễn Lữ. Nguyễn Nhạc is the elder brother who was known to be an expert at cockfighting.),
There were many preceding emperors before Duy Tân and by the time he became Emperor, the French was firmly in control. Vietnamese Emperors would served as puppets and whoever resist would eventually be replaced or exiled.
The following is an article about Emperor Duy Tân.
Một đời vì nước vì dân
Duy Tân đứa trẻ không cần ngôi vua
Tù đày khổ nhục khi thua
Tử rồi khí phách ông vua muôn đời.
Devoting his whole life to his country and people,
Duy Tan the kid did not hang on to his throne.
Facing exile and humility when defeated,
His uprightness lives forever in history unabated.
The young Prince Nguyen Phuc Vinh San was the son of Emperor Thanh Thai and his queen Nguyen Thi Dinh. When his father was found to be plotting against the colonial authorities to free Vietnam, he was deposed and his young son Prince Nguyen Vinh San was chosen to replace him. At the age of only eight he was enthroned as Emperor Duy Tan of Vietnam, the "Friend of Reforms". Although he would not be able to complete his reign on the Golden Throne of Vietnam, Emperor Duy Tan would inspire countless future patriots with his courage against the colonial regime and his great compassion towards the people of Vietnam.
Immediately after his coronation everyone noticed how the young boy quickly matured and proved to be intelligent beyond his years. He soon became aware that the Imperial Court at Hue was not allowed to rule Vietnam, but was instead being ignored or dominated by the French colonial officials claiming to be their "protectors". Emperor Duy Tan was extremely concerned for his people and with the encouragement of the brave revolutionary Tran Cao Van, became determined to set his country free. Although he appreciated French culture, and desired friendship with France, he soon became aware of the evils associated with the colonial government. When French troops, searching for gold and treasure, violated the sacred tomb of Duy Tan's ancestor, the Emperor Tu Duc, he sent an angry protest to the French officials. This event showed him the true face of colonial aggression.
In the ensuing years Emperor Duy Tan did a great deal to help his struggling people, demonstrating the compassion which caused men like Phan Boi Chau to give him such adoration. As Emperor he called for France and Vietnam to revise the Patenotre agreements of 1884. He eliminated unneeded waste at court, cut back government spending and reduced his own salary to 6,000 piastres. When the French imposed harsh taxes on his people he gave up half of his small allowance to the poor so his struggling people could buy rice. He stood up to the French administration and announced that since he was Emperor, it was his duty and his right to guide and protect Vietnam and stated France should have nothing to do with Vietnamese affairs. Soon however, it became clear that words would not be enough.
Reunion Island is located in the Indian Ocean on the East coast of Africa. It is east of Madagascar..
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Working with a small group of patriots, in 1916, the Emperor Duy Tan began planning a rebellion against the colonial government and a revolution to free Vietnam from French control. He was only sixteen-years-old when he left the Forbidden City by boat to call on the people to join him in revolt. Sadly, the group of revolutionaries was spotted by a French collaborator and before the Emperor's call could take action the authorities had arrested Emperor Duy Tan and his supporters. The other men agreed to confess so that their beloved king could live and were all executed by the French. Emperor Duy Tan was deposed and reduced in rank to Prince of Annam and on November 3, 1916 was exiled to La Reunion Island along with his mother and father, his wife Mai Thi Vang and sister Princess Luong Nhan.
Even in exile however Prince Vinh San continued to work for the freedom and liberation of his country. During World War II he joined the Free Forces to combat the Axis powers that threatened the world. He kept in contact with Vietnamese nationalists as well as the French government. In late 1945 he was on his way back to Vietnam to work for the independence of Vietnam as a constitutional monarchy when his plane crashed in a mysterious accident. Prince Nguyen Vinh San was buried in the Central African Republic until 1987 when France and Vietnam allowed his remains to be brought home and laid to rest in imperial tomb of his ancestors in Hue City.
Reunion Island
Location: Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar Area: Total: 2,517 sq km, water: 10 sq km, land: 2,507 sq km. Area - comparative: Slightly smaller than Rhode Island. Coastline: 207 km.
Full country name: Department of Réunion
Area: 2,510 sq km
Population: 720,934
Capital City: St-Denis (pop 145,000)
People: French, African, Malagasy, Chinese, Pakistani, Indian
Language: French,
Religion: Roman Catholic (70%), Hindu, Islam, Buddhist
Government: overseas départment of France
Head of State: President of France Jacques Chirac
Head of Government: Prime Minister of France Jean-Pierre Raffarin
GDP: US$3.4 billion
GDP per capita: US$4,800
Annual Growth: 3.8%
Major Industries: Sugar, rum, cigarettes, handicraft items, flower oil.
Major Trading Partners: France, Japan, Comoros, Bahrain, Italy.
Member of EU: Yes
Emperor Duy Tân had five sons and five daughters by the following names
1) Armand Viale. b. 1919 (s/o Marie-Anne Viale). He retained his mother's maiden name.
2) Guy Georges Vinh-San. b. at Saint-Denis, Reunion, 31st January 1933 (s/o Fernande). Recognised in the family name of Vinh-San, by the Tribunal of Saint-Denis, 22nd July 1946. m. Monique.
3) Yves Claude Vinh-San [H.H. Prince Nguyen-Phuoc Bao Vang]. b. at Saint-Denis, Reunion, 8th April 1934 (s/o Fernande), educ. Lycée Leconte Delisle, Reunion and Lycée Chasseloup Laubat, Saigon. Recognised in the family name of Vinh-San, by the Tribunal of Saint-Denis, 22nd July 1946. Poet, musician and author of "Duy Tan, Empereur d'Annam 1900-1945" (2001).
4) André Antier. b. 1934 (d/o Fernande). He d.v.p.
5) Joseph Roger Expédit Vinh-San. b. at Saint-Denis, Reunion, 18th April 1938 (s/o Fernande). Recognised in the family name of Vinh-San, by the Tribunal of Saint-Denis, 22nd July 1946.
1) Thérèse Antier. b. 1928 (d/o Fernande). She d.v.p.
2) Rita Suzy Georgette Vinh-San. b. at Saint-Denis, Reunion, 6th September 1929 (d/o Fernande). Recognised in the family name of Vinh-San, by the Tribunal of Saint-Denis, 22nd July 1946.
3) Solange Antier. b. 1930 (d/o Fernande). She d.v.p.
4) Ginette Antier. b. 1928 (d/o Fernande). She d.v.p.
5) Marie-Gisèle Andrée Vinh-San. b. 1st December 1945 (d/o Marie-Ernestine). Recognised in the family name of Vinh-San, by the Tribunal of Saint-Denis, 22nd July 1946.
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