Emperor Ham Nghi’s real name is Nguyen Phuc Ung Lich, his nickname is Minh. He is the 5th son of a royal coulpe Sir Nguyen Phuc Hong Cai and Madam Phan Thi Nhan. He was born on June 17 of the lunar year of Tan Mui (on August 3rd 1871 solar calendar).

After Emperor Kien Phuc’s death, Ung Lich was crowned king on August 2nd 1884 with the title Ham Nghi at the age of 14.

Because of the mutiny in the year of At Dau (on July 5th 1885), Emperor Ham Nghi and his mandarins left the Citadel for Tan So, delivered Can Vuong proclamation and launched a resistance war against the French colonialists over the country. The French Army asked the emperor to return to the Citadel for many times but they was refused. On October 30th 1888, the Emperor’s servant Truong Quang Ngoc corrupted by French Colonialists presented Emperor Ham Nghi to the French. From that Emperor Ham Nghi was banished from Vietnam to Algerie on January 13th 1889 until his death on January 4th 1943.

Emperor Ham Nghi had 3 children (1 son and 2 girls).