Cochinchina Campaign: French forces occupy Da Nang (1858)

The Cochinchina Campaign began in September 1858 when a joint French and Spanish naval expedition, authorized by Napoleon III, landed at Da Nang (Tourane) and captured the town. This operation, led by Admiral Charles Rigault de Genouilly, marked the start of military operations against the Nguyễn state, following earlier diplomatic failures and missionary executions.

Episodes

Background and detail

Background. Persecution of Catholic missionaries in Vietnam during the 1840s evoked sporadic French responses, but decisive military steps were not taken until 1858. In 1857, Emperor Tự Đức approved the execution of two Spanish missionaries, prompting Napoleon III to authorize a punitive expedition in November 1857, citing the Mission Civilisatrice as rationale.

Expedition. Admiral Charles Rigault de Genouilly, previously involved in the Second Opium War, was authorized to lead the punitive expedition against Vietnam. In September 1858, a joint French and Spanish naval force landed at Tourane (Da Nang) and captured the town, inaugurating the French conquest of Vietnam.

Occupation. The French garrison at Tourane failed to achieve immediate strategic success. By October 1858, Rigault de Genouilly considered operations in Tonkin or Cochinchina. The occupation was contested by Vietnamese forces under Nguyễn Tri Phương, leading to a siege that eventually forced a retreat in March 1860.

People involved

Sources

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