Formation of French Indochina (1887–1893)

French Indochina was established in 1887 as a federation of French colonies in Southeast Asia. The union initially comprised Annam, Tonkin, Cochinchina, and Cambodia, with Saigon serving as its capital until 1902. Laos was not part of the initial formation but was added following the Franco-Siamese crisis of 1893.

Episodes

Background and detail

Background. The Second French Empire colonized Cochinchina in 1862 and established a protectorate in Cambodia in 1863. Following the Tonkin campaign, which brought northern Vietnam under French control, the various protectorates were consolidated into a single union in 1887. This consolidation marked the formal beginning of the Indochinese Union, headquartered initially in Saigon.

Territorial Composition. French Indochina was formed on 17 October 1887 from Annam, Tonkin, Cochinchina, and the Kingdom of Cambodia. Laos was not included in the initial 1887 formation; it was added later, following the Franco-Siamese crisis of 1893. The union comprised these territories until its dissolution in 1954.

Administrative Headquarters. Saigon served as the capital of French Indochina from 1887 to 1902. The administrative center subsequently moved to Hanoi, which served as capital from 1902 to 1945. Saigon regained its status as capital from 1945 until the union's dissolution in 1954.

People involved

Sources

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