%%With Hưng Nguyên (Nghệ An) as native land, Nguyễn Trường Tộ (1828-1871) - a reformist under the reign of Tự Đức - was born in a catholic family and educated in the confucianist style. In 1858, he was led to France by the bishop Gautier to study for two years (on technologies, politics, economic and military sciences). On the way back home, he stopped in Roma, Hong Kong... After Gia Định had been occupied, he worked for the French, translated diplomatic notes and supported tacitly our royal court. In 1863, he escaped from the French-occupied zone. With an advanced view, Nguyễn Trường Tộ put forward many proposals on economic, socio-cultural, diplomatic and military reforms. Unfortunately, his good will was disapproved by the royal court.