Thành Thái born Nguyễn Phúc Bửu Lân (阮福寶嶙), was the son of Emperor Dục Đức and Empress Dowager Từ Minh. He reigned as emperor for 18 years, from 1889 to 1907. Thành Thái was one of the three "patriotic emperors" in Vietnamese history, along with Hàm Nghi and Duy Tân, for their actions and views against French colonial rule in Vietnam.

Dục Đức, was Emperor of Vietnam for three days, from 20 to 23 July 1883. He was the fifth emperor of the Nguyễn dynasty and father of Emperor Thành Thái, who ruled from 1889 to 1907.