Nguyễn Du writes The Tale of Kiều, a 3,254-line poem in lục bát verse regarded as the masterpiece of Vietnamese literature; the exact date of composition is uncertain.
Approximate date.
The most powerful volcanic eruption in recorded history occurs on Sumbawa, causing the global "Year Without a Summer" of 1816.
Emperor Gia Long adopts the name Việt Nam for the country, with Qing approval.
Nguyễn Ánh defeats the Tây Sơn and takes the throne as Emperor Gia Long, founding Vietnam's last imperial dynasty.
Stamford Raffles signs a treaty establishing a British East India Company trading post at Singapore, beginning the modern port city.
Gia Long, founder of the Nguyễn dynasty, dies and is succeeded by his son Minh Mạng, who centralises the state.
Poet Nguyễn Du dies in Huế.