Reformist scholars open the Tonkin Free School in Hanoi to promote modern learning and the quốc ngữ script; the French close it within the year.
Phan Bội Châu organises sending young Vietnamese to study in Japan to prepare for the independence struggle.
Nguyễn Tất Thành (later Hồ Chí Minh) leaves Saigon as a kitchen hand aboard the Amiral Latouche-Tréville, bound for France.
Võ Nguyên Giáp, later commander-in-chief of the Vietnam People's Army, is born in Quảng Bình.
After Spain cedes the Philippines to the United States, forces of the Philippine Republic fight American rule but are defeated.
The United States defeats Spain, gaining Puerto Rico, Guam and the Philippines, while Cuba is freed from Spanish rule.
Emilio Aguinaldo proclaims the independence of the Philippines from Spain at Kawit, Cavite.