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VIETNAM
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ORDERS & DECORATIONS
- The Order of the Dragon of Annam: founded by Emperor Dong Khanh on 14th March 1886. A general order of merit conferred on Vietnamese, French and foreign nationals who have performed useful services to the state or the Emperor. Awarded in five classes (1. Grand Cordon, 2. Grand Officer, 3. Commander, 4. Officer, and 5. Knight) with two ribbons (red with gold border stripes by the Emperor, and green with gold border stripes by the French President). Obsolete 1945.
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The Order of the Dragon - Grand Cordon, breast star (L) and sash badge (R).
- The National Order of Vietnam (Bao-Quôc Huâ-Chu'o'ng): founded by Emperor Bao Dai as Head of State of Vietnam 15th August 1950. A general order of merit conferred on Vietnamese, French and foreign nationals who have performed useful services to the State of Vietnam or the Head of State. Awarded in five classes (1. Grand Cordon, 2. Grand Officer, 3. Commander, 4. Officer, and 5. Knight). Retained by the Republic in 1957.
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The National Order of Vietnam - Grand Cordon, breast star (L) and sash badge (R).
- Kim Khanh (The Golden Decoration of Our Favourite Subject of the Ornament of Dragons): founded in ancient times. Reformed and extended to four classes by Emperor Dong Khanh in January 1887, and further reformed by Emperor Bao Dai as Head of State in 1950. Conferred on mandarins, ministers of state and high ranking state officials in reward for exceptional military and civil services. Originally awarded in a superior grade (Dai Nam Kim Khanh or Dai Hang Kim Khanh) and an ordinary grade (Kim Khanh). Reformed by Emperor Dong Khanh in 1887 and enlarged to four classes (1. Great - set with gems, 2. Medium - gold, 3. Inferior - silver, and 4. Minor - bronze). Reformed again by Emperor Thanh Thai and reduced to three classes (1. First Class, 2. Second Class, and 3. Third Class). Reformed by Emperor Bao Dai as Head of State in 1950, increased to four classes (1. Exceptional Class - worn from a gold Grand Cordon with gold tassels, 2. Second Class with yellow tassels, 3. Third Class with green tassels, and 4. Fourth Class with blue tassels). Retained and modified by the Republic in 1957.
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Kim Khanh - First Class (Emperor Thanh Thai).
- Kim Boi (The Golden Pendant Decoration): founded by Emperor Thanh-Thai in 1889 as an equivalent to the Kim Khanh restricted to ladies in reward for exceptional services. Created in three classes, but in practice only awarded in a single class with two grades distinguished by the tien attached to the tassels, six tien for the first grade and four tien for the second grade.
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Kim Boi - first grade.
- Bai: founded in ancient times and reformed by Emperor Thanh-Thai in 1889. Conferred on princes, mandarins, ministers of state, and high ranking officials, according to their court rank.
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Bai - First Class.
- The Order of Merit (Chuong My): founded by Emperor Khai Dinh and later revived and modified by Emperor Bao Dai on 10th June 1955 as the National Order of Vietnam. Originally awarded in two classes, later expanded to five classes in 1955.
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The Order of Merit as worn by Emperor Khai Dinh - First class, neck badge (A) and breast star (R).
- The Order of Agricultural Merit: founded by Emperor Bao Dai in 1936 and conferred on Vietnamese subjects by the Emperor, and on those resident in Indo-China and the Viceroyalty of Tonkin by the French Governor-General, in recognition of meritorious services in the field of agriculture. Awarded in three classes (1. Commander, 2. Officer, and 3. Knight). Copyright© Christopher Buyers
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The Order of Agricultural Merit - Commander, neck badge.
- The Cross of Gallantry (Anh-Dúng Bôi-Tinh): founded by Emperor Bao Dai on 15th August 1950. Awarded to miltary personnel, civilians, armed forces units and organizations for valour and outstanding heroism, in four classes (1. First Class "with palms", 2. Second Class "with gold star", 3. Third Class "with silver star" and 4. Fourth Class "with bronze star"). Retained by the Republic in 1957.
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The Cross of Gallantry, 2nd Class (L) and the Military Medal of Merit (R).
- The Military Medal of Merit (Quân-Công Bôi-Tinh): founded by Emperor Bao Dai on 15th August 1950. Awarded in one class to Non-Commissioned Officers and men for heroism or for thirteen years of meritorious service. Retained by the Republic in 1957. Copyright© Christopher Buyers
The Military Medal of Honour (Danh-Du Bôi-Tinh): founded by Emperor Bao Dai on 6th January 1953. Awarded to foreign nationals to reward meritorious military services to the State of Vietnam, in two classes (1. First Class in gold for Officers, and 2. Second Class in silver for Non-Commissioned Officers and men). Retained by the Republic in 1957. Copyright© Christopher Buyers
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Ngan Tien ("colonial" ribbon)
- The Special Coinage Decoration (Tien): founded in ancient times and reformed by Emperor Minh Mang. Traditionally worn threaded through the suspension cord of the Khanh, later converted for wear from a medal ribbon in the European style. Awarded in three classes (1. First Class in gold - Kim Tien, 2. Second Class in silver - Ngan Tien, and 3. Third Class in silver - Dong Tien). Obsolete 1945.
Copyright© Christopher Buyers
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- I would be grateful to hear from anyone who may have changes, corrections or additions to contribute. Please contact me at:
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Copyright© Christopher Buyers, January 2002 - July 2008