THIS PAGE HAS BEEN CREATED SO AS TO CLARIFY THE POSITION OF THE IMPERIAL NGUYEN FAMILY OF VIETNAM IN REGARDS TO THE BESTOWAL OF THE IMPERIAL ORDER OF THE DRAGON OF ANNAM.
IMPERIAL ORDER OF THE DRAGON OF ANNAM
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q. What is The Imperial Order of the Dragon of Annam?
A. The Imperial Order of the Dragon of Annam is a Gift to the recipient, from the Imperial Nguyen Family of Vietnam.
Q. Who is the Grand Master of the Order?
A. The current Grand Master of the Imperial Order of The Dragon of Annam is His Imperial Highness Prince Regent Nhiep Chinh Nguyen Phuc Buu Chanh of Vietnam, Duke of Kien Hoa and Grand Master of the Imperial Order of the Dragon of Annam.
Q. Who created the Imperial Order of the Dragon of Annam?
A. The Imperial Order of Dragon of Annam was created on 14th of March 1886 in the ancient Vietnamese city of Hue, by His Majesty, The Imperial Emperor of Vietnam, Emperor Dong-Khanh.
Q. Who are the previous Grand Masters of the Imperial Order of the Dragon?
A. HIM Emperor Dong Khanh (1886-1889); HIM Emperor Thanh Thai (1889-1907); HIM Emperor Duy Tan (1907-1916); HIM Emperor Khai Dinh (1916-1926); HIM Emperor Bao Dai (1926-1997), HIH Prince Regent Buu Chanh (1942 - ).
Q. What is the significance of "The Dragon Ring?"
A. This ring is the traditional Vietnamese symbol of Kingship and Sovereignty, the Bestowal of the Dragon Ring is indicative of being Anointed the Successor to the Throne; it is an Insignia Ring worn to designate one's Blessing, Authority and Jurisdiction.
Q. Who currently has ownership of this Imperial Treasure?
On Saturday 17 July 2004, at a solemn ceremony held in Washington DC – USA, The Most Venerable Hòa Thng Thích Giác Minh presented His Imperial Highness Prince Nhiep Chinh Nguyen Phuc Buu Chanh of Vietnam with the Imperial Nguyen Family Dragon-Ring. This most treasured and sacred Imperial Family gold ring, formerly belonging to the late Emperor Khai Dinh.
Q. Who is Prince Bao Vang?
A. There is no such person as Prince Bao Vang. His name is Mister Claude Vang, he is a non-noble and is the natural (illegitimate) son of the late Emperor Duy Tan. Mister Claude Vang is not Vietnamese, but rather a Creole. He is a jazz player who lives on Reunion Island and is not recognised by The Imperial Nguyen Family, nor the wider Vietnamese community. Mister Claude Vang is half Vietnamese and cannot read, write, or speak Vietnamese.
Q. Who Re-established the Imperial Order of the Dragon of Annam?
A. His Imperial Highness Prince Regent Nguyen-phuc Buu Chanh of Vietnam, Duke of Kien Hoa re-established The Order on the 30 October 2002, on the ninth hour of the morning, Central Standard Time of the United States of America, (which is the twenty-fifth of September, of the Year of the Horse).
Q. Did Mister Claude Vang attend the re-establishment ceremony?
A. No. Mister Claude Vang is not recognised by any branch of the Imperial Nguyen Family.
Q. Who are Mr Carl Lindgren, Mr David Ashley Pritchard and Mr Timothy Carmain?
A. These three individuals were members of the Imperial Order of the Dragon of Annam for a very short period in 2003, and were shortly after"retired" by the Imperial Crown Council due to their behaviour.
Q. Who Recognises HIH Prince Regent Nguyen-Phuc Buu Chanh as the Grand Master of the Imperial Order of the Dragon of Annam?
A. HIH Prince Regent Nguyen-phuc Buu Chanh is recognised as Grand Master by ALL branches of the Imperial Nguyen Family, The Venerables, Buddhist, Roman Catholic, Protestant and Cao Dai Faiths, The Generals, The wider Vietnamese community (Diaspora), and all of the Asian Imperial and Royal Houses.
Q. Who recognises Mister Claude Vang?
A. Mr Carl Lindgren, Mr David Ashley Pritchard and Mr Timothy Carmain.
Q. Who makes up the Imperial Crown Council of HIH Prince Regent Nguyen-phuc Buu Chanh?
A. All of the Senior Princes, The Generals, Ph?t Giáo - Buddhist Religion:
- The Most Venerable Hòa Thu?ng Thích Giác Minh; Quan Âm T?nh Xá Temple, California; Quan Âm T? Temple, Nevada; The Most Venerable Thu?ng To? Thích Huy?n Vi?t; Buu Môn T? Temple,Texas; The Most Venerable Thu?ng To? Thích T?nh Trí; Tinh Luat Temple, Texas; Honorable Buddhist Ð?ng Minh Tâm; Quan Âm T?nh Xá Temple, California; Quan Âm T? Temple, Nevada; C?u L?c Lu?ng Hòa H?o C? Trung Tu?ng Lê Quang Vinh; Former Hoa Hao LT General Le Quang Vinh Forces; Lady Tr?n Th? Hoa t? (dit) Ph?n, Former Congresswoman of the National Assembly (the Republic of Vietnam);
CAO ÐÀI- CAO ÐÀI TÒA THÁNH TÂY NINH RELIGION:
The Respected Reverend Hi?n Tài Nguy?n Thanh Liêm, N. California; President, The Vietnamese Interfaith Council of California / United Religion Initiative (URI); The Respected Reverend Hi?n Tài Phan Van R?c, New Orleans, Life Member of the US National Republic Party; Thánh Th?t &Ði?n Th? Ph?t M?u Temple, New Orleans; The Respected Reverend L? Sanh Huong Mu?i, Texas; Chancellor, Thánh Th?t &Ði?n Th? Ph?t M?u Mountain View Temple, Dallas, Texas; Cao Ðài Respected Dignitary Lê Phú H?u, Texas; Thánh Th?t & Ði?n Th? Ph?t M?u Mountain View Temple, Dallas, Texas; Cao Ðài Dignitary Ki?u Trung Hung, Texas;
Thánh Th?t & Ði?n Th? Ph?t M?u Mountain View Temple, Dallas, Texas; Cao Ðài Dignitary M? Nga, Texas; Thánh Th?t & Ði?n Th? Ph?t M?u Mountain View Temple, Dallas, Texas; Cao Ðài Respected Dignitary Nguy?n Th? Tr?c, S. California; Chancellor, Thánh Th?t & Ði?n Th? Ph?t M?u Wesminster Temple, California; Cao Ðài Dignitary Bùi Th? Chu?ng, S. California; Thánh Th?t & Ði?n Th? Ph?t M?u Westminster Temple, California; Cao Ðài Respected Dignitary Võ Thái Hi?n, Georgia; Vice Chancellor, Thánh Th?t & Ði?n Th? Ph?t M?u Atlanta Temple, Georgia; Cao Ðài Respected Dignitary Nguy?n Th? Tr?ng, Texas; Ði?n Th? Ph?t M?u Houston Temple, Texas; TIÊN THIÊN THÁNH GIÁO:
Respected Dignitary H? Ð?c Tiêu, President, Tiên Thiên Thánh Giáo Association;
H?I Ð?C THÁNH TR?N THE ADMIRAL MARSHAL SAINT TR?N HUNG Ð?O ASSOCIATION:
Respected Dignitary Lâm Kh?c Nghiêm, President, the Admiral Marshal Saint Tran Hung Dao Association
NHÂN SI VI?T NAM - NHÂN SI HOÀNG GIA
RESPECTED DIGNITARIES IMPERIAL DIGNITARIES:
Dr. Ð? Kim DDS, (New York), Maternal Branch of the Imperial Family, Former Director of Dentistry of the former Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam); Dr. Vu Minh Tâm PhD, Scientist (Australia); Dr. Ð?i Phu?c Ed Koerner MD (Illinois); Dr. Tr?n M? Vân AM, PhD (Australia); Dr. Nghiêm Xuân Phong MD (California); Dr. Pierre Ha, BA, MA, PhD (Germany); Respected Dignitary H? Ð?c Tiêu (Florida)
Former Commander-in-Chief of Imperial Knights for Emperor Bao Dai and Empress-Dowager Ð?c Ðoan Huy Hoàng Thái H?u T? Cung; Respected Dignitary Lady Ð?ng Thanh Ingalls (Florida) Director of 58 Minorities Association; Respected Digniatary Ð?ng Thinh (Florida); High Ranking Officer of Former RVN Army; Respected Dignitary Lâm Kh?c Nghiêm, Doctor, Oriental Chinese Medicine; Respected Dignitary Lê Nguyên Long, California; Thành Viên K? C?u và Lão Thành Ð?i Vi?t Qu?c Dân Ð?ng Political Party; Respected Dignitary Nguy?n P. My Dung (Illinois); Respected Dignitary Tr?n Kh?c Phùng (Florida), Former Telecom Inspector of Vietnam Navigation (the Republic of Vietnam), Respected Dignitary Ph?m Tr?ng (Texas), Thành Viên K? C?u và Lão Thành cu? Ð?ng Phái Qu?c Gia Vi?t Nam, Experienced and Old Member of Vietnam Political Party, Dignitary Honorable Ð? Nhu Du ng (New Jersey), Member of the US Republican Party; Chairman of the Educational Section; Respected Dignitary - Former Lt Colonel Phan Ðình Li?u (California); Trung Tá Quân Y Du?c Vi?t Nam C?ng Hoà; Respected Dignitary Former Colonel Lê Ninh (Florida), Former Congressman of National Assembly of RVN; C?u Dân Bi?u Qu?c H?i; Ð?i Tá Ti?p V?n Quân L?c Vi?t Nam C?ng Hoà; Respected Dignitary Former Colonel T?ng Vi?t An (Florida); Ð?i Tá B? T?ng Tham Muu QLVNCH; U? Ban H?n H?p Quân S? B?n Bên - Hi?p Ð?nh Hoà Bình Ba Lê; Respected Dignitary Former Colonel Tr?n Van Bá (Virginia); Imperial Kight of Internal Affairs of Emperor Bao Ðai, Ð?i Tá Ng? Lâm Quân N?i Cung cu? Ð?c Hoàng Ð? B?o Ð?i; Respected Dignitary Lê Tr?n Ng?c Phu?ng (Florida), President, the S. Florida Vietnamese Community; Dignitary Lê Nguyên Long (Raymond Lê La) (California), Reserved US Army; Dignitary Tr?n K. Phu?c (Florida), RVN Navy Officer; Respected Dignitary Nguy?n Hoàng (Michigan); High Rank Official of the Republic of Vietnam; Respected Dignitary Tr?n Marra Di?u Huong (Florida); Maternal Branch of the Imperial Family, Imperial Dignitary Nguy?n Phúc B?u H? (Australia); Imperial Dignitary Nguy?n Phúc B?o Thái, Texas; Noted Writer Imperial Dignitary Nguy?n Phúc B?u Thu?n (Michigan); Imperial Dignitary Nguy?n Phúc Vinh Phu (Minesota); Official of Former Republic of Vietnam, Imperial Dignitary Tôn Th?t H? (Illinois); Officer of Former RVN Army, Imperial Dignitary Tôn N? Th? Lành (Illinois); Dignitary Nguy?n Van Tu?ng (Illinois), Officer of Former RVN Army; Imperial Dignitary Tôn Th?t Trình (Florida); Official of the Republic of Vietnam; Imperial Dignitary Tôn Th?t Dung (Florida); Imperial Dignitary Tôn Th?t T? (Florida); Imperial Dignitary Tôn Th?t Ð? (Florida).
Q. Who makes up the so called "Crown Council" of Mister Claude Vang?
A. Mr Carl Lindgren, Mr David Ashley Pritchard and Mr Timothy Carmain.
Q. A number of European Royal Houses are mentioned on Mister Claude Vangs' website, have they received Mister Vangs so called Order?
A. Yes, that is correct. However, almost all have since realised their error and have approached the Imperial Nguyen Family and have now received legitimate Imperial Brevets.
Q. Does the Imperial Order of the Dragon of Annam carry any form of obligation, or such as an Annual Oblation?
A. No. The bestowal of the Imperial Order of the Dragon of Annam is a Gift from the Imperial Nguyen Family of Vietnam. There is a one time passage fee as with most Orders of chivalry, so as to cover the various costs of administration. The recipient then receives both the Decoration/s (including minature Decoration), and Brevet (certificate) of the Order. There are no other obligations.
Q. Does the Imperial Nguyen Family grant titles?
A. Yes. The Imperial Nguyen Family does grant a number of titles based similar to the French system. Imperial Nguyen titles are never sold, but are always created as gifts to persons who assist in the political struggle for a Democratic Monarchy in Vietnam.
These include: Nam Tuoc (Baron), Tu Tuoc (Viscount), Ba Tuoc (Count), Hau Tuoc (Marquis).
Q. What is The Imperial Order of the Dragon of Annam (Paris).
A. Yet another name for the organisation of Mr Claude Vang, Mr Carl Lindgren, Mr David Ashley Pritchard and Mr Timothy Carmain.
Q. Did HIH Prince Regent Nguyen-phuc Buu Chanh, Grand Master of the Imperial Order of the Dragon of Annam have the Confidence of the last Emperor of Vietnam, His Imperial Majesty Bao Dai (1926-1997)?
A. Yes. Photographs on this website very clearly show the late Emperor of Vietnam, HIM Boa Dai met with HIH Prince Regent Nguyen-phuc Buu Chanh where the Prince discussed the re-establishment of the Order. As well, HIH Prince Regent Nguyen-phuc Buu Chanh also had the Confidence of His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Bao Long as on a number of occasions (including a meeting at the House of Lords in London), HIH Prince Regent Buu Chanh acted as both Advisor and Interpreter for HIH The Crown Prince.
NOTE: This is recorded in the Hansard of the House of Lords.
Q. Why do Mr Claude Vang, Mr Carl Lindgren, Mr David Ashley Pritchard and Mr Timothy Carmain continue their fantasy organisation?
A. The above individuals have unscrupulously "traded, swapped, and exchanged" The Imperial Order of the Dragon of Annam, and also several African Orders including The Order of the Lion (H.M. King Kigeli V Rwanda) with a number of Royal Houses in Europe so as to circumvent paying the required passage fees. Their organisation is a sham.
Q. There is a book called "World Orders of Knighthood and Merit" which does not mention HIH Prince Regent Nguyen-phuc Buu Chanh. Why?
A. That particular publication has a number of errors in it. Including various mentions attributed to the Imperial Nguyen Family of Vietnam.
Q. Why does the Wikipedia include a number of negative comments in regards to the validity of HIH Prince Regent Nguyen-phuc Buu Chanh?
A. Those negative comments on Wiki (and other sites), were placed by Mr Carl Lindgren. In fact Mr Lindgren was given a "final" warning (which is still available for viewing) by Wiki for falsifying information.
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The following is the biography of His Imperial Highness Prince Regent Nhiep Chinh Nguyen Phuc Buu Chanh of Vietnam, Duke of Kien Hoa, and Grand Master of the Imperial Order of the Dragon of Annam.
Prince Buu Chanh is one of the busiest patriots working for the restoration of dignity, democracy and constitutional monarchy in Viet-Nam as well as Indochina as a whole. His Highness is currently General Secretary of the Vietnamese Imperial Family Overseas Central Council, President of the Vietnamese Constitutional Monarchist League, President of the Southeast Asia Imperial & Royal League and Vice-Chairman of The British Committee for Free Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia & Burma.
"Born on February 12, 1942 in the Imperial City, Hue, the once great Capital of the Empire, Prince Nguyen Phuoc Buu Chanh was born under the Imperial Family of Prince Kien Hoa (the Duke of Kien Hoa), who was the 71st son of the Emperor Minh Mang.
Prince Nguyen Phuoc Buu Chanh holds the same family rank as the Emperor Khai Dinh (the late father of Emperor Bao Dai). Emperor Khai Dinh (1916-1925) is only an Imperial title, his birth name was Prince Nguyen Phuoc Buu Dao. As Emperor Bao Dai's (1926-1945) birth name is Prince Nguyen Phuoc Vinh Thuy. Vinh being the 5th word of the Imperial Poem."
Prince Buu Chanh attended the National High School at Hue, Viet-Nam before earning a B.A. degree in Literature at Hue University. From 1964-1970 His Highness attended Dalat University where he earned masters degrees in Political Science and Business Administration. He then worked as assistant to Colonel Nguyen Be at the Ministry of Rural Revolutionary Development, Chi Linh - Vung Tau Center. From 1971-1973 His Highness was General Director of the 4th Tactic Zone at the Ministry of Economy in Saigon and until 1975 was Assistant General Director of the Vissan Company in the Ministry of Industry, Saigon. After 1975 Prince Buu Chanh was, like many others, forced into exile and moved to the United States. From 1982-1984 he attended Northeastern Illinois University where he graduated with high honors with a B.S. in Information Science.
On March 18, 1994 Prince Buu Chanh was decorated with the United States Republican Senatorial Medal of Freedom and was recognized by the Republican Party, "for distinction and achievement in helping to promote and perpetuate the ideals and principles of the Republican Party" beside Presidents Nixon, Ford, Reagan, and Bush Sr. and was recognized as a prominent leader. On June 16, 1995 Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole and Senator Alphonse M. D'Amato awarded the Prince with a personalized Eternal Flame of Freedom Brass Medallion and was nominated to have his name engraved on the Ronald Wilson Reagan Eternal Flame of Freedom monument in Washington DC.
Prince Buu Chanh is currently working with the Royal Family of Laos, Vietnamese exiles and members of the British Parliament to promote the restoration of democracy and human rights, along with free traditional governments to the people of Southeast Asia as well as Vietnam.
