Abstract

In the early 20th century, the administrative system in Vietnam underwent profound changes under the direct control of French colonialists headed by Governor-General Paul Doumer. Drawing on the governance model of the metropole, France imposed a centralized, unified, and specialized administrative apparatus that gradually replaced the traditional structure of the Nguyễn dynasty. This was not a spontaneous process but a deliberate strategy to consolidate political domination, ensure efficient resource extraction, and integrate Vietnam more firmly into French Indochina. The analysis demonstrates that the new system both introduced elements of modern governance—with a centralized budget, a professional bureaucracy, and specialized agencies—and simultaneously entrenched oppression, exploitation, and social inequality. While the reforms eliminated national sovereignty, undermined village autonomy, and imposed heavy taxation, they also created conditions for Vietnamese intellectuals to encounter concepts of the rule of law, citizenship, and democratic thought. In doing so, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of the complex interplay between modernization and colonialism in early 20th-century Vietnam.

Keywords: Colonial administration, Indochina, reform, French colonialism, Paul Doumer.