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During Vietnam's monarchial period, the Vietnamese nobility (quý tộc) were classified into eleven ranks (tước vị), with names similar to their Chinese equivalent. These are listed here from the highest to the lowest, along with their equivalent European titles.[1]
| Vietnamese | Chữ Hán | European equivalent | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hoàng đế | 皇帝 | Emperor | see Chinese nobility |
| Quốc vương | 國王 | King | lit. “King of the State”.
In the historical context of Vietnam and Imperial China, Quốc vương was used to refer to the Emperor of Vietnam in its correspondences with the Chinese dynasties. This occurred due to Chinese suzerainty over Đai Viet leading to the concept of “Emperor at home, King abroad”. |
| Đại vương | 大王 | Prince | lit. “Great King”.
In the context of Vietnamese historical records this used to refer to the successor to the Emperor thus making it equivalent to a Prince in the Western feudal system. |
| Vương | 王 | Viceroy | lit. “King”.
Note: The distinction of Đại vương was used for the son of the Emperor in Đai Viet, Đại vương occupies the same equivalence òf a hereditary prince in European feudalism. The title Vương here was only ever used in historical sources to refer to those who wielded power in the name of the Emperor. The most prominent usage came with the Trịnh and Nguyễn lords under the Later Le dynasty. |
| Quốc công | 國公 | lit. "Duke of the State" | |
| Quận công | 郡公 | lit. "Prefect Duke" | |
| Công | 公 | Duke | |
| Hầu | 侯 | Marquis | |
| Bá | 伯 | Count | |
| Tử | 子 | Viscount | |
| Nam | 男 | Baron | |
| Vinh phong | 榮封 | Baronet |
- ^ Danny J. Whitfield: Historical and Cultural Dictionary of Vietnam, Scarecrow Press, 1976, S. 213 (Eintrag Nobility).