Trương Vĩnh Ký

Vietnamese polyglot scholar who bridged East-West cultures and modernized Vietnamese literature.

Trương Vĩnh Ký (1837–1898), also known as Petrus Ky, was a Vietnamese linguist, journalist, and pioneer of Quốc Ngữ (Vietnam’s Romanized script). Fluent in 27 languages, he served as a cultural mediator during French colonization, advocating for educational reform while preserving Vietnamese heritage.

His magnum opus, 《Chuyện Đời Xưa》 (Stories of the Past), compiled folk tales in Quốc Ngữ, making literature accessible to the masses. He founded Gia Định Báo, Vietnam’s first newspaper, which promoted scientific knowledge and civic discourse. Despite criticism for collaborating with French authorities, his work laid the groundwork for Vietnam’s modern identity.

Ky’s legacy is debated but undeniable: Quốc Ngữ became the official script post-1945, unifying a nation. Museums in Ho Chi Minh City and his namesake schools honor his contributions to linguistics and education.