Emperor Gia Long, born Nguyễn Phúc Ánh in 1762, was the first emperor of the Nguyễn Dynasty in Vietnam. He ruled from 1802 until his death in 1820, unifying the country after a long period of civil war. His reign marked the beginning of a centralized government and significant reforms in administration, military, and culture. Gia Long is known for establishing the capital in Hue and promoting Confucianism as the state ideology. He also worked on modernizing the economy and infrastructure, including the construction of roads and canals. His leadership laid the foundation for the future of Vietnam.