[1] Born in a peasant family, Nguyễn did not go to school, but with intelligence, high self-study and self-reliance, he made a great career.

Starting from an official at the district level, due to his talent, he was promoted to the court, was recruited and in turn held many important positions during the three reigns of Minh Mạng, Thiệu Trị, and Tự Đức.

[2] Phương had risen quickly in military ranks after recapturing Hà Tiên and defeating the Siamese army at Châu Đốc.

He succeeded Trương Minh Giảng in 1841 as viceroy of King Thiệu Trị (reigned 1841–1847) in Southern Cochinchina.

[5][page needed] He was venerated alongside Hoàng Diệu by the Vietnamese people as loyal subjects who sacrificed themselves for Vietnam.