His mother was Đặng Thị Huệ who undertook a war to retain his place as lord, but her armies were defeated by warlord Trịnh Khải.

Đặng Thị Huệ and Count Hoàng Đình Bảo helped Trịnh Cán succeed the rank of lord with the title Điện Đô vương when he was just 4 or 5 years old.

Queen Đặng Thị Huệ officially controlled the royal court to help her son and Count Hoàng Đình Bảo rule, which enraged the army and civilians.

In October 1782, Dự Vũ, assistant of the coup leader Trịnh Khải, killed Hoàng Đình Bảo.

Trịnh Cán was forced to live in exile and died one month later.