The Việt Nam Quốc Dân Đảng (VNQDĐ), founded in 1927, was a prominent nationalist organization in Vietnam, advocating for independence from French colonization. By the late 1920s, the party grew increasingly frustrated with French governance and sought to incite an armed uprising among the Vietnamese populace. On October 2, 1930, the VNQDĐ planned and executed the Yên Bái mutiny, mobilizing decent numbers of armed forces to capture key governmental sites, especially in Yên Bái province. The leaders, including Nguyễn Thái Học, aimed to inspire a larger revolutionary wave throughout Vietnam by demonstrating that organized resistance was possible against the French administration.

The plan was to coordinate the attack against French military installations and administrative offices to seize control of the area. However, the lack of adequate preparation and popular support resulted in a quick defeat for the rebels. French authorities swiftly retaliated, leading to the arrest, execution, and imprisonment of many VNQDĐ members. The French colonial government used this failed uprising as justification for implementing harsher measures against nationalist sentiment in Vietnam, leading to increased repression and political instability within the region.

The Yên Bái mutiny serves as a precursor to later revolts against colonialism in Vietnam and highlighted the growing discontent among the Vietnamese people. Despite its failure, the event brought considerable attention to the nationalist causes and the severe challenges faced under French rule. This aspiration for independence inspired future generations and influenced subsequent movements, including those led by the Việt Minh during the Second World War.