Emperor Thiệu Trị was the eldest son of Emperor Minh Mạng; his mother was Empress Consort Tá Thiên Nhân (personal name Hồ Thị Hoa). He was born in Huế in 1807. Just 13 days after giving birth to Miên Tông, Empress Hồ Thị Hoa deceased, he was taken care by his grandmother, Empress Dowager Nhân Tuyên.