Records dating to the Nguyen Dynasty strengthen Vietnam’s claim over the Spratley and Paracel islands.
Nguyen-era documents back sea claims
Viet Nam News, 03 August 2014
The Nguyen dynasty (1802-1945) worked hard to protect the nation, producing many documents that confirm Viet Nam’s sovereignty over the Spratly and Paracel archipelagoes. Today these can be found in Hue, the former royal capital. Phuoc Buu and Anh Le report
Researchers say the founder of the Nguyen dynasty, Emperor Gia Long (1762-1820), saw the sea as integral to the existence of the nation.
The spirit was later preserved and upheld by his descendants, especially his son, Emperor Minh Mang. During his reign from 1820-1840, Minh Mang conducted many works related to the sea and the protection of sovereignty over the Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago. Researchers have found 14 reports on the work prepared by mandarins.
“The sea border area of the nation includes the Hoang Sa archipelago, a place of great importance,” one royal document said. The king deployed a surveying team to draw an accurate map of the islands and surrounding waters. This work was done in six years, from 1834-1839. Every year, he sent a team to inspect the sea zone.
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