Hai Cuong Under Nguyen Dynasty And The Role Of Security - Defense Of Sea And Islands For National Security And Independence

1. Taboos and avoidances while sailing), 2. Taboos to avoid while building a boat, 3. Taboos to avoid while building a boat, 4. Past experiences and reflections on things while on the road. The content of the compilation focuses mainly on the issue of examining the wind direction to help sail effectively. Importantly, the Past experiences have taken specific, detailed records down to the date of the boat failure events between 1820 and 1838 to prove those theories [69, pp. 429-430].

The maps of the sea areas, the seaports of the provinces and the sea route practice book, after being compiled, were "copied" into many copies, and given to the naval officers in the capital and the provinces, one copy each as training materials for the navy: "From now on, in the capital, the Admiral of the Navy , the Deputy Commander of the Navy , and the commanders of the naval officers , all guide the marine soldiers in the military register, give them detailed instructions, bring maps of the sea areas, seaports, and districts, instruct them on dangerous situations, teach them how to look at mountains, measure water, bring the sea route practice book, explain the days, hours, seasons, and seasons, teach them how to look at the wind color, avoid it, use the stems and branches in the distribution area of the earth's degrees, teach them how to read the needle to determine direction, so that they become more familiar with each other, and by the end of the year, the commanders of the naval officers will all make election signs" [65, p.430]. The naval examinations, including the large-scale examination in December 1838, also mainly used the knowledge in this sea travel book.

However, the subjects who are disseminated knowledge from atlases and maritime guidebooks are limited to the forces responsible for maritime security and defense and the forces performing maritime tasks of the State, including the navy, Tan Thu , boat drivers, polemen, etc. participating in the State's maritime transport activities. For the people, their own practical experiences through the storms of the sea are the most effective and often the only experiences.

In addition to the maritime guidebooks compiled by the State, the notes of individual mandarins during their maritime missions were also useful guides. Through their maritime experiences, many potentially dangerous obstacles became “natural signals” of the sea to guide the traveling ships (see Appendix Table 3.4: “ Natural signals ” of the sea recorded by individual mandarins of the Nguyen Dynasty ). For example, those sea signals were described quite meticulously by Phan Huy Chu in Hai trinh chi luoc , a sea itinerary book recording the journey from Da Nang port to Batavia of the diplomatic delegation.

3.6.2. Clearing the estuary

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Throughout the country, the geographical and geological features of the three regions of the North, Central and South have their own distinct features, creating certain differences in the characteristics of the estuaries in the three regions. In addition, the flow characteristics of the rivers between the three regions are also different, which has a certain impact on the structural characteristics of the estuaries. The North has many large, long rivers, originating from the Northwestern mountain ranges of the country and flowing through the plains before flowing into the sea, the flow speed is somewhat hindered by the dikes protecting the crops on both sides of the river. The rivers in the Central region are short and steep, with rocky mountains in many places running all the way to the sea. The South has a dense network of canals, dividing the water into tributaries, flowing into the sea through many estuaries, while the flow is not subject to the resistance of the dikes.

Not only that, even within each region, there are also differences between the "estuary groups". For example, in the North, the estuaries of Nam Dinh, Thai Binh, Hai Duong have more similarities than the estuaries of Quang Yen. Nam Dinh, Thai Binh, Hai Duong 1 are the estuaries of large rivers flowing through the large delta plains, formed long ago. Every year, the flows carry large amounts of alluvium to the sea. In Dai Nam, these large rivers mostly originate from the northwestern mountain ranges but

After a long journey, crossing the delta plains to reach the sea, it carries a large amount of alluvium. In addition, the flow rate is not as fast and strong as the short, steep rivers in the Northeast, so it is not strong enough to carry all the alluvium to the sea. Alluvium accumulates at the bottom of the estuary and the alluvium deposition on both sides of the banks makes the estuary increasingly shallow and narrow, which is understandable. Meanwhile, most of the rivers in Quang Yen originate from the Northeast mountains, flow into the sea with relatively short and steep slopes, and pass through mainly mountainous areas right before reaching the sea. Therefore, the characteristic of the estuary in Quang Yen is that it has "mountains of soil and rocks" on both sides and alluvium is even rarer.

The ability of boats to move in and out of the estuary is partly determined by the shallowness, depth, width and narrowness of the estuary. The shallowness, depth, width and narrowness depend largely on the level of alluvium and sedimentation of the rivers. This was recognized by the Nguyen Dynasty through the assessment of the estuaries in Nam Dinh: "In many places there are sandbanks, and outside the channel there are adjacent underground sandbanks, because the downstream rivers all flow there, so it is natural that the sand and soil are added every year" (April 1829) [66, p.849]. In addition, the landslides and sedimentation

1 Under the Nguyen Dynasty, Hai Duong province included both present-day Hai Duong and Hai Phong.

Filling and changing the course of rivers have caused many estuaries to lose their important role in circulation. With the prohibition of going to sea, the shallowness of the estuary and the inconvenience of boat traffic will be an advantage contributing to the effectiveness of the prohibition. However, the Nguyen Dynasty realized that more importantly, for the rivers in the North, the stagnation of the flow at the estuary will increase the danger of flooding, at which time, the damage is incomparable. Moreover, the court also realized that: our country is mostly coastal, with many rivers, the circulation of the estuary cannot be insignificant. Therefore, the State is very concerned and has taken many measures to clear the flow at the estuary.

The purpose of dredging the estuary is to help circulate the flow, dredging to ensure the depth and width of the estuary within the capacity of boats to pass, avoiding transportation incidents, ensuring the safety of boats. Besides, it also partly minimizes the damage caused by flooding caused by stagnant flow at the estuary.

Dredging and circulating the flow were not only focused on important seaports in terms of traffic value, but also on seaports with historical significance such as Tu Dung seaport, which were also given much attention by the Nguyen Dynasty. That is because for these seaports, although there were “temporary costs”, they were “forever peaceful” and “brought immense benefits for thousands of generations” [66, p.203].

Besides certain results, the work of dredging seaports under the Nguyen Dynasty did not always bring about the desired results. People could only try to overcome and improve nature to a certain extent. Therefore, there were important seaports that were silted up and could not be dredged again. For example, Tu Dung seaport, although the Nguyen Dynasty made many efforts, in the end the current status was only: "the seaport is 8 truong wide, 3 thuoc deep at high tide, 3 thuoc deep at low tide, shallow water, large boats cannot pass through" [72, p.206].

Faced with that impasse, the Nguyen Dynasty explained it with the theory of “heaven’s will” (heaven’s will) instead of recognizing the limitations of its own capabilities: “The opening and closing of river and sea gates is the will of heaven, not relying on human strength. Moreover, the origin of this sea gate [Tu Dung gate] is related to the fate of the nation, it cannot be compared to other seas. Looking back, in the year of Giap Ngo, the country was in trouble, the Trinh army invaded, our King Due Tong went through this gate to the South; our Emperor The To Cao was only 13 years old and also followed; in the year of Tan Dau, the great army regained the capital and also

Because this door was opened, at that time I was only 11 years old, and I also followed. That was the predetermined fate. Now, for no reason, I am shallow, perhaps the will of heaven is helping me to be steadfast, not allowing outsiders to spy on me, so that is why this change happened?” [72, pp.207-208].

3.6.3. Coastal reclamation

Because the coast is a buffer zone between the mainland and the sea, piracy often occurs, especially in deserted areas: "Everywhere along the coast, people often suffer from robberies, their property is taken, their livestock is robbed, day by day they gradually lose their lives, becoming destitute, and as a result, many people are displaced" [65, p.528]. Therefore, in addition to patrolling and monitoring, a new measure found by the State to destroy pirates' hiding places around the coast is to reclaim land and establish new villages.

Thanks to the land reclamation policy, a series of villages were established along the coast of Dai Nam like "a strip of Tien Chau next to the beach. Previously, the vegetation was dense, robbers often gathered there, no one dared to come near. There was a saying "who dares to come and disturb the bandits' nest to play". The Dinh Dien Envoy Nguyen Cong Tru arrived, gathered and persuaded the people to calm down. So, the land of Tien Chau and the land on the opposite banks on the left and right were measured and divided into 14 ly, 27 hamlets, 20 camps, 10 giap, the number of people was more than 2,350, the amount of fields was more than 18,960 mau (ly 600 mau, hamlet 400 mau, camp 200 mau, giap 120 mau. For every 100 mau, excluding communal houses, pagodas, and rice fields, 30 mau of old land, the remaining 70 mau of the city fields. Of the 15 mau, the first class was one mau, the second class was two mau, the third class was 12 mau)” [66, p.778].

According to the research results of Nguyen Phan Quang in Vietnam in the 19th century (1802-1884) , "within 2 years (1828-1829), with the above measures, Nguyen Cong Tru recruited many exiles to reclaim the wild coastal areas of the provinces of Thai Binh, Nam Dinh, Ninh Binh and established Tien Hai district (Thai Binh) including 40 villages, 27 hamlets, 20 camps, 10 wards, with 2,350 men and 18,970 hectares of rice fields. Next, he established Kim Son district (Ninh Binh) including 30 villages, 22 hamlets, 24 camps, 4 wards, with 1,260 men and 14,620 hectares of rice fields. In addition, Nguyen Cong Truc also established 1 commune, 2 communes in Nam Truc district and 1 commune in Giao Thuy district (both in Nam Dinh). The reclamation work was carried out simultaneously with the construction of irrigation systems. In 1832, he reclaimed an additional 3,500 hectares of rice fields in three communes of Quang Yen" [60, p.55].

This measure was mainly carried out by gathering the scattered people to reclaim land and establish hamlets under the direction of the court officials, with the support of the State. Therefore, it gathered and stabilized a certain force of scattered people to do business peacefully, while this was a major force causing social instability under the Nguyen Dynasty. Therefore, it can be said that reclaiming coastal areas was not only a measure for security and defense of the sea but also an economic policy, a quite effective social solution of the Nguyen Dynasty.

3.7. Summary

From the clear awareness of the country's important coastal geographical position: "Our country's geography, taking the sea as a strip of clothing, taking mountains as a flap of clothing, important and dangerous terrain ( ... ) if considered as "vital" then it must be: "coastal, mountainous"" [67, p.204], the Nguyen Dynasty issued a fairly comprehensive system of policies to ensure security, defense and control of coastal areas.

That is the strengthening of construction and repair of seaport defense works, guard posts, forts, and mandarin forces responsible for security and defense with the task of controlling ships entering and leaving seaports, collecting taxes on merchant ships and fishing boats, rescuing ships in distress, etc. In addition, spiritual measures (rituals at seaports) and practical measures such as dredging seaports, surveying and mapping seaport areas, reclaiming coastal areas, and compiling maritime guidebooks are also of interest to the State. These measures contribute to enhancing the effectiveness and stability of the sea. In particular, the risk of invasion from Westerners at the end of the Thieu Tri Dynasty and the beginning of the Tu Duc Dynasty contributed to certain changes in the Nguyen Dynasty's maritime security and defense, and military and national defense measures were promoted by the State.

Along with the security and defense measures for the islands, the Nguyen Dynasty's coastal security and defense policy contributed to increasing the country's defense capability from the sea with the aim of consolidating and firmly protecting the national "flap".

Chapter 4: MEASURES FOR SECURITY - DEFENSE IN SEA AREA -

ISLAND

4.1. Maritime borders under the Nguyen Dynasty and the role of security and defense of sea and island areas for national security and independence

Throughout the history of the nation, the sea has always been a shield protecting the mainland. Losing sovereignty over the sea not only means losing valuable resources but also a solid shield. Therefore, the first important issue and also a major challenge for the Nguyen Dynasty's security and defense policy for the sea and islands is to affirm and protect sovereignty over the sea and islands.

If the defense of the estuary is likened to the inner line of defense, the defense at sea and islands is the outer line of defense for the mainland from the sea. Therefore, to ensure the peace of the mainland, the State must ensure the strength of both lines of defense.

On a global scale, territorial waters are an international issue and it is very difficult to determine the boundaries. When international law on maritime boundary division has not been established, the activities of “firewood gathering and fishing” of the people will determine the boundaries, and the State is responsible for protecting and exercising sovereignty within that area. Under the feudal regime of Vietnam, in the concept of the State as well as the people, Vietnam always had a sea area whose boundaries depended on the people's ability to reach in the process of making a living at sea. Since the Tien Le - Ly period, the name "Nam Gioi" was used to mark the southern land mark and the sea line. As for the North, under the Tien Le dynasty, the "Giao Chi maritime boundary" was extended to the Thai Binh estuary (Lien Chau, China today). Tong Cao, the Song Dynasty envoy, during his diplomatic mission, had to stop at this national boundary mark to wait for the boat to pick up Le Hoan's envoy [93, p.274].

However, the concept of maritime zones and maritime sovereignty in feudal times in Eastern countries was not as broad and strict as the current concept. Maritime sovereignty at that time was only imposed on islands, archipelagos and coastal strips where people were living or exploiting; with the waters surrounding those places and the traffic routes connecting these places with each other, or connecting with other countries as a direct and regular operating environment for the residents of that country.

Before the Nguyen Dynasty, even the land border was difficult to determine precisely, especially when going further back in history, perhaps only the border area could be determined . Under the Nguyen Dynasty, the land border in the North became quite specific and clear [50, pp. 155-156]. However, unlike the land border, the issue of maritime borders is a much more complicated issue. The perception of maritime borders is often vague due to the "immense and indefinite" nature of the waves and especially when there was no international maritime law to divide them. Also due to the complexity and the difficulty of being clear and precise, even when there was international maritime law, the maritime border and maritime border areas were still sensitive and controversial issues due to the concepts of the parties involved in relying on the maritime law. Therefore, the study of maritime borders under the Nguyen Dynasty in this thesis is only a search for records related to maritime border issues during this period. However, due to lack of conditions to research many sources of documents, this is only a study of a few historical records under the Nguyen Dynasty.

The vastness of Vietnam today is the result of the process of territorial expansion over many historical periods. When the awareness of maritime sovereignty was formed, the expansion of the mainland territory vertically would lead to the expansion of maritime sovereignty. Under the Nguyen Dynasty, continuing the awareness of maritime sovereignty of previous dynasties, combined with a profound understanding of the sea, the issue of territorial waters was raised and resolved seriously and thoroughly by the first kings of the dynasty.

After destroying the Tay Son dynasty, Nguyen Anh ascended the throne, inherited and developed the great achievements of the Tay Son movement in the cause of unifying the country and took control of a large territory with Dang Ngoai and Dang Trong extended to Ca Mau cape. This also meant that the Nguyen dynasty inherited and established maritime sovereignty over a long stretch of the East Sea.

Not stopping there, the Nguyen Dynasty also made further progress when expanding its maritime sovereignty to the Southwest of the country. Under the reign of Minh Mang, the invasions of Cambodia and Ai Lao were intensified. The small country of Chenla became a "subordinate" of the "celestial dynasty" Nguyen. In 1835, Minh Mang established Tran Tay Thanh to supervise the activities of the small country and the Southwestern sea of Chenla.

(ie the vast sea area in the Gulf of Thailand 1 ) was under the control of the "celestial dynasty" 2 . The event in 1837 clearly confirmed the southwestern sea border of the country: "The Hai Tay patrol soldiers captured the family of Nac Ong Giun, a group of 3 Indians, in the Sam Tan sea area (bordering the Bac Tam Bon sea area)" 3 . At that time, the Nguyen Dynasty's maritime authority during this period had reached the border of Siam. Gia Dinh Thanh Thong Chi also had specific records: "Ha Tien is located to the west of Gia Dinh. The Long Xuyen land block of that land (Ha Tien land) juts out into the sea, gradually gathers and then moves to the south, with Tieu Thu island (Small Potato island) standing outside to block big waves and fill the sandbank; along with other large and small islands scattered all over, straight up to the west, adjacent to the Bac Nom sea gate of Siam" [25, p.101].

Regarding the South Sea, Phan Huy Chu, during his voyage to Batavia in 1832-1833, wrote about Dia Ban Island as the southern water boundary (water boundary) of Dai Nam with Do Ba (Jawa) 4 (see the map of the Phan Huy Chu Mission's itinerary [13]): “The mouth of the Gulf of Thailand, Dia Ban Island: Water boundary is the area dividing the sea between our country and Do Ba, commonly called water boundary. From here, the water surface is calm, without big waves. The water color is also a bit black, unlike other places. The sea route also has limits,

nature is different, not only mountains and roads are like that. This place has 50 waterfalls deep, compared to other places it is the deepest" 5 [13, p.148].

1 Under the Nguyen Lords, the sea area in the Gulf of Thailand was exploited and exercised by the Nguyen Lords. In the 19th century, the Nguyen Dynasty compromised and continued to rule over this sea area. However, when Minh Mang established the Tay Thanh, the Nguyen Dynasty's sovereignty over the sea was expanded further to the West than during the Nguyen Lords' time.

2 SEE THE TABLE OF CONTENTS OF VIETNAM, LAOS AND CAMBODIA THE MINH MANG [37].

3 The North Tam Bon Sea is a part of the North Tam Bon Sea in Siam (present-day Thailand) (?) [69, p.196]

4 Jawa (JAWAKA)/§å Baµ/Chaµ Vaµ/Tra¶o Oa: REALITY IS JUST A WIDE AREA

INCLUDING SUMATRA, OM· LAI AND JAVA [13, TR.130].

5 Or the island of ZHUPAN SHAN (TIUMAN/TAM NHA/TRO BµN SHAN) “Towering, more than 10 miles around, lying on the sea, the sky is blue. After 2 days of sailing across the water, the sky appears. After 1 day of sailing, the sky appears. The sea is vast, but the sky is no different from what you see in the forest.

It is called "BAO PHIET" because it is a criterion for sailing ships, so it is called "Diagonal Island". There are 3 rocky peaks that are as high as the clouds, and in the distance they are shaped like elephants, so they are called "Tam Nha Island".

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