Policy to protect the sovereignty over Cochinchina’s sea and islands under the reign of King Minh Mang (1820 - 1841)

Abstract

The sovereignty of the Cochinchinese territorial waters were established almost simultaneously with the process of setting up the mainland sovereignty in the 17th - 18^th centuries. Prior to 19th century, thanks to the important strategic position it received special attention from the Hue court and they took in fact a good number of measures to protect and exercise the sovereignty. Under the reign of King Minh Mang (1820 - 1841), Cochinchina became the focus point of the policy of centralizing power and building a unified and powerful nation. The upheavals and changes at the beginning of King Minh Mang’s reign, along with the scrutiny of other countries in the region, the frequent harassment of pirate forces were the factors that prompted King Minh Mang to have fierce policies in the protection of the sea and islands sovereignty at the South and South - West gateways of Vietnam - Dai Nam.