The competitiveness of the water – routes transport companies in Tonkin from the late nineteenth century to the first thirti years of the twentieth century

Abstract

The activities of the water-routes transport companies in Tonkin from the late nineteenth century to the first thirty years of the twentieth century were very exciting and fiercely competitive. The French companies sponsored by the French government, with advantages of science and technology, sought to defeat the companies of many countries. Meanwhile, the Chinese companies took advantages of capital and business experience, had a foothold in most commercial ports and wharves in Tonkin to strongly compete with France, and limit the influence of the government. Later than others countries, some Vietnamese companies were forced to find a way to beat the market share of Chinese merchants in the river transport sector. Vietnamese companies dare to compete with French companies in river transport routes many times, but they were not rivals of the French in sea transport. Europeans coming to Tonkin also have many obstacles in transportation business compared to the French.