The recognition of Vietnam’s sovereignty over the Hoang Sa archipelago through international publications in England, Germany, India, France, Bohemia, Russ ia, Italy, and Spain in the 19th century

Abstract

    From the historical process of establishing sovereignty over the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagos during the Nguyen lords’ period in the 17th century through the activities of the Hoang Sa and Bac Hai flotillas, to 1816 when King Gia Long of the Nguyen dynasty officially established state ownership over the Hoang Sa archipelago by sending a naval fleet from the Hue court along with the Hoang Sa navy fleet to investigate and exercise Vietnam’s sovereignty there. Throughout the 19th century, no nation opposed the Nguyen dynasty’s official claim of state ownership over the Hoang Sa archipelago, which had been in place since 1816. This recognition was achieved through a number of publications in England, Germany, India, France, Bohemia, Russia, Italy, and Spain. These strong international legal foundations have been of great help in the ongoing struggle to protect the sovereignty of Vietnam’s islands and waters in general, and the Hoang Sa-Truong Sa archipelagos in particular.