THE ACTIVITIES OF PROTECTING THE MARITIME AND ISLAND SOVEREIGNTY OF NAM KY DURING THE REIGN OF EMPEROR MINH MANG (1820 - 1841)

Abstract

Sovereignty protection activities in the southern seas under Emperor Minh Mang (1820 – 1841) played a crucial role in ensuring maritime security and the sovereignty over the seas and islands of Nam Ky. This article analyzes factors related to the strategic position of the Nam Ky region and the Southeast Asian context influencing the policies on protecting sovereignty over the Nam Ky seas and islands, and to clarify the Nguyen dynasty’s contributions to this process during the reign of Emperor Minh Mang. Through historical and logical methods combined with the analysis of archival sources, the research results shed light on the following issues: (1) The impact of the strategic position of the seas and islands of Nam Ky and the regional context in the first half of the 19th century on the organization of sovereignty protection in the southern seas of Dai Nam; (2) Sovereignty protection activities were carried out regularly and strictly regulated through the command of Emperor Minh Mang. This article contributes to documenting the sovereignty protection by previous generations and to enhancing the positive values in current efforts to build and protect Vietnam's maritime and island sovereignty.