A map published in the Nguyen dynasty indicates Vietnam's sovereignty over the Paracel and Spratly archipelagos (File photo)

According to historical facts, under  the Nguyen dynasty (1558 – 1783), Vietnam not only was the first to discover the Paracel and the Spratly but also exercised peacefully and continuously its sovereignty over the the two archipelagos by its “Hoang Sa” and “Bac Hai” flottilas. Both Vietnamese and Chinese historical  documents recorded activities of  Nguyen dynasty’s troops in  its early stage in Cochinchina. A Chinese  document published in 1696 entitled Record of Overseas Journeys (Hai Ngoai Ky Su) recorded that: there had been activities of “Hoang Sa” flotilla. The documents Miscellany on the Pacification at the Frontier (Phu Bien Tap Luc) (1776), The Main Part of The Chronicles of Dai Nam (Dai Nam Thuc Luc Tien Bien) (1821), The Collection of the South’s Road Map (Thien Nam Tu Chi Lo Do Thu) (1686) all mentioned the operations of “Hoang Sa” flotilla. Especially, in  Miscellany on the Pacification at the Frontier (1776), scholar Le Quy Don wrote that: “The Nguyen kings  formed a 70-strong Hoang Sa flotilla made up of An Vinh villagers. Annually, it was deployed on duty in the third month, taking along enough food for six months. It sailed in five small fishing boats and reached the islands after a three-day-and-night voyage. There, the men were free  to catch birds and fish for additional food. They collected things from wrecked ships such as swords, silver or gold ornaments and coins, rings, brassware, tin and lead ingots, guns, ivory, beeswax, porcelain, woolens, etc. They also collected turtle shells, oysters, sea-cucumbers and conch shells in large quantities. This Hoang Sa Flotilla would return to mainland in the eighth month of the year through the Eo seaport. Then, it went to the Phu Xuan Citadel to hand over the goods that it had collected to be measured and classified, etc.”. “The Nguyen rulers also formed a Bac Hai flotilla without a fixed number of members, selected  among Tu Chinh villagers, Binh Thuan province or Canh Duong villagers. Sailors were selected on a voluntary basis. Those who volunteered to join the Flotilla would be exempted from personal tax, travelling expenses. They travelled in small fishing boats to Bac Hai, Con Lon island and the islets in Ha Tien area, collecting cargoes from wrecked ships and sea products such as turtles, oysters, abalones, sea-cucumbers. The Bac Hai Flotilla was placed under the control of the Hoang Sa Flotilla commander”. These are important historical documents to assert that the two flotillas have been founded and exercised the state sovereignty (under the Nguyen dynasty) over the Paracel and Spratly archipelagos since the late of 17^th century. According to the ancient books and documents, namely: Geography ( Du Dia Chi), The Main Part of The Chronicles of Dai Nam, The Geography of the Unified Dai Nam (Dai Nam Nhat Thong Chi)…, the “Hoang Sa” and “Bac Hai” flotillas took great responsibility. They not only exploited natural resources, but also did sea survey, recced and protected the Paracel and Spratly archipelagos. The flotillas led by a commander. He was accompanied by a number of troops. These troops were deployed by the Nguyen dynasty for special mission at the country’s fronts. For this reason, the “Hoang Sa” and “Bac Hai” flotillas were the manifestation of a state organization, set up for economic and defensive purposes in the East Sea under the Nguyen dynasty.

In conclusion, the presence of “Hoang Sa” and “Bac Hai” flotillas proves that the Paracel and Spratly archipelagos have long been  integral territories of Vietnam.

Hai Bang