Việtnam's Sovereignty over the Paracels & Spratlys: A History in Documents

Nguyn Nh
Ph.D. (History)
Vitnams Sovereignty over the Paracels &
Spratlys
History in Documents
!ay "#$%
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"
Nguyn Nh
Ph.D. (History)
Vitnams Sovereignty over the Paracels &
Spratlys
History in Documents
!ay "#$%
&
Special than's to(
) !em*ers o+ the ,ast Sea (South-hina Sea).esearch /oun0ation (12y 3i4n 56ng)
) !r. 1u7 Ho8ng (9range -ounty)
+or translation into ,nglish.
) !r. Dave :inh Diu; Ph<m V=n 1u>ng; ?ames Nach; !r. ?ames !inton an0 esspecially Dr;
Nguyn Huy Hi4n +or proo+rea0ing the translation.
) an0 colleagues @ho helpe0 @ith the +inalisation o+ the 0ra+t in ,nglish an0 the pu*lication
o+ 0ocumentary +iles on the sovereignty o+ Vitnam over the Paracels an0 Spratlys to the
@orl0.
Hn NguyAn Nguyn Nh; Ph.D. History
%
Table of Content Page
SUMMARY 18
PART I Doctoral the! The "roce of etabl!h!ng the o#ere!gnty
of $!%tna& o#er the Paracel ' S"ratly arch!"elago ()
:ist o+ +igures an0 ta*les (Branslate0 *y 1N-3D) &#
Preface (Branslate0 *y 1N-3D) &%
C*APT+R ,N+ -Tranlate. by Nguyn Tr!nh /0n1
2+,2RAP*Y P,SITI,NS AND NATURA3 C,NDITI,NS
,4 T*+ ARC*IP+3A2,S ,4 *,5N2 SA6PARAC+3S
AND TR78N2 SA6SPRAT3YS %C
$.$. Names an0 geography positions o+ Paracels an0 Spratlys %C
$.". Bhe rchipelago o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels %D
$.".$. :EFi :iGm Hroup %D
$.".". n VInh Hroup ($.") (mphirite Hroup) ($.&) C"
$.".&. :inh -6n Hroup C&
$.&. Bhe rchipelago o+ Spratlys (/igure $.$J) C&
$.&.$. Song BK -luster inclu0ing t@o islan0s; t@o ree+s; an0 t@o shoals C%
$.&.". BhL BM -luster CC
$.&.&.:oai Ba .ee+ -luster CC
$.&.%. Nam NOt; or Bi Hia Pslan0 -luster CQ
$.&.C. Sinh BRn Pslan0 -luster CS
$.&.Q Spratlys Pslan0 -luster CJ
$.&.S. n 3ang Pslan0 -luster CD
$.&.J. 3inh NguyAn Pslan0 -luster Q#
$.%. Natural con0itions an0 +lora o+ the rchipelagos o+ Ho8ng Sa)
Paracels an0 BrETng Sa)Spratlys Q$
Cha"ter ( -Tranlate. by 9NC:D1
T*+ +STA:3IS*M+NT ,4 $I;T NAM S,$+R+I2NTY
,$+R SPRAT3Y AND PARAC+3 ARC*IP+3A2,S QS
".$ Sources o+ materials testi+ying the Vitnamese sovereignty
esta*lishment on Paracel an0 Spratly archipelagos QS
".$.$. Vitnam materials Uusti+ying Vitnam sovereignty over
Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 BrETng Sa)Spratly. QS
".$.".-hinese an0 Vestern 0ocument Uusti+ying Vietnamese sovereignty
C
at Ho8ng Sa) Paracels an0 BrETng Sa)Spratlys. J&
"." Bhe a++irmation an0 esta*lishment o+ sovereignty *y Vitnamese
States DC
".".$ Bhe a++irmation o+ sovereignty over Paracels;
Spratlys *y Vitnamese :or0s; ,mperors an0 royal courts JC
"."." Bhe a0ministrative management +rom the Vitnamese states DC
over the archipelagos o+ Paracels an0 Spratlys
".".& Bhe +ormation an0 activity o+ Paracels /lotilla +rom WVPP
century to WPW century. DS
".".&.$ Bhe *irthplace o+ Ho8ng Sa /lotilla is in the Sa XY Port
(/igure ".C$) an0 .Z Pslan0 (-[ :ao .Z) DS
".".&.". Bime o+ Ho8ng Sa /lotilla operations an0 activity DD
".".&.&. .esponsi*ility o+ Ho8ng Sa /lotilla\team (5]i Ho8ng Sa) $#C
".".&.% Ho8ng Sa /lotillas organiâtion an0 contents o+ activity $#Q
".".% 3_c H>i /lotilla implemente0 their activities un0er the control o+
the Ho8ng Sa /lotilla in the South o+ ,ast Sea; an0 the vicinity $$%
".".C Vitnamese royal navy +orce activities in the archipelagos
o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 BrETng Sa)Spratlys $$C
".".C.$ Bhe activities o+ sea route measurement; mapping on
Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 BrETng Sa spratlys $$C
".".C." Vitnamese activities o+ erection lan0mar's an0 sovereignty stele
to esta*lish Vitnamese sovereignty on the archipelagos o+
Paracels an0 Spratlys +rom the *eginning o+ the WPW century $"#
".".C.& Bhe lan0mar' activities an0 the *uil0ing o+ sovereignty stele on
the Paracels an0 Spratlys since the *eginning o+ WPW century $"%
".".C.% 3uil0ing temples an0 planting trees on Paracels an0 Spratlys $"C

Cha"ter < -Tranlate.= e.!te. by N>T> Don1
C,NTINU+D C,NS,3IDATI,N ASS+RTI,N AND PR+S+R$ATI,N
,4 $I;TNAMS S,$+R+I2NTY ,$+R SPRAT3YS ' PARAC+3S
A4T+R 4,R+I2N +NCR,AC*M+NTS $"S
&.$. -ontinue0 consoli0ation assertion an0 preservation o+
Vitnams sovereignty o+ Spratlys an0 Paracels +rom $D#D
up to no@ $"S
Q
&.$.$. /rom $D#D to $D%C $"S
&.$.". Bhe $D%C$DC% perio0 $&J
&.$.& /rom $D%C to $DSC; perio0 o+ Vitnam protect against +oreign
violations o+ Vitnams sovereignty o+ the Paracels an0
the Spratlys $%$
&." :egal *asis +or asserting an0 0e+en0ing VNs sovereignty o+ Paracels
an0 Spratlys $C#
&.".$ 3asis o+ international la@ o+ 0etermining territorial sovereignty o+
9++shore islan0s $C#
&.".". Pnternational legality o+ VNs assertion o+ sovereignty o+ the
Paracels an0 the Spratlys $C&
Bhe sovereignty o+ Bhe Paracels (Hoang Sa) $C&
Bhe Sovereignty o+ Bhe Spratlys (BrETng Sa) $CC
&.".&. rguments against those o+ +oreign countries plea0ing +or their
violations o+ VNs sovereignty o+ Paracels an0 Spratlys $CD
Wi Sha (or VNs Ho8ng Sa) $Q#
Nan Sha (VNs BrETng sa) $QD
Conclu!on (Branslate0 *y 1N-3D) $JQ
:!bl!ogra"hy (Branslate0 *y 1N-3D) $D&
Re&ar? -Tranlate. by 9NC:D1 "$"
APP+NDI@ A ((<
$ /igures ( translate0 into ,nglish *y nne & ?ames !inton)
/igure $.$ ) -oncept o+ 0eveloping South ,ast sian :anguage throughout
the @orl0 *y ocean lines; *eginning +rom ,ast Sea (Paul .iver; $D"&) ""&
/igure $." Bhis @oul0 *e the map o+ ,ast Sea (South-hina Sea)
/igure $.& !ap o+ the 0eep ocean +loor proves that Spratlys @as the
e`ten0e0 length o+ the coast o+ Vitnam
/igure $.% Paracel Pslan0s Spratly Pslan0s (Heo)history .evie@; Pssue a"D)
/igure $.C ,ast Sea (South -hina Sea) @ith Ho8ng Sa Paracels\Spratlys
S
an0 other important lan0 names
/igure $.Q :ocation o+ ,ast see an0 the @orl0. Bhe circle0 area ("C## nautical
miles in 0iameter) inclu0es almost a hal+ o+ human population.
/igure $.S !ap sho@e0 the 0istance +rom the nearest isles o+ Ho8ng Sa
Paracels to the closest isles *elonge0 to the lan0 o+ Vitnam
(re+erre0 +rom the !ap o+ Southeast sia National Heographic
Society Vashington; D. - ($DQJ)
/igure $.J !ap @ith the @hole vie@ +or the locations o+ the islan0s an0
hi00en roc's in the ,ast Sea
/igure $.D rial vie@ o+ Ho8ng Sa Paracels (Pattle; Shanhu Dao)
sho@ing a military esta*lishment an0 @eather station
/igure $)$# Vitnamese Sovereinty Stele an0 the Statue o+ 3u00hist
Ho00ess on Ho8ng Sa) Paracels
/igure $.$$ Bhe Berrace o+ Vitnamese Veather Station on
Ho8ng Sa (Pattle Shanhu Dao); Paracels (photo $DQD)
/igure $.$" ,ngineer Brbn Hcu -hdu @ith the 0elegation o+
?apan)Vitnam specialists @or'ing on Paracels(the *attleship
H1" is in the *ac'groun0) Photo @as ta'en in $DS&.
/igure $.$& Bhree ?apanese e`perts on 1uang Ho8 56ng Pslan0.
Bhe *ac'groun0 is 1uang Ho8 Bdy. ,ngineer Brbn Hcu -hdu
le0 the Uoint ?apanese)Vitnamese specialists to eàmine an0
inspect Ho8ng Sa Paracels Pslan0s in the /all o+ $DS&.
/igure $.$% ,ngineer Brbn Hcu -hdu on .o*ert islan0 o+ Paracels
/igure $.$C Hcu Nhet Pslan0 (.o*ert)
/igure $.$Q 1uang Ho8
/igure $.$S 1uang fnh Pslan0 (!oney)
/igure $.$J !ap o+ Spratlys @ith Vitnamese names
(*y Vitnamese !easurement gency o+ Social .epu*lican Vitnam; $DJD)
/igure $.$D S'etching map o+ Song BK 56ng Pslan0
/igure $."# Sovereinty !onument signi+ie0 Vitnamese o@nership
o+ Song BK 56ng Pslan0 *elonge0 to the Spratlys Pslan0s
/igure $."$ S'etching !ap o+ Song BK Bdy Pslan0
/igure $."" Sailors o+ the Vitnamese Navy on Song BK Bdy Pslan0
/igure $."& S'etching map o+ BhL BM Pslan0
/igure $."% S'etching map o+ :oai Ba Pslan0
/igure $."C S'etching map o+ Nam NOt Pslan0
/igure $."Q S'etching map Sgn -a Pslan0
/igure $."S S'etching map o+ 3a 3hnh Pslan0
J
/igure $."J S'etching map o+ Sinh BRn Pslan0
/igure $."D S'etching map o+ BrETng Sa Spratly Pslan0
/igure $.&# S'etching map o+ n 3ang Pslan0
/igure $.&$ ccor0ing to ecological evolution;
,ast Sea (South-hina Sea)*elongs to Vitnam. Bhe Vallace Hu`ley
:ine 0i++erentiates Philipine +rom ,ast Sea.
/igure $.&" 9cean currents an0 salt level o+ ,ast Sea
/igure $.&& Sea storms an0 other natural 0isasters (e.g. earthiua'e;
tsunami) inhe ,ast Sea
/igure ".&% !ap sho@ing the @ay +rom lan0 1uang Nam (a province
o+ the :A Dynasty) to@ar0 the Hjn .Zk Pslan0 an0 3i -lt V8ng
(Paracels) inclu0e0 in Vitnam lan0 o@nership)
/igure ".%S ) !aps in the 0ocument *oo' :ivro 0a marinharia o+
/! Pinto ($CQ#)(p."QQ)
/igure ".%D !ap o+ Van):angren ($CDC
/igure ".C# !ap o+ Hreat -ountry o+ n Nam
/igure ".C# ) n Nam mi ( :7 Sgn county to
the ,ast o+ .Z Pslan0 (/igure *y Nguyn Nh; $DDD)
/igure ".C% ncestor !emory House o+ Ph<m 1uang fnh (Photo *y
Nguyn Nh; $DDD)
/igure ".CC Sailing ship use0 +or going to Ho8ng Sa)Paracels *y
Nguyn H<p (collecte0 *y
". D9-p!,NBS "Q"
D9-p!,NB ".$ (a)
D9-p!,NB ".$ (*) n Nam .oa0s -omplete 3oo'; compile0 *y 5q 3l -6ng 5<o
D9-p!,NB ".$ (c) Bhe Hol0en San0 Strip an0 notes on *oo' P; n Nam
.oa0s -omplete 3oo' r$$Ds
D9-p!,NB "." Pht 3iAn B<p :uc ( .ecor0s o+ 0ministering Bhe /rontiers);
3oo' "; sheets SJ*)SDa in -hinese
D9-p!,NBS ".& (a) Pht 3iAn B<p :uc (.ecor0s o+ 0ministering Bhe
/rontiers). 3oo' "; sheets J"*)J&a
D9-p!,NBS ".& (*) Pht 3iAn B<p :uc (.ecor0s o+ 0ministering Bhe
/rontiers). 3oo' "; sheet J&*
D9-p!,NBS ".& (c) .ecor0s o+ 0ministering Bhe /rontiers; *oo' "; sheet J%a
D9-p!,NB ".& (0) .ecor0s o+ 0ministering Bhe /rontier; *oo' "; sheet J%*
D9-p!,NB ".& (e)Bhis page in a version @ith the @or0 y ( ) instea0 o+ ho<i ()
Document num*er VHV $S&S; Vin NghiAn cMu Hln N6m (H8n]i)
D
Document num*er HNV $SJ; li*rary o+ the Social Sciences at Hochi!inh city
D9-p!,NB ".%
D9-p!,NB ".C
D9-p!,NB ".Q(a) Ho8ng Vit DE 5La -hv; *oo' P; sheet $$*; in -hinese
D9-p!,NB ".Q (*)Ho8ng Vit DE 5La -hv; *oo' P; sheet $$*; in -hinese
D9-p!,NB ".S (a) -omman0 +rom !inh !nh
D9-p!,NB ".S (*) -omman0 +rom !inh !nh $&)#S)
?une "$
st
; year !inh !<ng $D ($J&J)Department o+ 3uil0ing
an0 Development.
D9-p!,NB ".D w<i Nam Bhxc :uc BiGn 3iAn ( ;
w<i Nam Historical .ecor0s; ,arlier Version); *oo' $#; engraving
D9-p!,NB ".$#
D9-p!,NB ".$$5<i Nam Bhxc :uc -hvnh 3iAn( ;
5<i Nam History .ecor0s ; !ain Version); +irst era; *oo' C"; sheet $Ca
D9-p!,NB ".$" (a) 5<i Nam Bhxc :uc -hvnh 3iAn (5<i Nam
History .ecor0s; !ain Version); Secon0 era; *oo' $#%; sheet $Q*
D9-p!,NB ".$" (*)5<i Nam Bhxc :uc -hvnh 3iAn (5<i Nam
History .ecor0s; !ain Version); Secon0 era; *oo' $#%; sheet $Sa
D9-p!,NB ".$& (a)5<i Nam Bhxc :uc -hvnh 3iAn (5<i Nam
History .ecor0s; !ain Version);Secon0 era; *oo' $C%; sheet %a
D9-p!,NB ".$& (*)5<i Nam Bhxc :uc -hvnh 3iAn (5<i Nam
History .ecor0s; !ain Version);Secon0 era; *oo' $C%; sheet %*
D9-p!,NB ".$% (a)5<i Nam Bhxc :uc -hvnh 3iAn (5<i Nam
History .ecor0s; !ain Version);Secon0 era; *oo' $QC; sheet "%*
D9-p!,NB ".$% (*)5<i Nam Bhxc :uc -hvnh 3iAn (5<i Nam
History .ecor0s; !ain Version);Secon0 era; *oo' $QC; sheet "Ca
D9-p!,NB ".$%(c)5<i Nam Bhxc :uc -hvnh 3iAn (5<i Nam
History .ecor0s; !ain Version); Secon0 era; *oo' $QC; sheet "C*
D9-p!,NB".$C(a)Xhdm 5Lnh 5<i Nam H]i 5i4n Sx : r
; -ompen0ium o+ ,vents an0.egulations o+ 5<i Nam
(*y ,mperors 9r0er)s; *oo' "#S; sheet "C*
D9-p!,NB ".$C (*) Xhdm 5Lnh 5ng Ngi province
D9-p!,NB ".$Q (*)5<i Nam Nhyt Bhnng -hv (;
pni+ie0 5<i Nam Heography); *oo' Q
D9-p!,NB ".$Q (c) 5<i Nam Nhyt Bhnng -hv ( ;
pni+ie0 5<i Nam Heography); *oo' Q
D9-p!,NB ".$S (a) 1unc BriGu -hvnh 3iAn Bolt NOu(
;NationsDynasty!ainVersionSummary); 3oo' &
D9-p!,NB ".$S (*)1unc BriGu -hvnh 3iAn Bolt NOu
(;NationsDynasty!ainVersionSummary); *oo' &
D9-p!,NB ".$S (c) 1unc BriGu -hvnh 3iAn Bolt NOu
(;NationsDynasty!ainVersionSummary); 3oo' &
D9-p!,NB ".$S (0)1unc BriGu -hvnh 3iAn Bolt NOu
(Nations Dynasty !ain Version Summary);
D9-p!,NB ".$J
D9-p!,NB ".$D 9++icial 3ulletin in Vitnamese o+ the
Hovernment; No. J; $D&J
D9-p!,NB "."#
D9-p!,NB "."$
D9-p!,NB "."" Dao Ni zhi :ue; (Short 3oo' on
Bhe /oreigners on Pslan0s) *y Da *o +ang ; Nuan 0ynasty
($"#Q)$&QJ) @rites on Van :i Shi Bang (p.D&) r$"Cs
D9-p!,NB "."& Nan ^hou yi @u ^hi
(Bhe ,`traor0inary Bhings o+ Southern :an0) *y Nang /u o+ {
56ng Hln era ("C)""#) @rites on magnets at the sea
(in Bhli 3hnh Ngx :m *y :7 Ph|ng in Sung 0ynasty; *oo' DJJ;
DE}c *] C on !agnetic Stones) r$"&s
D9-p!,NB "."% Nu ?ing zong Nao
)(Summary on !ilitary !atters) *y zeng Hong :iang
o+ Sung 0ynasty (DQ#)$"SD) @rites on military
$$
matters at Huang nan 56ng :]; +irst collection; *oo' "#
D9-p!,NB "."C Hai Nu *y Huang zhuong ;
!ing 0ynasty; @rites on the sea routes +rom Huang^hou
to Siam (earlier *oo')
Ba*le $.$ N!,S 9/ PS:NDS; SB.PPS; n0 .9-X &&D
HH.,HB,S 9N H9~NH S
D9-p!,NB "."Q
Ba*le $." N!,S 9/ PS:NDS; SB.PPS; n0 .9-X &%$
HH.,HB,S 9N H9~NH S
D9-p!,NB "."S Ba*le $.& N!,S 9/ 3NXS
.9pND BH, -9NBPN,NB: SH,:/ B -HNH 9/ VPBN!
D9-p!,NB "."J &%%
D9-p!,NB "."D
D9-p!,NB ".&#
D9-p!,NB ".&$
Ba*le #.$ -H.9NP-:,
&%Q
APP+NDI@ :
After the "reentat!on of The .octoral the!
Ne@ evi0ences a*out Vitnams Sovereignty over Paracels & Spratlys @as translate0
into ,nglish *y 1u7Ho8ng &QJ
P3:S>1> <A8
.eport o+ the chie+ o+ sta++; Ph<m 1uYnh; to ,mperor 3>o 5ng Ngi
in the $D
th
century
Docu&ent <BC
Royally $!eDe. Docu&ent -chEu bFn1 of Nguyn Dynaty !n the
1)th century -b!eng!o!lanhtho.gov.vn/1
.oyal Vie@e0 Document Nguyn Dynasty in the $D
th
century
(Day "Sr0; month Q
th
; !inh !nh monarchy s year $$
th
($J&#)
.oyal Vie@e0 Document (+rom -a*inet o+ the Nguyn
Xing0om; 0ate0 ( 0ay ""
n0
; month $$
th
; !inh)!ang
monarchy s $%
th
year. ($J&&))
$"
.eport o+ -a*inet .oyal Vie@e0 Documents (-hdu *>n) o+ Nguyn
Dynasty in the $D
th
century (Day $&r0; month S
th
; !inh !nh
monarchy s year $Q
th
($J&C))
.oyal Vie@e0 Documents o+ Nguyn Dynasty Date0( 0ay
$&
th
; month S
th
; !inh !enh monarchys year $Q
th
; ($J&C)
-hdu *>n triGu Nguyn ng8y $&)S n=m !inh !nh thM $Q ($J&C)
.oyal Vie@e0 Documents o+ Nguyn Dynasty Date0( 0ay $$
th
;
month S
th
; !inh !enh monarchys year $J
th
($J&S)
PART II
So&e "a"er by Dr Nguyn Nh at c!ent!f!c conference !n
$!%tna& an. o#erea &DJ
2.1. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND TO THE DISPUTE OF
VITNAMS SOVEREIGNTY OVER THE PARACEL AND
SPRATLY ISLANDS CAUSES AND SOLUTIONS &DJ
*IST,RICA3 :ACG2R,UND 3+ADIN2 UP T, T*+ I33+2A3
+@P3,RATI,N ,4 T*+ PARAC+3 IS3ANDS :Y T*+ 2,$+RNM+NT ,4
2UAN2D,N2 PR,$INC+ -C*INA1 IN 1)H) AND T*+ C,NTINUIN2
$I,3ATI,NS ,4 $I%TNAMS S,$+R+I2NTY ,$+R T*+ PARAC+3 IS3ANDS
UNTI3 1)<H I*+N T*+ 4R+NC* C,3,NIA3 2,$+RNM+NT C*AN2+D ITS $I+I
J*IST,RICA3 :ACG2R,UND 3+ADIN2 T, T*+ S,$+R+I2NTY DISPUT+ CHK
:+TI++N C*INA AND 4RANC+ ,$+R T*+ PARAC+3 AND SPRAT3Y
IS3ANDS ,4 $I%TNAM :+TI++N 1)<H AND 1)CK= DURIN2 T*+ TIM+
I*+N 4RANC+ D,MINAT+D $I%TNAM
J*IST,RICA3 :ACG2R,UND 3+ADIN2 T, T*+ SIN,4R+NC* DISPUT+ ,4 CH)
$I%TNAMS S,$+R+I2NTY ,$+R T*+ PARAC+3 AND SPRAT3Y IS3ANDS
:+TI++N AU2UST 1)CK AND APRI3 1)CA= I*+N 4RANC+ IN$AD+D $I%TNAM
4,R T*+ S+C,ND TIM+.
*IST,RICA3 :ACG2R,UND 3+ADIN2 T, T*+ DISPUT+ ,4 C1<
$I%TNAMS S,$+R+I2NTY ,$+R T*+ PARAC+3 AND SPRAT3Y IS3ANDS
:Y C*INA= 4RANC+= T*+ R+PU:3IC ,4 $I%TNAM AND ,T*+R NATI,NS
IN T*+ R+2I,N :+TI++N 1)KA AND 1)BK
JT*+ TRUT* A:,UT $I%TNAMS S,$+R+I2NTY ,$+R T*+ PARAC+3 AND C(K
SPRAT3Y IS3ANDS AND SUSTAINA:3+ S,3UTI,NS T, T*+ PR,:3+M
,4 T*+ PARAC+3 IS3ANDS= SPRAT3Y IS3ANDS AND T*+ S,UT* C*INA S+A
$&

2.2. THE HISTORICAL AND SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE !"2
ASSERTS SOVEREIGNTY OF VITNAM # REFUTES
NON$SCIENTIFIC ARGUMENTS OF CHINA FOR THE
PARACEL AND SPRATLY ARCHIPELAGOS
P.BH, HPSB9.P-: ,VPD,N-, D,!9NSB.B,S VPBN!S %&"
S9V,.,PHNBN 9V,. BH, P.-,: & SP.B:N .-HPP,:H9S.
$.$.Bhe evi0ence +rom Vitnams history proves its sovereignty %&"
over Bhe Paracel an0 Spratly rchipelagos
$.$.$ Bhe a++irmation o+ sovereignty over Paracel an0 Spratly %&&
rchipelagos *y Nguyn Dynasty Xings
$.$."Bhe a0ministrative management o+ Vitnams Hovernment at %&Q
Paracel an0 Spratly rchipelagos .
$.$.& Bhe historic an0 geographic evi0ences o+ the 9cci0ent prove %%C
Vitnam *ut not -hina in the esta*lishing an0 en+orcing
Sovereignty over Paracels an0 Spratlys.
PP. BH, S-P,NBP/P- ,VPD,N-,S .,/pB, N9N)S-P,NBP/P- %C#
.Hp!,NBS 9/ -HPN 39pB BH, S9V,.,PHNBN
9V,. P.-,:S ND SP.B:NS
".$ Bhe scienti+ic evi0ences re+ute non)scienti+ic arguments o+ %C#
-hina since $D#D sai0 that Wisha ( ) calle0 Vitnam s
Paracels @as un'no@ne0 lan0 an0 the sovereignty in Wisha
( ) an0 Nansha *elonging to -hina @as in0isputa*le.
".$.$ /irst o+ all is the Wisha () (the Vitnams Ho8ng Sa) %C#
".$." Secon0 o+ all is NanSha %CS
2." FOUNDATIONS AND FACTS OF THE ESTABLISHMENT !%&
AND PROTECTION OF VI'TNAMS SOVEREIGNTY AS
TO THE PARACEL ISLANDS AND THE SPRATLY ISLANDS
P. /9pNDBP9NS 9/ BH, ,SB3:PSH!,NB ND P.9B,-BP9N 9/ %S"
VPBN!S S9V,.,PHNBN S B9 BH, P.-,: PS:NDS
ND BH, SP.B:N PS:NDS
$.$ Pnternational legal +oun0ations in the early "#
th
-entury %S"
$%
@hen the Hovernment o+ Huang0ong province;
1ing Dynasty consi0ere0 the Paracel Pslan0s as terra nullius;
a 0ispute over the possession o+ the Paracel Pslan0s @hich must *e real
possession arose.
$.". Bhe -harter o+ the pnite0 Nations concerning pN resolutions %S&
serves as an international legal +oun0ation a+ter Vorl0 Var PP
+or settling 0isputes over territory.
$.&. pnite0 Nations -onvention on :a@ o+ Sea is the %S&
*asis o+ international legal +oun0ation +or current 0isputes
over these islan0s.
$.%. During the perio0 o+ sovereignty esta*lishment +rom the %S%
*eginning o+ the $Sth century an0 later on; Vitnam has al@ays
assume0 that the Paracel Pslan0s an0 the Spratly Pslan0s are one group.
". /-BS 9/ BH, ,SB3:PSH!,NB ND P.9B,-BP9N %SC
9/ VPBN!S S9V,.,PHNBN S B9 BH, P.-,:
PS:NDS ND BH, SP.B:N PS:NDS
".$. /irstly; *ase0 on the governmentalism; +rom the $Sth century %SC
to the early $Dth century; the Paracel)Ho8ng Sa +leet\/lotilla;
the North Sea) 3_c H>i +leet\ /lotilla;
".$.$. ,sta*lishment an0 activities o+ the Paracel) Ho8ng Sa %SC
/lotilla\ !ilitia
".$." North Sea (3ei hai ) !ilitia +leet patrolle0 un0er %J#
control an0 management o+ the Paracel /lotlla\ +leet in Southern
region o+ the ,ast Sea; or the Spratly Pslan0s an0 the surroun0ings.
".". During the Nguyn Dynasty; +rom $J$Q; the navy @as assigne0%J&
Bo constantly set up *eacons; erect sovereignty steles; control;
an0 protect the Paracel Pslan0s & Spratly Pslan0s.
".".$. Sea route measurement an0 map)0ra@ing as to the Spratly %J%
islan0s.
".".". Bhe activities o+ placing *eacons an0 *oun0ary stone %JS
to i0enti+y Vitnams sovereignty on Vitnams the Paracel
Pslan0s an0 the Spratly Pslan0s as +rom the $Dth century.
$C
".".& 3uil0ing pago0as; temples an0 planting trees on the %D#
Paracel islan0s an0 the Spratly islan0s
".&. -on+irmation o+ sovereignty on the Paracel islan0s an0 %D$
the Spratly islan0s *y Vitnamese ,mperors an0 :or0s
".%. -ontinue0 a0ministrative management; a++irm not %D"
to renounce sovereignty; implement continuous sovereignty
o+ Paracel Pslan0s & Spratly Pslan0s +or % centuries +rom $S
th

century to $DS% @hen -hina illegally occupie0 the Paracel Pslan0s
*y +orce.
".C. pnite0 Vitnamese authority continue0 to a++irm %DS
Vitnams sovereignty on Paracel Pslan0s an0 Spratly Pslan0s.
Part III
4ull Luotat!on fro& o&e Ietern .ocu&ent about C#&
o#ere!gnty o#er Paracel an. S"ratly>
&.$ nalysis Bhe Spratly)Paracel Pslan0s 0ispute C#&
a #$#QQ# ; Q ?une $DQ# Hea0iuarters p.S. rmy 3roa0casting an0
Visual ctivity Paci+ic P9 &&$
&." ?ournal o+ an em*assy +rom the governor)general o+ Pn0ia to the C$&
-ourrier o+ Siam an0 -ochinchina; vol. "; "n0 e0.
&.&. ?ournal o+ the siatic Society o+ 3engal; vol. Q; part "
&.%.Bhe siatic ?ournal an0 !onthly .egister; No. $&
&.C.Bhe ,ncyclopae0ia 3ritannica; or Dictionary o+ rts; Sciences;
an0 Heneral :iterature; Jth ,0ition; volume S
&.Q.Bhe ,nglish ,ncyclopae0ia; vol. "
&.S.Bhe ?ournal o+ the .oyal Heography Society; No. $D
&.J.HZographie 0es gZographies( Nouveau cours 0e gZographie
ancienne et 0e gZographie mo0erne comparZes.
&.D.HZographie universelle; ou Description gZnZrale 0e la terre ,0ition
Diamont
&.$#. :pnivers( histoire et 0escription 0e tous les peuples; 0es leurs
religions;moeurs; coutumes.
&.$$.*rZgZ 0e gZographie mo0erne( ou Description historiiue; politiiue;
civile et naturelle 0es ,mpire; royaumes; Ztats et leurs colonies
&.$".*rZgZ 0e gZographie; rZ0igZ sur un nouveau plan
&.$&.Dictionnaire gZographiiue universel; contenant la 0escription 0e tous
les lieu` 0u glo*e; tome premier
&.$%.HZographie mo0erne( re0igZe 0aprs les matZriau` les plus rZcents
sur le plan 0e louvrage
&.$C.HZographie universelle( ou 0escription 0e toutes les parties 0u mon0e
tome C; siìme e0ition
$Q
&.$Q.:ettres e0i+iantes et curieuses concernant lsie; l+riiue et
lmeriiue; tome troisime
&.$S.!anuel complet 0es aspirans au *accalaurZat s)lettres tome
premier; premire partie( .hZtoriiue)HZographie
&.$J.!urs; usages et costumes 0e tous les peuples 0u mon0e
&.$D.PrZcis 0e la gZographie universelle( ou; Description 0e toutes
les parties 0u mon0e; tome secon0
&."#.Souvenirs 0e HuZ.
&."$.Suite 0e la HZographie 0e *usching; tome neuvieme.
&."".Ba*leau 0e la -ochinchine.
&."&.BraitZ ZlZmentaire 0e gZographie( contenant un a*rZgZ mZtho0iiue 0u PrZcis 0e
la gZographie universelle en iuatre volumes; 0ivisZ en 0eu` parties; Premire partie
&."%.Voyage pittoresiue en sie et en +riiue.
&."C.Neues Xonversations):eì'on( ein Vorter*uch 0es allgemeinen Vissens; vol $"
&."Q.llgemeines historisch)statistisch)geographisches.
&."S. us 0er Natur;
&."J.Del vario gra0o 0importanâ 0egli stati o0ierni
&."D. Nuovo 0iîonario geogra+ico universale statistico)storico)commerciale; tomo
PV; parte P
&.&#.-ompen0io 0i geogra+ia universale; iuarta e0iîone; tomo primo
&.&$
&.&".Heogra+ia mo0erna universale; Volume terô.
&.&&. :a cosmogra+ia istorica; astronomica e +isica; tomo Q. parte /isica.
&.&%.Nuovo compen0io 0i Heogra+ia.
&.&C.-ompen0io 0e geogra+ia mo0erna
&.&Q.-urso completo 0e geogra+ia universal
&.&S. ,l tlas a*revia0o; tomo segun0o; parte primera
&.&J. lgemeen aar0riU's'un0ig @oor0en*oe'
$S
1> SUMMARY
Pn ?anuary $DSC; as chie+ e0itor o+ Bep San SK 5La (Historio)HZography 1uarterly
.evie@) in Saigon; Nguyn Nh pu*lishe0 a special e0ition o+ the .evie@; num*er "D; on the
Paracel & Spratly Pslan0s that inclu0e0 several historical an0 scienti+ic @or's *y many @ell)
'no@n scholars such as Pro+essors Ho8ng Wudn Hn in /rance an0 :ng HR Nguyn Xh_c
Xham in ?apan; an0 !r. Bhli V=n Xi4m in Vitnam.
9n ?anuary $J; "##&; Nguyn Nh presente0 his 0octoral 0issertation in history at the
National pniversity o+ HR -hv !inh -ity @ith a stu0y calle0 1ul Brhnh Wlc :ep -ht
1uyGn cu> Vit Nam t<i Ho8ng Sa v8 BrETng Sa (Bhe Process o+ Ho@ Vitnamese
Sovereignty @as ,sta*lishe0 9ver the Paracel & Spratly rchipelagoes).
+ter this 0octoral 0issertation; Nguyn Nh @rote many articles an0 papers +or
presentation at various scienti+ic con+erences *oth in Viet Nam an0 a*roa0.
Bhis history in 0ocument is in three parts(
Part P presents some highlights o+ the authors 0octoral thesis entitle0 Bhe Process o+
Ho@ Vitnamese Sovereignty Vas ,sta*lishe0 9ver the Paracel & Spratly rchipelagoes;
(1ul Brhnh Wlc :ep -ht 1uyGn cu> Vit Nam t<i Ho8ng Sa v8 BrETng Sa) inclu0ing his
opinions on ne@ 0evelopments.
Part PP is a summary o+ three papers presente0 at seminars hel0 in H8n]i an0 in
Phila0elphia; p.S..; in "#$#.
Part PPP consists o+ iuotations +rom some Vestern 0ocuments a*out Vitnamese
sovertignty over the Parcels an0 Spratlys; inclu0ing an analysis o+ a $DQ# p.S. rmy
$J
0ocument an0 e`cerpts +rom geography *oo's an0 travel 0iaries *y Vestern @riters +rom the
nineteenth century an0 earlier.
Part P Doctoral Dissertation Section
Bhe +ollo@ing is an a*stract o+ Dr Nguyn Nh Ph.D. thesis
Historical truth a*out Vits sovereignty over the Paracels an0 Spratlys is 0etaile0 in
this @or' in a thoroughly scienti+ic an0 o*Uective manner an0 in irre+uta*le 0etails. Bhe
author cites over "## re+erences; in particular the .oyal 9r0ers (Du) coming +rom the
emperors o+ the Nguyn Dynasty an0 many reports (Byu & Phc Byu) o+ the Department o+
Pu*lic Vor's (3] -6ng). Bhere are also history an0 geography *oo's o+ the Nguyn Dynasty
@hich clearly 0escri*e0 the esta*lishment o+ Vitnams sovereignty over the Paracel &
Spratly Pslan0s.
Documents coming +rom ,uropean an0 -hinese sources also state very clearly that
Vitnam eèrcise0 sovereignty over the Paracels & Spratlys.
Some speci+ic eàmples in this 0ocument(

Bhe +irst relates that in $D#D; the provincial government o+ Huang0ong; -hina; *egan
to call the Paracels Wi)Sha an0 the lan0 as res nullius (0erelict); it ha0 there+ore organiê0
surveillance an0 attempte0 to ta'e possession o+ Vitnams Paracels *y using @arship
cannons to +ire "$ shots on the islan0; raise +lags; an0 claim sovereignty over the islan0s. t
the time Vitnam @as un0er /rench colonial rule; having lost its 0iplomatic autonomy
+ollo@ing the signing o+ the so)calle0 Paten6tre peace treaty @ith /rance in $JJ%. Pn $D"$;
authorities in the South -hina announce0 that Wi)Sha)Paracels @ill *e part o+ Huang0ong
Province. Bhe /rench colonial government in Vitnam @as slo@ in respon0ing; *ut it 0i0 say
that it 0i0 not +or that reason a*an0on the sovereignty over the islan0s. Pn the early $D&#s; the
/rench government too' speci+ic actions to post a military presence an0 maintain its
sovereignty through meteorological stations locate0 at Paracels & Spratlys. Pn $D%S /rance
trans+erre0 all civilian po@ers to Vitnams national government le0 *y ,mperor 3>o 5<i an0
in $DCC let the then government o+ South Vitnam ta'e over the territory o+ South Vitnam
+rom latitu0e $S south@ar0 as stipulate0 in the $DC% Heneva greement.
During Vorl0 Var PP ?apan occupie0 the Paracels & Spratlys in $D&J)$D&D. +ter the
?apanese surren0er in ugust $D%C; given the mission o+ 0isarming the ?apanese army 0o@n
to latitu0e $& an0 @ith the Hovernment o+ the Democratic .epu*lic o+ Vitnam then
occupie0 *y its resistance @ar against the /rench @ho ha0 returne0; sol0iers o+ -hiang Xai
She's Nationalist Hovernment in -hina occupie0 Paracel Pslan0s in Decem*er $D%Q an0 'ept
it until $DC# @hen they pulle0 *ac' to Bai@an. !ean@hile /rench troops an0 the Vitnam
National rmy continue0 to maintain a presence in some o+ the remaining Paracel Pslan0s &
the Spratly Pslan0s. Pn the San /rancisco -on+erence o+ $DC$; ?apan gave up all occupational
rights to the Paracel & Spratly Pslan0s the Soviet pnion propose0 to turn these islan0s to
-hina *ut the proposal @as reUecte0. Prime !inister Brbn V=n Hcu 0eclare0 Vitnams long
stan0ing sovereignty over Ho8ng Sa & BrETng Sa; a claim that @as not conteste0.
Pn pril $DCQ; /rench troops @ith0re@ +rom Pn0ochina. Ba'ing a0vantage o+ the
@ea'ness o+ South Vitnams +orces at the time; -hina occupie0 the largest islan0 o+ the
Paracels; Voo0y ( Vietnam); an0 Bai@an too' possession o+ the largest islan0 o+ the
$D
Spratlys; Ptu *a; thus causing a situation @here the .VN (rmy o+ the .epu*lic o+
Vitnam) presence @as intersperse0 @ith -hinese troops in the Paracels & Bai@anese troops
in the Spratlys.
+ter the signing o+ the Paris greement in $DS&; ta'ing a0vantage o+ the p.S.
@ith0ra@al +rom Vitnam; -hina seiê0 the Paracel Pslan0 rchipelago in its entirety; on $D
?anuary $DS%. Since then -hina has +orti+ie0 the Paracel Pslan0s; 0espite the pN -harters
prohi*ition against the use o+ +orces.
9n pril C; $DSC the Southern National :i*eration /ront rmy (1udn 5]i Hi>i Phng
!iGn Nam) replace0 the .VN troops. Since Vitnam; a small country; 0i0 not @ish to
con+ront -hina it lost the Paracel Pslan0s to -hinaas in the case o+ the Bu :ong mines
@hich the -hinese also occupie0 @hen sovereignty @as turne0 over *y the /rench to the
Vitnamese.
+ter the $DS% occupation o+ the Paracel Pslan0s; -hina launche0 a vast research
e++ort in the attempt to prove -hinese sovereignty over the Paracels & Spratlys; putting
hun0re0s o+ gra0uate stu0ents at @or' on a num*er o+ sophisticate0 proUects; many o+ these
scholars @ell place0 at universities aroun0 the @orl0; @ith the aim o+ proving such points as
the Paracels & Spratlys *elonge0 to -hina since at least the !ing Dynasty or even the Bang
Dynasty or 3e+ore $JJC; Vitnam @as part o+ -hina. 3ut 0espite their meticulous @or';
as @itnesse0 *y the massive @or' o+ the Han zhen Hua Hroup; the @hole e++ort prove0 to *e
+ruitless as it lac'e0 a scienti+ic *asis in history; relying as it 0oes on zheng Huas seven trips
to the oceans south o+ -hina; all o+ @hich passe0 *y the Wisha (Paracels) & Nansha
(Spratlys). Bhus; a+ter $DS%; the -hinese earlier argument o+ the Paracels *eing res-nullius
(0erelict) lan0; a0vance0 in $D#D; @as replace0 *y the alternate vie@ that -hina @as the +irst
to 0iscover; a0minister an0 e`ploit *oth the Paracel an0 the Spratly archipelagoes.
Pn "##D; -hina o++icially registere0 @ith the pN -ommission on the :a@ o+ the Sea
its claim to an area 0e+ine0 *y a nine)0otte0 line in the South -hina Sea; the so)calle0 o`)
tongue claim; to ma'e J# percent o+ that international *o0y o+ @ater -hinas sovereign
@aters. Bhus; even Vitnams e`clusive economic ône o+ "## nautical miles as recogniê0
*y the pnite0 Nations -onvention on the :a@ o+ the Sea (pN-:9S) also *ecame 0ispute0
territory. Despite this claim *y -hina in the spirit o+ Hreat Han) 5<i Hln; its claim @ill not *e
supporte0 *y historical 0ocumentation @hich sho@s Vit Nams in0isputa*le sovereignty
over the Paracels an0 Spratlys; a +act that is supporte0 *y international la@; the pnite0
Nations -harter an0 the pnite0 Nations -onvention on the :a@ o+ the Sea (pN-:9S; $DJ").
Some speci+ic eàmples(
a. Bhere is no country other than Vitnam that can sho@ a continuous historical
recor0; @ith institutional policy 0ecisions an0 geography *oo's clearly esta*lishing
Vitnams sovereignty over the Paracel)Ho8ng Sa an0 Spratly)BrETng Sa Pslan0s.
) /or instance; the Supplement to the Hreat Viet History (5<i Vit SK X7 Buc 3iAn)
($QSQ)$SJD); commissione0 *y or0er o+ BrLnh Sdm in $SSC an0 complete0 *y historians o+
the :A BrLnh perio0; has this to say(
,ight militiamen o+ the Ho8ng Sa /lotilla (5]i Ho8ng Sa); n VInh commune; 3hnh
Sgn 0istrict; 1u>ng Ngi Province in a small *oat +rom Paracel islan0s @ere 0riven *y @in0s
into the estuary o+ 1ing :an; :u^hou county government. Bhe local authorities +oun0 through
"#
interrogation their @or0s to *e true an0 returne0 them to their lan0 o+ origin. n Vinh
-ommunes sea has more than $&# islan0s; inclu0ing islan0s separate0 *y a 0ay *oat... on
some islan0s there are +resh@ater springs. Bhe *each has a variety o+ pro0ucts such as
elephant)ear cochleas; conches; snails an0 turtle eggs; sea cucum*er; an0 tortoise...
Bhey esta*lishe0 the Ho8ng Sa /lotilla o+ S# militiamen +rom n VInh -ommune
@ho too' *oats out to the islan0s to collect sea organisms. ,ach year in the thir0 month;
*ringing enough +oo0 to eat +or si` months; they too' trips out to sea lasting three 0ays an0
three nights to the islan0s. Here they @ere +ree to collect the sea pro0ucts (an0 salvage +rom
ship@rec's); up to the eighth month; then the *oats @ent *ac' to the ,o estuary; Ph Wudn
province; to su*mit their collections. mong them there @ere +oun0 money; lea0; tin; copper
pots; guns; @eapons; ivory; stone *o@ls .
Bhe a*ove account is not much 0i++erent +rom the contents o+ !iscellaneous .ecor0s
on the Paci+ication o+ the /rontiers (Pht 3iAn B<p :uc; $SSQ) @ritten *y :A 1u7 56n.
Volume " o+ this @or' gives a thorough 0escription o+ the Paracels)Ho8ng Sa; the te`t
re+erring to the Nguyn :or0s esta*lishing Vitnams sovereignty *y creating the Ho8ng Sa
/lotilla )5]i Ho8ng Sa @ith civil an0 military responsi*ility o+ managing the 3ei Hai
/lotilla) 5]i 3_c H>i.
/rom $J#" to $D#D; the Nguyn Dynasty pro0uce0 many 0ocuments o+ history;
classic institutional policy 0ecisions; an0 geography *oo's that 0emonstrate the sovereignty
o+ Vitnam over the Paracels an0 Spratlys (
) Bhe Heography Section (DE 5La -hv) ($J"$) o+ :Lch BriGu HiOn -hEgng :o<i -hv
*y Phan Huy -h; a gigantic encyclope0ia o+ %D volumes; @hich recor0s all the rules an0
regulations o+ succee0ing 0ynasties in Vitnam; only *rie+ly mentions Ho8ng Sa in passing
repeating very *rie+ly @hat :A 1uv 56n ha0 to say in Pht 3iAn Bep :uc.
) Bhe .oyal Vitnamese Heography 3oo' (Ho8ng Vit DE 5La -hv; $J&&); @hich
0oes not name the author; o+ten re+erre0 to as the !inh !<ng Heography repeats the
in+ormation +oun0 in the DE 5La -hv; *ut presente0 some@hat 0i++erently. Bhis Heography;
ho@ever; has *een reprinte0 many times.
) Bhe Verita*le .ecor0s o+ 5<i Nam; Preliminary Section (5<i Nam Bhxc :uc BiGn
3iAn); complete0 in $J"$ an0 printe0 *y @oo0*loc's in $J%% *y the National History
Department o+ the Nguyn Dynasty continue to con+irm the esta*lishment o+ Vitnamese
sovereignty over the Paracels an0 Spratlys through the operation o+ the Ho8ng Sa an0 3_c
H>i)3_c H>i +lotillas.
) Bhe Verita*le .ecor0s o+ 5<i Nam; !ain Section; *oo' C"; sheet $Ca (5<i Nam
Bhxc :uc -hvnh 3iAn); (+irst engrave0 in $J%J) o+ the Nguyn Dynasty( many ne@; rich; an0
very particular in+ormation a*out the continue0 eèrcise o+ Vitnams sovereignty in these
archipelagoes.
) Pn the -ompen0ium o+ .ules an0 .egulations o+ 5<i Nam (compile0 *y imperial
or0er) (Xhdm 5Lnh 5<i Nam H]i 5i4n Sx :); *oo' "#S; sheet "Qa; it is mentione0 that a
temple @as *uilt in Ho8ng Sa; an0 another passage in volume ""$ says( Bhe ships that go to
the Paracels are very 0angerous as they 0o not hol0 up @ell at sea. Nearly screening is
nee0e0... /rom this year on@ar0s; every thir0 iuarter o+ the +irst month; this must *e 0one.
"$
) Pn the pni+ie0 5<i Nam Heography (5<i Nam Nhyt Bhnng -hv); *oo' Q;
(compilation complete0 in $JJ") o+ the National History Department o+ the Nguyn Dynasty
it @as sai0 that the Paracels *elongs to 1uang Ngai province an0 rea++irme0 that the 5]i
Ho8ng Sa (Ho8ng Sa /lotilla) manages the 5]i 3_c H>i ) 3ei Hai.
) Pn Summary o+ 9ur National Dynastys History (1unc BriGu -hvnh 3iAn Bolt NOu);
*oo' &; a history o+ the Nguyn Dynasty; three paragraphs relate the esta*lishment o+ the
Vitnamese sovereignty over the Paracels Pslan0s un0er ,mperor !inh !<ng.
Pn the map o+ Vitnam 'no@n as 5<i Nam Bhnng Nhyt Bo8n 5R ($J&J) Ho8ng Sa an0
BrETng Sa are also inclu0e0 in the outline o+ the Vitnam...
Pt shoul0 *e note0 that all the a*ove re+erence @or's are @ritten in classical -hinese
so they can *e easily rea0 *y anyone +amiliar @ith classical -hinese; most especially -hinese
scholars @ho coul0 not claim that they cannot rea0 them.
*. Bhere @as no country other than Vitnam @hich has such an a*un0ance o+
0ocumentation in -hinese; @ritten *y authorities +rom the central government 0o@n to the
local levels; that clearly esta*lishe0 the continue0 sovereignty o+ Vitnam over the Paracel
an0 Spratly archipelagoes.
!ost valua*le are the .oyally Vie@e0 .eports (-hdu 3>n); i.e. o++icial 0ocuments
su*mitte0 to the Nguyn emperors +or revie@ an0 approval; the te`ts o+ @hich are no@ store0
in a central archive in H8n]i. Bhere @e +in0 uniiue 0ocuments +rom the Department o+
Pu*licVor's on the esta*lishment o+ Vitnamese sovereignty over the Paracel Pslan0s
inclu0ing surveys an0 ca0astral measurements an0 s'etches o+ Ho8ng Sa; milestone
mar'ers...
Bhe -omman0 (Du) +rom !inh !<ng on the $J
th
o+ the seventh month; $Qth year o+
!inh !<ng ($J&C); +or instance; in the .oyally Vie@e0 .eports (-hdu 3>n) +ile !inh
!<ng; No. C%; page D" has this article( ,0ict o+ ,mperor !inh !<ng( Bhe penalty applie0 to
9++icer Ph<m V=n NguyAn; Ho8ng Sa; J# sta++ +or *eing late or a penalty o+ J# sta++ to
Directors Bran V=n Vdn; Nguyn V=n Bim; Nguyn V=n Hong +or not completing all o+
the Paracels mapping. !ean@hile a re@ar0 @as given to the Paracels militiamen V V=n
H[ng an0 Ph<m V=n Sanh; each o+ @hom is to *e given the money to gui0e the naval voyage
to the Paracels) Ho8ng Sa.
9r; as Decree (Du o+ the $&
th
o+ the seventh month; !inh !<ng $J ($J&S)) in the +ile
.oyally Vie@e0 .eports No. CS; page "%C; sai0 or0er is to *e sent to the chie+s o+ the t@o
provinces o+ 1u>ng Ngi an0 3hnh 5Lnh to measure; lay mar'ers; an0 chart the Paracels)
Ho8ng Sa...
Bhese are Uust a +e@ eàmples in the +ull 0ocuments presente0 in Section &."
9n the scienti+ic @e*site; /ont 0ata on Vitnams sovereignty over the islan0 0istrict
o+ Ho8ng Sa)58 Nng -ity; Dr. Brbn 5Mc nh Sgn has announce0 a ne@ 0iscovery o+ Brbn
V=n 1uyGn; +aculty o+ Social Sciences; pniversity o+ Ph Wudn HuO; @ho has 0iscovere0
the *oo' Bhe Bheory o+ .evelation -onvention; a te`t*oo' teaching -hinese characters;
engrave0 in the Qth year o+ Bx 5Mc; in $JC&; on pages $C)$Q o+ @hich one can see a 0ra@ing
o+ Ho8ng Sa.
""
c. Bhere is no country @hich has a stronger claim o+ sovereignty than Vitnam @hich
can sho@ as many ,uropean 0ocuments 0ating +rom the $Dth century an0 earlier. Bhese
0ocuments clearly esta*lish the sovereignty o+ Vitnam over the Paracels an0 Spratlys .
!any 0ocuments such as the :og*oo' o+ the ship mphitrite ($S#$);pu*lishing in
$J%& con+irming the Paracels as an archipelago *elonging to n Nam.
) !emoirs o+ -ochin -hina (:e !emoire sur la -ochinchine) o+ ?ean 3aptiste
-haigneau ($SQD)$J"C) @ho @rote it in the last years o+ Hia :ongs reign (complete0 $J"#)
@as con+irme0 in $J$Q o+ ,mperor Hia :ong esta*lishe0 the sovereignty o+ Vitnam over
Paracel archipelago.
) Vorl0 history an0 0escription o+ all the peoples; o+ their religions; manners an0
customs (pnivers; Histoire et 0escription 0e Bous les peuples; 0e leurs religions; moeurs et
coutumes); pu*lishe0 in $J&&; in @hich 3ishop Ba*er0 relates that ,mperor Hia :ong
+ormally asserte0 sovereignty over the Paracel Pslan0s in $J$Q.
) ?ournal o+ the sian ssociation o+ 3engal; Volume VP (Bhe ?ournal o+ the siatic
Society o+ 3engal; Vol VP); in @hich 3ishop Ba*er0 o++icially con+irme0 that ,mperor Hia
:ong o++icially hel0 all rights to the Paracels Pslan0s.
) ?ournal o+ the Heographic Society o+ :on0on; $J%D; in @hich Hut^la++ reporte0 that
the n Nam government esta*lishe0 a post represente0 *y a small *oat to collect taès in
Paracels
Pn +urther support o+ Vitnams claim o+ sovereignty;nearly a hun0re0 *oo's o+
geographic maps pu*lishe0 in the Vest clearly sho@ the Paracels as *elonging to the
Xing0om o+ n Nam. Bhese 0ocuments @ere @ritten in many languages inclu0ing Ptalian;
/rench; Herman; ,nglish; Portuguese; Spanish an0 Dutch... an0 inclu0e *oo's such as(
3iaggio Soria @ith cosmography; history; astronomy an0 atmospheric physics VP (:a
cosmogra+ia istorica; astronomica e +isica; tomeVP ) Napoli; $J"J); 0riano 3al*i & 3run ...
@ith Bhe !alta Ne@ Heographic Summary (Nuovo -ompen0io 0i geogra+ia ) !ilano; $JQC)
Vilhelm Ho++mann @ith Description o+ the ,arth (3eschrei*ung 0er ,r0e ) Stuttgart; $J&");
-arl .itter @ith the *oo' Heography o+ sia *y -arl .itter. (Namen un0 Sache 0er zeichni'
û -arl .itters ,r0'un0e von sien ) 3erlin; $J%$); Bhomas Xeith @ith the System o+
Heography ( System o+ Heographia ) :on0on; $J"Q); an0 other *oo's such as Dictionary o+
geographical 0escription o+ all regions o+ the @orl0 (Dictionnaire geographiiue Dictionnaire
universel contenant la 0escription 0u glo*e 0e Bous les lieu`; *oo' VPP ) Paris $J&#) :etters
e0i+ying o+ sia; +rica an0 the mericas *oo' & (:ettres et curieuses e0i+iantes concernant
lsie; l+riiue et lmeriiue; Bome & ) Paris; $J%&) Bhe !o0ern History o+ the Vorl0;
seventh *oo' (Bhe mo0ern part o+ an universal history Vol S ) :on0on $SCD).
9n the contrary; the main 0ocuments +rom -hina sho@ing Wi)Sha an0 Nan)Sha as
*elonging to -hina 0ate only +rom $D#D on. ncient -hinese maps o+ -hina 0ra@n *y the
-hinese themselves have no recor0 o+ Wisha an0 Nansha. ll those maps 0e+ine0 Hainan as
the southernmost islan0 south o+ the *or0er o+ -hina proper. +ter -hina +orci*ly occupie0
the Paracel Pslan0s in ?anuary $DS%; many -hinese archaeological teams @ent to the islan0s
o+ the archipelago an0 0iscovere0 arti+acts such as coins; ceramics; stone carving on the
islan0; *ut these are; o+ course; 0eeply *iase0 as evi0ence to prove the sovereignty o+ -hina.
Pn +act; ironically they +oun0 on it the Ho8ng Sa Bemple on the islan0 o+ +u lin (Ple
3oisee); @hich constitutes an evi0ent trace o+ the esta*lishment o+ the sovereignty o+
Vitnam.
"&
0. Vestern maps over@helmingly clearly sho@ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 note that
they *elong to -ochin -hina)58ng Brong ; in other @or0s *elonging to the Xing0om o+ n
Nam; @hich is to0ays Vitnam.
Pn a00ition to n Nam 5<i 1unc Hoa 5R map o+ 3ishop Ba*er0s mapping; @e also
+in0 several o+ maps 0ra@n *y the Vest +rom the $Jth century on; @hich clearly note the
Xing0om o+ n Nam; Paracels an0 -ochin -hina (-ochinchine).
n Nam 5<i 1unc Hoa 5R (map $) is %%cm @i0e an0 J#cm long. 3ishop Ba*er0
pu*lishe0 it in $J&J stating Paracel seu Xlt V8ng)Hol0en San0 (seu; in :atin means or)
Paracels or Xlt V8ng)Hol0en San0 is locate0 in the :atin ) nnam Dictionary an0 speci+ie0
the same geographic coor0inates as present 0ay Ho8ng Saan0 in the @aters o+ Vitnam.
Part IIM So&e "a"er by Ph>D> Nguyn Nh at c!ent!f!c conference !n $!%tna& an.
o#erea>

".$) Historical 3ac'groun0 lea0ing to the 0ispute o+ Viet Nams Sovereignty over the
Paracel an0 Spratly Pslan0s)-auses an0 Solutions
( Presentation at the Pnternational -on+erence organiê0 *y the Vitnam Historical Science
ssociation hel0 in H8n]i in "##Q).
Bhe 0ispute over sovereignty o+ the Paracels *egan in $D#D @hen the government o+
Huang0ong province (-hina) consi0ere0 Paracel Pslan0s o+ Vitnam to *e terra nullius; so
they carrie0 out an illegal e`ploration an0 seiê0 the islan0. Ho@ever; they 0i0 not encounter
any reaction +rom Vitnam *ecause Vitnam at that time has surren0ere0 its sovereignty to
the /rench. lthough /rance ha0 anticipate0 the Huang0ong governments intentions; they
0i0 not inter+ere *ecause the /rench government +eare0 that such intervention might cause a
ne@ movement o+ chauvinism among -hinese people; @hich @oul0 *e un+avoura*le to the
/rench interests in -hina.
Bhe 0ispute can *e 0ivi0e0 into +ive stages( stage $ ($D#D)$D&#); stage " ($D&#)$D%C);
stage & ($D%C)$DC%); stage % ($DC%)$DSC) an0 the present stage ($DSC up to no@). Pn each
stage; historical situations are 0i++erent lea0ing to 0isputes @ith 0i++erent causes an0
0issimilar natures; occurring continuously until the present 0ay.
Vhen /rench colonial a0ministration @ith0re@ +rom Vitnam in pril $DCQ leaving a
po@er vacuum in the ,ast Sea (South -hina Sea) 0uring the -ol0 Var perio0 in @hich the
@orl0 @as 0ivi0e0 into the -apitalist an0 the Socialist *loc's; Vitnam @as also 0ivi0e0 into
t@o governments. ccor0ing to the Heneva greement to @hich -hina @as a signatory; all
the territories locate0 to the south o+ the $S
th
parallel @ere to *e un0er the control o+ the
Southern government o+ Vitnam.
Since the Southern government o+ Vitnam coul0 not e++ectively protect its
sovereignty over the Paracel an0 Spratly Pslan0s; -hina; Bai@an an0 the Philippines; @ithin
the conte`t o+ the -ol0 Var; iuic'ly inva0e0 some islan0s in Paracel an0 Spratly groups.
Vhen signing the Shanghai Heneral -ommuniiue @ith -hina in $DS"; an0 the Paris
greement in $DS& to @ith0ra@ troops +rom Vitnam; the pS @as committe0 not to inter+ere
"%
@ith -hinas invasion o+ the @hole o+ Paracel Pslan0s in ?anuary $DS%. Bhe nature o+ the
cause o+ the 0ispute in this stage change0 0uring the -ol0 Var an0 the hot @ar; the Northern
an0 the Southern governments o+ Vitnam ha0 allies; comra0es an0 *rothers @ho @ere
mutually supportive o+ one another in this international 0ispute.
+ter $DSC; Vitnam *ecame uni+ie0. Pnternational political po@er scene has
un0ergone many changes that in+luence Vitnam inclu0ing the 0ispute over the Paracel an0
Spratly Pslan0s. Bhis 0ispute has continue0 o@ing not only to the inherent importance o+ the
Pslan0s strategic position *ut also their natural resources; especially gas an0 oil reserves.
Historical truths an0 solution
Numerous 0ocuments proving Vitnams sovereignty have appeare0 throughout
0i++erent eras; +rom the reign o+ the Nguyn :or0s (early $Sth century) to the Bdy Sgn
Dynasty an0 then the Nguyn Dynasty (+rom Xing Hia :ong on@ar0s). Vitnamese
archives contain many 0ocuments; mainly pu*lic an0 o++icial 0ocuments an0 gaêttes
@hich annually recor0e0 the states occupation an0 en+orcement o+ its sovereignty over
Paracel an0 Spratly Pslan0s such as map 0ra@ings; setting up lan0mar's; erection o+
monuments; temple *uil0ing; tree planting; @ell 0igging; etc *y the Nguyn Dynastys
naval +orce. Bhese 0ocuments are more numerous then the +e@ attache0 to the letter o+
Hovernor Heneral Pasiuier to the !inister +or -olonies o n $J
th
9cto*er $D&# ; @hen /rance
a++irme0 Vitnams sovereignty over *oth the Paracel an0 the Spratly islan0s.
!ean@hile; various @estern 0ocuments such as those o+ ?ean 3aptiste -haigneau an0
Hut^la++ ($J%D) a++irme0 Vitnam sovereignty; especially that o+ 3ishop Ba*er0 pu*lishe0 in
$J&& @hich recounte0 that Xing Hia :ong o++icially a++irme0 Vitnams sovereignty over
Paracel Pslan0s in $J$Q. /urther; n Nam 5ai 1uoc Hoa 5o (Bhe Pllustrate0 !ap o+ the
Hreat Nation o+ nnam) *y 3ishop Ba*er0; pu*lishe0 in $J&J as an appen0i` to the :atin
nnam Dictionary; clearly sho@e0 that Paracels seu -lt V8ng (Hol0en San0) @ith precise
coor0inates as at present; not along the coast as -hina claime0.
,ven -hinese 0ocuments; such as 3oo' & o+ Hai Vai Shi ?i(.ecor0s o+ 9verseas
,vents) o+ Shi Da -an (a -hinese 3onê) in $QDQ recounte0 that a Nguyn :or0 sent ships to
collect valua*le sea pro0ucts an0 goo0s +rom sun'en ships in the area o+ V<n :7 BrETng
Sa (i.e.; Paracel Pslan0s).
Bhe case supporting Vitnams sovereignty over the Paracel Pslan0s is strong as
0iscusse0 a*ove. Vitnam is no@ an in0epen0ent; uni+ie0 country an0 has +rien0ly
relationships @ith all countries in the @orl0 inclu0ing -hina; the pnite0 States an0 .ussia.
Bhere is no Vitnamese government an0 no Vitnamese person; regar0less o+ his\her political
persuasion; @ho 0o not regar0 as paramount the return o+ Paracel Pslan0s to Vitnam an0 the
protection o+ the integrity o+ Spratly Pslan0s.
9n the *asis o+ the $DJ" -onvention on the :a@ o+ the Sea; S,N countries shoul0
compromise an0 ma'e concessions in the spirit o+ co)operation among country mem*ers to
the mutual *ene+its o+ all parties. Vith respect to -hina; Vitnam shares a common +rontier
an0 cultural heritage. lthough Vitnam has a thousan0)years)ol0 tra0ition o+ resolute
protection o+ its in0epen0ence an0 autonomy; @e have al@ays respecte0 -hina as having a
maUor in+luence on our culture an0 +ollo@ing the tra0ition o+ *eing a +ence o+ -hina never
having intentions o+ harming -hinas interests.
"C
ny solutions *ase0 on *rute +orce an0 military po@er such as the ?apanese invasion
o+ Paracel an0 Spratly Pslan0s in $D&J an0 $D&D or the /rench colonialisation +rom the $D"#s
to the $DC#s; or -hinas invasion in $DS% an0 $DJJ; coul0 only *e merely temporary an0
never permanently settle the 0ispute to the satis+action o+ all claimants.
".") Historical an0 Scienti+ic ,vi0ence o+ Viet Nams Sovereignty & .e+utation o+ -hinas
pnscienti+ic -laims over the Paracel & Spratly rchipelagos
(Presente0 at the Vor'shop on the South -hina Sea organiê0 *y the Pnstitute o+ /oreign
++airs an0 hel0 in H8n]i in pril "#$$).
".&) /oun0ations an0 /acts o+ the ,sta*lishment an0 Protection o+ Viet Nams Sovereignty
as to the Paracel an0 Spratly Pslan0s
( the paper presente0 in Phila0elphia; the pnite0 States; in !arch "#$#).
Part III 9uotat!on fro& o&e Ietern .ocu&ent about $!%tna&ee o#ert!gnty o#er
the Parcel an. S"ratly
&.$. Bhe +irst 0ocument( nalysis on Bhe Spratly)Paracel Pslan0s Dispute; a#$#QQ#; Q ?une
$DQ#; Hea0iuarters; p.S. Paci+ic 3roa0casting an0 Visual ctivity P#&&$.
(Due to the consi0era*le length o+ this 0ocument an e`cerpt is provi0e0 here; the +ull
0ocument can *e +oun0 in ttachment $)
,`cerpt(
Pn $J$Q; Bhe Pslan0s @ere o++icially anneè0 to the ,mpire o+ Viet Nam *y
Hialong; an0 *y $J"#; they @ere recogniê0 as a -onstituent o+ the territory 'no@n as
-ochin)-hina. Pn $J&"; ,mperor !inh !<ng sent a group o+ la*orers to the islan0s +or the
purpose o+ constructing a pago0a on 3an Bhan .oc'. Bhe group not only constructe0 the
pago0a *ut also erecte0 a stone column near*y to commemorate its +oun0ation. B@o years
later; the sovereignty o+ the empire over the Paracels @as +urther asserte0 *y the appearance
o+ Bhe Heography o+ the Vitnamese ,mpire; @hich reiterate0 the proclamation o+ $J$Q an0
provi0e0 a vivi0 0escription o+ @il0li+e an0 vegetation on the islan0s. nother *oo';
pu*lishe0 in $J&J *y !onsignor Ba*er0; remar's that +or more than &% years; Bhe
rchipelago o+ Paracels has *een occupie0 *y the people o+ -ochin)-hina...
&." /ollo@ing are e`cerpts 0etailing Nam H8 (i.e. -ochin -hinas) sovereignty over the
Paracel Pslan0s *y Vestern @riters in geographical *oo's @ritten in the $Dth century an0
*e+ore. During the perio0 o+ civil @ar +rom the early $S century until the en0 o+ the $J
century; the 'ing0om o+ southern Vitnam is name0 Nam H8. +ter the reuni+ication in $J#";
the @hole country is calle0 Vitnam.
Bo0ay; many li*raries in the pnite0 States; /rance; Ptaly; an0 Spain possess
"Q
geographical *oo's an0 travel 0iaries in ,nglish; /rench; Ptalian; an0 Spanish +rom the
nineteenth century an0 even earlier; @hich consistently support sovereignty o+ the Paracel
islan0s *elonging to -ochin -hina; or nnam; *oth o+ @hich are Vitnam to0ay. !any o+
these *oo's are currently availa*le an0 archive0 at @@@.hoangsa.org (net).
9+ the &S *oo's 0ocumente0 *elo@; some clearly state0 that in $J$Q the Xing o+
-ochin -hina rVitnams or Xing Hia :ong or :empereur 0nnam too' possession o+ the
Paracels; an0 that Hia :ong @ent @ith solemnity to plant his +lag an0 ta'e +ormal possession
o+ the Paracels; @hich no*o0y 0ispute0; or conteste0 that the Paracels *elonge0 to
-ochinnchina (Vitnam).
Pn Bhe ?ournal o+ Bhe .oyal Heographical Society; a$D; :on0on $J%D; the
coor0inates +or the Paracel Pslan0s are given as( $C)$S N lattitu0e an0 $$$)$$& , longitu0e.
9ther recor0e0 $$)$C N lattitu0e; or $#;%C ) $Q;&# N lattitu0e an0 $"J;&# ) $&#;C , longitu0e.
Some *oo's also re+erre0 to names o+ islan0s that still eìst in to0ays maritime maps such as
Voo0y Pslan0; .oc'y Pslan0; Pattle; .o*erts; !oney; Duncan; :incoln; Dreamon0s; Briton.
Pn some o+ these 0ocuments it is also clearly state0 that the Paracels\Pracels\Parcels or
Xatvang or Hol0en San0 or Ho8ng Sa; *elong to Vitnam. Bhe +acts mentione0 a*ove
0emonstrate that -hinas claim to the Paracels as its coastal islan0s is *aseless.
Pn the earliest 0ocuments +rom the $J century such as ,l tlas a**revia0o; tomo
Segun0o; parte primera; Spain; $S&D; *y /rancesco Hiustiniani; the author liste0 the Paracel
(Pracel) as part o+ the 'ing0om o+ -ochinchina. (Page $&D .eino 0e -ochinchina Sinoe).
) Suite 0e la Heographie 0e *ushing; tome neuvieme ($SJ$); ?ean Pierre 3erenger (/rance)
0escri*e0 the 'ing0om o+ Nam Ha (-ochinchine) in 0etails *et@een pages %DQ C#" in
@hich the Paracels or Pracels @ere re+ere0 as part o+ the Nam Ha 'ing0om.
Pn the $D century; a num*er o+ *oo's o+ geography *y some +amous authors also containe0
re+erence to the Paracels as part o+ Vitnam.
) *rZgZ 0e geographie; rZ0igZ sur un nouveau plan ($J&&) *y 0riano 3al*i; pu*lishe0 in
Paris; page S%C Pays; royaume 0e -ochinchine mentione0 that the archipelago o+
Paracels; are compose0 o+ a group o+ islan0s +reiuente0 *y +ishermen
Nuovo 0iîonario geogra+ia universale statistico)storico)commerciale; tomo PV; parte P
($J&$) *y 0riano 3al*i; -anna*ich; !alte)3run; Pin'erton; pu*lishe0 in Venice; page QJ#
mentione0 that the Paracels *elonge0 to the 'ing0om o+ nnam.
BraitZ ZlZmentaire 0e geophie( contenant un a*rZgZ mZtho0iiue 0u PrZcis 0e la gZographie
univrselle en iuatre volumes ($J&") pu*lishe0 in 3russels; the authors 0riano 3al*i;
-onra0 !alte)3run; Philippe /rancois 0e la .enan0iere repeate0 in page C#C ( at eiual
0istance *et@een the coast o+ -ochinchine an0 the islan0 o+ Hai)nan; the archipelago o+
Paracels is a 0epen0ency o+ the Xing0om o+ nnam
-ompen0io 0i geogra+ia universale; iuarta e0iîone; tomo prima ($J"%) pu*lishe0 in
:ivorno (Ptaly) 0riano 3al*i state0 Bhe archipelago o+ Pracels (Paracels) are a group o+
islan0s *elonging to the state o+ nnam (pages &#C; &#Q)
"S
lso; in a num*er o+ geography te`t*oo's
HZographie 0es gZographies( Nouveau cours 0e gZographie ancienne et 0e gZographie
mo0erne compares ($J&Q) *y ?. /. 1ieyras; pu*lishe0 in Paris; the islan0s o+ Paracels;
-on0or; Pirates @ere liste0 as *elonging to the 'ing0om o+ nnam (page &%").
!anuel complet 0es aspirans au *accalaureat es)lettres; tome premier; premires partie(
.hetoriiue)Heographie ($J"%) pu*lishe0 in Paris *y a group o+ pro+essors o+ the Paris
ca0emy liste0 Pslan0s 0epen0ant o+ -ochinchine ( in the ,ast are the Paracels (page $SC).
-ompen0io 0e geogra+ia mo0erna ($J"D) pu*lishe0 *y !. n0reu in 3arcelona; in page JS
containe0 a paragraph speci+ically state0 that the Paracels *elong to -ochinchina or nnam.
num*er o+ @ell 'no@n encyclope0ias an0 0ictionaries o+ geography pu*lishe0 in the Vest
in the $D century
Bhe ,ncyclope0ia 3ritannica( a Dictionary o+ rts; Sciences; an0 Heneral :iterature; J
th
,0ition; volume S ($JC%). Pn pages %S C# there are 0escriptions o+ -ochinchina in @hich
the Paracels @ere mentione0 as *eing visite0 *y the people o+ the country.
Bhe ,nglish ,ncyclope0ia; vol. " ($JQQ) in page C"$ @hen 0escri*ing -ochinchina; calle0
also nnam; mentione0 the Paracels shoals; @hich may *e 0escri*e0 as an over+lo@e0
continent lying Uust *eneath the sur+ace o+ @ater
3esi0es; a num*er o+ these &S 0ocuments @ritten *y ,nglish; /rench; Ptalian; Spanish authors
o+ten speci+ically mentione0 the name -at Vang or -on Vang (Ho8ng Sa) @hen re+erring to
the Paracels.

History is replete @ith eàmples @here 0isputes over territory lea0 to 0isastrous
mista'es; inclu0ing @ar. Pn human history; in almost all totalitarian regimes there have *een
times @hen 0istortions o+ history are 0eli*erately +ostere0; *ut at no time have @e seen
unprece0ente0 trampling upon the historical truth as ru0ely as the -hinese have 0one @hen
they claime0 to the pN -ommission on the :a@ o+ the Sea that they o@n nearly J# o+ the
South -hina Sea an0 consi0er it as its inlan0 @aters. Voul0nt it *e as *iârre as Pn0ia
claiming the Pn0ian 9cean to itsel+ Bhe argument is as ri0iculous as Vang Hanling; a
-hinese scholar; claiming that *e+ore $JJC Vitnam ha0 *een part o+ -hina. Pt is @rong+ul
an0 0amaging misconceptions li'e that @hich precipitate @ars an0 0o not contri*ute to the
peace o+ the region or the @orl0.
Bhis 0ocumentation not only provi0es accurate in+ormation an0 *rings +orth historical
truths; *ut also a message o+ reason an0 righteousness; @hich is necessary +or the
construction o+ @orl0 or0er. Vith hope that the truth @ill *e @ell receive0 an0 respecte0 *y
researchers an0 the scienti+ic community as @ell as the legislators an0 the la@ ma'ers in the
"J
pnite0 States @ho share a cor0ial relationship an0 the same respect o+ the historical truth as
the author.
Nguyn Nh
,mail ( hannguyen$D%#yahoo.com

Part I
Doctoral the!
NThe "roce of etabl!h!ng the o#ere!gnty of $!%tna& o#er the
Paracel ' S"ratly arch!"elagoO
Vitnam National pniversity o+ HR -hi !inh -ity
School o+ Humanity an0 Sociology Science
NHpNN NH
!aUor( Vitnam History
-o0e( C.#&.$C
Doctor o+ Philosophy Bhesis in History Science
HR -hi !inh -ity
"##&
"D
Declaration
P 0eclare here*y that this is my o@n scienti+ic research. ll num*ers; results in the thesis are
true. Bhe conclusion o+ the thesis has not *een announce0 *y any*o0y in any other research.
Ph.D. -an0i0ate( Nguyn Nh

:ist o+ +igures an0 ta*les
(Branslate0 *y 1N-3D)
) :ist o+ +igures(
/igure $.$ Bhe concept o+ e`pan0ing the Southeast sian languages to the @orl0 *y
means o+ sea@ay; initiate0 +rom ,ast Sea.......""S
/igure $." ) /igure o+ ,ast Sea (South -hina Sea)in case o+ sea @ater route going 0o@n
S#m ) an e`pansion o+ lan0 territory an0 0isappearance o+ current ports
...""J
/igure $.& Bhe sea *e0 map testi+ying BrETng Sa ) Spratly to *e the e`ten0ing o+
Vitnamese continental shel+....""D
/igure $.% ) H9~NH S)P.-,:S B.NH S)SP.B:NS .."&#
/igure $.C Bhe ,ast Sea(South -hina Sea) an0 Paracels;Spratlys an0 important localnames
.............."&$
/igure $.Q ) ,ast Sea (South -hina Sea)position an0 the Vorl0. Bhe circle @ith center as Bhe
,ast Sea (South-hina Sea)an0 the ra0ius o+ "C## 'nots covering nearly hal+ o+ man'in0..
."&"
/igure $.S ) !ap noting shortest 0istance +rom Ho8ng Sa)Paracels to the inlan0
...................................................................................."&&
/igure $.J ) Heneral map o+ the location o+ archipelagos an0 ree+s in the North o+ the ,ast
Sea.."&%
&#
/igure $.D /igure +rom the air o+ Ho8ng Sa (Pattle; Shanhu Dao) @ith Vitnamese
meteorology an0 military premises (ta'en in $DQJ)......................................................."&C
/igure $.$# Huanyin 3u00ha Statue on Ho8ng Sa)Paracels. ..."&Q
/igure $.$$ Bhe meteorology penthouse o+ Vitnam on Ho8ng Sa)Paracels (Pattle Shanhu
Dao); (ta'en $DQD)....."&S
/igure $.$" ) ,ngineer Bran Huu -hau @ith the *ac'groun0 o+ H1" cruiser on his stu0y out
Ho8ng Sa)Paracels in a ?apanese)Vitnamese Uoint team; autumn $DS&....................."&S
/igure $.$& Bhree ?apanese e`perts on Duncan ,ast islan0; the *ac'groun0 is Duncan Vest
islan0 in the Uoint team le0 *y ,ngineer Brbn Hcu -hdu; $DS& autumn in Ho8ng Sa)
Paracels ......................................................................................................................................"
&J
/igure $.$% ,ngineer Brbn Hcu -hdu on .o*ert islan0 o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels........."&J
/igure $.$C .o*ert islan0."&D
/igure $.$Q Duncan islan0"%#
/igure $.$S !oney islan0)"%$
/igure $.$J BrETng Sa)Spratly map @ith Vitnamese names (!easuring 3ureau; Socialist
.epu*lic o+ Vitnam; $DJD)........................................................................................."%"
/igure$."# Vitnam sovereignty steles at Northeast -ay (BrETng Sa)Spratly).."%&
/igure $.$D Northeast -ay map"%%
/igure $."$ South@est -ay map..."%%
/igure $."" Vitnamese navy +orce at South@est -ay (BrETng Sa)Spratly).."%C
/igure $."& BhL tM map."%Q
/igure $."% ) :oai Ba map..."%Q
/igure $."C Namyit map..."%S
/igure $."Q San0 -ay map"%S
/igure $."S Ptu *a map..."%J
/igure $."J Sin -o@e Pslan0"%J
/igure $."D Spratly map"%D
/igure $.&# m*oyna -ay !ap"%D
/igure $.&$ Pn terms o+ ecology; ,ast Sea (South-hina Sea)*elongs to Vitnam( the
Vallace Hu`ley cut the Philippines out o+ the ,astSea
."C#
/igure $.&" Sea routes an0 salt 0ensity o+ the ,ast Sea..."C$
&$
/igure $.&& Storms an0 other natural acci0ents; earthiua'es; tsunamis in the ,ast
Sea"C"
/igure ".&% !ap o+ routing through 1u>ng Nam in Vitnamese :A Dynasty (Vitnamese
.oa0 !aps ) BhiAn Nam l] mR) re@ritten in $S%$.."C&
/igure ".&C( pni+ie0 Vitnam 9verall !ap ($J&J ) $JSC) w<i Nam nhyt thnng to8n mR in
South an0 North Vitnam !aps (Nam 3_c 'Y h]i mR) "C%
/igure ".&Q ) Heography !aps (DE mLa mR) in -hinese Nuan Dynasty *y Chu TP :En @as
miniature0 in the *oo' Huang Nu Bu *y 3a *ong T!en; $CQ$; the Southernmost part o+
-hina is Hainan islan0."CC
/igure ".&S ) Bhe uni+ie0 @orl0 map BhiAn h< thnng nhyt chi mR o+ !ing Dynasty in Hreat
!ing uni+ie0 *oo' (w<i !inh Nhyt Bhnng -hv); in $%Q$; +irst volume; has 0ra@n the
Southernmost point o+ -hina is Hainan Pslan0 rCJs..."CQ
/igure ".&J ) .oyal !ing gran0 unity general maps) Ho8ng !inh w<i Bhnng Nhyt Bng wR
in !ing 0ynasty; an0 in .oyal !ing service territorial maps )Ho8ng !inh -hMc PhEgng wLa
wR *y Brbn B Bhu; $Q&C; the +irst volume; has 0ra@n the Southern most o+ -hina is Hainan
islan0.."CS
/igure ".&D ) zone; province; cita0el; county maps ):] Pht; -hdu Huyn 5R ) ;
in Nuan 0ynasty; re0ra@n in ncient an0 Present !aps *y Ng0 9uQc PhRO; !ing 0ynasty;
in $Q&J; last volume; has 0ra@n the Southernmost part o+ -hina is Hainan
Pslan0................................................................................................................................"CJ
/igure ".%# ) .oyal cita0el; county general map @ang chao
+u;ting;^hou;ìan) 1ing 0ynasty; anonymous author; in $JQ"; 0ra@n accor0ing to Province
Pnternal !aps )NS! PhT UVa UW inclu0ing "Q pieces un0er the name o+ Heneral maps o+ great
1ing main provinces )UX! Thanh TrYc TZnh To[n UW has 0ra@n the Southern most o+
-hina to *e Hainan Pslan0..............................................................................................."CD
/igure ".%$ ) .oyal unity geography general map )*o[ng Tr!\u Nh]t ThQng DP UVa T^ng
UW (anonymous author); in $JD%; has sho@n that the Southern most part o+ -hina is Hainan
Pslan0.."Q#
/igure ".%" ) Huang0ong provincial map ( HuangDong Sheng Bu) in Huang0ong
geography general map ( Hiang0ong Ni 0i iuan tu); compile0 *y the man0arins
o+ Huang0ong province in $JDS; @ith the pre+ace *y zhang .en ?un governor; *ears no sign
o+ any archipelagos that *elong to -hina in the ,astSea
"Q$
&"
/igure ".%& ) Hreat 1ing empire general maps (!"# Da 1ing Di Huo 1uan Bu);
printe0 *y Shanghai commercial pu*lishing house )ThP_ng $R `n ThP 9uan ThPbng *F!;
$D#C; +orth version in $D$#; has 0ra@n the Southern most part o+ -hina is Hainan
islan0..."Q"
/igure ".%% ) Hreat 1ing ,mpire position planning map (!"$% Da 1ing Di
Huo Vei zhi gui hua tu) ($D#D)
..."Q&
/igure ".%C ) -hinese *oun0ary changing maps (Brung 1unc -Egng Hii 3iOn BhiAn wR) in
$D&D"Q%
/igure ".%Q ) 3artholomen Velho !ap ($CQ#).."QC
/igure ".%S ) !ap in the *oo' :ivro 0a !arinharia *y /! Pinto ($CQ#).. ................"QQ
/igure ".%J ) !ap o+ /ernao Va^ Doura0o ($CD#)."QS
/igure ".%D !ap o+ Van ) :angren ($CDC)..."QJ
/igure ".C# n Nam Hreat Nation !ap (n Nam wng NghIa Province (/igure *y Nguyn Nh;
$DDD)...."S#
/igure ".C" .Z Pslan0 (Vest part) (/igure *y Nguyn Nh; $DDD)."S#
/igure ".C& 5hnh ) -ommunity center o+ n H>i ( :7 Sgn county to the ,ast o+ .e Pslan0
(/igure *y Nguyn Nh; $DDD)
"S$
/igure ".C% Ph<m 1uang fnh ancestral shrine (/igure *y Nguyn Nha; $DDD) "S$
/igure ".CC ) Sailing ship use0 +or going to Ho8ng Sa)Paracels (collecte0 *y Nguyn Nh)
."S"
/igure ".CQ ) Bransporting sailing ship (in ancient :7 Sgn islan0) (-ollecte0 *y Nguyn Nha)
.."S&
/igure &.CS ) Vitnamese maritime territory..."S%
/igure &.CJ ) Pllegal invasion o+ Vitnamese BrETng Sa)Spratly archipelago *y +oreign
countries.."SC
/igure &.CD /oreign countries illegal occupation o+ BrETng Sa)Spratly (Source( Xl@er :a@
Pnternational; $DDJ)........"SQ
/igure &.Q# Bhe sections 0ivi0e0 +or oil investigation. .emar'( Vitnamese -hinese
0isputes in the BE -hvnh (V<n n) an0 the oil @ells locations o+ .Rng; Da; 3<ch H; w<i
H[ng.."SS
&&
/igure &.Q$ ) -restone )0ispute0 area general map.."SJ
/igure &.Q" Vitnamese maritime *aselines; announce0 on Nov$"; $DJ". Vitnamese
interior sea inclu0es the t@o historical *oun0aries in Bon'in Hul+; Bhailan0 strait an0 the sea
@ithin the *aselines.."SD
3 :ist o+ ta*les
Ba*le $.$. Names o+ islan0s; *an's; roc's; an0 ree+s in Ho8ng Sa)Paracels&QQ
Ba*le $.". Names o+ islan0s; *an's; roc's; an0 ree+s in BrETng Sa)Spratly..&QS
Ba*le $.&. Names o+ +ive un0er@ater ree+s in Vitnamese continent shel+ o+ BE -hinh..&S&
Ba*le ".$. Ba*le o+ comparison the 0ata o+ Vitnamese 0ocuments on the activities o+
Parcels)Ho8ng Sa *riga0e \ +lotilla\team\m]i..&S#
Ba*le #.$. -hronology&S#
&%
Preface
$. .eason an0 purpose o+ research
Bhe archipelagos o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 BrETng Sa)Spratlys have *een Vitnamese
territory +rom many centuries. Bhese archipelagos have special importance; especially on the
strategical military signi+icance (these archipelagoes are on the @ay o+ international sea an0
air @ays) an0 pivotal potential on economy (oil; other pro0ucts). Bhis area is no@ *eing
inva0e0 *y many countries such as -hina (inclu0ing Bai@an); the Philippines; !alaysia; an0
3runei; ma'ing the area a politically hot spot o+ the ône.
.esearching this topic is an en0eavour to meet the 0eman0s o+ scienti+ic nee0s an0 national
realistic reiuirement +or the people an0 +or the lea0ers; a*ove the politic an0 0iplomatic
struggles to protect Vitnamese sovereignty over the archipelagos o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0
BrETng Sa)Spratly.
!oreover; the author o+ this research has *een 0eeply concerne0 a*out this issue +or more
than "C years. Bhe author @oul0 li'e to have an opportunity to systemiê; generaliê all
0ocuments an0 stu0y su++iciently an0 thoroughly esta*lish Vitnamese sovereignty o+ the
archipelagos o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 BrETng Sa)Spratlys.
Bhe purposes o+ this 0issertation(
$. Bo provi0ing materials in a generaliîng; systemiîng an0 0etaile0 manner on the
esta*lishment o+ Vitnamese sovereignty on archipelagos o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 BrETng
Sa)Spratlys. Bhence; there coul0 *e +orti+ie0 arguments to testi+y to the Vitnamese
sovereignty over the archipelagos o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 BrETng Sa)Spratlys.
". -onseiuently; the 0issertation coul0 help 0enounce the arguments @hich trie0 to Uusti+y the
+oreigners violation o+ Vitnamese sovereignty on the rchipelagos o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels
an0 BrETng Sa)Spratlys; in or0er that one can realiê the essence o+ the status o+ sovereignty
*eing violate0 so as to have long)term policies to protect Vitnamese sovereignty over
archipelagos o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 BrETng Sa)Spratlys.
&. Bo contri*uting to a clear 'no@le0ge on the responsi*ility to struggle +or recovering the
Vitnamese sovereignty over the archipelagos o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 protecting the
Vitnamese people an0 governments sovereignty over the archipelagos o+ BrETng Sa)
Spratlys.
". History o+ the Pssue stu0y
&C
3e+ore $DSC.
3e+ore $D#D; -hina an0 other countries ha0 not violate0 Vitnamese sovereignty over the
archipelagos o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 BrETng Sa)Spratlys. Pn $D#S; there @as ?apanese
occupation o+ Pratas Pslan0. -hina ha0 proteste0 this occupation *y the ?apanese @ho
regar0e0 the islan0 as an o@nerless islan0. Pn or0er to prevent the ?apanese e`pansion to the
South an0 to avoi0 a secon0 Pratas case; -hina name0 a series o+ islan0s in the ,ast Sea
(South-hina Sea)inclu0ing Nansha ) an0 Wisha ) @hich -hina 0eeme0 to *e
o@nerless. t this time; Nansha ) ha0 not *een incorporate into the BrETng Sa)Spratly
rchipelago *elonging to Vitnam. Pnstea0; it @as a part o+ zhongsha Pslan0s. During the
@artime o+ -heng zuan :or0 in Vitnam; there eìste0 ancient Vitnamese 0ocuments
re+erring to Ho8ng Sa)Paracels. Bhe ol0est( in the en0 o+ the $Sth century the collection o+
maps Vitnam /our)Direction .oa0 !aps (Bo>n tep thiAn Nam tM chv l] mR thE ) & '( )
* + , - ) or -ompile0 Vitnam .oa0 !ap (Bo>n Bep n Nam :]) *y wq 3l -6ng
w<o r"&s; r$D$s; ha0 0ra@n an0 remar'e0 on the Nello@ San0*an' (*i -lt V8ng) or Ho8ng
Sa. +ter that; the !iscellaneous .ecor0s on the Paci+ication o+ the /rontiers (Pht 3iAn Bi +lotillas; testi+ying to the esta*lishment an0 protection o+
Vitnamese sovereignty over the archipelagos o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 BrETng Sa)Spratlys.
Pn the Nguyn Dynasty; +rom Hia :ong ,mperor; there @as a systematic series o+
chronological an0 geography *oo's compile0 *y the National History gency; historical
*oo's o+ the a0ministrative statutes (h]i mi4n); .oyally Vie@e0 Documents (chdu *>n) *y the
Nguyn royal court. Bhese 0ocuments have note0 0o@n the activities o+ Paracels *riga0es in
a care+ul an0 clear manner; Uusti+ying the esta*lishment an0 protection the sovereignty o+
Vitnamese states on the archipelagos o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels as @ell as BrETng Sa)Spratlys.
mong these 0ocuments are the o++icial history *oo' o+ .ecor0s on Vitnamese +acts un0er
the Nguyn :or0s (w<i Nam Bhxc :uc BiGn 3iAn )2134) rDQs; r$DCs; .ecor0s on
Vitnamese +acts un0er the Nguyn ,mperors (w<i Nam Bhxc :uc -hvnh 3iAn) 215
4) rDSs; rDJs; rDDs ; r$##s; r$#$s ;$#"s; r$DDs; r"##s; r"#&s; r"#%s; r"#Cs; r"#Qs as @ell as
Bhe a*ri0ge0 an0 assorte0 national 0ynasty maUor @ritings (1unc BriGu -hvnh 3iAn Bolt
NOu) r$#%s; r"$#s as @ell as the geography *oo's pni+ie0 Vitnamese History (w<i Nam
Nhyt Bhnng -hv )678) r$#&s; r"#Ds; the .oyal Vitnamese geography *oo' (Ho8ng
&Q
Vit wLa DE -hv )9:;8) r$&Cs; r$D%s. ,specially; the *oo' .oyally vie@e0 history o+
the Vitnamese Nguyn Dynasty a0ministrative statutes Xhdm wLnh wn) BriGu Nguyn
(triGu !inh !<ng & Bhiu BrL) rCs; rQs; rSs; rJs; rDs; r$DQs; r$DSs; r$DJs all mentione0 the
construction o+ the sovereignty steles on Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 BrETng Sa)Spratlys. Bhese
are the strong an0 clear evi0ence that Ho8ng Sa)Paracels islan0s @ere un0er the attention o+
the Vitnamese emperors an0 royal courts. Bhe Vitnamese sovereignty on Ho8ng Sa)
Paracels @as han0le0 in the highest ran' o+ po@er (this is iuite 0i++erent +rom -hina an0
other countries @ho have no proo+ o+ esta*lishment an0 protection o+ sovereignty 0uring
many +eu0al 0ynasties).
3esi0e the governments; Vitnamese researchers also pai0 attention an0 @rote many
0ocuments on the activities o+ Paracels an0 3_c H>i /lotilla\ *riga0es)m]i as :A 1u7
56n in his *oo' !iscellaneous .ecor0s on the Paci+ication o+ the /rontiers (Pht 3iAn B ? @ ); Nguyn Bh6ng in Vitnamese History) a**reviate0 an0 assorte0 research
(Vit SK -Egng Hilm Xh>o :E}c )9ABCDE)(volume %; $JSS)...; r"#Ss
During the time @hen there @as no violation o+ Vitnamese sovereignty in Ho8ng Sa)
Paracels; many authors inclu0ing those +rom -hina an0 Vestern countries mentione0 Ho8ng
Sa)Paracels or the esta*lishment o+ Vitnamese sovereignty to Ho8ng Sa)Paracels +rom
Vitnamese states; li'e 3ishop Ba*er0 r$JCs; r$JQs Hut^la++ r$CSs. !ost importantly; the
/rench people having assiste0 Nguyn nh (Hia :ong ,mperor) as Dayot; -haigneau also
accounte0 that Hia :ong ,mperor ha0 re)esta*lishe0 Vitnamese sovereignty on archipelagos
o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels.
3esi0es 0ra@ing maps o+ maritime routes inclu0ing those in the ,ast Sea (South -hina
Sea)@ith Ho8ng Sa)Paracels trac' o+ islan0s running along -hampa or the -ochinchine
seashore; the South Vitnamese (58ng Brong) sol0iers ha0 *rought to inlan0 +or solving
many travel 0iaries; correspon0ence *et@een Vesterners (Portuguese; Dutch; /rench;
,nglish) on navigation an0 ship@rec's.
+ter $D#D; the Huang0ong governor *egan to sho@ intentions o+ violating Vitnamese
sovereignty in Ho8ng Sa)Paracels @hen stating that Ho8ng Sa)Paracels 0i0 not *elong to any
countries (sic). t this time; Vitnam @as still un0er the oppression o+ the /rench empire.
&S
/rom this time on; many people @oul0 really pay attention to research on Vitnamese
sovereignty in Ho8ng Sa)Paracels; *ut those @ere merely ne@spaper articles. Bhe @riting
movement @as most active *y the en0 o+ the $D"#s an0 the *eginning o+ the $D&#s.
Bypically; :apiciue mentione0 in the .evue Pn0ochinoise num*er &J; $D"D r$QQs his
collection o+ several 0ocuments certi+ying Vitnamese sovereignty over Ho8ng Sa)Paracels.
Bhis 0ocument also sho@e0 the proo+ that the -hinese government repu0iate0 their -hinese
citiêns ro**ery over the @rec'e0 ships o+ :e 3ellona in $JDC an0 I&ac! (pno+i) !aru in
$JDQ. Bhe then -hinese government ha0 re+use0 their responsi*ility an0 sovereignty +or the
ro**ery *ecause they announce0 Paracels @as not un0er -hinese sovereignty. +ter that;
there @as a series o+ Henri -uchroussets articles @ritten on ,veil ,conomiiue 0e
lPn0ochine +rom $D"D to $D&$ r$%Q )$C"s; sho@ing proo+s o+ Vitnamese sovereignty on
Ho8ng Sa)Paracels; reproaching the /rench government o+ *eing negligent in certi+ying an0
protecting the sovereignty on Ho8ng Sa)Paracels. Bhis action @as so strong that the Uu0ge
3ar*et issue0 a nocturnal investigation to or0er the Uournalist to su*mit all relate0 0ocuments
on Ho8ng Sa)Paracels to the court. Bhat step too' e++ect as /rench governments in later years
re)announce0 sovereignty o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 BrETng Sa)Spratlys @ith concrete
actions such as investigation; stele erection; lighthouse an0 meteology to@er construction as
@ell as a military station (early $D&#s). During these years; there @ere many stu0ies on
Ho8ng Sa)Paracels geography +eatures.
During the Secon0 Vorl0 Var an0 anti)/rench @artime; +e@ people pai0 attention to the
researching a*out Ho8ng Sa)Paracels.
+ter $DC%; accor0ing to Heneva ccor0; Ho8ng Sa)Paracels; an0 BrETng Sa)Spratlys @ere
un0er the control o+ the Saigon government. Pn $DCQ; @hen the /rench legions @ith0re@ out
o+ Vitnam; the Philippines raise0 their voice +or sovereignty in the archipelagos o+ BrETng
Sa)Spratlys. Pn $DCQ; P.-
$
inva0e0 Voo0y Pslan0 (Ph :dm) in Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 a+ter
that Bai@an inva0e0 Ptu *a. Bhe 0isputes on sovereignty have *een raise0 intensely an0
since then; many researches have *een @ritten in ne@spapers. !ost remar'a*ly are the t@o
researches on the sovereignty o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels. 9ne o+ these rather systematical an0
seriously 0iligent researches is Bhe issue o+ Paracels an0 Spratlys Saun0er the international
la@ (:a++aire 0es 7les Paracels et Spratly 0evant le 0roit Pnternational); ($DS$) @ith "DJ
type@ritten pages *y :A Bhanh XhA +or his thir0)gra0e Doctoral -erti+icate in the Pnstitut
Pnternational 0,tu0es et 0e .echerches Diplomatiiues r$Q$s. Bhis research is stu0ying more
on the international la@; mainly on the international legal systems o+ capitalist countries an0
$
People .epu*lic o+ -hina
&J
the case stu0ies +rom :a Haye -ourt. Bhis author has not ha0 the chance to penetrate into the
historical proo+s an0 materials.
Pn $DS"; 5inh V=n -E presente0 his 0issertation +or gra0uation o+ the Director Department o+
Saigon National 0ministration Pnstitute. Bhe 0issertation name is Sovereignty on
archipelagos o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 BrETng Sa)Spratlys; o+ $&S type @ritten pages r"%s.
Bhis 0issertation has over one)iuarter o+ its contents 0escri*ing the geography situation an0
the process o+ sovereignty 0isputes +rom many countries over Ho8ng Sa)Paracels.
Pn $DS%; P.- inva0e0 the @hole archipelago o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels. Bhere @ere many stu0ies
implemente0 in this year. 9ne o+ the stu0ies is V :ong BAs name Bhe archipelagos o+
Paracels an0 Spratlys Sa accor0ing to ol0 te`ts o+ History an0 Heography (:es rchipels 0e
Paracels et 0e Spratlys selon les nciens 9uvrages Vitnamiens 0Histoire et 0e
Heographie); printe0 in $DS%; "#$ pages r$JSs. Bhis has the /rench translation o+ the e`cerpts
+rom ancient 0ocuments on Ho8ng Sa)Paracels. Bhen came the research Ho8ng Sa)Paracels;
territory o+ .epu*lic o+ Vitnam; @ith DQ pages *y the !inistry o+ People .elation an0
,nemy Persuasion r$#s an0 the Vhite 3oo' o+ Saigon governments /oreign !inistry in
$DSC r$S#s. Pt @as also in $DSC that the history o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels sovereignty scienti+ic
researching reache0 its height. Bhe .evie@ History an0 Heography (Bep San SK 5La);
num*er "D ($DSC); the special stu0y on Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 BrETng Sa)Spratly; &C" pages
@ith many materials; /igures; maps; has *een hel0 at high esteem.
+ter $DSC.
Several agencies such as the Hovernmental 3or0er gency; the -hina Stu0y Pnstitute an0
universities restate0 their attention on Ho8ng Sa)Paracels. ,specially a+ter the invasion @ar
initiate0 *y -hina in /e*ruary $DSD; in Septem*er $DSD; the Socialist .epu*lic o+ Vitnams
/oreign !inistry pu*liciê0 the 0ocument o+ Vitnamese sovereignty over archipelagos o+
Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 BrETng Sa)Spratlys. Pn ?anuary $DJ"; the Socialist .epu*lic o+
Vitnams /oreign !inistry pu*liciê0 the Vhite 3oo' o+ Paracel an0 Spratly rchipelagos
are Vitnamese territory. Pn pril $DJJ; the Socialist .epu*lic o+ Vitnam /oreign !inistry
announce0 the material( Bhe archipelagos o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels; BrETng Sa)Spratlys an0
international la@. !an Xhanh Duong Xy an0 Bran Wuan -au @rote /rom the Nello@
San0*an's to Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 BrETng Sa)Spratlys; Vitnamese territory. Bhis stu0y;
in History Science num*er " (pniversity an0 vocation Pu*lishing House) rSDs; has sho@n
several pieces o+ ne@ in+ormation an0 approaching metho0 through the +iel0 stu0y in .e
Pslan0 (-[ :ao .Z).
&D
Bhe *oo' Ho8ng Sa)Paracels; archipelagos o+ Vitnam D# pages *y V=n Brong r$&%s is one
generaliîng material an0 +ocusing on the 0isputes @ith -hina on sovereignty through /igures
such as the Vitnamese sovereignty stele on archipelago o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels; /igure0 in
$D&J; on archipelagos o+ BrETng Sa)Spratlys; /igure0 in $DQ$.
.ecently there have *een several national scienti+ic researches on Ho8ng Sa)Paracels; BrETng
Sa)Spratlys in the course o+ stu0y. mong them is -ontract on scienti+ic research on
Vitnamese sovereignty history on the t@o archipelagos o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 BrETng
Sa)Spratlys; co0e 3wHw #$ ) #$ *y PhD Nguyn 1uang Ngoc (H8n]i pniversity). Bhis
research @as presente0 on pril &#; $DDC. nother one is the national seminar( Historical;
geography; legal proo+s a*out Vitnamese sovereignty over the t@o archipelagos o+ Ho8ng
Sa)Paracels an0 BrETng Sa)Spratlys in H8n]i in ?anuary $J; $DDQ @ith many results *eing
pu*liciê0 the +ollo@ing years. *out the contract on scienti+ic research; initially it coul0
contri*ute signi+icantly +or the Vitnamese treasury o+ the ancient maps. Brbn 3l -hv too'
charge in this collection an0 there @ere "" ol0 *oo's having mentions a*out Ho8ng Sa)
Paracels an0 BrETng Sa)Spratlys in maps. Vitnamese ol0 0ocument research @as un0er
Ph<m Xim H[ng; Nguyn 5=ng Na; an0 Nguyn Hcu Bh8nh. Bhis group not only chec'e0;
compare0 the original manuscripts @ith the alrea0y translate0 "C *oo's +rom ol0 -hinese *ut
also 0iscovere0 a lot o+ ne@ in+ormation +rom the *oo' Vritings on Vitnamese reality (wo); :7 V=n PhMcs miscellaneous verses (-hu NguyAn Bo); :7 V=n Phcs poems @hen passing /uUian (!dn H8nh Bhi Bh>o); :7 V=n
PhMcs silver poems @hen passing Huang0ong (Vit H8nh Ngdn Bh>o); :7 V=n PhMcs
poems @hen going to the ,ast (w6ng H8nh Bhi BhuyOt); 1u>ng Nam an0 Bhuen Hol History
-ollection (1u>ng Bhuen w<o SK Bep); Simpli+ie0 Heography o+ !i00le Vitnam (Brung XY
DE wLa :E}c Sao); Summary o+ a sea voyage (H>i Brhnh -hv :E}c) Bhough these *oo's
0o not 0irectly mention Vitnamese sovereignty on Ho8ng Sa)Paracels; BrETng Sa)Spratlys;
they give rea0ers in+ormation a*out Ho8ng Sa)Paracels; an0 re+lect the 'no@le0ge an0
concern o+ the ancient Vitnamese a*out Ho8ng Sa)Paracels. /or the .oyally Vie@e0
Documents (chdu *>n) un0er the research responsi*ility o+ V V=n Slch an0 V2 V=n 1udn;
there are many ne@ly +oun0 valua*le 0ocuments on the clear proo+s o+ Vitnamese
sovereignty practice0 on Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 BrETng Sa)Spratlys 0uring t@o perio0s o+
!inh !<ng an0 Bhiu BrL ,mperor. Vestern 0ocument research un0er Doctor Nguyn Bha
%#
Hs charge has also 0iscovere0 consi0era*le ne@ in+ormation; inclu0ing the 0etail o+ Dayot
helping Nguyn nh *uil0 navy +orces an0 re0ra@ 0irectly Ho8ng Sa)Paracels map. Bhis
research *ranch also +oun0 out the event o+ a Portuguese merchant su*mitte0 Ho8ng Sa)
Paracels map +or Nguyn nh. Vhats more; the +iel0 researches in .Z Pslan0 (-[ :ao .Z) *y
Dr Nguyn 1uang Ngoc an0 Dr. V2 V=n 1udn have reveale0 sources o+ materials +rom
+amilies an0 villages relating to the activities o+ Paracels *riga0es\+lotilla\team through the
perio0s o+ the Nguyn :or0s; the Bdy sgn 0ynasty an0 the Nguyn Dynasty.
Pn a national seminar 0ate0 ?anuary $J; $DDQ mentione0 a*ove; there @ere $C reports
contri*uting remar'a*ly to the stu0y o+ the 0ispute @ith -hina on Ho8ng Sa)Paracels; as @ell
as -hinese 0ocuments. Bhe reports also have care+ul stu0y o+ -hinese maps (*y Nguyn
1uang Ngoc) an0 these maps have Uusti+ie0 that until $D#D there have *een no -hinese map
sho@ing Ho8ng Sa)Paracels. Ho8ng Ngoc 3>os proving the -hinese vie@point on Ho8ng
Sa)Paracels ) BrETng Sa)Spratlys; Nguyn Huy 1uys arguments on Bai@anese vie@points
as @ell as Pham Xim H[ngs researches on the collection o+ -hinese arguments in Han zhen
Hua) H8n -hyn Hoas *oo'. 00itionally; in the vie@ o+ international la@ on the aciuisition
the territory one can rea0 Nguyn 5=ng Dungs stu0y an0 5inh Ngoc :inhs stu0y o+ the
-lipperton islan0 case. -omputeriê0 0ata construction +or Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 BrETng
Sa)Spratlys *y Nguyn 1unc Bo8n coul0 also *e retrieve0 here.
9ther stu0ies a*out Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 BrETng Sa)Spratlys in line @ith Vitnamese
-hinese relations through Bhe truth in -hinese @ar starts an0 Sino)Vitnamese relation
@ere pu*lishe0 *y 58 Nng Pu*lishing House $DDQ. Bhere are also authors generaliîng
those materials alrea0y printe0 into *oo's as Nguyn 1. Bh_ng. Bhere are many protecte0
theses +or !aster an0 Doctor 0egrees relate0 to Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 BrETng Sa)Spratlys
or the ,ast Sea (South -hina Sea)o+ Dr. Brbn -6ng Bruc in Vitnam; Dr. Nguyn HRng
Bhaos in /rance ($DDQ); Dr. 5q Ho8 3hnhs in .ussia. Bhese are mainly on the legal issues
o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 BrETng Sa)Spratlys or the ,ast Sea.
!oreover; there are many articles on the ne@spapers as People (Nhdn Ddn); !ilitary History
!agaîne (B<p -hv :Lch SK 1udn Sx); -hinese an0 Nom language magaîne (B<p -hv Hln
N6m); No@ an0 Bhen magaîne B<p -hv WEa va NayBhus the Vitnamese researchers
have *een paying attention to an0 have contri*ute0 to the stu0y o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0
BrETng Sa)Spratlys.
Vestern scientists are also more an0 more concerne0 a*out Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 BrETng
Sa)Spratlys issues. Pierre 3ernar0 :a/ont @rote Bhe archipelagos Paracels an0 Spratleys
(:es rchipels Paracels et Spratlys) in the *oo' Bhe Sea 3oun0ary -on+licts in the -hinese
%$
sea (-on+it 0e +rontieres en !er 0e -hine !Zri0ionale); pu*lishe0 $DJD r$QCs. Particularly;
the *oo' Bhe sovereignty over Paracels an0 Spratlys (:a souverainetZ sur les rchipels
Paracels et Spratly) *y !a0ame !.-. Hen0reau r$CCs; -hair@oman o+ ,uropean la@yer
association; is a scienti+ic an0 o*Uective stu0y stating that Vitnam is the nation that has
su++icient status to practice the sovereignty over archipelagos o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0
BrETng Sa)Spratlys. 9n the Pnternet in $DDD; there @ere over D## materials mentioning
Paracels an0 Spratlys (no@ the num*er is DS#).
&. Stu0y o*Uectives an0 range; topic limit.
9*Uectives +or stu0ying are the process o+ esta*lishing Vitnamese sovereignty on the
archipelagos o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 BrETng Sa)Spratlys. Bhe author o+ the Doctoral
Dissertation concentrate0 on researching the materials; the activities an0 the announcements
+rom Vitnamese states in con+irmation; occupation an0 protection o+ Vitnamese
sovereignty on archipelagos o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 BrETng Sa)Spratlys 0uring the historic
perio0s @hen there @ere no invasions +rom +oreign countries an0 @hen the sovereignty ha0
*een violate0. Bhrough that concentration; the author presente0 the arguments; vie@points;
proo+s an0 evi0ences o+ Vitnamese sovereignty over Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 BrETng Sa)
Spratlys.
Bhe +ocus o+ the 0issertation is the process o+ esta*lishment o+ Vitnamese sovereignty in
terms o+ history science @hen there @ere no invasions +rom +oreign countries. Bhe stu0y o+
the perio0s @hen there @as invasion o+ +oreigners on Vitnamese sovereignty is mainly
aime0 at -hinese invasion. Bhe 0issertation also gives arguments to reUect -hinese
vie@points *ecause only -hina is the nation paying attention to historical arguments. Bhence;
the 0issertation provi0es a long)term policy +or protecting Vitnamese sovereignty over
Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 BrETng Sa)Spratlys.
%. Stu0y metho0 an0 sources o+ materials
!ain metho0s use0 in this 0issertation are on the *asis o+ historical materialism. Bhe author
uses the historical metho0ology; concrete historical research metho0 an0 logical metho0. Bhe
collection o+ historical materials is the lea0ing tas'. Bhe core strategies are ho@ to collect
su++icient materials; ho@ to 0iscover ne@ materials an0 ho@ to approach the original an0
+irst)gra0e materials. /irst o+ all; the author *ases on the materials +rom +ormer stu0ies an0
researches; *oo's; ne@spapers; gui0ance. Bhe author rea0s 0irectly every page that possi*ly
may mention a*out Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 BrETng Sa)Spratlys.
*out the material sources use0; the 0issertation pays attention to the original; +irst)gra0e an0
the historical materials in -hinese +rom Vitnam an0 -hina an0 N6m language +rom
%"
Vitnam. Bhe 0issertation compares 0i++erent translations; chec's the original manuscripts;
an0 han0les properly the 0iscrepancies +rom many scripts (maUorly here*y attache0 in the
anne` part). Bhe materials in the -hinese language o+ Vitnam are very a*un0ant; o+ @hich
many are collecte0 *y the author an0 transcri*e0; then translate0 *y e`perts o+ the -hinese
language in $DSC. /ore more in+ormation; in $DSC; the author @as the e0itor in chie+ o+ the
History an0 Heography .evie@ (Bep San SK 5La); Bome "D 0e0icate0 to Ho8ng Sa)Paracels.
Bhe author also @rote Bhe materials in the -hinese language testi+ying Vitnamese
sovereignty over archipelagos o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 BrETng Sa)Spratlys through many
centuries @ith the penname o+ Hn NguyAn. +ter $DSC; than's to the supplementary
sources o+ the valua*le .oyally Vie@e0 Documents (chdu *>n) in !inh !<ng an0 Bhieu Bri
,mperors perio0s +rom H8n]i Han)Nom Pnstitute (Vin Hln N6m H8 N]i); as @ell as the
sources in the -hinese language *y -hinese linguistic e`pert Ph<m Xim H[ng; B6n Bhyt
DEgng X; Nguyn 1uang Ngoc an0 V2 V=n 1udn through +iel0 researches in Sa XY .Z
Pslan0 an0 +rom the /oreign !inistry Hovernmental 3oun0ary gency (3an 3iAn Hii -hvnh
Pht; 3] Ngo<i Hiao). Bhe Vestern material sources on ne@spaper an0 *oo's @ere also
collecte0; chec'e0 an0 compare0 @ith the original materials; not only through translation or
interme0iate copies (+or eàmple; they are attache0 along @ith the original material in the
appen0i`).
Bhe comparison; han0ling an0 evaluating materials is also one o+ the main tas's.
Bhe author @oul0 also use the inter)su*Uect metho0s as geography; archaeological;
ethnographical an0 legal sciences. Bhe ultimate generaliâtion @oul0 *e the role o+ history
science.
C. Structure o+ the Dissertation
Bhe 0issertation compose0 o+ three parts(
) Pre+ace @ith Q items.
) Bhe research result @ith three chapters.
) Bhe conclusion.
:ast o+ all @oul0 *e the list o+ the authors @or's; re+erences; remar's; /igures an0 anne`
(please rea0 in0e`).
Q. Dissertation contri*ution
Bhe 0issertation is a com*ination o+ systematic; generaliîng @ith novelty all researches;
materials 0iscovere0 hitherto. Bhis 0issertation is most su++icient an0 @ith reasona*le proo+s
an0 evi0ences that may contri*ute to the protection o+ Vitnamese sovereignty over Ho8ng
Sa)Paracels an0 BrETng Sa)Spratlys.
%&
Vith the e`perience @hen assem*ling in large scale the Vitnamese an0 +oreign 0ocuments
in Bep San SK 5La (Bhe History an0 Heography .evie@); Bome "D; a special issue +or
Paracels an0 Spratlys Sa; the researcher @as 0iligent in the e++orts to 0iscover ne@ materials.
Bhose ne@ materials are those +rom the very -hinese people as -i Da -an) Bhvch 5i Ngo< X Sx) r$$Qs accounte0
that Nguyn :or0 ha0 sent ships to e`ploit the articles +rom the @rec'e0 ships in Bhe
Bhousan0 o+ san0*an's (V<n :7 SP.B:NS or Paracels) an0 BrETng Sa)Spratlys. Bhe
author also 0iscovere0 the secon0 long te`t @ritten a*out the esta*lishment o+ Vitnamese
sovereignty over archipelagos o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels un0er !inh !<ng ,mperor in an
important material o+ Nguyn Dynasty. Bhat is the .oyally 0eci0e0 history o+ the Vitnam
Nguyn Dynasty a0ministrative statutes (Xhdm wLnh w<i Nam H]i wi4n Sx : )FGH
IJK); as @ell as the s'etches +or *uil0ing sail ships in the .e Pslan0 tra0itional @ay +or
sea+aring; 0ra@n *y Nguyn Hng NghIa province (pht; tryn; tnh) *e+ore *eing inva0e0. Bhe a0ministration then
@as un0er the control o+ Bha BhiAn; then 58nng (+or Ho8ng Sa)Paracels) an0 38rLa V2ng
Bbu; then Ph Xhlnh; Xhlnh Ho8 (BrETng Sa)Spratlys). 3e+ore *eing inva0e0 *y +oreign
countries; the emperor an0 royal court o+ Vitnam (un0er !inh !<ng) 0i0 announce
a++irmatively that Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 BrETng Sa)Spratlys *elong to the critical territory
o+ Vitnam. Bhe 0issertation also penetrates an0 presents systematically the governmental
activities as esta*lishing Vitnamese sovereignty on archipelagos o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0
BrETng Sa)Spratlys *y Paracels *riga0es\+lotillas\team (m]i Ho8ng Sa) (together @ith *irth
lan0; time o+ activities; responsi*ilities; organiâtion an0 captivity contents o+ a*out $S
pages). Similarly the 3_c H>i *riga0e in the South o+ Bhe ,ast Sea (South -hina
Sea)that @as un0er the +ull control o+ the Paracels *riga0e 0i0 ta'e charge in han0ling the
Vitnamese a0ministration on BrETng Sa)Spratlys an0 the vicinity (-6n 5>o Pslan0; H8 BiAn
sea). Bhe 0issertation intensi+ies in the highly governmental activities o+ navy +orce un0er the
Nguyn 0ynasty since $J$Q. Bhis *ecame common practice in the $Sth year un0er !inh
!<ng ($J&Q); @ith activities as national lan0mar' construction; erection o+ sovereignty stele;
temple construction; tree planting on Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 BrETng Sa)Spratlys.
/rom $D#D; Ho8ng Sa)Paracels *egan to *e violate0 *y -hina an0 then other countries later
on violate0 BrETng Sa)Spratlys. Bhe 0issertation presents the repeate0 an0 consistently
%%
maintaine0 a++irmation o+ Vitnamese states in +orti+ication; protection Vitnamese
sovereignty over the archipelagos o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 BrETng Sa)Spratlys.
Bhe author here*y analyês the legal value o+ the esta*lishment o+ Vitnamese sovereignty
on the archipelagos o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels as @ell as BrETng Sa)Spratlys. Bhe 0issertation
sho@s the proo+s; evi0ences an0 arguments o+ the *ona)+i0e peace+ul an0 continuous
occupation an0 the implementation o+ Vitnamese sovereignty continuously in the
archipelagos o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 BrETng Sa)Spratlys. Bhe 0issertation reUects the
@rong arguments e`plaining +or the invasion +rom +oreign countries such as -hina. Vitnam
@as the earliest to 0iscover; to carry on *usiness; to apply earliest a0ministration to Ho8ng
Sa)Paracels an0 BrETng Sa)Spratlys. Bhe 0issertation mentions the statement o+ res nullius
an0 vicinity geography o+ other nations in Southeast sia (luen mi4m v6 cht & mLa l7 'O cen).
Bhe author in0irectly renounces the counter)arguments +rom -hina against Vitnamese
materials or to Vitnamese governments vie@points.

%C
C*APT+R ,N+
-Tranlate. by Nguyn Tr!nh /0n1
2+,2RAP*Y P,SITI,NS AND NATURA3 C,NDITI,NS ,4 T*+
ARC*IP+3A2,S ,4 *,5N2 SA6PARAC+3S AND TR78N2 SA6
SPRAT3YS
$.$. Names an0 geography positions o+ the rchipelagos o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 Spratlys
/or a long time in the early 0ays; *oth Vitnamese an0 Vesterners *elieve0 that there @as
only one single long archipelago @ith consistent names in the ,ast Sea. Vitnamese calle0
the rchipelago 3i -lt V8ng (,nglish( Hol0en San0 3an'); or -Rn V8ng (,nglish(
Hol0en Pslets); or Ho8ng Sa)Paracels (,nglish( Hol0en San0s). Bhe rchipelago @as also
calle0 5<i BrETng Sa (,nglish( Hreat :ong San0s); or Van li ^hang sha
(,nglish( Ben)Bhousan0)!ile :ong San0s).
3i -lt V8ng (sometimes 3i Xlt V8ng) or -Rn V8ng 0erives +rom N6m root @hile
Ho8ng Sa)Paracels 0erives +rom -hinese (Hln). ll o+ these names have the same
meaning( Sa san0 Ho8ng gol0\gol0en BrETng long 5<i great V<n :7 ten
thousan0 miles 3i piece o+ riversi0e; mi0)river; inshore or o++shore lan0 *an'\shoal -Rn
mi0)river or o++shore earth moun0.
Bhe name -lt V8ng @as use0 early an0 *ecame very popular among the common people.
Bhe Hln)0erive0 name Ho8ng Sa)Paracels @ere translate0 an0 use0 later in @ritten
0ocuments *y the -on+ucian scholars.
Bhe Portuguese an0 the Dutch calle0 the rchipelago as Parcel or Pracel (Parcel
means su*merge0 cays\ree+s in Portuguese see ,0uar0o Pinheiro; Dictionari9u li LM
ngua Portuguesa; Porto; Bipogra+ia Seiueira; :.D..; $D%J; p. $#%") in the early $Q
th
century;
@hen Vesterners ha0 no 'no@le0ge a*out the southern islan0s o+ the rchipelago; @hich
@as later calle0 BrETng Sa. Bhe @hole rchipelago @as o+ten in0icate0 as P 0e Pracell in
their maps; such as those o+ 3artholomen Velho ($CQ#); /ernao va^ Doura0o ($CD#); van
:angren ($CDC); etc.
%Q
Bhe /rench an0 3ritish calle0 the rchipelago Paracels in the $S
th
an0 $J
th
centuries in their
nautical charts.
Pt @as not until $SJS$SJJ that the position o+ Paracel archipelago @as i0enti+ie0 as
accurately as it is to0ay. Bhe Vesterners then starte0 0i++erentiating the Paracels islan0s in
the North +rom those in the South that @ere collectively name0 later in $D%#s as Spratly *y
the /rench ($.$.); in0icating the rchipelago o+ BrETng Sa.
Bhe Vitnamese ha0 a0ministere0 the ,ast Sea (South -hina Sea)as +ar as H8 BiAn since the
early $J
th
century as in0icate0 in !iscellaneous .ecor0s on the Paci+ication o+ the /rontiers
(Pht 3iAn Bi Su*)/lotilla @as responsi*le speci+ically +or the southern islan0s o+ 3_c H>i
(,nglish( North Sea) as +ar as -6n :6n an0 H8 BiAn. lthough Van li ^hang sha
an0 Ho8ng Sa)Paracels @ere use0 to in0icate the islan0s in the South an0 the North;
respectively; in the $D
th
century 5n 5R; these t@o archipelagos @ere
yet to *e clearly 0i++erentiate0 *ut 0epicte0 as a single population o+ islan0s. ,ven un0er Ng6
5hnh Dim a0ministration in $DCQ; the concept o+ single archipelago @as still in use as
o++icial 0ocuments in0icate0 that Ho8ng Sa)Paracels @as use0 to re+er to *oth Paracels an0
Spratly archipelagos.
Pt shoul0 *e particularly note0 that there @as a clear consistency *et@een the Vitnamese an0
Vestern naming o+ the archipelago. 3ishop Ba*er0 in0icate0 clearly the archipelago as
Paracels seu -at Vang (seu means or in :atin) in n Nam 5<i 1unc Ho< 5R. 3ishop
Ba*er0 @as also the author o+ the *oo' entitle0 pnivers; histoire et 0escription 0e tous les
peoples; 0e leurs religions; moeurs et coutumes ($JJ&) in @hich he @rote that the Paracels
@ere calle0 *y Vitnamese as -lt V8ng. Similar things are a*solutely not in0icate0 in
0ocuments relate0 to -hina or any other countries. 9nly Vitnam has relia*le sources
sho@ing that -lt V8ng; or Ho8ng Sa)Paracels; is the Vestern)name0 Paracels. Bhis is a clear
proo+ 0emonstrating that the Vesterners; since early $D
th
century or earlier; ha0 atteste0 that
Paracels @as -lt V8ng; i.e. the Vitnamese Ho8ng Sa)Paracels.
Very 0i++erent +rom the Vesterners an0 -hinese @ho name0 the t@o archipelagos merely +or
their nautical nee0s; the Vitnamese use0 the name Ho8ng Sa)Paracels to esta*lish
sovereignty over the t@o archipelagos. Pt is *ecause the Vitnamese also use0 the name
Ho8ng Sa)Paracels to in0icate an organiâtion esta*lishe0 *y the state to e`ploit an0
control the islan0s collectively calle0 Ho8ng Sa)Paracels. Bhere+ore; the name Ho8ng Sa)
%S
Paracels itsel+ serves as a proo+ +or the sovereignty esta*lishment an0 practice in the
rchipelago o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels.
Bhe rchipelagos o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 Spratlys)BrETng Sa are @ithin the ,ast Sea. Bhe
Vitnamese have *een regar0ing the ,ast Sea (South -hina Sea)(Vitnamese( 3i4n 56ng) +or
long in their +ol' poetry\songs (Vitnamese( ca 0ao) an0 prover*s; such as Bhuen v} thuen
chRng tlt 3i4n 56ng c2ng c<n (,nglish( @i+e an0 a hus*an0 @ith their harmony can even
0ry up the ,ast Sea); or D tr8ng è clt 3i4n 56ng (,nglish( san0 cra*s roll san0 into *alls
to +ill up the ,ast Sea). -hinese o+ten re+er to the sea as Nanhai (,nglish( the South Sea).
Ho@ever; the -hinese names o+ the sea; inclu0ing ?iao^hi Nang (,nglish( Hiao -hs
9cean 9. ?iao^his 9cean Vitnamese( ?iao ^hi yang NOP); vary in 0i++erent historical
perio0s. Pn a00ition; the -hinese people living in coastal area o+ Huang0ong Province calle0
the sea as Nuehai (,nglish( Viets Sea Vitnamese( Nue hai 9) or Nueyang (,nglish(
Viets 9cean Vitnamese( Vit DEgng).
Since the $Q
th
century; Vestern navigators ha0 use0 the name the Sea o+ -hampa (-iampa);
-hina Sea; or South -hina Sea. Bhis is similar to the case o+ Pn0ian 9cean; @hich is
a0Uacent to Pn0ia *ut never *elonge0 to Pn0ia the -hina Sea also 0oes not *elong to -hina. Pn
+act; the ,ast Sea (South-hina Sea)*or0ers most Southeast sian countries such as Vitnam;
the Philippines; Pn0onesia; 3runei; !alaysia; Singapore; Bhailan0; an0 -am*o0ia an0
there+ore shoul0 *e calle0 Southeast sian Sea.
Pn the last 0eca0es; many researchers have *een attempting to e`plain the +ormation o+ the
nautical cultures o+ Vitnamese in particular an0 o+ Southeast sian nations in general; all o+
@hich possess completely 0i++erent aspects to those o+ the -hina !ainlan0. Some theories are
summariê0 *elo@(
-hester Norman claims that the Ho8 3hnh -iviliâtion @as +orme0 @hen the Sun0erlan0
su*merge0. t that time; the Hul+ o+ Bon'in (Vitnamese( VLnh 3_c 3]) an0 the Hul+ o+
Bhailan0 @ere t@o 0epresse0 plains. ccor0ing to Normans theory; some Southeast sian
nations starte0 as littoral communities an0 got integrate0 @ith communities +rom the
highlan0s. Bhey then returne0 to the coastal plains an0 0evelope0 their navigation (in Bhe
Hoa*inhian an0 +ter( Su*sistence Patterns in Southeast sia 0uring the :ate Pleistocene an0
,arly Perio0s; $DS$; Vorl0 rchaeology " (&)( &##&"#).
Vilheim H. Solheim *elieves that Southeast sian people hea0e0 out to the ocean as early as
Q;### years ago. Hurricanes an0 currents in the ,ast Sea (South -hina Sea)an0 the Paci+ic
9cean s@ept them to ?apan; the Philippines; Pn0onesia; an0 !alaysia. +ter these +irst
%J
a0ventures; several groups continue0 their migration to +ar islan0s in the Paci+ic an0
!a0agascar.
Solheim also claims that 0uring ancient times; the ,ast Sea (South -hina Sea)@as the place
@here sea routes @ere +orme0 to connect coastal regions o+ sia; ,urope; +rica an0 even
merica. Solheim rationaliês that only the role o+ Southeast sia as a hu* o+ a @heel
sprea0ing its spo'es to all 0irections can e`plain the historical +act that 0i++erent human races
living in 0i++erent 0istant places share many similar cultural activities (in Vorl0
,thnographic Sample; Possi*le Historical ,`planation; $DQJ; merican nthropologist
S#(CQD) r$#Ss.
Vith many investigations; the /rench linguistician Paul .ivet conclu0e0 that( /rom
Southeast sia; a 'in0 o+ language sprea0 via sea routes to ?apan; Basmania; !e0iterranean
region; +rica; an0 merica (Sumerian et 9ceania; -ollection linguistiiue; Paris; $D"D)
(/igure $.$) r$#Ss.
-arl Sauer investigates the geography changes in the ,ast Sea (South -hina Sea) an0 notices
the signi+icance o+ +ishery an0 nautical e`perience in the ancient ,ast sian civiliâtion;
@hich @as very 0i++erent +rom other regions in the @orl0. Bhe t@o annual monsoons ma0e
the ,ast Sea (South -hina Sea)+avora*le +or sea travels. Bra0e helpe0 improve manu+acturing
s'ills. -oming into *eing ";C## years ago; *ronê 0rums are the most o*vious evi0ence
0emonstrating the nautical capa*ility o+ :<c Vits people (gricultural 9rigins an0
Dispersals Series PP; Ne@ Nor'; $DC"; pp. "%"C) r$#Ss. Designs 0epicting *oats on *ronê
0rums an0 Uars 0uring the 56ng Sgn ,ra; or H[ng VEgng ,ra; evi0ently prove ho@ ancient
Viet people appreciate0 the use o+ *oats as means o+ transportation.
Some scientists pre0ict that; in the coming millennia; the level o+ the ,ast Sea (South -hina
Sea)@ill go 0o@n. 3ase0 on previous risings an0 lo@ering o+ the sea route; it can *e pre0icte0
that in the ne`t +e@ thousan0 years the Hul+s o+ Bon'in an0 Bhailan0 @ill *e 0rie0 up; the
,ast Sea (South -hina Sea)@ill *ecome a lan0loc'e0 sea @hich international sea routes @ill
no longer go through (see map printe0 in National Heographic; !arch $DS$) (/igures $.";
$.&) r$#Ss.
Bhe t@o archipelagos are a*out C## 'ilometers a@ay +rom each other. Bhey cover eleven
latitu0es; +rom $S
o
#C N to Q
o
"# D N; an0 seven longitu0es; +rom $$#
o
, to $$S
o
,. 3oth o+
the t@o archipelagos consist o+ many islan0s; ree+s; an0 shoals +orme0 on the sur+ace o+ coral
ree+s. Botal permanently 0ry area o+ each archipelago is roughly more than $# 'm
"
. lthough
the t@o archipelagos are 0istant +rom each other; each has some islan0s close to the !ainlan0
Vitnams strips proUecting into the sea; @hich are the region +rom 3a :8ng n to XA H8
%D
-apes (+rom 1u>ng NghIa to 3hnh Bhuen). Bhe position lea0s to a long)stan0ing connection
o+ inha*itants +rom 1u>ng NghIa to 3hnh Bhuen to the t@o archipelagos; @hich +or a long
time ha0 *een consi0ere0 as a single archipelago an0 calle0 collectively as Ho8ng Sa)
Paracels; or Van li ^hang sha ; 5<i BrETng Sa *y Vitnamese (/igures $.%; $.C; $.Q).
$.". Bhe rchipelago o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels
Bhe rchipelago o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels covers an area o+ a*out $C;### 'm
"
; DC nautical miles
($ nautical mile $.JC& 'm) *et@een $$$
o
to $$&
o
, longitu0es; an0 %C nautical miles +rom
$S
o
#C to $C
o
%C N latitu0es. Bhe @aters surroun0ing the archipelago are more than $###m
0eep the @ater 0epth *et@een the rchipelagos islan0s; ho@ever; is generally less than $##
m.
Bhe rchipelago o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels is at the same latitu0inal level to that o+ the coast o+
1u>ng BrL; Bha BhiAn; 1u>ng Nam; an0 part o+ 1u>ng NghIa Provinces.
Pn terms o+ 0istance to mainlan0; the rchipelago o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels is most a0Uacent to
Vitnam(
Briton Pslan0 is $&C nautical miles to 3a :8ng -ape (-ap 3atagan( $C
o
N; $#J
o
,); i.e.
!ainlan0 Vitnam; only $"& nautical miles to .e Pslan0 @hereas it is $%# nautical miles to
the closest point on Hainan Pslan0s coast (Ho8ng Sa)Paracels Pattle Pslan0( $C
o
N; $$$
o
Q
, 9u li LM ngsui or :eongsoi( $J
o
,; $$#
o
#& ,); an0 even +arther; at least "&C nautical
miles; to !ainlan0 -hina (/igure $.S).
Bhe coast +rom 1u>ng BrL to 1u>ng NghIa +aces the Ho8ng Sa)Paracelss islan0s un0er the
in+luence o+ Southeast an0 Northeast monsoons an0 there+ore o+ten receives storm)0amage0
ships +rom Ho8ng Sa)Paracels a0Uacent @aters (/igure $.J). Bhe Vitnamese emperors an0
lor0s regularly provi0e0 means o+ transportation to help storm victims go *ac' to their o@n
countries. Bhere @as thus a common a0vice that sailors shoul0 lan0 on the Vitnamese coast
to search +or help. Bhese sho@ that since very early times; Vitnamese has 'no@n; sho@n
interest; an0 esta*lishe0 an0 practice0 their sovereignty over Ho8ng Sa)Paracels.
9+ a*out &# islan0s; ree+s; shoals; islets; isles mentione0 a*ove; "& have *een name0;
inclu0ing $C islan0s; three shoals; three ree+s; an islet an0 an isle. Bhe islan0s are generally
not high the highest is Hjn 5l Pslan0 (C# +eet); an0 the lo@est is Bri B6n Pslan0 ($# +eet).
Bhe main islan0s are groupe0 into t@o(
) :EFi :iGm Hroup (-rescent Hroup) in the South@est
) n0 n VInh Hroup (mphirite Hroup) in the Northeast.
$.".$. :EFi :iGm Hroup
C#
:EFi :iGm (,nglish( Sic'le) Hroup; also calle0 Br=ng XhuyOt or Nguyt BhiGm
(,nglish( -rescent !oon) Hroup; has its name *ecause o+ its croissant pastry)li'e shape @ith
t@o hu00ling en0s. Bhe group has seven main islan0s an0 numerous roc' tops(
) Ho8ng Sa)Paracels Pslan0 (Pattle; Shanhu Dao (Vitnamese( San Ho Dao) (/igure $.D;
Ho8ng Sa)Paracels Pslan0) rHistory an0 Heography .evie@s(
Despite its role as the main islan0; it is not the largest one. Ho8ng Sa)Paracels Pslan0;
ho@ever; hol0s the most important military role; even more than that o+ +u lin Pslan0; in
terms o+ Vitnamese coast 0e+ense.
Bhe islan0s coor0inates are $Q
o
&".& N; $$$
o
&C.S ,. Pt has oval shape that is D##m long
an0 almost S##m @i0e @ith an area o+ a*out #.& 'm
"
(&# hectares) r"S; p. "$s inclu0ing t@o
coral roun0s surroun0ing it.
3e+ore the -hinese occupation starting on ?anuary $D
th
; $DS%; Vitnam ha0 *uilt a military
camp; housing; meteorological station; lighthouse; Bemple o+ :a0y; @har+; an0 sovereignty
stele. pntil the 0ay o+ -hinese occupation; the sovereignty stele @ith the engrave0 @riting
.Zpu*liiue +ranaise ,mpire 0nnam rchipel 0es Paracels (,nglish( /rench
.epu*lic ,mpire o+ n Nam rchipelago o+ Paracels) still stoo0. Bhere @ere still some
sol0iers graves +rom the Nguyn Dynastys ,ra in the Northeast. Pn the South@est; there @as
a temple calle0 Bemple o+ :a0y @ith a statue o+ the 3u00hist Ho00ess o+ !ercy (/igure
$.$#). Bhe meteorological station calle0 Station 0o*servation J&J (,nglish( 9*servation
Station J&J) o++icially starte0 its operation in $D&J it @as regularly run *y a sta++ o+ +ive
persons un0er the Ho8ng Sa)Paracels !eteorology Service o+ the South Vitnam
a0ministration (/igure $.$$). /rom $D&$ to $DSC; a platoon +rom Huang nan (-entral
Vitnam) permanently encampe0 in the Pslan0 (/igures $.$"; $.$&) rHistory an0 Heography
.evie@. "Ds.
)
Hcu Nhet Pslan0 (.o*ert; -aniuan Dao (Vitnamese( -am BuyGn Dao)) (/igures $.$%; $.$C)(
Bhe Pslan0 @as name0 a+ter the Navy Detachment -omman0er(suyt m]i thty iudn) Ph<m
Hcu Nhet; @ho @as sent to Ho8ng Sa)Paracels *y !inh !<ng ,mperor +or sea route survey
an0 mapping in $J&Q.
Hcu Nhet Pslan0 is three nautical miles to the south o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels Pslan0. Pt has a
roun0 pon0)li'e shape that is J## m in 0iameter; ";### m in perimeter; an0 has an area o+
#.&" 'm
"
(&" hectares) r$S; p. "#s. Bhe Pslan0 is surroun0e0 *y a coral *elt an0 it has calm
@ater in the mi00le. Bhe Pslan0s coor0inates are $$$
o
&%% , an0 $Q
o
&# Q# N. Bhe Pslan0 is
C$
0ensely @oo0e0 at its e0ge an0 has a shallo@ hollo@ in the centre. Sea@ee0s gro@ so @ell
that they cover the @aters surroun0ing the Pslan0. Due to the lac' o+ human inha*itance; sea
turtles o+ten haul themselves onto the *each to lay an a*un0ance o+ eggs +rom the thir0 to the
eight months o+ every lunar calen0ars year.
) Duy !]ng Pslan0 (Drummon0; ?iniuing Dao)
Bhe Pslan0 is in the southeast o+ Hcu Nhet Pslan0 an0 the Northeast o+ 1uang Ho8 Pslan0; an0
lies at $$$
o
%% , an0 $Q
o
"J N. Bhe Pslan0 is also +orme0 +rom coral the coral shoal proUects
a@ay +rom the Pslan0 an0 emerges a*out % m a*ove sea level. Bhe Pslan0 has an oval shape
@ith an area o+ a*out #.%$ 'm
"
(%$ hectares) r$S; p. "$s. No trees *ut small plants gro@ on the
Pslan0. Bhe area at the Pslan0s centre is inha*ita*le. rivulet runs on the Pslan0; allo@ing
small *oats to travel inlan0. Ships can cast anchor as close as "## m a@ay +rom the Pslan0.
!any *ir0s an0 sea turtles as 9u li LM on the Pslan0.
) 1uang Ho8 Pslan0 (Duncan; -henhang Dao) (/igure $.$Q)
Bhe Pslan0 lies on $$$
o
%" , an0 $Q
o
"Q N an0 is also +orme0 on the sur+ace o+ coral ree+s.
Bhis is the -rescent Hroups largest islan0; surroun0e0 *y a gol0en san0 shoal (Ho8ng Sa)
Paracels or gol0en san0). Bhe coral *elt proUects very +ar +rom the Pslan0s e0ge. Bhere are
small islan0s ne`t to the *ig islan0; connecting to each other @ith long san0 shoals. Some
geological maps sho@ t@o 1uang Ho8 islan0s( 1uang Ho8 56ng (,nglish( ,ast 1uang Ho8);
an0 1uang Ho8 Bdy (,nglish( Vest 1uang Ho8).
Pn 1uang Ho8 56ng gro@s a +orest o+ noni; a 'in0 o+ plant use0 as me0icinal
materials in the -entral an0 the South o+ Vitnam. Bhe Vest o+ the Pslan0 also has
phosphorite plants; some o+ @hich can gro@ up to C m. Bhe *are part in the ,ast o+ the Pslan0
only has some creeper plants on the groun0. Bhe Pslan0 is ";S## m in perimeter @ith an area
o+ .#%J 'm
"
(%J hectares) r$S; p. "$s
1uang Ho8 Bdy is a small; almost roun0 islan0. Bhe Pslan0s perimeter is $### m;
one tenth o+ that o+ 1uang Ho8 56ng; an0 the area is #.#D 'm
"
(D hectares). Bhe plants on the
Pslan0 are similar to those on 1uang Ho8 56ng although they only gro@ up to & m.
) 1uang fnh Pslan0 (!oney Pslan0; ?inyin Dao (Vitnamese( Xim Ngan Dao)) (/igure $.$S)
Bhe Pslan0 is locate0 at $$$
o
&Q , an0 $Q#
o
"S N; an0 +orme0 on coral ree+s sur+ace a*out Q
m a*ove the @ater route. Bhis is the highest islan0 o+ -rescent Hroup. Bhe Pslan0 is
surroun0e0 *y 0angerously sharp su*merge0 roc's that ma'e it impossi*le +or large ships to
lan0. :arge ships have to cast anchors o++shore an0 sen0 small *oats to the Pslan0 instea0.
C"
Bhere is not much visiting to the Pslan0 0ue to its har0)accessi*le terrain an0 lac' o+ +resh
@ater.
Bhe Pslan0 @as name0 a+ter Ph<m 1uang fnh; lea0er o+ a group (m]i Ho8ng Sa) sent to
Ho8ng Sa)Paracels *y Hia :ong ,mperor +or sea route survey in $J$C. :ater; his 0escen0ants
settle0 an0 *uilt their ancestral temple in the Psle o+ .Z.
Bhe Pslan0 has an oval; slightly roun0ish shape @ith a perimeter o+ ";$## m an0 an area o+ #.&
'm
"
(&# hectares) r$S; p. "$s. Pn the Pslan0s centre gro@ some plants up to C m. Bhe e0ge o+
the Pslan0 has phosphorite trees an0 some Uac'+ruit tree)li'e tree @ithout visi*le +ruits.
Pn a00ition to the +ive a+orementione0 islan0s; -rescent Hroups has +our other islan0s;
namely 3a 3a Pslan0 (Hoan Bhu; $$$
o
%# ,; $Q
o
&Q N); c Hoa Pslan0 (Boan Phu; $$$
o
&J ,;
$Q
o
&% N); :EFi :iGm Pslan0 (-rescent Pslan0; Dao Bhach; $$$
o
%Q ,; $Q
o
&% N); W8 -
Pslan0 ($$$
o
%" ,; $Q
o
&& N); an0 ree+s; namely H>i Sdm (ntelope .ee+; $$$
o
&% ,; $Q
o
"D
N); :Ri (Discovery .ee+; Nu^huo ?iao; $$$
o
%# ,; $Q
o
"D N); -him NOn (Vula00ore .ee+;
$$"
o
#% ,; $Q
o
"$ N); 3<ch 1ui (Passu Xeah .ee+; Panshi Nu; $$$
o
%CC ,; $Q
o
#& N).
$.".". n VInh Hroup ($.") (mphirite Hroup) ($.&)
n VInh Hroup consists o+ the highest an0 relatively large islan0s o+ the rchipelago o+
Ho8ng Sa)Paracels. Bhese are also largest coral islan0s in the ,ast Sea; o+ @hich the largest is
/u lin Pslan0.
) +u lin Pslan0 (Voo0y Pslan0; Nongìng Dao (Vitnamese( zongìng QR Dao)
Bhe Pslan0s coor0inates are $$"
o
"# , an0 $Q
o
C# N. Bhis is the rchipelagos largest islan0;
&;S## m long an0 ";J## m @i0e r&$; p. $JCs. Bhe Pslan0s vegetation is very 0ense @ith some
coconut trees; hence giving it the name +u lin (,nglish( Voo0y Vealth). Seagulls
have *een living on the Pslan0 +or centuries; leaving a guano (0ar' *ir0s e`crement) layer up
to C# cm thic'. Bhis is the only islan0 that can *e seen +rom 0istance.
Bhere are a *ig @har+; an air+iel0; a control to@er; an0 several other military installations on
the Pslan0.
) Bhe other islan0s
ll islan0s an0 shoals o+ the rchipelago o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels are in the south o+ the $Sth
Parallel @ith 3_c .ee+ (North .ee+; 3eiUiao; $$$
o
&J$ ,; $S
o
#C N) at @hich most o+ the
@rec'e0 ships are locate0. n VInh Hroup has another islan0 calle0 -dy Pslan0 (Bree Pslan0;
zhaoshu Dao; $$"
o
$Q ,; $Q
o
C# N). Bhe /rench -olonial Hovernment *uilt a meteorological
to@er @ith its Vorl0 !eteorological 9rganiâtion registration num*er as %JJCD.
3_c Pslan0 (North Pslan0; 3ei Dao (Vitnamese( 3_c 5>o); $$"
o
$J& ,; $Q
o
CS N)
C&
Nam Pslan0 (South Pslan0; Nan Dao (Vitnamese( Nam Dao); $$"
o
$DS ,; $Q
o
CQS N)
Hica Pslan0 (!i00le Pslan0; zhong Dao (Vitnamese( Brung Dao); $$"
o
$DS ,; $Q
o
CQS N)
5l Pslan0 (.oc'y Pslan0; $$"
o
$D ,; $Q
o
C$ N) in the North@est o+ +u lin Pslan0
Bdy Shoal (Vest San0; Wisha ) zhou (Vitnamese( Wi Sha -hau); $$"
o
$" ,; $Q
o
CJS
N)
Nam San0)Shoal (South San0; Nansha ) zhou (Vitnamese( Nam Sa -hdu); $$"
o
"#&
,; $Q
o
CS N)
$.".&. :inh -6n Hroup
:inh -6n Hroup occupies the +arthest point to the ,ast o+ the rchipelago o+ Ho8ng Sa)
Paracels. Bhe Hroups coor0inates are $$"
o
%% , an0 $Q
o
%# N.
Bhe Hroups Pslan0s 0o not have critical signi+icance as they are merely ree+s pea's at a*out
sea level.
Bhe Hroup @as name0 a+ter the ship :inh -6n that @as in 0istress at the location in the early
"#
th
century. Bhe Hroups largest islan0 is :inh -6n Pslan0 @ith an area o+ a*out $.Q" 'm
"

the Pslan0 also has +resh @ater. Bhe surroun0ing coral ree+ e`ten0s as +ar as $C nautical miles
to the South.
Pn the Vest o+ :inh -6n Hroup; there are a ree+ calle0 Bhep .ee+ (Pyrami0 Pslan0; $$"
o
&JC
,; $Q
o
&%C N); an0 a shoal calle0 Bhu BG Shoal (Neptuna 3an'; 3ei*ian :ang; $$"
o
&$ ,;
$Q
o
&# N). Bhe Hroups South an0 South@est have several shoals; namely 1u>ng NghIa
(?ehangir 3an'; zhanhan Ban); -hdu Nhai (3remen 3an'; 3immei Ban); Bdn !A ($$"
o
&"
,; $Q
o
$J N); 36ng 3ay (3om*ay .ee+; :anghua ?iao; $$"
o
&# ,; $Q
o
#" N); Hj Ni (Di0o
3an'; Wi0u Ban; $$"
o
CC ,; $Q
o
%D N); c Bai Voi (Heral0 3an'; $$"
o
$Q ,; $C
o
%# N); an0
:a !ac ($$$
o
&% ,; $Q
o
&$ N).
Pn the +arthest point to the South o+ :inh -6n Hroup; there is an islan0 calle0 Bri B6n (Briton
Pslan0; zhongUian Dao; $$$
o
$" ,; $C
o
%Q N). Bhis is an isolate0 islan0 @ithout much visiting
although it is rich in sea resources an0 color+ul ree+s.
$.&. Bhe rchipelago o+ Spratlys (/igure $.$J)
Bhe rchipelago is calle0 as rchipel 0es iles Spratleys *y the /rench; Spratly Pslan0s *y
the 3ritish an0 merican; Nansha ) 1un0ao (Vitnamese( Nam Sa 1ubn Dao) or
Nan@ei 1un0ao (Vitnamese( Nam Net 1ubn Dao) *y the -hinese; Xalayaan *y the
/ilipino; an0 Shinnan Huto *y the ?apanese.
C%
Bhe rchipelago o+ Spratlys)BrETng Sa is is &C# an0 C## nautical miles a@ay +rom the
nearest an0 the +arthest islan0s o+ the rchipelago o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels. Pt is &#C nautical
miles a@ay +rom V2ng B8u; "C# +rom -am .anh; "%# +rom Ph 1unc Pslan0; an0 "S# +rom
3inh Bhuen (Phan BhiOt).
Bhe rchipelago o+ Spratlys)BrETng Sa is +rom Q
o
" N to $$
o
"J N latitu0es ($.%); an0 $$"
o
,
to $$C
o
, longitu0es @ith an area o+ a*out $Q#;### $J#;### 'm
"
. lthough the total area is
large; the permanently 0ry area covers only $$ 'm
"
.
Pn accor0ance @ith $DJJ statistical +igures o+ Dr. Nguyn HRng Bhao (Department o+ Sea
++airs; Hovernments 3oar0 o+ 3or0er ++airs); the rchipelago o+ Spratlys consists o+ $&S
islan0s; ree+s; an0 shoals; e`clu0ing +ive su*merge0 shoals on the Vitnamese continental
shel+ (namely Phc Bbn; HuyGn Brdn; 1uO DEgng; Phc NguyAn; an0 BM -hvnh Shoals)
($.Q).
Pn accor0ance @ith the $D&& /rench statistical +igures; the rchipelago consists o+ nine maUor
units an0 a0Uacent islan0s; ree+s; an0 shoals. Bhe Philippines has ma0e a list o+ C& units
inclu0ing islan0s an0 isles in an area o+ DSQ siuare miles. 3ase0 on the $DSD nautical chart
ma0e *y the 3ureau +or !ilitary !aps un0er the Heneral Sta++ (Socialist .epu*lic o+
Vitnam); the rchipelago o+ Spratlys can *e 0ivi0e0 into nine maUor clusters as liste0 *ase0
on their locations +rom North to South *elo@(
$.&.$. Song BK -luster inclu0ing t@o islan0s; t@o ree+s; an0 t@o shoals
) Song BK 56ng (,ast Song BK) an0 Song BK Bdy (Vest Song BK) Pslan0s(
Song BK 56ng (Northeast .ee+; Peiî Dao or Peitû Bao (-hinese); Parola Pslan0
(/ilipino); $$
o
"S N; $$%
o
"$ ,)
Song BK Bdy (South@est .ee+; Nanî Dao or Nantû Bao (-hinese); Puga0 Pslan0
(/ilipino); $$
o
"CC N; $$%
o
"# ,)
Bhese t@in)li'e islan0s are the +arthest points to the North o+ Spratlys BrETng Sa
rchipelago; @hich have the same latitu0e @ith Phan .ang (Ninh Bhuen). Bhis position
e`plains the +act that 3_c H>i Su*)/lotilla recruite0 men +or its activities in the $S
th
century +rom 3hnh Bhuen Province. Bhe islan0s have trees o+ me0ium height an0 are rich o+
guano i0eal +or ma'ing +ertiliêr. !any su*merge0 roc' pea's; surroun0e0 *y sea@ee0s; are
locate0 a*out +ive nautical miles +rom these t@o islan0s.
Song BK 56ng (,ast Song BK) is a roun0ish islan0 (/igure $.$D) @ith a nearly "#)acre area.
Bhe Pslan0s length; @i0th an0 height are D## m; "C# m; an0 & m; respectively. Bhe Pslan0 is
covere0 @ith many san0 *eaches; plenty o+ trees inclu0ing some coconut trees; an0 is
CC
surroun0e0 *y coral ree+s. Bhe .epu*lic o+ Vitnam esta*lishe0 a sovereignty stele on the
Pslan0 (/igure $."#) in $DQ&. Pn $DQJ; the Pslan0 @as occupie0 *y the arme0 +orces o+ the
Philippines.
Song BK Bdy (Vest Song BK) is a crescent)shape0 islan0 (/igure $."$) @ith a smaller area
than that o+ Song BK 56ng. Bhe Pslan0 is S## m long an0 &## m @i0e @ith some +resh @ater;
a coconut gar0en; an0 many small trees. Bhere is a ra0ar to@er *uilt *y the .epu*lic o+
Vitnam. Bhe @hole islan0 is currently controlle0 *y the Peoples rmy o+ Vitnam (/igure
$."").
Bhe Song BK -luster also inclu0es 5l 3_c (North .ee+; or Pei ?iao or Bungpei -hiao
(-hinese); $$
o
"J N; $$%
o
"& ,); Da Nam (South .ee+; or Nan ?iao or Nailo -hiao (-hinese);
$$
o
"& N; $$%
o
$J ,).
Pn the ,ast o+ Song BK -luster are locate0 the 5inh 3a San0*ar to the North (Bri0ent Shoal;
Noung0eng nsha or Nungteng nsha (-hinese); Batlong or Bulis Shoal (/ilipino); $$
o
"# N;
$$%
o
%" ,); an0 Nui -au San0*ar to the south (:ys Shoal; :esi nsha (-hinese); 3isugo
Shoal (/ilipino); $$
o
"#C N; $$%
o
&C ,).
$.&.". BhL BM -luster
BhL BM -luster an0 its a0Uacent stony *eaches are locate0 in the south o+ Song BM -luster.
) BhL BM Pslan0 (zhongye Dao or -hung)yeh Bao (-hinese); Pagasa Pslan0 (/ilipino); $$
o
#"S
N; $$%
o
$S ,) is in the Northeast o+ Spratly Pslan0. Bhe Pslan0 @as +orme0 on coral @ith
@hite san0s an0 (/igure $."&).
BhL BM is a CC#)m @i0e an0 S##)m long oval)shape0 islan0 @ith a +resh@ater @ell. Bhe
Pslan0s +lora inclu0es poon; tropical almon0; an0 a 0ense net@or' o+ creeping plants. Bhe
Pslan0 is surroun0e0 *y many su*merge0 ree+s. Pts a0Uacent @aters are rich in +ishes;
sipunculi0 @orms; an0 sea@ee0s.
(Bhe arme0 +orces o+ the Philippines lan0e0 on the Pslan0 in $DQJ an0 complete0 their
occupation in $DS# they *uilt a maUor military *ase @ith a run@ay e`ten0e0 to the sea).
) Pn the North o+ BhL BM Pslan0 are Ho8i n .ee+ (Wan0i; $$
o
#" N; $$%
o
$&% ,); Bri :e .ee+
(San0 .ee+; $$
o
#&S N; $$%
o
$C% ,); Bram Duc .ee+ ($$
o
#%C N; $$%
o
"" ,); VInh H>o .ee+
($$
o
#%C N; $$%
o
"" ,); -li Vung .ee+ ($$
o
#SD N; $$%
o
$$C ,).
) Pn the south o+ BhL BM Pslan0 is Wu 3i .ee+ (Su*i .ee+; zhu*i ?iao (-hinese); zamora .ee+
(/ilipino); $#
o
C% N; $$%
o
#Q ,). Bhe .ee+ is $% nautical miles +rom BhL BM Pslan0 (an0 has
*een occupie0 *y the Peoples .epu*lic o+ -hina since $DJJ).
$.&.&. :oai Ba .ee+ -luster
CQ
Pn the ,ast o+ BhL BM -luster are :oai Ba Pslan0 to the south an0 the coral islet o+ :ancan;
also calle0 n Nhgn (:an'ian .ee+; Nangìn zhou; Panata; $#
o
%C N; $$%
o
&& ,) +arther to
the ,ast. :oai Ba Pslan0 is locate0 in the North o+ :oai Ba .ee+ -luster (Nanyue Dao
(-hinese); Xota (/ilippino); $#
o
%#S N; $$%
o
"%J ,) (/igure $."%). Bhe Pslan0 has a roun0
shape &## m in 0iameter; an0 is " m in height. Bhe +lora inclu0es many *ig trees surroun0ing
the Pslan0 an0 many coconut trees in the North si0e. !uch o+ the Pslan0s e0ge is covere0 *y
many /iguresiue @hite *eaches. Bhe Pslan0 also has a +resh @ater @ell @ith very little
amount o+ @ater. +ter $DS# to 0ate; the Pslan0 has *een occupie0 *y the Philippines.
Bhe -luster also inclu0es n :o .ee+ (!enîes .ee+; !ongî ?iao (-hinese); :a'an0ula
.ee+; $$
o
#J& N; $$%
o
%J ,); Duong shoal (-hangtan (-hinese); $$
o
N; $$%
o
%" ,); n Nhgn
3_c .ee+ (pe**les) (Xugui ?iao (-hinese); $#
o
%QC N; $$%
o
&% ,); :oai Ba shoal (:oaita .ee+;
Shuanhuan Sha^hou; $#
o
%"" N; $$%
o
"$# ,); :oai Ba Nam shoal (:oaita 3an'; Shuanhuan
Sha^hou; $#
o
%"S N; $$%
o
$DC ,).
Pn the south o+ :oai Ba -luster are locate0 Dua Pslan0 an0 -a Nham .ee+.
$.&.%. Nam NOt; or Bi Hia; Pslan0 -luster
Bo the south o+ :oai Ba -luster is a coral arc calle0 Biâr0 3an'; inclu0ing Nam Net Pslan0
(Namyit Pslan0; Hongìu Dao; $#
o
$$ N; $$%
o
"$S ,); Sgn -a (San0 .ee+; Dungian Sha^hou;
$#
o
""S N; $$%
o
"JC ,); together @ith 38n Bhan Shoal ($#
o
"&$ N; $$%
o
"%C ,); Ni BhL .ee+
(Petley .ee+; 3olan ?iao; $#
o
"%S N; $$%
o
&%J ,); n 5yt .ee+ (,l0a0 .ee+; n0a ?iao; $#
o
"$
N; $$%
o
%$ ,); :<c .ee+ (!eiUi ?iao; $#
o
$#" N; $$%
o
$%J ,); Haven .ee+ (Haven .ee+;
Nanùn ?iao; $#
o
$"S N; $$%
o
$& ,); Nh| .ee+ (Small Discovery .ee+; Wiaoìen ?iao; $#
o
#$C N; $$%
o
#$C ,); 5n -dy -o .ee+ (Vestern or /lora Bemple .ee+; /ulusi ?iao; $#
o
$%S
N; $$%
o
&SC ,). Bhe -luster inclu0es the largest an0 highest islan0s o+ Spratly rchipelago;
@hich are 3a 3hnh an0 Nam NOt; respectively. !any o+ the highest an0 thic'est clumps o+
trees are also +oun0 in this -luster.
Nam NOt Pslan0 (Namyit Pslan0; Hongìu Dao (-hinese); 3inago (/ilippino); $#
o
$$ N;
$$%
o
"$S ,) (/igure $."C)( Bhis is the secon0)largest islan0 a+ter 3a 3hnh Pslan0 an0 the
highest islan0 in the rchipelago. Bhe -)shape0 islan0 o+ Nam NOt is in the south o+ Nam
NOt -luster @ith a length o+ S## m; a @i0th o+ "C# m; an0 a height o+ %.S m ($C +t) (the 3oo'
-hinas 3oun0aries *y Ning)cheng Xiang (Pllinois; $DJ%) 0escri*es the Pslan0 as Q$ +t high;
9cean Near 3oo' $# (-hicago; $DD&) mentions the Pslan0 is "# m high inclu0ing the height
o+ its trees). Bhe Pslan0s +lora is very rich @ith many :asianthus trees (can *e higher than &
m); noni (higher than & m); poon (C m); coconut trees (a*out $" m); an0 many small plants
inclu0ing the tropical stinging nettles. Bhere are very +e@ *ir0s an0 turtles on the Pslan0. Bhe
CS
Pslan0s @ells only provi0e *rac'ish *ut not +resh @ater. Surroun0ing the Pslan0 are many
coral arcs an0 su*merge0 ree+s.
(Pn the North o+ the Pslan0 is a iuay opposite to the Bai@an)occupie0 3a 3hnh Pslan0). soli0
0e+ensive stronghol0 @as *uilt here *e+ore $DSC as the Pslan0 @as home to the hea0iuarters
o+ the rme0 /orce o+ the .epu*lic o+ Vitnam +or the rchipelago. Pn $DSC; the Peoples
rmy o+ Vitnam too' over the position.
Sgn -a Pslan0 (San0 .ee+; Dungian Sha^hou; $#
o
""S N; $$%
o
"JC ,)( Bhis is a -)shape0
islan0 @ith &D$ m length; $CQ m @i0th an0 & m height compare0 to the average sea level
(/igure $."Q).
Bhe Pslan0s +lora inclu0es :asianthus; tropical almon0; an0 a thic' cover o+ @il0 grasses an0
creeping plants. Bhe Pslan0 @as occupie0 *y the rmy o+ the .epu*lic o+ Vitnam *e+ore
$DSC an0 later ta'en over *y the Peoples rmy o+ Vitnam.
3a 3inh Pslan0 (Ptu *a Pslan0; Baiping Dao (-hinese); :iga@ P (/ilippino); $#
o
""J N;
$$%
o
"$S ,) (/igure $."S)( Bhis is the largest islan0 o+ Spratly)BrETng Sa ) rchipelago @ith
a height o+ % m ($& +t); slightly lo@er than that o+ Nam NOt Pslan0. ccor0ing to Bhe
.epu*lic o+ -hina Near*oo' $DD&; the Pslan0 is $;&Q# m long; &C# m @i0e; &.J m high an0
has an area o+ %JD;Q## m
"
(nearly C# hectares).
3a 3hnh Pslan0 has the *est living con0itions among all islan0s o+ the rchipelago @ith +ertile
soil allo@ing cultivations o+ cassava; ca**age; *anana; etc. -oral surroun0s the Pslan0 @ith
iuiet @aters allo@ing easy lan0ing o+ even small *oats.
Pn $D&&; un0er the *anner o+ protecting Vitnam; /rance sent troops to occupy an0 erecte0
a @eather station @ith the Vorl0 !eteorological 9rganiâtion)assigne0 co0es %JD$D;
together @ith those on Ho8ng Sa)Paracels (Pattle) an0 +u lin Pslan0s @ith the co0es
%JJQ# an0 %JJCD; respectively r$$; %$s. Pn Decem*er $D%Q; the .epu*lic o+ -hina sent troops
to occupy the Pslan0 *ut then retreate0 to Bai@an in $DC#. Vhen the -loma *rothers o+ the
Philippines 0eclare0 their 0iscovery o+ BrETng Sa; Bai@an re)sent its troops to 3a 3hnh.
Bai@an then *uilt a soli0 military *ase on !ay "#
th
; $DCQ @ith a small airport an0 iuays +or
small military ships.
Pn the south@est o+ Nam NOt -luster is -hc Bhep .ee+ (/iery -ross or N.V.; Nungshu ?iao;
Xagilingan .ee+; D
o
&C& N; $$%
o
C%" ,). -hc Bhep .ee+ is the highest position o+ a "C)'m
long san0*ar; occupie0 an0 trans+orme0 into an important military *ase *y the -hinese
troops.
$.&.C. Sinh BRn Pslan0 -luster
CJ
Bhe Sinh BRn Pslan0 -luster is in the south o+ Nam NOt Bigia -luster an0 inclu0es Sinh BRn
Pslan0 (Sin -o@e Pslan0; Hinghong Dao; D
o
C"Q N; $$%
o
$D" ,) (/igure $."J); Sinh BRn 56ng
(,ast Sinh Bon) Pslan0 (D
o
C"C N; $$%
o
&%S ,); Nhan Hia .ee+ (D
o
C&" N; $$%
o
"#" ,); 3hnh
XhA .ee+ (,n0mun0 .ee+; D
o
C&# N; $$%
o
"&" ,); Xen Nan .ee+ (!e'ennan .ee+; D
o
C&C N;
$$%
o
"S& ,); BE NghIa .ee+ (Hughes .ee+; D
o
C%" N; $$%
o
"D& ,); 3hnh Sgn .ee+ (Hallet
.ee+; D
o
CC N; $$%
o
&#J ,); 3i Xhung .ee+ (Holi0ay .ee+; D
o
CQC N; $$%
o
&&C ,); 5Mc Ho8
.ee+ (,mpire .ee+; D
o
CS& N; $$%
o
&%J ,); 3a Dau .ee+ (Vhitsun .ee+; Veinan ?iao
(-hinese); D
o
CD N; $$%
o
&D# ,); n 3hnh .ee+ (.oss .ee+; D
o
C& N; $$%
o
&Q% ,); VL XhA
.ee+ (D
o
C$S N; $$%
o
&& ,); 3ia .ee+ (3am+ore .ee+; D
o
%DS N; $$%
o
&#" ,); Ninh Ho8 .ee+
(Betley .ee+; D
o
%DS N; $$%
o
&## ,); V=n NguyAn .ee+ (?ones .ee+; D
o
%#S N; $$%
o
"JC ,);
Phc S .ee+ (Higgen .ee+; D
o
%QS N; $$%
o
"%# ,); :en Dao .ee+ (:ans0o@ne .ee+; D
o
%CS
N; $$%
o
"$J ,); Hac !a .ee+ (?ohnson .ee+; zhang ?iao (-hinese); !a*ine .ee+
(/ilippino); D
o
%"# N; $$%
o
$"S ,); -ou li LM .ee+ (-ollins .ee+; -aolin ?iao; D
o
%C# N;
$$%
o
$&J ,); NghIa H8nh .ee+ (:ovele .ee+; D
o
C# N; $$%
o
$CS ,); Bam Brung .ee+ (D
o
C$$
N; $$%
o
$Q# ,); Sgn H8 .ee+ (Hent .ee+; D
o
C" N; $$%
o
$SC ,).
Bhree a+orementione0 islan0s an0 some other small islan0s +orm a coral *elt calle0 the
pnion .ee+s.
Bhe -luster @as controlle0 *y the rmy o+ the .epu*lic o+ Vitnam *e+ore $DSC. +ter the
:i*eration o+ the South; the Peoples rmy o+ Vitnam controlle0 the islan0s o+ Sinh BRn;
Sinh BRn 56ng; an0 :en; an0 the -ou li LM .ee+. Bhe con+rontation @ith -hinese troops
in $DJJ cause0 t@o Vitnamese military transportation ships to *e sun' an0 @ith more than
S# Vitnamese sol0iers missing. Bhe -hinese troops then lan0e0 an0 occupie0 Xen Nan an0
Hac !a .ee+s; interposing their troops in *et@een those o+ Vitnam. Pn early $DD"; -hina
e`pan0e0 their occupation to 3a Dau .ee+ (the pnion .ee+s +arthest point to the Northeast)
an0 :ac .ee+; thus creating a situation in @hich Vitnamese troops occupy the ?ohnson
.ee+s North en0 (-ou li LM .ee+) an0 -hinese troops occupy the south en0 (Hac !a
.ee+).
$.&.Q Spratlys Pslan0 -luster
Spratlys Pslan0 -luster is in the south an0 south@est o+ Sinh BRn -luster. Pt is a latitu0e)
parallel cluster consiste0 o+ three islan0s an0 many ree+s an0 shoals. Bhey are( :at .ee+
(:a00 .ee+; .iUi ?iao; J
o
&JC N; $$$
o
%#C ,); Spratly Pslan0 ( Nan@ei Dao; J
o
&J% N; $$$
o
CC ,) (/igure $.&#); Wi Shan 0*ar (Vest .ee+ (san0 patch); Wi ?iao; J
o
C" N; $$"
o
$% ,);
56ng .ee+ (,ast .ee+; Dong ?iao; Silangan .ee+; J
o
C& N; $$"
o
C## ,); Bnc Ban .ee+ (lison
CD
.ee+; :iumen ?iao; J
o
C# N; $$%
o
## ,); Ni :e .ee+ (-o^n@allis S. .ee+; Nanhua ?iao; J
o
%C
N; $$%
o
$$ ,); BiAn Nc .ee+ (Bennent .ee+; Pigeon; Bianian ?iao; J
o
C" N; $$%
o
&D ,).
Spratlys Pslan0 -luster is in the ,ast; close to shoals an0 ree+s on the Vitnams continental
shel+ such as Phc Bbn; HuyGn Brdn; 1uO DEgng; Phc NguyAn; an0 BE -hinh. Bhe -lusters
largest islan0 is Spratly Pslan0 (/igure $."D); also calle0 Storm Pslan0 (Ple 0e BempAte).
Bhe Pslan0s overall shape loo's li'e an isosceles triangle @ith a &C#)m long *ase line
slightly slante0 to the North an0 t@o %C#m si0elines. Bhe heights in the North an0 south are
&.C m an0 ".$ m; respectively; compare0 to e** ti0e level. Bhese con0itions allo@e0 a run@ay
to *e *uilt. +ter $DSC; Vitnam constructe0 an airport @ith an J##m long run@ay.
Bhere are no large trees on the Pslan0. Bhe +loras maUority inclu0es the me0icinal 3oerhavia;
purslain; an0 *each morning glory. 3ir0s inclu0e @hite seagulls; nightingales; an0 sea
s@allo@s. Bhe Pslan0 has a +airly 0eep (a*out & m) +resh@ater @ell @ith very lo@)salinity *ut
coral)smelly @ater.
Bhe rmy o+ the .epu*lic o+ Vitnam encampe0 on the -luster *e+ore $DSC an0 *uilt a iuay
in the @est o+ the Pslan0. larger iuay @as constructe0 a+ter the Peoples rmy o+ Vitnam
too' over the cluster.
Pn a00ition to Spratlys Pslan0; the -luster has Spratlys 56ng (,ast BrETng Sa) Pslan0
(-entral .ee+; zhong ?iao; J
o
CC N; $$"
o
"$ ,); Phan VLnh Pslan0 (Pearson .ee+; 3isheng
?iao; J
o
CJ N; $$&
o
%$C ,).
$.&.S. n 3ang Pslan0 -luster
n 3ang Pslan0 -luster is in the south o+ Spratly Pslan0 an0 inclu0es an islan0 @ith ree+s an0
shoals. Bhey are( 3a Xe .ee+ (3om*ay -astle; Pongpo*ao ?iao; S
o
CQ N; $$$
o
%%# ,); 5yt
Shoal (9relana Shoal; onan nsha; S
o
%$ N; $$$
o
%%# ,); 5inh Shoal (Xingston Shoal;
?in0u nsha; S
o
&% N; $$$
o
&%C ,); V2ng !dy Shoal (?ohnson Patch; -hangpun nsha; S
o
%S
N; $$$
o
&C ,); BhuyGn -h8i Shoal (3ariue -ana0a .ee+; 3ai ?iao; J
o
$# N; $$&
o
$# ,); Bdn
-hdu .ee+ ($#
o
C#C N; $$C
o
C$ ,); :uc Hiang .ee+ (Hopp .ee+; He ?iao; $#
o
$%J N; $$C
o
$S
,); :ong H>i .ee+ (:ivo' .ee+; Nantang 1uanUiao; $#
o
$#C N; $$C
o
$S ,); Br=ng XhuyOt
Shoal (Hal+ !oon Shoal; 3anyue ?iao; J
o
C" N; $$Q
o
$Q ,); -6ng 5o .ee+ (-ommo0ore
.ee+; Siling ?iao; J
o
"" N; $$C
o
$& ,);XY Vdn .ee+ (!ariveles .ee+; Nanhai ?iao; S
o
CD N;
$$&
o
CQ ,); Hoa :au .ee+ (S@allo@ .ee+; Dan@an ?iao; S
o
"% N; $$&
o
%# ,); S_c :nt .ee+
(.oyal -harlotts .ee+; Huanlu ?iao; Q
o
CQC N; $$&
o
&Q ,); :ouisa .ee+ (:uisa .ee+; Nantong
?iao; Q
o
"#D N; $$&
o
$C% ,).
Bhe only islan0 o+ the -luster is n 3ang Pslan0 (m*onay -ay; n*o Shaôu; S
o
C"" N;
$$"
o
C%" ,). Bhe Pslan0 overall shape loo's li'e a *ag @ith its *ase in the ,ast an0 a narro@
Q#
opening in the @est. Bhe Pslan0 is relatively small an0 long @ith a narro@ @i0th o+ only "# m
compare0 to a length o+ "## m. Bhe Pslan0 is " m high compare0 to the e** ti0e level (/igure
$.&#).
Bhere are no large sha0ing trees *ut only @ee0s on the Pslan0. Bhe rmy o+ the .epu*lic o+
Vitnam @as statione0 on n 3ang Pslan0 *e+ore $DSC. +ter $DSC; n 3ang Pslan0 @as
ta'en over *y the Peoples rmy o+ Vitnam. BhuyGn -h8i Shoal is an emerge0 shoal @ith a
length o+ a*out &" 'm an0 a @i0th o+ Q 'm at its @i0est place. *out %# to Q# nautical miles
to the southeast o+ BhuyGn -h8i Shoal are the statione0 !alaysian troops on XY Vdn; Xiu
Ngxa; an0 Hoa :au .ee+s. Bo the ,ast o+ this -luster are the statione0 /ilippino troops on
-6ng 5o .ee+.
$.&.J. 3inh NguyAn Pslan0 -luster
Bhe -luster is in the ,ast an0 inclu0es 3inh NguyAn Pslan0 (/lat Pslan0; /eiìn Dao; $#
o
%D
N; $$C
o
%DC ,) an0 VInh Vin Pslan0 (Nansha ) n Pslan0; !ahuan Dao; $#
o
%% N; $$C
o
%J ,). ,ach islan0 has an area o+ a*out $C acres. VInh Vin Pslan0 is a*out CJ# m long an0 "
m high @hile 3hnh NguyAn Pslan0 is lo@er an0 has a very narro@ @i0th.
-lose to VInh Vin Pslan0 in the south are Hoa .ee+ ($#
o
&" N; $$C
o
%&" ,); Dit Xim Sgn
.ee+ ($#
o
&"C N; $$C
o
%S" ,); 5in .ee+ ($#
o
&# N; $$C
o
%"$ ,); Han Son .ee+ ($#
o
"J N;
$$C
o
%&J ,); Pet .ee+ ($#
o
"SQ N; $$C
o
%Q% ,); an0 Hi_c)`6n -oral Pslet. /arther to the south
are V8nh Xha=n .ee+ (!ischie+ .ee+; !eiUi ?iao; D
o
CC N; $$C
o
&" ,); -| !ayShoal ("
n0
Bhomas Shoal; .enai nsha; D
o
%% N; $$C
o
C$C ,); Suni Ng8 San0*ar ($
st
Bhomas Shoal;
Winyu ?iao; D
o
$DC N; $$C
o
CCC ,); 3nc Wan .ee+ (3oàll .ee+; Paishe ?iao; D
o
&CC N; $$Q
o
#DC ,); Sa 3in San0*ar (Sa*ina Shoal; Wianìn nsha; D
o
%C N; $$Q
o
"D ,). Pn the ,ast o+
3inh NguyAn an0 VInh Vin Pslan0 -luster are H}p Xim .ee+ (Hop'ins .ee+; Huoìng ?iao;
$#
o
%D N; $$Q
o
#Q ,); !| VitShoal (Hirane Shoal; ntang Ban; $#
o
C% N; $$Q
o
"#C ,); 3a -g
.ee+ (3a'er .ee+; Peishe ?iao; $#
o
%& N; $$Q
o
$# ,); Xhc Hilc .ee+ (Proiuois .ee+; /englai
?iao; $#
o
&S N; $$Q
o
$# ,); 3a .ee+; Ho Hia .ee+ (North Pennsylvania .ee+; Nangming ?iao;
$#
o
%JC N; $$Q
o
C$C ,); Nam San0*ar (Southern 3an'; Nan+anggiang Ban; $#
o
"J N; $$Q
o
%"
,); -h8 V8 .ee+ (3ro@n; $#
o
&%C N; $$S
o
#$S ,); Ndu San0*ar (3ro@n 3an'; Dong Ban; $#
o
%% N; $$S
o
$JD ,); .<ch Vang San0*ar (Bempler 3an'; zhongì Ban; $#
o
%% N; $$S
o
$QC ,);
.<ch :ap San0*ar (-arnatic Shoal; Hongshi nsha; $#
o
#Q N; $$S
o
"#C ,); Na Xhoai
San0*ar (:or0 uc'lan0 Shoal; ,lan nsha; $#
o
"#C N; $$C
o
$QC ,).
Q$
3hnh NguyAn an0 VInh Vin Pslan0 are currently occupie0 *y the /ilippino troops; @ho
remove0 almost all the surroun0ings o+ -o .ong; Br=ng Xhuyt an0 Xiu Ngxa Shoals. Bhe
su*merge0 V8nh Xh=n .ee+ has also *een occupie0 *y -hina since $DDC.
$.%. Natural con0itions an0 +lora o+ the rchipelagos o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 BrETng Sa)
Spratlys
lthough the natural con0itions are +avora*le; they 0o not serve as the 'ey +actor 0etermining
the esta*lishment o+ Vitnams sovereignty. Bhere are; ho@ever; pieces o+ scienti+ic evi0ence
+or the +avora*le con0itions an0 relics proving the esta*lishment o+ Vitnams sovereignty
over the rchipelagos o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 BrETng Sa)Spratlys.
/irst o+ all; the rchipelagos o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 Spratlys are locate0 @ithin the ,ast
Sea. Bhe magnetic +iel0 in the area *elongs to the eiuatorial magnetic +iel0 an0 has no (or
very minor) variations. Bhe magnetic +iel0 is very strong in the eiuatorial ône; near the -6n
5>o area. -hinese invente0 their south)0irecte0 nee0le (magnetic nee0le) a very long time
ago *ut they ha0 no 'no@le0ge a*out the nature o+ the ,ast Seas magnetic +iel0. ncient
*oo's o+ -hina mentione0 the area as a ghostly ône. ncient -hinese *eseeche0 pity +rom
0eities o+ :inh Sgn !ountain o+ Varella (Vitnam); as they @ere a+rai0 o+ the coral ree+s in
the ,ast Sea (South -hina Sea)that attract metal materials an0 cause0 their ships to *e
trappe0 in the ,ast Sea.
Bhe ,ast Sea (South -hina Sea)level is o+ stan0ar0 level in the Heoi0 system; @hile the @ater
levels o+ some other seas can *e as high as a*ove D# m or as lo@ as J# m.
Pn the geological point o+ vie@; *oth the rchipelagos o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 Spratlys
are typical cays +or the tropical sea area o+ Vitnam. Bhe temperate climate o+ -hina 0oes not
allo@ the e`tensive +ormation o+ such coral archipelagos. Bhose islan0s +rom Penghu
(Vitnamese( 38nh HR) an0 Bai@an to the North have the same geological composition as
that o+ mainlan0 inclu0ing granite an0 igneous roc'; completely 0i++erent o+ the coral
composition in the ,ast Sea.
s the continental shel+ is 0e+ine0 as the area that is as 0eep as up to "## m; the continental
shel+ is consi0ere0 large in the Hul+ o+ Bon'in; narro@ in the central part particularly at -ape
Varella; an0 *ecomes larger in the south. Pn accor0ance @ith the $DJ" :a@ o+ the Sea; @ithin
the 0istance o+ "## nautical miles; such coral ree+s inclu0ing BE -hvnh Shoal *elong to the
,`clusive ,conomic zone on the Vitnams continental shel+. Bhe ,ast Seas $##)m 0ivi0e
encloses the @aters to the North an0 ,ast (i+ the sea level @as re0uce0 a*out Q##S## m;
Ho8ng Sa)Paracels @oul0 *e merge0 to Vitnams mainlan0 *ut separate0 +rom that o+ -hina
*y a 0eep sea area). Bhere+ore; the rchipelago o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels is part o+ Vitnam (as
Q"
in the point o+ vie@ o+ Xremp+; Director o+ the Pn0ochinese Pnstitute o+ 9ceanography
(/rench( Pnstitut ocZangraphiiue 0e lPn0ochine) in the $D"C survey).
:iving creatures on the islan0s an0 un0er the @aters o+ the rchipelagos o+ Ho8ng Sa)
Paracels an0 Spratlys inclu0ing turtles; tortoises; chelones; sipunculi0 @orms; +lute0 giant
clams; s@eet snails; an0 3a*ylonia snails are all similar to those in the inshore islan0s o+
Vitnam such as the .Z Pslan0 (-[ :ao .Z). Vitnamese +ishermen @oul0 certainly go
o++shore to the rchipelagos o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 Spratlys to search +or sea+oo0s @hen
those in the inshore areas @ere e`hauste0. ccor0ing to the scholar :a /ontaine rQ$; "#Ds;
surveys in0icate0 that the +auna o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracel an0 Spratly islan0s consiste0 o+ animals
present in Vitnams mainlan0 an0 ha0 the living con0itions closer to that o+ Vitnam than
-hina in other @or0s; the living creatures in Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 SP.B:NS0o not have
much connection @ith those in -hina. Bhe ,ast Sea (South -hina Sea)as @ell as mainlan0
Vitnam *elongs to a ône re+erre0 to *y *iologists as Vallacca; name0 a+ter the 3ritish
naturalist l+re0 .ussel Vallace. Vallaca is the living area o+ 9riental animals -hina 0oes
not *elong to this 9riental ecological area (/igure $.&$).
Bhe ,ast Sea (South -hina Sea)is 0i++erent +rom the Paci+ic 9cean in its monsoon)0epen0ant
currents. During the Northeast monsoon +rom Decem*er to !arch o+ the +ollo@ing year; the
,ast Seas currents +lo@ countercloc'@ise (/igure $.&"). Bhe strong sea current +rom Bai@an
to Ho8ng Sa)Paracels +lo@s at $ +oot\secon0. Vhen the current reaches the central part o+
Vitnam; it +lo@s up to &.% +eet\secon0 at the sur+ace. Ship@rec'e0 victims; Vitnamese
@eather agents in Ho8ng Sa)Paracels right a+ter the ?apanese coup 0Ztat against the /rench
rule in !arch $D%C; an0 the sailors o+ the Navy o+ the .epu*lic o+ Vitnam a+ter the -hinese
occupation o+ the rchipelago in ?anuary $DS% use0 ra+ts +ollo@ing this current to 1uy Nhgn
an0 o++shore @aters o+ the Psle o+ .Z to *e rescue0. Pn the @est o+ BrETng Sa; sea current
+lo@s in the opposite 0irection as a convection +lo@ to the Northeast. Bhe convection is
usually slo@. Bhe +lo@s near Pala@an Pslan0 (the Philippines) +lo@ to@ar0s south@est
0irection. During the south@est monsoon; the sea current +lo@s cloc'@ise +rom !alaysia all
along the Vitnamese central coast to Ho8ng Sa)Paracels at C +eet\secon0. Bhe convection
+rom the ,ast o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracel archipelago *ac' to Spratlys is very @ea'.
Bhe sea currents in Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 BrETng Sa)Spratlys change their 0irection t@ice
a year. Bhe current in Spratlys is not as strong as that in Ho8ng Sa)Paracels. +ter the $DJJ
sea *attle in @hich the *attleships o+ the Peoples rmy o+ Vitnam @ere sun' *y the -hinese
Navy; the surviving Vitnamese sailors on ra+ts coul0 not travel very +ar as the +lo@ @as only
#."C to #.C +eet\secon0.
Q&
Bropical cyclones an0 lo@ pressures +reiuently occur in the ,ast Sea (South -hina
Sea)particularly in Ho8ng Sa)Paracels area they start +rom the t@o archipelagos or +rom the
Philippines. Bhe tropical cyclones maUority starts in the ,ast o+ the Philippines. :ess than $
o+ the storms starting in the ,ast Sea (South -hina Sea) procee0 to Hainan also; less than $
o+ the storms originating +rom o++shore 3runei go to the Hul+ o+ Bhailan0. 9ne thir0 o+ the
typhoons +rom the Paci+ic 9cean +lo@ through Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 Spratlys an0 move to
Vitnams central coast an0 the Hul+ o+ Bon'in. Byphoons o+ten occur 0uring the seasonal
transitions; +rom ?une to Decem*er; @ith the @in0 spee0 up to D# 'nots\hour (originating in
the Vitnamese gul+). Byphoons occur until ?anuary o+ the +ollo@ing year although their
+reiuency 0eclines a+ter Septem*er (/igure $.&&) r$#S; &Ss.
,`perience0 sailors can pre0ict a ne@ly +orme0 typhoon +rom the Philippines *ase0 on( high;
long; an0 +ast @aves *e+ore the typhoon arrives an0\or s@eltering @eather; +ast)0ecreasing
air pressure; an0 +ast)moving high clou0s. +e@ hours later; cirrostratus clou0s cover the
s'y; halos appear; an0 the s'y *ecome pale. +ter that; cirro+ullulus clou0s appear an0 then
are replace0 *y 0ar' clou0s as high as &;### m (altostratus); overcasting the s'y. Pt starts to
rain @ith strong @in0 an0 +ast)0ecreasing air pressure. Bhe clou0s are as lo@ as $## m or C#
m an0 move +aster. Bhe @in0 comes in gusts an0 then the typhoon arrives.
Vhenever these signs are o*serve0; all @atercra+ts promptly move south@ar0 to the
Vitnamese central coast r$#S; &Js. Pt is these natural con0itions that +avor the connection
*et@een Vitnams mainlan0 an0 the islan0s in Ho8ng Sa)Paracels.
Bhe +act that @atercra+ts in 0istress or loo'ing +or shelter +rom typhoons +ollo@e0 the sea
currents to the Vitnamese coast as mentione0 a*ove lea0 to the a@areness o+ Vitnamese
a*out Ho8ng Sa)Paracels via these victims +rom Ho8ng Sa)Paracels. Bhe a+orementione0
reality has *een couple0 closely @ith the Vitnams sovereignty esta*lishment activities over
the rchipelagos o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 Bruong ) Sa Spratlys.
Bhe surveys on plants *y :a /ontaine in the $D%#s an0 $DC#s in Ho8ng Sa)Paracels
conclu0e0 that there @ere no plants native to the islan0s *ut all ha0 *een *rought +rom
mainlan0 via many @ays. nother scienti+ic stu0y *y H. /ontaine an0 :A V=n H]i pu*lishe0
in -ontri*ution 8 la connaissance 0e la +lore 0es les Paracels (,nglish( -ontri*ution to the
'no@le0ge a*out the +lora o+ Paracels Pslan0s) in nnales 0e la /acultZ 0es sciences
(Vitnamese( Xhao cuu nien san Xhoa hoc 0ai hoc 0uong ,nglish( nnals o+ the /aculty o+
Sciences Saigon $DCS; pp( $&&$&S) sho@e0 that every plant present in Ho8ng Sa)Paracels
coul0 *e +oun0 in Vitnam; particularly in the central provinces. Plants such as poons; noni
Q%
trees; an0 tropical almon0s in Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 Spratlys can *e +oun0 in the Psle o+ .Z
an0 many other places along the Vitnams coast.
Bhe +act that plants in Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 Spratlys have their origin in Vitnam is
supporte0 not only *y researchers surveys *ut also *y the imperial historical 0ocuments such
as .ecor0s on Vitnamese +acts un0er the Nguyn ,mperors (5o :E}c *y
Nguyn Bh6ng recor0e0 clearly the !inh !<ng ,mperors or0er to plant many trees @hich
@oul0 *e easily recogniê0 *y @atercra+ts to avoi0 *eing caught.
Bhe +act that the Nguyn Dynasty; un0er the reign o+ !inh !<ng ,mperor; lai0 0o@n the
policy to plant many trees proves the sovereignty o+ Vitnam over Ho8ng Sa)Paracel
archipelago an0 also Spratly rchipelago. Bhis +act lea0s to the a+orementione0 o*servation
o+ plants ma0e *y many researchers.
$.C. Bhe military an0 resource strategic importance o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 Spratlys
lea0ing to the +oreign violation against the Vitnams sovereignty
Bhe rchipelagos o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 Spratlys lie in the ,ast Sea; also calle0 as
Nanhai (,nglish( South Sea) *y the -hinese an0 South -hina Sea *y Vesterners; @hich
has military strategic importance.
No other sea in the @orl0 @ith an area o+ three)+ourths o+ the !e0iterranean Sea has the same
importance +or transportation as the ,ast Sea. Ships +rom the Pn0ian 9cean travel through the
,ast Sea (South -hina Sea) to the Paci+ic 9cean as the alternate route costs more in e`penses
an0 consumes more time.
Bhe ,ast Sea (South -hina Sea)houses the intersection o+ current international sea routes;
particularly those involve0 in the transportation o+ oil an0 gas to ?apan. P+ one ta'es the ,ast
Sea (South -hina Sea) as the centre(
) Pts $C## nautical mile)ra0ius circle @ill cover important har*ors such as 3ang'o';
.angoon; -alcutta; Singapore; ?a'arta; !anila; Baipei; Hong Xong; Shanghai; an0 Nagasa'i.
) n0 its "C## nautical mile)ra0ius circle @ill cover other important inclu0ing
!a0ras; -olom*o; 3om*ay; 3ali; Dar@in; Huam; Bo'yo; No'ohama; Seoul; an0 3eiUing;
almost all territories o+ the most populous countries in the @orl0; @hich constitutes hal+ o+
total human population r$#S; $Ds.
Bhe same thing hol0s true @ith the international air routes as +lights +rom Singapore an0
3ang'o' to Hong Xong; !anila; an0 Bo'yo pass over the ,ast Sea. Bhe rchipelagos o+
QC
Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 BrETng Sa ) Spratlys; there+ore; have *een critical positions not only
+or the Vitnamese +eu0al 0ynasties *ut also +or mo0ern Vitnam an0 the international
community. Bheir importance e`plains the +act that ?apan ha0 occupie0 the rchipelagos o+
Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 Spratlys *e+ore inva0ing Southeast sian countries 0uring Vorl0
Var PP. lso; ?apan 0i0 not o++icially en0 their occupation o+ the t@o archipelagos until it
signe0 the treaty at the $DC$ San /rancisco -on+erence.
Natural resources( Bhan's to the 0evelopment o+ science an0 technology; many precious
resources +rom the sea have *een gra0ually e`ploite0. Bhe value o+ the sea is even more
appreciate0 as the mainlan0s resources are e`hauste0. lthough the rchipelagos o+ Ho8ng
Sa)Paracels an0 Spratlys have very limite0 lan0 area a*ove the sea route; their islan0s
sprea0 all over a very large area. ny party that controls most o+ the islan0s @ill *e a*le to
control large territorial @aters an0 e`ploit numerous resources +rom the sea.
Since the oil an0 gas surveys starte0 in the ,ast Sea; many countries in the area have
increasingly sho@n their interest; lea0ing to their con+licts @ith the Vitnams sovereignty
over the t@o archipelagos.
Prior to $DCS; many +oreign companies ha0 starte0 geophysical surveys an0 e`ploration
*oring on the continental shel+ o+ South Vitnam; lea0ing to the 0iscovery o+ t@o commercial
oil sources among the e`plore0 oil @ells. 3y the en0s o+ the $DS#s; many companies such as
HPP (Ptaly); Dimine` (/e0eral .epu*lic o+ Hermany); an0 3o@ Valley (-ana0a) surveye0
+ive oil e`ploitation lots on the South Vitnamese continental shel+. Bhese companies cease0
their operations in $DSD. Pn Decem*er $DSC; the Vitnamese Heneral 9++ice o+ Petroleum
@as +oun0e0 to promote the oil an0 gas e`ploration activities. Vitnams continental shel+ has
an area o+ a*out $.& million 'm
"
an0 is 0ivi0e0 into $S$ lots @ith an average area o+ a*out
J;### 'm
"
+or each lot. Num*ers o+ lots at the sea 0epths o+ un0er C# m; C#$## m; $##"C#
m; "##";### m; an0 over ";### m are &$; &C; $#; &J; an0 CS; respectively. !any
se0imentary *asins +orme0 0uring the Bertiary locate0 @ithin the Vitnams continental shel+
potentially contain petroleum. 3y the en0 o+ the $DJ#s; all over Vitnams continental shel+;
particularly in the south; $##;### 'm geophysical line ha0 *een investigate0; tens o+ @ells
ha0 *een *ore0 +or e`ploration; an0 three oil +iel0s ha0 *een 0iscovere0 (namely; 3<ch H;
.Rng; an0 5<i H[ng). 3<ch H 9il+iel0 has *een e`ploite0 since $DJQ. Bhe annual
e`ploitation yiel0 @as #.#%; #.QJ; $.C; ".S; an0 &.DQ million tons in $DJQ; $DJJ; $DJD; $DD#;
an0 $DD$; respectively accor0ing to Dr. Nguyn Hip; -an0i0ate o+ Science; Deputy
Director)Heneral o+ Vitnam 9il an0 Has -orporation in Bh=m 0j v8 'hai thlc 0bu 'hv
QQ
Vitnam (,nglish( Surveying an0 e`ploiting petroleum in Vitnam) pu*lishe0 in Xhoa
hoc V8 B 1unc (,nglish( Science an0 Homelan0 !agaîne); Volume D&; $DD"; page C.
Bhe a+orementione0 petroleum survey an0 e`ploitation on Vitnams continental shel+ sho@
a promising +uture +or petroleum in0ustry in the ,ast Sea.
QS
Cha"ter (
-Tranlate. by 9NC:D1
T*+ +STA:3IS*M+NT ,4 $I;T NAM S,$+R+I2NTY
,$+R SPRAT3Y AND PARAC+3 ARC*IP+3A2,S
Bhe esta*lishment o+ Vitnamese sovereignty over Spratly an0 Paracel archipelagos is all
veri+ie0 *y historical materials not only +rom Vitnam *ut also +rom -hina an0 Vestern
countries. Bhis is in parallel @ith a process o+ ta'ing over *y Vitnam states 0uring the time
o+ the $Sth century *eginning until the $Dth century; in a peace+ul an0 continuous manner.
".$ Sources o+ materials testi+ying the Vitnamese sovereignty esta*lishment on Paracel an0
Spratly archipelagos
Vitnamese; Vestern an0 even -hinese materials are so o*vious to point out that the
authentic; peace+ul an0 continuous occupation process on Spratly an0 Paracel archipelagos is
a +act; iuite 0i++erent +rom the materials that -hina resorts to in or0er to in+er that they have
sovereignty over those islan0s.
".$.$. Vitnam materials Uusti+ying Vitnam sovereignty over Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0
BrETng Sa)Spratly.
9n analyîng Vitnamese materials in comparison @ith -hinese materials e`cerpte0 +rom the
collection 9ur -ountrys South Sea Pslan0s Historical -ollection Han zhen Hua as chie+
e0itor r%Js,Voguo Nanhai zhu0ao Shi0ai Hui*ian; @e have the *elo@ results(
!ost o+ Vitnamese materials are those +rom governments; especially historical *oo's o+ the
a0ministrative statutes (H]i wi4n); @hich are the *oo's that 'eep recor0s o+ the +eu0al courts
as the chdu *>n (royally consi0ere0 0ocuments); i.e. the 0ocuments *et@een the emperors an0
the county or province vassals. !ost o+ the Vitnamese materials are 0irectly Uusti+ying the
Vitnamese sovereignty over Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 BrETng Sa)Spratlys.
Vitnamese materials have *een mentioning the locality o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels; in N6m
language synonymous to -lt V8ng (Nello@ San0*an') or -Rn V8ng (Nello@ Dunes); @hich
are unanimous +rom the early $Sth century; i.e. the time o+ the Nguyn :or0s to the "#th
century. pntil no@ there still eìsts the location name Ho8ng Sa. Bhe location name o+
Paracels)Ho8ng Sa or in N6m language -lt V8ng (Nello@ San0) has *een con+irme0 *y the
Vesterners to *e Paracels in $Dth century as @e have presente0 in the +irst chapter. Bhe
materials testi+ying Vitnamese sovereignty have *een appearing continuously 0uring the
QJ
perio0s o+( early time o+ the Nguyn :or0ship (+rom the early $Sth century); to Bdy Sgn
Dynasty then to the early Nguyn Dynasty (+rom Hia :ong ,mperor) through the activities o+
Paracels /lotilla as @ell as the a++irmation; the a0ministration o+ Vitnam governments an0
then through the perio0s o+ !inh !<ng; Bhiu BrL emperor @ith navy +orce activities.
pni+ie0 Vitnamese History (w<i Nam Nhyt Bhnng -hv ) 678); (@hich starte0 to *e
compile0 in $JQC; +inishe0 in $JJ"; printe0 in $D$#); 'eeps a++irming that Ho8ng Sa)Paracels
*elongs to the sea territory o+ Vitnam.
Not to mention the Vitnamese @riters materials li'e those iuote0 *y the -hinese; (:7 V=n
PhMc on the @ay to the Philippines in $J&"; passing Ho8ng Sa; @as inspire0 an0 @rote
.ecalling Vhen Visiting Ben Bhousan0 !iles o+ :ong San0*an's (Vong 'iOn V<n :7 Br8ng
Sa Blc) an0 his @or's ,ast*oun0 Bravel Verses (w6ng H8nh Bhi BhuyOt Bh>o); Vitnam has
a*out &# varie0 an0 continuous materials +rom early WVPP century until +oreigners invasion
time that testi+ies the o*vious Vitnamese sovereignty there. Pn the 5<i Vit 9 (the
+ormer name o+ Vitnam) perio0; in the North)South @ars an0 the Bay Son perio0; the
sources o+ materials on Ho8ng Sa)Paracels ha0 *een those o+ the BrLnh :or0s in the North o+
Vitnam; mainly *eing Vitnam /our)Direction .oa0 !ap (BhiAn Nam BM -hv :] wR BhE)
in Hong Duc !ap (Hong wMc 3>n wR) or -ompile0 Vitnam .oa0 !ap (Bo>n Bep n Nam
:]) in the *oo' o+ Vorl0 !ap (BhiAn H< 3>n mR) (Vin Hln N6m H8 N]i; co0e "Q"J)
H8n]i Hln)N6m Pnstitute; co0e "Q"J) *y wq 3l -6ng w<o; -hvnh Ho8 Sth year ($QJQ)
(".S) an0 !iscellaneous .ecor0s on the Paci+ication o+ the /rontiers (Pht 3iAn Bn Bep n Nam :]) @ith the illustration maps (please see attachment ".$a;
".$*; ".$c) @hich are the ol0est materials; having mentione0 the illustrations o+ the maps @ith
these contents( Pn the mi0st o+ the ocean there is a long islan0 calle0 3i -lt V8ng (Ho8ng
Sa)Paracels); o+ %## miles long; "# miles @i0e. /rom 5<i -hiAm port to Sa XY port; any
moment there is South@est @in0; the merchant ships sailing along the inner si0e @oul0 +loat
to that area. P+ there is Northeast @in0; the merchant ships sailing outsi0e @ill +loat to that
area as @ell then all cre@s @oul0 starve to 0eath there. Bhe merchan0ise is all remaining
there. Bhe Nguyn :or0s @oul0 *y the en0 o+ @inter sen0 $J ships to these areas to +etch
merchan0ise that is mainly compose0 o+ gol0; silver; money an0 @eapons. /rom 5<i -hiAm
port; one nee0s one an0 a hal+ 0ays to get there. /rom Sa XY; it ta'es hal+ a 0ay to get there.
QD
Bhe travelling time +rom 5<i -hiAm Port to 3i -lt V8ng (Ho8ng Sa)Paracels) @as state0 to
*e one an0 a hal+ 0ays. Similarly +rom Sa XY to there i+ one states it ta'es hal+ a 0ay; that
@oul0 *e a mista'e; *ecause all other materials have note0 that it ta'es & 0ays an0 & nights.
!oreover; out o+ 5<i -hiAm or Sa XY there is no such islan0 that is similarly long or *earing
the +eatures as a*ove materials have 0escri*e0; e`cept 3i -lt V8ng or Ho8ng Sa)Paracels.
s +or the 0etails in !iscellaneous .ecor0s on the Paci+ication o+ the /rontiers (Pht 3iAn
B<p :uc ) . / 0 1 ) *y :A 1u7 56n in $SSQ (".J); they are ol0 materials @hich most
concretely 0escri*e Ho8ng Sa)Paracels. :A 1u7 56n @as appointe0 *y the BrLnh :or0s +rom
Bon'in)58ng Ngo8i (North Vitnam) to Ph Wudn in $SSC in or0er to arrange +or the
paci+ication o+ the t@o provinces o+ Bhuen Hol an0 1u>ng Nam)the ne@ly ta'en lan0 *y the
BrLnh :or0s +rom the Nguyn :or0s han0 in $SS%. Pn $SSQ; he @as ma0e the Hovernor (Hip
Bryn) an0 @rote !iscellaneous .ecor0s on the Paci+ication o+ the /rontiers (Pht 3iAn B<p
:uc) . / 0 1 ) inclu0ing Q volumes. Pn the secon0 volume; there are t@o paragraphs
mentioning the esta*lishment o+ 5<i Vit 9 s (+ormer name o+ Vitnam) sovereignty *y
the Nguyn :or0s at Ho8ng Sa)Paracels as +ollo@s(
Bhe +irst paragraph( (volume "; page SJ* )SDa) (please rea0 ".")(
... 9++ the sea at the *ig seaport at n VInh village; 3hnh Sgn -ounty; 1u>ng NghIa
province (".D); there is a mountain name0 .Z Pslan0 (-[ :ao .Z)(".$#). Bhe @i0th o+ this
mountain is perhaps more than &# miles. /ormerly; there @ere inha*itants o+ BE -hvnh @ar0
gro@ing *ean plants at the +iel0s aroun0 there. People may navigate to the sea then ro@ the
*oats in +our canh (eiual to " hours) to reach .Z Pslan0 (-[ :ao .Z).
9ut o+ .Z Pslan0 (-[ :ao .Z) there is w<i BrETng Sa Pslan0 (".$$) +ormerly; this place use0
to pro0uce many 'in0s o+ sea goo0s to sell. Bhere+ore; the governments ha0 +orme0 a tas'
+orce calle0 Paracels /lotilla to pic' up the sea goo0s. People have to go & 0ays an0 & nights
to reach this 5i
area (sheets SJ* ) SDa)
Secon0 paragraph( (volume "; +rom sheet J"* )JCa) (please rea0 ". &a; ". &*; ".&c; ". &0)
1u>ng NghIa province; 3hnh Sgn county; n VInh village is situate0 near*y the sea. 9ut o+
the sea to the Northeast there are many islets an0 miscellaneous mountains o+ over $&# in
num*er. /rom this islet to the other islet it ta'es +rom a couple hours to one 0ay to get +rom
one to another. 9n the islet there may *e 0rin'a*le @ater. Pn the mi0st o+ the islan0s there is a
piece o+ lan0 o+ yello@ san0 that is over "# miles long; even an0 vast. Bhe @aters over here
S#
are so transparent that one can see to the sea*e0. 9n the islan0s there are many *ir0 nests.
Bhere are as many 'in0s o+ *ir0s as thousan0s in num*er. Bhese *ir0s are rather *ol0; seeing
human *eings @ithout +lying a@ay. 9ver the san0 *eaches there are many strange creatures.
Bhere are +lo@ere0 snails that are as large as a mat @ith pearl in their shells as *ig as the area
o+ t@o)thum*s. Bheir colors are opaiue; iuite 0i++erent +rom the mother o+ pearls. Bheir
shells can *e use0 to @ear as a piece o+ plaiue. Bhese coul0 *e *urne0 up to ma'e lime +or
*uil0ing houses. Bhe mother o+ pearls coul0 *e use0 +or carving into utensils. Bhere are also
nc hEgng. ll 'in0s o+ snails can *e salte0 an0 coo'e0 +or eating. Bhe tortoises are *ig. Bhere
are *ig tortoises that are calle0 h>i *a in Vitnamese (tortoise); or locally calle0 tr_ng
*6ng(cotton)@hite); loo'ing Uust li'e a tortoise *ut a *it smaller; their shells are thin an0
coul0 *e use0 +or carving utensils. Bheir eggs are as *ig as a thum* an0 coul0 *e salte0 +or
e0i*le +oo0. Bhere are sea cu+ull*ers; locally calle0 m]t m]t; @hich s@im aroun0 the san0
*each. 9ne can pac' them home an0 use lime to @ash over their +lesh; thro@ing a@ay their
intestine parts an0 0ry them in the sun. Vhen coo'ing this 'in0 o+ sea cu+ull*er; one can use
river cra* Uuice to season; then erase again @ith a 'ni+e to coo' @ith shrimps or por' to ma'e
the +lavor *etter.
Bhe +oreign merchant ships are normally 0amage0 (some 0issimilarity version @rote as
(mooring *y) (please see anne` ".&e; ".&g)s at this islan0. /ormerly the Nguyn :or0s
assigne0 the Paracels /lotilla o+ S# men; using the n VInh local ha*itants to a00 on an0 sent
them to go out in every secon0 lunar month. Bhey @ill have to *ring along @ith them
su++icient +oo0 +or si` months. Bhey @ill navigate *y +ive small +ishing *oats; going & 0ays
an0 & nights to get there. Bhey can +reely catch *ir0s an0 +ish +or +oo0. !erchan0ise as
s@or0s; silver +lo@er; silver money; silver coins; *ronê utensils; tin coins; lea0 coins; ri+les;
elephant tus'; honey *ee @a`; ceramic @ares; @ool @ares as @ell as tortoise shell; turtle
shell; sea cu+ull*er an0 +lo@ere0 snail shells in great num*ers. Vhen they return *y the
eighth lunar month at the ,o Port; to the Ph Wuan cita0el +or su*mitting; all those items @ill
*e @eighe0; assorte0 in value *e+ore they are allo@e0 to sell item *y item o+ +lo@ere0 snails
(nc vdn); tortoise (H>i *a); sea cu+ull*er; then they @ill receive the certi+icates to go *ac' to
their home village. -atching volumes are not regular. Some even come *ac' empty)han0e0. P
have @atche0 over the ol0 +oremans note*oo'. His ran' is BhuyAn ) mMc hbu. Bhe
note*oo' rea0s( in Nhdm Ngo year; they caught &# han0+uls o+ silver; in Hilp thdn year
they pic'e0 home C.$## poun0 (cdn) o+ tin; in t 0eu year they +etche0 $"Q han0+uls o+ (hnt)
silver +rom X sKu year to 1y t year (+ive years) they coul0 *ring *ac' only some pieces
S$
o+ tortoise; tortoise (H>i *a). Bhere are years that they coul0 only pic' *ac' some tin; ceramic
*o@ls an0 t@o *ronê ri+les.
Bhe Nguyn :or0s also appointe0 a group o+ sta++ calle0 3_c H>i /lotilla @ithout
a++irming ho@ many people +rom the BE -hvnh hamlet o+ 3hnh Bhuen; or the people +rom
->nh DEgng hamlet. Bhose @ho volunteere0 @oul0 *e grante0 a certi+icate +or sen0ing him
out. His personal taès an0 travel +ees @oul0 *e grante0 as +ree o+ charge. Bhey @ill use
small +ishing *oats to navigate to the islan0s o+ 3_c H>i ; -6n :6n as @ell as the islan0s
aroun0 H8 BiAn. Bhey @ill try to loo' +or the merchan0ise o+ the ship@rec'e0 *oats an0 the
tortoises; turtles; a*alones; an0 sea cu+ull*ers. Bhe Nguyn :or0s similarly or0ere0 the
Paracels /lotilla comman0er to control as +ull comman0er. Bhe volumes gaine0 are mainly
sea goo0s an0 rarely coul0 they ta'e gol0; silver an0 valua*le merchan0ise.
Paracels)Ho8ng Sa! near t9u li LM :iA& -hdu province; Hainan Pslan0. 9ur Vitnamese
sailors at times meet @ith the -hinese +ishermen in the sea area an0 say hello to them. P have
seen a 0ocument +rom a V=n ) WEgng county; 1iong zhou governor sent to Bhuen Hol
government saying that in -8n :ong $J
th
year; there ha0 *een $# sol0iers o+ n VInh village;
-lt :iAm; -hEgng NghIa county; 1u>ng Nghia province; n Nam in the S
th
lunar month
coming to 1ian li zhang Sha ST )BrETng Sa to search +or the goo0s. Bhey let J
sol0iers to lan0 +or searching an0 leave t@o to 'eep their *oats. Bhere is a su00en @in0 that
*ro'e their rope an0 thus @rec'e0 their *oat to 1ing:an port. Bhe authority o+ U 1ing:an
port investigate0 an0 +oun0 they tol0 the truth an0 thus sent them *ac' their homelan0.
Nguyn Phc -hu r@rongly put here; this shoul0 *e Nguyn Phc Xholts or0ere0 Bhuen )
Hols customs man0arin @hose ran' is BhMc) lE}ng ) hbu to ma'e a respon0ing letter r"Js.
Bhere+ore; an important +act is that !iscellaneous .ecor0s on the Paci+ication o+ the
/rontiers (Pht 3iAn B<p :uc) . / 0 1 ) has mentione0 very clearly that Ho8ng Sa)
Paracels is near :iAm -hau o+ -hina. Bhe truth is so o*vious @hen !iscellaneous .ecor0s
on the Paci+ication o+ the /rontiers (Pht 3iAn B<p :uc ) . / 0 1 ) @rote clearly an0 in
0etail all the activities o+ the Paracels /lotilla in the North o+ Vitnam. Bhat is the story o+
one time; there @ere Paracels /lotilla mem*ers *eing @rec'e0 an0 +loating to U 1ing:an
port; -hina. Paracels also too' +ull charge o+ the 3_c H>i /lotilla in the South that is
no@a0ays BrETng Sa)Spratlys. r"Js.
.ecor0s are still archive0 in the people o+ n VInh @ar0 o+ .Z Pslan0 (-[ :ao .Z) (please
see anne` ".%); @hich is no@ in :7 Sgn islan0 county; 1uang NghIa province. 3esi0e these
S"
a*ove)mentione0 materials; there are still many 0ocuments 0iscovere0 *y Nguyn 1uang
Ngoc an0 V2 V=n 1udn (History Department; National pniversity o+ H8n]i).
/or eàmple; the application +rom !r. H8 :iu; one o++icer (cai h}p) o+ .e Pslan0 (-[ :ao
.Z); n Vinh village; reiuesting Bdy Sgn government to allo@ the Paracels /lotilla to
continue activities an0 the 0ecree 0ate0 $%th o+ secon0 lunar month in Bhli wMc Dth year
($SJQ) +rom the -ivil an0 military activity minister)counselor (Bhli Ph Bng :7 1udn 3inh
Ddn -hE Vu BhE}ng BEng -6ng) in charge o+ promoting the activities o+ Paracels /lotilla.
Pn $SS&; t@o years a+ter the uprising; the Bdy Sgn army too' control o+ the area +rom 1u>ng
Nam to 3inh Bhuen inclu0ing 1u>ng NghIa. Bhe activities o+ the Paracels /lotilla in n VInh
village @ere un0er the control o+ the Bdy Sgn authorities.

!r. H8 :ius application @rote( No@ @e are esta*lishing t@o /lotillas Paracels an0 1uO
HEgng as *e+ore @ith some more people +rom the outsi0e provinces. Vhen @e +inaliê the
num*er o+ the /lotillas; @e @ill su*mit the *oo's +or the government. Bhen @e @ill sail to the
islan0s an0 islets in the open sea to search +or the articles o+ *ronê; tin; tortoise; an0 turtles
an0 @e @ill su*mit to the government accor0ingly. (Please rea0 anne` ".%.$)
Bhe 0ecree 0ate0 % o+ "
n0
lunar month Bhli 5Mc the D
th
year ($SJQ) *y -ivil an0 military
activity minister counselor (Bhli Ph Bng :7 1u>n 3inh Ddn -hE Vu BhE}ng BEng
-6ng) sent to Paracels /lotilla( P here*y or0er H]i wMc Hbu; the comman0er o+ Paracels
/lotilla; to *e al@ays chec'ing; promoting the /lotilla mem*ers to hang the navy *a0ges an0
+lags an0 to sails +or +ishing *oats to navigate across the sea to Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 the
other islan0s in the sea to search +or the gol0; silver; *ronê an0 cannons; ri+les; tortoise an0
turtle shells as @ell as valua*le stones to su*mit to the capital as per regulation. P+ you are
prou0 an0 acting against the rule an0 re+use to come; or cheating to steal the valua*les or
ma'ing iuarrels @ith the +ishing or salt)pic'ing people; you @ill *e punishe0. (Please see
anne` ".%.")
Pn the Nguyn Dynasty +rom $J#" to $D#D; there are many historical 0ocuments Uusti+ying the
sovereignty o+ Vitnam on Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 BrETng Sa)Spratly.
/irst; the *oo' Vritings on Heography (DE wLa -hv) in -iviliâtion history in classi+ication
on Vitnam royal 0ynasties (:Lch BriGu HiOn -hEgng :o ? @ ) *y
Phan Huy -h ($J"$) an0 the *oo' Vitnamese royal 0ynasties geography (Ho8ng Vit wLa
DE -hv )9:;8) ($J&&) ( please rea0 anne` ".C (a); ".C (*) )
S&
Bhese t@o *oo's @rite a*out BE NghIa province an0 the contents are mainly a*out Ho8ng
Sa)Paracels. BE NghIa province @as assigne0 to *e in the Bha BuyAn 1u>ng Nam ône;
@hich @as name0 in :A Bhlnh B6ng ruling time in mi0 $Cth century. Nguyn Ho8ng
rename0 this province into 1u>ng NghIa province in $Q#". Bdy Sgn 0ynasty change0 to Ho8
NghIa; an0 in $J#$ this province @as change0 to to@n (tryn). pntil the $#
th
year o+ !inh
!<ng ,mperor ($J"D) the locality unit @as change0 to province (tnh). Pn the $&
th
year o+
!inh !<ng ($J&") 1u>ng NghIa province ha0 one county name0 the ol0 BE NghIa an0 the
ol0 unit o+ pht (*ut no@ the unit o+ pht @as eiual to county). Phan Huy -h @rote a*out BE
NghIa Pht (province) o+ the :A Dynasty instea0 o+ using the name 1u>ng NghIa an0 the ol0
location names (also in :A Dynasty) as NghIa Hiang (huyn)county); 3hnh DEgng (huyn)
county). Bhis means Phan Huy -h ha0 use0 the geographic 0ocuments +rom :ABrLnh group
in the North o+ Vitnam. Bhis is also reasona*le as the author compile0 this *oo' at the
*eginning o+ the Nguyn Dynasty @hen he @as still an unsuccess+ul stu0ent) only passing the
B t8i (eiual to high school) in the t@o eàms ($J#S; $J$D). Bo the "
n0
year o+ !inh !<ng
($J"$) (".$"); Phan Huy -hu su*mitte0 this *oo' to !inh !<ng ,mperor an0 in+orme0 the
latter that he ha0 compile0 the *oo' 0uring a perio0 o+ ten years.
Vhereas; .oyal Vitnamese 0ynasties geography (Ho8ng Vit wLa DE -hv ) 9:;8)
ha0 alrea0y up0ate0 all the locations name0 *y Nguyn :or0s as huyn -hEgng NghIa
(note0 as ol0 NghIa Hiang); 3hnh Sgn county (+ormerly 3hnh DEgng); *ut he still use0 the
location o+ BE NghIa Pht (BE NghIa province).
Bhe contents o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels in these t@o *oo's are *earing similarities as Pht 3iAn
B<p :uc (!iscellaneous .ecor0s on the Paci+ication o+ the /rontiers) *y :A 1u7 56n @ritten
at the en0 o+ $Jth century. Bhere is only one 0i++erent point at( he +ormer emperors o+
historical 0ynasty assigne0 the Paracels /lotilla (BiGn VEgng :Lch BriGu trv Ho8ng Sa
instea0 o+ the +ormer mem*ers o+ Nguyn +amily assigne0 the Paracels /lotilla (BiGn
Nguyn thL tri Ho8ng Sa m]i) 3ecause the author @ho @rote these t@o *oo's live0 un0er
the Nguyn Dynasty; 0i++erent +rom :A 1u7 56n @ho live0 in the :ABrLnh LM perio0 in the
North o+ Vitnam.
:Lch BriGu HiOn -hEgng :o<i -hv (-iviliâtion history in classi+ication on Vitnamese royal
0ynasties) *y Phan Huy -h is an encyclope0ically historical huge @or's o+ %D volumes;
mentioning to all 'in0s o+ regulations o+ the 0ynasties o+ 5ng Nam; BE NghIa province (Pht BE NghIa) @as @ritten a*out. Bhe main content on BE
NghIa province (Pht BE NghIa) is a*out Ho8ng Sa)Paracels. Bhis proves that Ho8ng Sa)
Paracels @as very important to the lan0 o+ BE NghIa at that time. Bhrough his @ritings; @e
can see clearly that he ha0 use0 many 0etails in !iscellaneous .ecor0s on the Paci+ication o+
the /rontiers (Pht 3iAn B<p :uc). / 0 1 ) *y :A 1u7 56n. He ha0 also a*ri0ge0 many
contents o+ !iscellaneous .ecor0s on the Paci+ication o+ the /rontiers (Pht 3iAn B<p :uc).
/ 0 1 ). Pn the *oo' :iterary Source (V=n BLch -hv); Phan Huy -h also inherite0
!iscellaneous .ecor0s on the Paci+ication o+ the /rontiers (Pht 3iAn B<p :uc). / 0 1 )
*y :A 1u7 56n. Pn a00ition to 0escri*ing the scenery o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels; he also state0
Bhe +ormer emperor o+ historical 0ynasty (the Nguyn :or0s) esta*lishe0 the Paracels
/lotilla @ith over S# sol0iers +rom n VInh inha*itants to *e alternatively a00e0 to the @hole
+lotilla. Ho@ever; there is a 0issimilarity in the copy to @rite @rongly the $st lunar month
instea0 o+ the &r0 lunar month as !iscellaneous .ecor0s on the Paci+ication o+ the /rontiers
(Pht 3iAn B<p :uc). / 0 1 ); namely +rom the &r0 lunar month every year the Paracels
/lotilla goes on their 0uty on & 0ays & nights *y C small +ishing *oats to Paracels then comes
*ac' to ,o Port o+ Ph Wudn cita0el; also *ringing along @ith them su++icient +oo0 +or Q
months.
.oyal Vitnamese 0ynasties geography (Ho8ng Vit DE wLa -hv) 9:;8) ($J&&)
(".$&); (please rea0 anne` ".Q (a); ".Q(*)) anonymous author; @as printe0 in the $%th year
un0er !inh !<ng ,mperor ($J&&) an0 a+ter that it @as reprinte0 many times. Bhat is o+ten
name0 as !inh !<ng Heography 3oo' (wLa DE !inh !<ng).
!any other people as Ph<m Bhen Duet ha0 state0 that Vitnamese royal 0ynasties
geography (Ho8ng Vit wLa DE -hv) 9:;8) @as eàctly one o+ Phan Huy -h
@ritings in the re+erence list o+ the *oo' .eports on HEng Hol (HEng Hol X7 :E}c). Bhis
means Vitnamese royal 0ynasties geography (Ho8ng Vit wLa DE -hv)9:;8) ta'es
its source +rom Vritings on geography (DE wLa -hv) ;:8) in -iviliâtion history in
classi+ication on Vitnam royal 0ynasties (:Lch BriGu HiOn -hEgng :o ?
@ ) *y Phan Huy -h. Pn general; the contents are having similarities; *ut there are some
0etails still 0i++erent in the a00itional or 0eleting @or0ings. *ove all; the +orms to prepare
the te`ts are also 0i++erent.
SC
Vhile Vritings on geography (DE wLa -hv);:8) inclu0es C volumes; .oyal Vitnamese
0ynasties geography (Ho8ng Vit wLa DE -hv)9:;8) only consists o+ t@o volumes
@ith 0i++erent structure.
Similar as Vritings on geography (DE wLa -hv) ;:8) *y Phan Huy -h; in the part o+
1u>ng Nam; Vitnamese royal 0ynasties geography (Ho8ng Vit wLa DE -hv) 9:;8)
mentions a*out Pht BE NghIa (BEu NghIa Province) *ut the maUority o+ the content is a*out
Ho8ng Sa)Paracels. s compare0 to Vritings on geography (DE wLa -hv) ;:8); .oyal
Vitnamese 0ynasties geography (Ho8ng Vit wLa DE -hv) 9:;8) is more neatly)
@ritten *ut also on the same activities o+ the Paracels /lotilla.
Pn the *oo' .ecor0s on Vitnamese +acts un0er the Nguyn :or0s (w<i Nam Bhxc :uc BiGn
3iAn) 2134) volume $# (compile0 in $J"$; carve0 an0 printe0 in $J%%) (".$%);
(please rea0 anne` ".D) @ere the o++icial materials o+ the Vitnamese government on Ho8ng
Sa)Paracels. Bhe capital o+ Nguyn :or0s @as Ph Wudn. Bhis capital @as occupie0 *y BrLnh
:or0s; then Bdy Sgns army there+ore the very materials o+ Nguyn :or0s perio0 on Ho8ng
Sa)Paracels have not *een trans+erre0 until to0ay. Bhis is the +irst material @ritten on Ho8ng
Sa)Paracels in the time o+ the Nguyn :or0s that @ere ma0e to *e re)compile0 in the Nguyn
Dynasty.
-ompare0 to !iscellaneous .ecor0s on the Paci+ication o+ the /rontiers (Pht 3iAn B<p :uc)
. / 0 1 ); .ecor0s on Vitnamese +acts un0er the Nguyn :or0s (w<i Nam Bhxc :uc
BiGn 3iAn)2134)even clari+ies more *y a++irming the +eatures o+ the islan0s( 9ut in
the open sea there are a series o+ archipelagos @hich are tra0itionally calle0 Paracels @ith
over $&# 0unes that may *e thousan0s o+ miles long an0 it ta'es several hours up to one 0ay
to get there.
.ecor0s on Vitnamese +acts un0er the Nguyn :or0s (w<i Nam Bhxc :uc BiGn 3iAn)2
134) also @rote( 0uring the time o+ the 0ynastys +oun0ing; rour emperorss appointe0 a
Paracels /lotilla to sail on the &
r0
lunar month to the islan0 in three 0ays an0 three nights an0
then to come *ac' in the J
th
lunar month. Bhis also mentions the 3_c H>i /lotilla
recruiting the people +rom BE -hvnh; 3hnh -n or ->nh DEgng hamlet to a00 into the @hole
+orce that 'ept activity in the South as -6n :6n; H8 BiAn un0er the +ull control o+ Paracels
/lotilla.
SQ
.ecor0s on Vitnamese +acts un0er the Nguyn ,mperors (w<i Nam Bhxc :uc -hvnh 3iAn)
2154) (".$%) (carve0 in $J%J) consists o+ $$ paragraphs on Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0
BrETng Sa)Spratlys @ith ne@; rich an0 concrete contents on the practice o+ Vitnamese
sovereignty on Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 BrETng Sa)Spratlys.
Bhe +irst paragraph( .ecor0s on Vitnamese +acts un0er the Nguyn ,mperors (w<i Nam
Bhxc :uc -hvnh 3iAn) 2154); +irst part; volume C# (Hia :ong ,mperor) @rites in a
very clear @ay( on the $st lunar month o+ t H}i year ($J$C) rHia :ong ,mperors or0ere0
Ph<m 1uang fnh o+ Paracels /lotilla to go to Paracels +or eàmining an0 measuring the
@ater routes... rDSs (Please rea0 anne` ". $#)
Bhe secon0 paragraph( .ecor0s on Vitnamese +acts un0er the Nguyn ,mperors (w<i Nam
Bhxc :uc -hvnh 3iAn) 2154)( +irst part; volume C" (Hia :ong ,mperor) one more
time ma'es it clear( Pn 3vnh B7 year; $C
th
Hia :ong year ($J$Q); Hia :ong ,mperor or0ere0
the navy +orce an0 Paracels /lotilla to sail to Ho8ng Sa)Paracels in or0er to eàmine an0
measure the @ater route... rDSs (Please see anne` ".$$)
Bhir0 paragraph( .ecor0s on Vitnamese +acts un0er the Nguyn ,mperors (w<i Nam Bhxc
:uc -hvnh 3iAn ) 2154); secon0 part; volume $#% (!inh !<ng ,mperor) (
Bhis is the +irst time that an o++icial 0ocument o+ a Vitnamese government states clearly the
@or0s o+ a Vitnamese ,mperor (!inh !<ng) to a++irm the Vitnamese sovereignty at
Ho8ng Sa)Paracels; to re)a++irm that Ho8ng Sa)Paracels lies @ithin Vitnamese territory an0
to or0er the people to get there an0 to *uil0 up the temples; steles an0 to gro@ trees. rDJs
(Please see anne` ".$" (a); ".$"(*)).
/orth paragraph( .ecor0s on Vitnamese +acts un0er the Nguyn ,mperors (w<i Nam Bhxc
:uc -hvnh 3iAn ) 2154); secon0 part; volume $"" (!inh !<ng ,mperor) states(
Pn Hilp Ngo year; $C
th
!inh !<ng year ($J&%) rthe emperors or0ere0 the cita0el supervisor
chie+ o++icer BrEgng Phc SI an0 a navy +orce o+ "# men to sail to Ho8ng Sa)Paracels;
*elonging to 1u>ng NghIa province; to 0ra@ a map. rDDs
/i+th paragraph( .ecor0s on Vitnamese +acts un0er the Nguyn ,mperors (w<i Nam Bhxc
:uc -hvnh 3iAn ) 2154); secon0 part; volume $C% (!inh !<ng ,mperor) state0
clearly(
:ast year; the emperor inten0e0 to esta*lish a stele in that area; *ut *ecause o+ rough seas
an0 @in0; he coul0 not. No@; rhes or0ere0 the navy comman0er Ph<m V=n NguyAn to lea0
the cita0el supervisor; @or'ing sol0iers an0 the @or'ers +rom 1u>ng NghIa; 3hnh 5Lnh
SS
provinces to carry the materials to that place an0 to *uil0 up a temple (S trong a+ar +rom the
ol0 temple). Bo the le+t o+ the temple; there @oul0 *e erecte0 a stone stele. Pn +ront o+ the
temple; they @ill *uil0 up a @in0*rea'er. Bhe @or' lasts ten 0ays an0 they come *ac'.
(Please rea0 anne` ".$& a; ".$& *) r$##s
Paragraph Q( .ecor0s on Vitnamese +acts un0er the Nguyn ,mperors (w<i Nam Bhxc :uc
-hvnh 3iAn) ); part t@o; volume $QC (!inh !<ng ,mperor) (please rea0
anne` ". $% (a); ".$% (*); ".$% (c)); sho@s clearly the -onstruction !inistry vie@points an0
activities in Ho8ng Sa)Paracels(
Pn 3vnh Bhdn year; $S
th
year un0er !inh !<ng ,mperor ($J&Q) ($Q
th
year o+ /Xo 9uang;
1ing Dynasty in -hina); the -onstruction (Service Pu*lic) !inistry reporte0( Ho8ng Sa)
Paracels *elong to our countrys sea territory. Bhis location is very critical. Ve have
comman0e0 people to 0ra@ the particular map on their @i0th an0 length. Ho@ever our people
Uust coul0 0ra@ one map then 0o not 'no@ ho@ to 0ra@ +urther maps. ,very year; our
ministry usually sen0s people to go there to research 0etails so as to master the sea@ays.
/rom this year on; @hen it comes to the secon0 hal+ o+ the $st lunar month; our ministry @ill
select the navy sol0iers (also the cita0el supervisor) an0 one cita0el supervisor o++icer to sail
one *oat in or0er that on the +irst hal+ o+ the "
n0
lunar month this @ill reach 1u>ng NghIa.
Bhen rthe !inistry @ills assign the t@o provinces 1u>ng NghIa; 3hnh 5Lnh to rent civilian
*oats to gui0e them to Ho8ng Sa)Paracels. No matter @hat islan0; @hat 0une; @hen the ship
arrives; rthey @oul0s imme0iately accor0ing to the length; the horiôntal measurement; the
height; the @i0th an0 the sea @ater; sea *each aroun0)shallo@ or 0eep; @ith un0er @ater ree+;
roc' or not; normal or rough +eatures; measure care+ully an0 in 0etail then 0ra@ onto maps.
Never *e+ore have @e ha0 a so 0etaile0 a 0ocument as this one +rom the -onstruction
!inistry on the activity o+ the navy +orce an0 cita0el supervisor; sol0iers an0 o++icers in the
measuring an0 map)0ra@ing so large in range on Ho8ng Sa)Paracels. r$#$s
Bhe S
th
paragraph( .ecor0s on Vitnamese +acts un0er the Nguyn ,mperors (w<i Nam Bhxc
:uc -hvnh 3iAn ) 2154); secon0 part; volume $QC even @rites( !inh !a<ng
,mperor has +ollo@e0 the report +rom the -onstruction !inistry an0 or0ere0 the navy +orce
o++icer Ph<m Hcu Nhet to mo*iliê manpo@er an0 ships to *ring $# @oo0en steles so as to
erect the steles as the certi+ication o+ our lan0s sovereignty . ,ach o+ the stele @as C thEc
long; C tyc @i0e; @ith carve0 @or0s on the *oar0( !inh !<ng $$
th
year ($J&Q); 3vnh Bhdn
year; navy +orce o++icer Ph<m Hcu Nhet +ollo@e0 the ,mperors comman0 to visit Ho8ng Sa)
SJ
Paracels an0 leave these @or0s on this occasion (...phung mnh vng Ho8ng Sa mEgng m]
chv tht lEu chv m-ng tx r$#$s
Bhe J
th
paragraph( .ecor0s on Vitnamese +acts un0er the Nguyn ,mperors (w<i Nam Bhxc
:uc -hvnh 3iAn); thir0 part; volume %D (Bhiu BrL ,mperor perio0) @rites( BhiuBrL Cth
year; t BL year ($J%C); +i+th)ran'ing !usiuerteer (ng2 m-ng thL v) Nguyn Hoan @as
comman0e0 to go to Ho8ng Sa)Paracels o+ 1u>ng Nghia province. He ha0 *y himsel+
@rea'e0 ha#oc on the villages so the ,mperor 0eporte0 him to ... r$#"s
Pn .oyally vie@e0 history o+ the Vitnamese Nguyn Dynasty a0ministrative statutes (Xhdm
wLnh wng NghIa province to esta*lish the Ho8ng Sa)Paracels temple o+
one hall (ma0e o+ stone) in the South@est @ith @hite san0 0unes. Bo the le+t; there @ill *e
erecte0 a stone stele ($ thEc C tyc high; +ront o+ the stele to *e $ thEc " tyc); in +ront o+ the
construction there @ill *e a @in0)*rea'ing @all; to the le+t; the right an0 the rear; one nee0s to
gro@ many 'in0s o+ trees. (Please rea0 anne` ".$C a; ".$C *).
lso in the same *oo' .oyally vie@e0 history o+ the Vitnam Nguyen Dynasty
a0ministrative statutes (Xhdm wLnh w<i Nam H]i wi4n Sx :) volume ""$ rD&s there is one
paragraph as +ollo@s( 9n the $S
th
year ($J&Q); agreeing @ith the report that Hoa8ng Sa)
Paracels is in the open sea @hich is +ull o+ 0anger; !inh !<ng ,mperor in his $C
th
year o+
ruling has sent a navy cita0el supervisor +orce an0 o++icer to investigate. 3ecause o+ the
+loo0s an0 strong @in0; the investigation coul0 not ta'e place in the eàct location. :ast year;
once again @e sent people to the place to *uil0 up a temple an0 stele. Bhe map) 0ra@ing Uo*
is only in one place not very clear. Perhaps @e have to sen0 people to annually investigate all
the sea navigation @ays. No@ @e nee0 to in+orm 1u>ng NghIa; 3hnh 5Lnh provinces to act
accor0ing to the previous year to ma'e an0 to rent civilian ships to get to 1uang Nghia
province; to continue sen0ing navy an0 cita0el supervisor +orces an0 o++icers to sail a *lac')
painte0 ship to reach Ho8ng Sa)Paracels. No matter @hat islan0s; @hat 0unes; @hen the ship
arrives; rthey @oul0s imme0iately accor0ing to the length; the horiôntal measurement; the
height; the @i0th an0 the sea @ater; sea *each aroun0)shallo@ or 0eep; @ith un0er @ater ree+;
roc' or not; normal or rough +eatures; measure care+ully an0 in 0etail then 0ra@ into maps.
lso one shoul0 calculate; at starting time; @hich the 0eparture points to sail out; @hich
0irections to hea0 an0 ho@ long the time it ta'es +rom 0eparture point to 0estination points;
ho@ long in 0istance. lso one shoul0 calculate +rom that 0estination points to *e at @hat
0irections; estimate0 to *e ho@ +ar +rom the *each shore. Bhis shoul0 *e clearly state0 in the
SD
map to su*mit rto the ,mperors. /rom no@ on; every +irst $# 0ays o+ the $st lunar month; @e
@ill act accor0ing to this practice. rD&; %D"s
Very valua*le 0ocuments are the .oyally Vie@e0 Documents (chdu *>n) in Nguyn Dynasty
($Dth century) (".C); in @hich one can +in0 the reports; the su*missions +rom the royal vassals
+rom the !inistry o+ -onstruction; !inistry o+ /inance an0 other governmental agencies or
the 0ecrees +rom the ,mperors on the eècution o+ Vitnamese sovereignty un0er the Nguyn
0ynasty as the 0istant investigation; measuring; map)0ra@ing o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels; as @ell
as the *uil0ing o+ the lan0mar's... Bhere are also contents o+ reports revealing that these
activities sometimes are 0elaye0 as in the $D
th
year un0er !inh !<ng ,mperor ($J&J)( in
stea0 o+ 0eparting at secon0 hal+ o+ &
r0
lunar month; the 0eparture coul0 not ta'e place even at
secon0 hal+ o+ the %
th
lunar month. 9r in the +i+th year un0er Bhiu BrL ,mperor ($J%C) there
eìsts the 0ecree to 0elay the 0istant investigation o+ the year $J%Q.
Pn the .oyally Vie@e0 Documents (chdu *>n) o+ Nguyn Dynasty in the $Dth century; there
is te`t a*out the eècution o+ Vitnams sovereignty in Ho8ng Sa)Paracels as +olllo@s(
9r0er 0ate0 $J
th
0ay o+ S
th
month in the $Q
th
year o+ !inh !<ng ,mperor ($J&C) on the
punishment an0 a@ar0ing +or the people to go on 0uty in Ho8ng Sa)Paracels. Pn the
collection o+ .oyally Vie@e0 Documents (chdu *>n) un0er !inh !<ng ruling time; num*er
C%; page D" there is a te`t @riting that !inh !<ng ,mperor issue0 an or0er to the !inistry o+
-onstruction to punish the /lotilla -omman0er o+ Paracels /lotilla Ph<m V=n NguyAn to *e
*eaten J# ro0s *ecause o+ his 0elay in the time to go on 0uty or the -ita0el supervisor
9++icers (gilm th8nh) Brbn Van Vdn; Nguyn V=n Bim; Nguyn V=n Hong to *e *eaten J#
ro0s +or the +ailure in map)0ra@ing o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels. Vhereas; the ,mperor also
a@ar0e0 the militia sol0iers o+ Paracels /lotilla V V=n H[ng; Ph<m V=n Sanh; each one a
iuan o+ contemporary money to appreciate their 0evotion in gui0ing the navigation routes
+or the navy +orce to Ho8ng Sa)Paracels. rJ#s
.evision report +rom the !inistry o+ Pn0ustry on $"
th
0ay o+ $"
th
lunar month in the $S
th
year un0er !inh !<ng ,mperor ($J&Q); Bhe collection o+ !inh !<ngs .oyally Vie@e0
Documents (chdu *>n) num*er CC; page &&Q; states the ,mperors comment( ,very ship to
go on the 0istant investigation o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels must *ring along @ith you $# pieces o+
@oo0en plan's\*a0ges o+ %; C thEc long; C tyc @i0e; @ith the carve0 @or0s o+ Pn 3vnh
Bhdn year ($S
th
year un0er !inh !<ng ,mperor); the name an0 the +amily name o+ the
/lotilla o++icers @ho is sent *y the ,mperor to Ho8ng Sa)Paracels to measure an0 construct
the lan0mar's in or0er to leave the proo+ there. Bhe ,mperor also commente0 that they ha0
J#
to leave signs on the lan0 @ith the lan0mar' +or every place the ships calle0. Bhe revision
report also state0 that the /lotilla o++icer Ph<m Hcu Nhet @as sent +rom Bhuen n to 1u>ng
NghIa +or the 0uty o+ going to Ho8ng Sa)Paracels rCs.
.eport +rom the !inistry o+ /inance (*] H]) on the $$
th
0ay o+ the S
th
lunar month in the
$S
th
year o+ !inh !<ng ,mperor ($J&Q) reiuesting the payment +or the +oo0 +ee +or the
civilian @or'ers to go on 0uty to Ho8ng Sa)Paracels. rQs
9r0er on the $&th 0ay o+ the Sth lunar month in $Jth year un0er !inh !<ng ,mperor
($J&S); in the .oyally Vie@e0 Documents (chdu *>n) o+ !inh !<ng num*er CS; page "%C;
there is te`t revealing that +ormerly there @as a group o+ navigation engineers (thty sE);
cita0el supervisor o++icers (gilm th8nh); civilians an0 sol0iers o+ the t@o provinces 1u>ng
NghIa; 3hnh 5Lnh to go to Ho8ng Sa)Paracels +or measuring; lan0)mar'ing; map)0ra@ing.
,`cept +or the group o+ Ph<m V=n 3iAn consisting o+ % men to *e punishe0 *y ro0)*eating
+or their sin; the other civilians an0 sol0iers @ho have contri*ute0 an0 su++ere0 *y harsh sea
travel @oul0 *e a@ar0e0 each person " iuan o+ the then currency. rJ$s (Please rea0 anne`
".S(a); ".S(*)).
.eport +rom the !inistry o+ -onstruction on the "
n0
0ay o+ %
th
leap lunar month in the $D
th
year un0er !inh !<ng ,mperor ($J&J) on the 0elay in 0eparture to Ho8ng Sa)Paracels
*ecause o+ the heavy rains; in the .oyally Vie@e0 Documents (chdu *>n) o+ !inh !<ng
num*er QJ; page "$. 9ne can rea0 the report su*mitte0 to the ,mperor on the "
n0
0ay o+ %
th
leap lunar month in the $D
th
year un0er !inh !<ng ,mperor ($J&J). Pt presents that the
sen0ing o+ a 0istant investigation group to measure aroun0 the Ho8ng Sa)Paracel archipelago
in this year @as planne0 to 0epart in the last ten 0ays o+ the &
r0
lunar month *ut *ecause o+ the
strong an0 continuous ,ast @in0 an0 the accompanying heavy rains lasting until the last ten
0ays o+ the %
th
lunar month; they coul0 not start the voyage. rSs
.eport o+ the !inistry o+ -onstruction on the "$st 0ay o+ the Q
th
lunar month in the Q
th
year un0er !inh !<ng ,mperor ($J&J) on the investigation an0 the map 0ra@ing o+ Ho8ng
Sa)Paracels. Bhe report sho@s that the people sent to Ho8ng Sa)Paracels @ere le0 *y 9++icer
(3] ty) 5q !eu BhETng an0 !usiueteer (BhL v) :A Brong 3l an0 a pilot gui0e V2 V=n
H[ng. !r. Hung reveale0 that in Ho8ng Sa)Paracels; there @ere +our places that nee0e0 to *e
investigate0. Bhis time the group ha0 gone to three places. Bhere @as a rather +ar place in the
South *ut *ecause o+ the South @in0 @as then so strong that they *egge0 to go ne`t year. Bhe
total Ho8ng Sa)Paracels archipelagos consist o+ "C islan0s +or investigation an0 this time they
ha0 gone to $" islan0s; leaving $& islan0s +or the ne`t trip. Bhis time the group ha0 alrea0y
J$
0ra@n % maps (& maps 0ra@n in0ivi0ually an0 one map 0ra@n collectively). Bhe report (o+
the -onstruction !inistry) this time @as @ritten un0er the ,mperors or0er; *y Bhang Huy
Bhen an0 @as chec'e0 un0er the ,mperors or0er; *y H8 Duy Phan an0 :7 V=n PhMc. Bhis
report also note0 that the s'etches 0ra@n that time @ere not clear an0 the 0iary @as not
0etaile0 enough. Bhe -onstruction !inistry @oul0 re0ra@ +or a *etter improvement in or0er
to resu*mit to the ,mperor once again. (Please rea0 anne` ".J (a); ".J(*)).
.eport o+ 1u>ng Nghia province on the $D
th
0ay o+ the S
th
lunar month in the $D
th
year
un0er !inh !<ng ,mperor ($J&J) reiuesting ta` @aiver +or the t@o travelling ships
themselves. Pn the .oyally Vie@e0 Documents (chdu *>n) o+ !inh !<ng num*er Q% page
$%Q; it states that on the $D
th
0ay o+ the S
th
lunar month in the $D
th
year un0er !inh !<ng
,mperor ($J&J)( Ve are as emperor His High ,`cellency to consi0er to allo@ a ta` @aiver
+or the t@o travelling ships themselves (*n chinh thuyGn) @hich have helpe0 transport the
civilians an0 sol0iers to Ho8ng Sa)Paracels to measure the @hole perimeter; +rom the last ten
0ays o+ &
r0
lunar month until the last ten 0ays o+ the Q
th
lunar month. Bhis group has +ul+ille0
all 0uties in the tas' an0 no@ have come *ac' to the lan0. r$$"s.
.evision reiuest o+ Bhe -onstruction !inistry in the "#
th
0ay o+ the $st lunar month in
the S
th
year un0er Bhiu Bri ,mperor ($J%S) on the 0elay o+ the investigation o+ Ho8ng Sa)
Paracels. Pn the .oyally Vie@e0 Documents (chdu *>n) Bhiu BrL %$; page J& there is one
te`t( 9n the "Q
th
o+ the $st month in the S
th
year un0er Bhieu Bri ($J%S)( Bhe Q
th
lunar month
in C
th
year un0er Bhiu BrL ($J%C); rthe ,mperors issue0 a comman0 on the 0elay o+ the
0istant investigation o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels. No@ @e @oul0 revise the reiuest in or0er to @ait
+or the ,mperors or0er to go or not go this season. Bhe ,mperor commente0( Delay rJs.
.eport +rom the -onstruction !inistry on the "J
th
o+ the $"
th
lunar month in the S
th
year
un0er Bhiu BrL ,mperor ($J%S).
Pn the .oyally Vie@e0 Documents (chdu *>n) o+ Bhieu BrL num*er C$; page "&C there is a
paragraph on the "J
th
o+ the $"
th
lunar month in S
th
year un0er Bhiu BrL ($J%S) saying that
every year in spring; accor0ing to tra0itional practice; rthe ,mperors sent ships an0 a navy
+orce to have an investigation o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels in the control o+ the national sea ports so
as to *e @ell)e`perience0 @ith the navigation routing. Pn the C
th
year un0er Bhiu BrL ,mperor
($J%C); the ,mperor issue0 a comman0 to 0elay the 0istant investigation in the Q
th
year un0er
Bhiu BrL ,mperor ($J%Q) 0ue to the *usy governmental services. n0 in this year (S
th
year
un0er Bhiu BrL); they also nee0e0 to 0elay the trip until +urther consi0eration. (Please rea0
anne` ".J (c); ".J(0)). rDs
J"
Vitnamese History) a**reviate0 an0 assorte0 research (Vit SK -Egng Hilm Xh>o :E}c )
9ABCDE) *y Nguyn Bh6ng; in volume PV ($JSS) (".$S) has one te`t on Ho8ng Sa)
Paracels(
Ben thousan0 miles o+ BrETng Sa( +rom :7 Sgn (normally calle0 Vai la VW ror .e Pslan0
(-[ :ao .Z)s to ship ,ast*oun0 three 0ays three nights to reach this place. 9ur Vitnamese
nation at the early time o+ its +oun0ation has chosen the male people at the t@o locations n
H>i an0 n VInh in or0er to +orm up a Paracel /lotilla so as to search +or articles in the sea.
,very year this /lotilla @ill go in the "
n0
lunar month an0 come *ac' in the J
th
lunar month.
Bhe San0 -learing e`ten0s +rom the ,ast to the South. Bhere are places that are visi*le a*ove
@ater an0 places that are invisi*le un0er @ater. 9ne 'no@s not ho@ many thousan0 miles this
clearing e`ten0s to. Pnsi0e there are 0eep lagoons @here ships can *e moore0. 9n the *each
there is 0rin'a*le @ater. Bhere are sea *ir0s; the names o+ many o+ @hich @e 0o not 'no@.
Bhere is an ancient temple; roo+e0 @ith tiles the sign at the +ront 0oor is carve0
N $Xn 3d :a :enhf rten thousan0 miles o+ peace+ul @avess; +rom time immemorial. Bhe
sol0iers @hen coming here usually thro@ the Southern +ruit *oth insi0e an0 outsi0e the
temple; @ishing that the trees @ill gro@ up +or later easier recognition. Since the Paracel
/lotilla... 3i; hitherto there is no*o0y as'ing a*out that temple. ncient peoples recor0s
0escri*e0 much a*out the *eauti+ul scenery o+ the Ben -ontinents an0 three Pslan0s.
No@a0ays; one can in+er that these lan0s must eìst *ut i+ one says that these are +airy lan0;
@hich is @rong. r$"#s
Pn pni+ie0 Vitnamese History (w<i Nam Nhyt Bhnng -hv)678) ($JJ" compete0 o+
compilation; $D$# secon0 e0ite0 an0 printe0) (".$J); printe0 in the &r0 year o+ Duy Ban
,mperor ($D$#); volume Q( a*out 1uang Nghia province there are t@o paragraphs on Ho8ng
Sa)Paracels an0 BrETng Sa; Spratly.
pni+ie0 Vitnamese History (wi (North Sea) /lotilla un0er
the +ull control o+ Paracels /lotilla
Pn pni+ie0 Vitnamese History (w<i Nam Nhyt Bhnng -hv) 678)also gives us more
0etails on the eècution o+ the Vitnam sovereignty un0er !inh !<ng ,mperor as
comman0ing the sol0iers to *uil0 pago0as; steles in Ho8ng Sa)Paracels (please rea0 anne`
".$Q(a); ".$Q(*); ".$Q(c)) r$#&s
J&
Pn the thir0 volume o+ National Dynasty !aUor *ri0ge0 History 3oo' (1unc BriGu -hvnh
3iAn Bolt NOu )1B-3BN) compile0 *y National History gency (1unc SK 1uln) un0er the
Nguyn Dynasty (".$D) !inh !<ng ,mperor; there are three paragraphs concerning Ho8ng
Sa)Paracels Paracels.
Bhe +irst paragraph (1B-3BN; volume &; sheet DS*)DJa) states( Ho8ng Sa)Paracels
in the sea @ater o+ 1uang Nghia has a place @here there are @hite san0 0unes @ith very nice
an0 +lourishing trees an0 plants. Pn the san0 0une; there is a @ell. Bo the South @est there is
an ancient temple @ith a stone stele carve0 Van :y 3a 3inh (then thousan0 miles o+
peace+ul @aves). Bhe @hite san0 0une @as name0 3u00ha temple mountain (Phet Bx Sgn).
Bhe ,ast; South an0 Vest *eaches are having corals. Bhere is a roc'y hill sho@ing up at the
perimeter o+ &%# trE}ng long; $ trE}ng & thuoc high; at the same level @ith the san0 hill;
calle0 the roc' o+ the iuay (38n Bhan Bh<ch). rBhe ,mperors or0ers a temple *uilt here.
3e+ore the temple; a @in0)*rea'ing @all is erecte0. (Please rea0 anne` ". $Sa; $S*) r$#%s
Bhe secon0 paragraph (1B-3BN; volume &; sheet $#%a) states that in the $st lunar
month o+ 3vnh Bhdn year ($J&Q); the royal court has or0ere0 navy +orce o++icer Ph<m Huu
Nhat to lea0 the sol0iers an0 ships to 1u>ng NghIa; hea0ing to Ho8ng Sa)Paracels. No matter
@hat islan0; 0unes; no matter ho@ long; ho@ @i0e; ho@ large; ho@ high; no matter @hether
the perimeter an0 the +our 0irections aroun0 are @ith invisi*le or visi*le ree+s; no matter ho@
strange or crucial the geography +eatures might *e; no matter ho@ +ar the mileage it is; no
matter @hich location the *each may *elong to; they have to 0e+initely @rite 0o@n in 0etail
an0 clearly. Bhey shoul0 also *ring along @ith them the @oo0en plan's to erect @hen
arriving there an0 0ra@ the maps to *ring *ac' +or His ,`cellency to vie@. (Please rea0
anne` ". $S (c)) r$#%s
Bhe thir0 paragraph (1B-3BN; volume &; sheet $$#a) e`presses( Pn 3vnh Bhdn year
($J&Q); $"th lunar month; there @as an ,nglish merchant ship; passing *y Ho8ng Sa)Paracels
then *eing stuc' in the shallo@ @ater at 3hnh 5Lnh @ith over D# people. (Bhe ,mperor)
or0ere0 our people to supply them @ith shelter an0 a+ter that give them money an0 +oo0. Bhe
captain; the lea0er e`presse0 appreciation. (Bhe ,mperor) 0ecree0 his representative to go to
the Vest. Nguyn Bri PhEgng *rought these people to the iuay at H< -hdu +or returning to
their country. (Please rea0 anne` ".$S(0)) r$#%s
00itionally; the Vitnamese ancient maps +rom the $Sth to the $Dth century all have
sho@n 3i -lt V8ng (Nello@ San0*an's) or Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 1ian li zhang Sha
ST (Ben thousan0 miles o+ :ong San0*an's) in Vitnamese territory. /or eàmple;
J%
the *oo' Vitnam /our)Direction .oa0 !aps (Bo>n tep thiAn Nam tM chv l] mR thE ) & '(
) * + , -) *y wq 3l -6ng w<o or the map o+ Bhe .outes *y 1u>ng Nam (wETng
iua 1u>ng Nam) in :A Dynasty 0ra@n *y !.H Dumontier @ho re0re@ wq 3ls map (/igure
".&%). Bhe map pni+ie0 Vitnamese 9ver all !ap (UX! Na& Nh]t ThQng To[n UW) in
South an0 North Vitnam !aps (Na& :gc Gh *S! UW) (/igure". &C). pn+ortunately; the
0etaile0 as @ell as the general maps 0ra@ing the islan0s o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels in the Nguyn
Dynasty; especially un0er !inh !<ng ,mperor; 0ue to the harshness o+ the @eather an0 the
@ars; are no@ not maintaine0.
".$." -hinese an0 Vestern 0ocuments Uusti+ying Vitnamese sovereignty at Ho8ng Sa)
Paracels an0 BrETng Sa)Spratlys.
-hinese 0ocuments proving Vitnamese sovereignty at Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 BrETng Sa)
Spratlys.
During the perio0 @ithout the sovereignty 0isputes; i.e. *e+ore $D#D; there @ere many
-hinese an0 Vestern 0ocuments either 0irectly or in0irectly certi+ying that Ho8ng Sa)
Paracels an0 BrETng Sa) Spratlys *elong to Vitnam.
/irst o+ all; that is 9verseas .ecor0s (Hai @ai Ui shi V) *y Bhvch 5<i Sln ) XY
(a -hinese in $QDQ; "."#).
Pn the thir0 volume o+ 9verseas .ecor0s (Hai @ai Ui shi V); one can rea0 a*out 1ian li
zhang Sha ST or Ho8ng Sa)Paracels @here in he ha0 a++irme0 that the Ngi :or0
ha0 eèrcise0 sovereignty over this archipelago as +ollo@s(
3ecause there are san0 0unes outsi0e the *each; running +rom Northeast to South@est; the
caves are high an0 stan0ing upright as @alls. Bhose lo@ *eaches are at sea level the san0
sur+ace is as har0 as iron. pn+ortunately ships coul0 *e @rec'e0 to pieces. Bhe san0 clearing
is hun0re0s o+ miles the length is *eyon0 @hat the eye can see; immeasura*ly. Bhis is
normally calle0 Van li ^hang sha (Ben thousan0 miles o+ :ong San0*an's). No
grass; trees or houses coul0 *e seen. Hetting rough sea an0 turning to +in0 shelter at shore; the
ships @ill either *e @rec'e0 to pieces or have no chance +or rescue; +oo0 or supplies then
surely @ill 0ie o+ starvation. Bhis location is a*out seven 0ays or seven hun0re0 miles +rom
5<i Vit 9 (the +ormer name o+ Vitnam). Bhe +ormer national emperor @ill sen0 +ishing
ships to go out to these islan0s to pic' up gol0 an0 silver o+ the ships that are getting
@rec'e0. Pn autumn; the @aters are shallo@ an0 +lo@ to the ,ast; there+ore a single @ave can
JC
move a ship up to hun0re0s o+ miles the @in0 is not strong; yet @e +ear the 0anger in BrETng
Sa)Spratlys. r$$Q;$"Cs
Bhvch 5<i Sln ) XY ha0 reporte0 his navigating e`perience over Ho8ng Sa)Paracels or
1ian li zhang Sha ST (Ben Bhousan0 !iles o+ :ong San0*an's) an0 0ispose0 that
the estimate0 0istance +rom Ho8ng Sa)Paracels to 5<i Vit 9 (Hreat Vit) (the +ormer
name o+ Vitnam) @as a*out seven 0ays o+ travel. Bhe materials +rom Vitnam; as @e have
rea0; have state0 that the 0istance *et@een the islan0s normally @oul0 *e one 0ay long.
Bhere+ore; i+ a hun0re0 miles getting to 5<i Vit 9 (the +ormer name o+ Vitnam) ta'es S
0ays o+ travel; then +rom the Vitnamese shore to the nearest islan0 o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels; it
ta'es & 0ays an0 & nights. Bhis @ill *e reasona*le. Bhvch 5<i Sln ) XY @rote Bhe
+ormer national emperor @ill sen0 +ishing ships to go out these islan0s to pic' up gol0 an0
silver o+ the ships that are @rec'e0 in Ho8ng Sa)Paracels. @oul0 *e also reasona*le an0 in
accor0ance @ith the Vitnam 0ocuments on the activities o+ the Paracels)Ho8ng Sa /lotilla.
clearer certi+ication o+ the +ormer emperor might *e Nguyn Phc -hu ($QD$ ) $S"C)
means at least at the time o+ Nguyn Phc Br=n ($QJS ) $QD$) or other Nguyn :or0s. Pn this
perio0; there @as still no 0ispute; so a -hinese li'e Bhvch 5<i Sln ) XY @oul0 have an
o*Uective attitu0e in accepting 5<i Vit 9 s (the +ormer name o+ Vitnam) sovereignty to
Ho8ng Sa)Paracels as presente0 a*ove. Similar to other 5<i Vit 9 territory; there @as no
0ocument o+ certi+ication +rom the royal court o+ -hina. Bhe @estern tra0ition o+ territory
occupation is also not announcing +or other nations 'no@le0ge. Bhe only truth or real
happening @ill *e certi+ie0 *y such an e`perience0 an0 'no@le0gea*le man as -i Da -an)
Bhich Dai San @ho un0erstoo0 @ell @hat too' place in 5<i Vit 9 (the +ormer name o+
Vitnam).
ncient maps 0ra@n *y the -hinese *e+ore $D#D all certi+y that Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0
BrETng Sa)Spratly ha0 never *een o+ -hinese sovereignty.
.esearching all the ancient -hinese maps *e+ore $D#D; one can see these are all @ithout
mention o+ the so calle0 Wi Sha; Nam Sha or any islan0s that -hinese governments in+er to *e
Wi Sha an0 Nam Sha in these maps. ll o+ these maps certi+y that Hainan Pslan0 is the
Southernmost +rontier o+ -hina.
/or eàmple; the Heography !aps (DE mLa mR Huang Nu Bu )) -hinese Nuan
Dynasty *y Chu TP :En @as /igure0 in the *oo' 3roa0ly pu*liciê0 maps Z [ (1u>ng
JQ
DE mR) *y :uo Hong Wian ; volume $; prepare0 in $CQ$; the Southernmost part o+ -hina
is Hainan Pslan0 rCJs; (/igure ". &Q).
) Bhe @orl0 unity map Bian ìan yi tong ^hi tu \] o+ !ing Dynasty in Hreat
!ing unity *oo' (w<i !inh Nhyt Bhnng -hv); in $%Q$; +irst volume; has 0ra@n the
Southernmost point o+ -hina as Hainan Pslan0 rCJs; (/igure ".&S)
) Bhe .oyal !ing gran0 unity general maps Da ming yi tong ^hi tu
in !ing 0ynasty; an0 the .oyal !ing service territorial maps Huang !ing Da Bong Ni zong
Bu ) *y rTrin T^ ThRj; $Q&C; the +irst volume; have 0ra@n the
Southernmost o+ -hina as Hainan islan0 rCJs; (/igure ".&J).
) zone; province; cita0el; county maps ; (:o Phu; -hau Huyen Do) in Nuan
0ynasty; re0ra@n in ncient an0 Present !aps *y rNguyn 9uQc PhRj; !ing 0ynasty; in
$Q&J; last volume; has 0ra@n the Southernmost part o+ -hina as Hainan Pslan0 rCJs; (/igure
".&D)
) .oyal 0ynasty province; cita0el; county general map ;@ang
chao +u;ting;^hou;ìan) 1ing 0ynasty; anonymous author; in $JQ"; 0ra@n accor0ing to
Province Pnternal !aps (NS! PhT UVa UW1 inclu0ing "Q pieces un0er the name o+ Heneral
maps o+ great 1ing main provinces (UX! Thanh TrYc TZnh To[n UW) has 0ra@n the
Southernmost o+ -hina to *e Hainan Pslan0 rCJs; (/igure ".%#)
) .oyal 0ynasty unity geography general map ^(@ang chao yi tong Nu
0i ông tu )(anonymous author); in $JD%; has sho@n that the Southernmost part o+ -hina is
Hainan islan0 rCJs; (/igure ".%$)
) Huang0ong provincial map _ (HuangDong Sheng Bu) in Huang0ong geography
general map (Hiang0ong Ni 0i iuan tu); compile0 *y the man0arins o+
Huang0ong province in $JDS; @ith the pre+ace *y governor zhang .en ?un; *ears no sign o+
any archipelagos that *elong to -hina in the ,ast Sea (South-hina Sea)rCJs (/igure ".%").
) Pn the collection o+ Hreat 1ing empire general maps !" # (Da 1ing Di Huo
1uan Bu); printe0 *y Shanghai commercial pu*lishing house (ThP_ng $R kn ThP 9uan
ThPbng *a!1; $D#C; +orth version in $D$#; has 0ra@n the Southern most part o+ -hina as
Hainan islan0 rCJs; (/igure ".%&)
) Hreat 1ing empire position planning map !"$%(Da 1ing Di Huo Vei
zhi gui hua tu) ($D#D); as @ell as the a*ove maps; has 0ra@n the Southernmost part o+ -hina
territory to *e Hainan Pslan0 rCJs; (/igure ".%%)
JS
+ter $D#D; many -hinese maps have 0ra@n the so)calle0 Wisha ) an0 Nansha )
in -hinese territory. mong these maps; there is the -hinese *oun0ary changing maps
(Trung 9uQc CP_ng 2!l! :!mn Th!nn UW) in $D&D. Bhis map has 0ra@n the 1ing empire
territory inclu0ing the lan0s ne`t to Pn0onesia; inclu0ing Xorea rCJs (/igure ".%C).
3esi0es several ancient 0ocuments that -hina sho@s to prove the early -hinese 0iscovery
o+ these islan0s (in +act they are 0e0uction @ith no soli0 groun0 to support) are all materials
@riting a*out +oreign countries as `?iao ^hou strange thing notes (?iao^hou N DV $ot
Chp) *y !Nang /u . `?iao ^hou @as Vitnam an0 `?iao ^hou ha0 *een controlle0
*y -hina in a perio0 o+ time. Similarly; the a*ove)mentione0 authors have iuote0 .ecor0s
*out Neigh*ors (ChP Ph!nn Chp) *y zhao .u 1u abc (not zhao .u Shi ) abX); in
Southern Song 0ynasty ($""C). Bhis material also mentione0 Th!nn 3d TrPqng Sa; Van :i
Shi Bang to *e in +oreign countries (de /anHuo); @hich means these locations
are in other countries an0 not -hina.
Pn -hinese ancient 0ocuments; there are Stories on J (/u nan shi ) *y Xang tai f
g (Vu 0ynasty in the perio0 o+ Bhree Xing0oms); South continent strange things hij
8(Nan ^hou yi @u ^hi ) *y /an chen k (Vu 0ynasty). !aps o+ the neigh*ors (ChP Ph!nn
UW) in Song 0ynasty have positione0 the *or0er o+ -hina @ith other (Southern) neigh*ors to
*e ?iao yang NP or ?iao ^hi yang NOP (the sea o+ Hiao). Bhe sea o+ Hiao is the Bon'in
Hul+ an0 Ho8ng Sa)Paracels; BrETng Sa)Spratly are rather +ar a@ay +rom the Bon'in Hul+.
Hence the a*ove ancient 0ocuments in0irectly vali0ate0 that Paracels an0 Spratlys that -hina
tries to call Wisha ) an0 Nansha ) are not in the territory o+ -hina *ut in the
control o+ the other nations that -hina calls neigh*ors /anHuo ( de) or ?iao^hou( N);
Nan^hou () .
+ter -hina use0 arme0 +orces to inva0e Ho8ng Sa)Paracels in ?anuary $DS%; many
-hinese groups o+ archaeologists have come to the islan0s an0 0iscovere0 many ancient
articles as ceramics; carve0 stone articles on these islan0s. Ho@ever; these articles are o+ no
value to Uusti+y the sovereignty. 9ne can see there are many .oman empire coins having *een
+oun0 in c ,o (n Hiang province)Vitnam); *ut that cannot tell c ,o @as un0er .oman
sovereignty. -hinese archaeologists also 0iscovere0 $% temples +or @an0ering souls an0
assigne0 that these temples ha0 *een *uilt in the !ing; 1ing 0ynasties. mongst these
JJ
temples there are t@o in ôngìng(QR) or +u lin() islan0 (Ple 3oisZe). Bhese have *een
@ritten 0o@n in the article /rom Wisha ) archipelago *ac' on the Hong Xong pu*lic
ne@spaper; !ar &$; $DCS(
9n ôngìng(QR) +u lin rs islan0 no@a0ays there are " temples that the +ishermen
ha0 constructe0 *y themselves. Bhe temple in the South is calle0 Bemple +or @an0ering
souls. Bhe temple in the North is call temple o+ Ho8ng Sa)*o[ng Sa tY (Han zhen Hua
"; #$:an ?in zhi; lmn Vu /ang 3an; 9ur country South sea islan0 history general
compilation; +irst chapter page $$C)
Bemple o+ Paracels (*o[ng SaTY1 is the apparent proo+ on the esta*lishment vestige o+
Vitnam sovereignty that Vitnamese lor0s an0 emperors inclu0ing !ing !ang ma0e a navy
+orce to Ho8ng Sa)Paracels to *uil0 the temples; pago0as as presente0 in this chapter.
Vestern materials certi+ying the sovereignty o+ Vitnam on Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 BrETng
Sa)Spratlys.
Pn $%D%; Pope leàn0er VP applie0 his spiritual po@er to 0istri*ute the in+luence ônes in
the @orl0 +or the t@o countries Spain an0 Portugal. Bhis 0ivision @as o++icialiê0 in the
Bor0esillas $%D% treaty. -onseiuently; the Portuguese merchant +leets hea0e0 east@ar0 to
-hina an0 Pn0ia. Portugal esta*lishe0 a merchant station in !acau (-hina) in $C$$ an0
change0 !acau into her colony in $CCS. Since then; the merchant ships move0 up an0 0o@n
the ,ast Sea. Bhere @ere also many Portuguese navigators ta'ing part in e`ploration o+ the
,ast Sea (South-hina Sea)inclu0ing Ho8ng Sa)Paracels.
Bhe Portuguese navigator /ernao !en0es Pinto; a missionary o+ the ?esuit school; @rote an
a0venture *oo' Peragrinacao (in /rench Pe[.Zgrination) a*out the trip o+ $C%C. Bhis *oo'
@as printe0 in :is*on in $Q$%. Pn this *oo' /. !. Pinto 0escri*e0 Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 he
calle0 it Pulo Pracela (Pracela in Portuguese means coral an0 Pulo means islan0). lso at this
time; the missionaries +ollo@ing merchant ships came to Bon'in)Dang Ngoai (North
Vitnam) to 0eliver their lectures in $C&&. Bhe sea navigating routes in the *eginning o+ the
$Qth century +rom !alacca to !acau @ere +ull o+ 0i++iculties. Bhe merchant ships met @ith
un0er@ater ree+s in the ,ast sea. !any researches @ith many navigation 0iaries o+ the
Portuguese e`plorers in the secon0 hal+ o+ the $Qth century mentione0 a*out the high
un0er@ater ree+ o+ Pullo Sissir (3aiòs 0e Pullo Sissir) at latitu0e $#. People +oun0 that these
ree+s @ere very crucial. Hra0ually; the e`plorers coul0 see a vast area covering currently
Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 BrETng Sa)Spratly. Bhis 'no@le0ge is similar to those o+ the
JD
Vitnamese contemporary geography e`perts. :ittle *y little; there @as more an0 more
in+ormation a*out the ree+s that are *arely appearing a*ove the @ater at a*out one +oot high
an0 al@ays hi00en *y the moving @aves. Pn the night; one coul0 only recogniê these ree+s
@hen travelling their ship close to these. Bhere @ere islan0s covere0 @ith grass an0 salt or
san0 clearings. Bhe sea routes @ithout ree+s in that area @ere very narro@ an0 i+ people coul0
peace+ully travel through that @ater; it @as really *lesse0 *y Ho0. Bhe authors a0vise0 the
navigators that they shoul0 not get +ar a@ay +rom -hampa seacoast.
Similar to the navigation 0iaries; the sea maps +rom the Portuguese sea+arers in the secon0
hal+ o+ the $Qth century re+lecte0 a general concept; 'no@le0ge a*out an archipelago that they
calle0 Pracel. Pt @as Uust li'e a long tape or a curving 'ni+e *la0e an0 not îgâgge0. Bhis
e`ten0e0 along si0e the sea shore o+ w8ng Brong (the ol0 name o+ South Vitnam) then.
Portuguese seamens ol0 an0 rare maps +oun0 also note0 Paracels (Parcel in Portuguese) in
+irst hal+ o+ the$Qth century. Bhat @as map o+ 3artholomen Velho ($CQ#) (/igure ".%Q) that
@as note0 0o@n in the *oo' o+ P.N. !anguin an0 in an anonymous map in the *oo' :ivro 0a
!arinharia; iuote0 in Peregrination *y /.!. Pinto. (/igure ".%S). Bhe t@o maps @ith the year
$CQ# @ere relatively similar an0 this may have truly re+lecte0 the 'no@le0ge o+ the
Vesterners o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels. Pn general; Vesterners then; typically Portuguese; 0i0 not
iuite un0erstan0 much a*out Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 neither @ere they a@are @hose
sovereignty these islan0s @ere. Bhe Ho8ng Sa)Paracels shapes that the Portuguese note0
a*ove as ? Do Pracel are to the North o+ the small 0ots running +rom a*out -ham Pslan0 (-[
:ao -h8m) out o+ the Hoi n shore. Bhese @ere calle0 Pulo -ampello to Bhu Pslan0 (-[
:ao Bhu or Ph 1uv islan0); mar'e0 as Pulo Sissir; out o+ Phan Bhiet shore no@a0ays. Bhe
long an0 vast tape an0 the *ol0 0ots in the North running South in a less an0 less vast shape
en0s @ith a small 0ot Uust li'e a tape @ith a tippe0 en0. Bhat tape o+ Pracel in :ivro 0a
!arinharia *y /! Pinto @as 0ra@n up @ith more 0ots; *ol0er to the North; thinner an0
thinner @hen running to the lo@er part.
Bo the en0 o+ the $Qth century; the maps o+ /ernao Va^ Doura0o ($CD#) (/igure ".%J)
sho@e0 the Portuguese not 'no@ing more a*out the area. Ho@ever; the Dutch at that time
*egan stronger activities as sho@n through their map o+ Van ) :angren in $CDC (/igure ".%D)
@ith many 0etails especially in the mi00le o+ Vitnam. Pn the North o+ Vitnam; this map
e`poses a more 0etaile0 vie@ in the .e0 .iver; 0ra@n to ta'e its source +rom Nunnan (then
@ritten Suinam). Pn the North@est o+ Pracel; Hainan islan0 @as note0 as P inam. Pn the
Northeast an0 the ,ast; there @ere no location; *ut the map @as 0ra@n *y the *ol0 an0
successive 0ots. *ove all; in the map o+ Van ) :angren ($CDC); on the part o+ inlan0; *esi0e
D#
the nota*le location o+ Varella cape; there @as 0ra@n a shore un0er the name o+ -osta 0a
Pracel; opposite to Pulo -anton (-[ :ao .Z or .Z Pslan0); in 1u>ng NghIa province area.
Due to many reasons; in the $Sth century; the Portuguese lost their monopoly in the ,ast Sea.
Several other nations @ere stronger an0 increase0 their presence in this sea ône; travelling
more in this area as @ell as aroun0 Ho8ng Sa)Paracels. Bhe Portuguese archenemy then @as
the Dutch; then the ,nglish an0 /rench. Di++erent +rom the Portuguese *usiness metho0 in the
previous century; the Dutch; ,nglish an0 /rench navigation activities @ere mainly relying on
the international commercial companies sponsore0 an0 entruste0 *y their governments. Bhey
@ere the Dutch ,ast Pn0ia -ompany or Vereenig0e 9ost)Pn0ische -ompagnie (V.9.-.);
+oun0e0 in $Q#"; an0 ,nglish ,ast Pn0ia -ompany; +oun0e0 in $Q##. Ho8ng Sa)Paracels @as
on the international commercial route an0 @as regar0e0 as one important strategic position *y
the Vesterners.
Pn the $Jth century; ,ast Sea (South -hina Sea)researches implemente0 *y these companies
@ere very thorough. /rom the ,ast Sea (South -hina Sea)measuring e`plorations *y the
0elegates o+ Xergariou ) :ocmacria in the years o+ $SSJ $SJS; the Vesterners coul0
un0erstan0 much more an0 more truly than the +ormer vague an0 threatening legen0s on the
,ast Sea. Sea routes @ere relatively sa+er although they coul0 not ignore the 0anger an0
ship@rec' possi*ilities in the Paracels.
Bhrough the activities o+ the /rench merchants an0 missionaries; especially a+ter Pigneau 0e
3Zhaine helpe0 Nguyn nh militarily; the /rench commence0 to pay attention to Vitnam
an0 inherite0 the 'no@le0ge +rom the Portuguese an0 the Dutch; an0 they 'ne@ very clearly
a*out the internal political situation o+ w8ng Brong (South Vitnam) an0 Bon'in)Dang Ngoai
(North Vitnam) in the @artime as @ell as in uni+ication time. Bhence; the Vesterners
un0erstoo0 unmista'a*ly a*out the sovereignty o+ Vitnam in Ho8ng Sa)Paracels.
s a result; it is the /rench that *egan to supply the eàct 0ocuments a*out the esta*lishment
o+ Vitnam sovereignty on Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 BrETng Sa)Spratlys. 3elo@ are the chie+
0ocuments(
mphitrite navigation 0iary ($S#$) certi+ie0 that Paracels is n Nams archipelago.
!any Vesterners an0 /rench correspon0ences an0 0iaries are inclu0e0 in the collection o+
:ettres ,0i+iantes & -urieuses *y rchives 0es !issions trangres 0e Paris; Paris; $J&J;
% vols.
Pn this 0ocument; there is a 0iary o+ the ship name0 mphitrite that carrie0 the /rench
missionaries passing *y Ho8ng Sa)Paracels in $S#$ as +olllo@s(
D$
Bhey li+t the anchor. Bhe @in0 is goo0. +ter some time; @e travel to the roc's o+ Paracels.
Bhat is a terri*le invisi*le ree+ o+ hun0re0s o+ miles @itnessing many ship@rec's rQQs In
18C<= th! .ocu&ent Da "ubl!he. an. ha. the noteM NParacel ! an arch!"elago un.er
An Na& o#ere!gntyO>
Bhe memory a*out -ochin)-hina (:e !Zmoire sur la -ochinchine) *y ?ean 3aptiste
-haigneau ($SQD ) $J"C); @rote that *y the en0ing years un0er Hia :ong ,mperor ($J$Q )
$J$D); the ,mperor 0i0 esta*lish Vitnams sovereignty on Paracels.
?ean 3aptiste -haigneau ($SQD)$J"C) @as name0 *y Hia :ong ,mperor a Vitnamese name
as Nguyn V=n Bh_ng; ran'e0 Bh_ng Bo8n Hbu. He +ollo@e0 Nguyn nh (later Hia :ong
,mperor) to +ight against Bdy Sgn. He su*stitute0 ?. !. Dayot *y $SDQ years en0 to ta'e
charge o+ Phi :ong ship. He too' part in the $J#$ BhL Nng
Nam ) HuO. He also too' charge o+ supply logistics +or the army in Ph Wudn (0ecree 0ate0
on $Q )& ) $J#").{
His memoir :e mZmoire sur la -ochinchine pu*lishe0 *y . Salles; a colonial eàminer;
on the 3ulletin 0es mis 0u Vieu` HuO; #"; vril ) ?uin $D"&; has one iuotation as +ollo@s(
Bhe nation o+ -ochinchine @hose ruler ma0e himsel+ ,mperor inclu0es w8ng Brong
(-ochinchine proprement 0ite); w6ng Xinh (Boniuin); one part o+ -ao !iAn (-am*o0ia);
some islan0s @ith inha*itants not very +ar +rom the shore an0 the Paracel archipelago o+
small islets; un0er@ater roc's an0 ree+s @ithout inha*itants. Pt is in $J$Q that the
contemporary emperor a++irme0 his sovereignty o+ that archipelago r&Q; $&s r$SSs
Pn the *oo' Bhe @orl0; history an0 the 0escriptions o+ people; their religions; their
practices an0 their costums (pnivers; histoire et 0escription 0e tous les peuples; 0e leurs
religions; moeurs et coutumes) *y the missionary Ba*er0 printe0 in $J&& state0 that Hia :ong
,mperor ha0 o++icially a++irme0 the sovereignty on Ho8ng Sa)Paracels in $J$Q.
?ean :ouis Ba*er0 in this *oo' @rote(
Ve @ill not renumerate the main islan0s o+ -ochinchine. Ve @oul0 0ra@ attention that
more than &% years ago; the Paracels archipelago; calle0 *y the Vitnamese to *e -lt V8ng or
Paracels (Nello@ San0); consisting o+ many scattere0 an0 intert@ine0 islan0s; stre@n *y the
roc's ami0st the san0 *each @orrying the sea+arers sa+ety; ha0 *een occupie0 *y the
Vitnamese o+ w8ng Brong (South Vitnam).
Ve 0o not 'no@ i+ they have constructe0 any premises over there *ut @e un0erstan0 +or sure
that Hia :ong ,mperor has intentionally inserte0 this strange +lo@er onto his cro@n.
Bhere+ore; he consi0ere0 it the right time to personally cross the ocean to aciuire the Ho8ng
D"
Sa)Paracels archipelago. Pt is in the year o+ $J$Q that he solemnly raise0 a +lag o+ the w8ng
Brong (South Vitnam). rQQs r$JQs
n Nam Hreat Nation !ap (n Nam w<i 1unc Hoa wR) *y 3ishop Ba*er0 pu*lishe0 in
$J&J also con+irme0 that -lt V8ng (Ho8ng Sa) is Paracels an0 lies @ithin the sea *oun0ary o+
Vit Nam. r"Ss (/igure ".C#)
Bhis map @as attache0 at the *ac' o+ the Vitnamese):atin Dictionary (:atino
namiticum) *y 3ishop Ba*er0 @ho ha0 *een !inh !<ng ,mperors interpreter since
Novem*er $J"Q. Bhe 0ictionary @as pu*lishe0 in $J&J. Bhe map is J#cm long; %%cm @i0e;
printe0 on the normal paper use0 +or map printing. Bhe title o+ the map is printe0 in -hinese;
Vitnamese an0 :atin.
n Nam Hreat Nation !ap (n Nam w<i 1unc Hoa wR) is a material that re+lects the
generaliâtion in)0epth an0 eàct 'no@le0ge o+ the Vesterners +rom *eginning o+ WVP
century on the relationship *et@een Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 the nation o+ 5<i Vit 9
(+ormer name o+ Vitnam); @hich is calle0 *y the author as n Nam Hreat Nation (n Nam
w<i 1unc). Bhe n Nam Hreat Nation !ap (n Nam w<i 1unc Hoa wR) is an in0isputa*le
proo+ that a++irms strongly that(
$. Paracels Paracels is the location name that the Vesterners name the archipelago in the ,ast
Sea (South-hina Sea)0uring WVP century to the *eginning o+ the WPW century @hich is the
very -lt V8ng or Ho8ng Sa)Paracels o+ Vitnam. Pn this map there is one remar' Paracels
Seu -lt V8ng. Pn the ,ast sea; there is no Hainan islan0 (-hina) *ut there are only
Vitnamese islan0s. Bhe archipelago is in the $S
#
latitu0e North an0 over $$$
#
longitu0e ,ast.
Bhe map also 0ra@s a num*er o+ islan0s in 0ots @ith the remar' Paracels Seu -lt V8ng.
Bhe @or0 Seu in :atin is eiuivalent to meaning or eiual to. -lt V8ng (Vitnamese)
means Paracels (Sino)Vitnamese). Paracels means -lt V8ng (Nello@ san0) an0 at the
same time means Paracels. Bhis is a clear an0 0e+inite a++irmation an0 this is not a
0e0uction as Wisha ) as -hinese call it.
". Pn the n Nam Hreat Nation !ap (n Nam w<i 1unc Ho< wR) there is no sign o+ Hainan
islan0 or any other islan0s o+ any neigh*oring country. Pt only in0icates Paracels Seu -lt
V8ng; a clear proo+ that Paracels Seu -lt V8ng is @ithin the territory *oun0ary o+ n
Nam Hreat Nation (n Nam w<i 1unc) or 5<i Vit 9 (+ormer name o+ Vitnam).
&. Bhe location Paracels @ritten *esi0e the 0ots o+ islan0s at a*out $Q
#
latitu0e North (at the
same vertical level as BE Dung port o+ Bha BhiAn up to $S
#
latitu0e North a*out the same
D&
latitu0e o+ -Ka B[ng) Bung Port (1u>ng BrL province) an0 $$$;
#
$J longitu0e ,ast. Bhis
proves the Vesterners eàct un0erstan0ing o+ the archipelago o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0
Ho8ng Sa)Paracels is not in the same group as Spratlys archipelago at all.
9n the part o+ inlan0 territory there is a line Bhe nation o+ n Nam means Pmperium
namiticum (n Nam 1unc Seu Pmperium namiticum) an0 the line Pnterior
-ochichina means n Nam 58ng Brong (-ocincina interior seu n Nam w8ng Brong.
Pn the South there is a line :2i Sby means !urus magnus separans 9lim ptrumiue regne
(:2i Sby seu !urus magnus separans 9lim ptrumiue regne) an0 -ocincina e`terior;
Bon'in)Dang Ngoai (North Vitnam) seu Buniuinum. Bhis proves that the contents o+ the
map @ere not @ritten in $J&J *ut ha0 *een @ritten *e+ore that. 9n the map there are location
appellations that @ere ne@ly name0 as 3inh Dinh Bh8nh; wLnh BETng Bh8nh; so the year o+
ma'ing n Nam Hreat Nation !ap (n Nam w<i 1unc Ho< wR) must *e a+ter Nguyn nh
too' over 1ui Nhon cita0el.
Bhe map 0ra@ing o+ South mi00le Vitnam is very eàct *ut the 0ra@ing o+ the North o+
Vitnam; especially the *or0er @ith :aos is not really correct. Vesterners 'no@le0ge a*out
Vitnam is very rich. pntil the *eginning o+ WPW century; the Vesterners ha0 0etaile0
un0erstan0ing an0 'no@le0ge a*out Ho8ng Sa)Paracels.
Bhe ?ournal o+ the siatic Society o+ 3engal; Vol. VP printe0 3ishop Ba*er0 certi+ying
Hia :ong ,mperor o++icially esta*lishment o+ Vitnam sovereignty on Paracels).
Bhe ?ournal o+ the siatic Society o+ 3engal num*er Q an0 S printe0 a long article on
Vitnams Ho8ng Sa)Paracels in ,nglish @ith the title +rom 3ishop Ba*er0 Paracels or
Paracels (-Rn V8ng) @ith *elo@ contents( Bhough this archipelago has nothing more than
roc's an0 *ig 0unes; it is +orecast that it @ill *ring more inconvenience than *ene+it to the
o@ner. Hia :ong ,mperor has thought to increase his territory *y occupying this 0reary lan0.
Pn $J$Q; he has gone there an0 solemnly erecte0 a +lag an0 o++icially esta*lishe0 the
sovereignty over these roc's; seemingly there are no other rivals to him on this
occupation.r&Q; trg $$s (Bhis is in +act one more time that Vitnam eècute0 her sovereignty
over the Ho8ng Sa)Paracels archipelago).
Pn Bhe ?ournal o+ the Heographical Society o+ :on0on ($J%D) Hut^:a++ accounte0 that
the Vitnamese government esta*lishe0 a +leet o+ ship an0 a military station +or ta` collection
in Paracels. Hut^:a++ @rote in the article Heography o+ the -ochinchine ,mpire to print on
Bhe ?ournal o+ the Heography Society o+ :on0on; vol. the $Dth in $J%D; page DS; there is a
rather long te`t a*out Ho8ng Sa)Paracels as +ollo@s(
D%
Here @e shoul0 not have tal'e0 o+ the -lt V8ng archipelago @hich is near to the n)nam
shore +rom $C to "# miles an0 stretches *et@een the latitu0es o+ $C an0 $S 0egree North; an0
the longitu0es o+ $$$ an0 $$& 0egree ,ast; i+ the emperor o+ -ochin)china ha0 not claime0
this archipelago to *e his) @ith all the islan0s an0 ree+s; crucial +or the sea+arers. Ve 0o not
'no@ the reason @hy those ree+s are gro@ing *igger an0 *igger. !ay*e it is *ecause o+ the
coral 0eveloping or other reasons. 3ut it is clear that those small islan0s are higher an0 higher
every year; an0 some o+ the ree+s are no@ having permanent inha*itants though several years
*e+ore there @ere only strong @aves to @ash up an0 0o@n. Bhose islan0s @oul0 not have
*een o+ any value i+ the +ishing *usiness there ha0 not *een so +lourishing. Bhe 0anger @as
too high +or the a0venturers to ta'e ris' there. /rom time immemorial; most o+ the ships +rom
Hainan islan0 coming here have visite0 the +loating *eaches an0 these ships have also ta'en
long trips to the coast o+ 3orneo. lthough more than +ive out o+ ten are @rec'e0 *ut the +ish
volumes gaine0 are so attractive that they can not only ma'e up +or all the loss *ut also leave
*ac' han0some pro+it. n)Nam government sa@ the *ene+its i+ they coul0 impose a level o+
ta`; so they +orm up a +leet o+ ships an0 a small military station here in or0er to collect the ta`
+rom all the +oreigners @ho come here as @ell as to protect the native +ishermen. Bhus a great
0eal o+ transactions have *een 0evelope0 here @ith a chance to e`pan0 up than's to a large
amount o+ +ish to come to this *each +or laying eggs. Some islan0s have sic'ly trees an0
plants *ut are short o+ 0rin'a*le @ater. Bhe sailors @ho +orget to have enough @ater supply
@ill run into serious trou*le.
Bhe author also @rote P+ the emperor o+ -ochinchina ha0 not claime0 the archipelago +ull o+
crucial roc's an0 ree+s to *e his; he @oul0 not have mentione0 a*out the archipelago o+
Paracels (-lt V8ng) at all r&Q;page $"s; r$CSs.
lthough the author estimates @rongly the 0istance +rom the Vitnam shore to the
archipelago to *e$C ) "# miles (,nglish); +ortunately he positions eàctly the location o+
aroun0 $C
#
)$S
#
latitu0e North an0 $$$
#
) $$&
#
longitu0e ,ast. -onseiuently; the author has
reveale0 that the Vitnamese government ha0 eèrcise0 the sovereignty through the +orming
a ship +leet an0 a small military station +or ta` collection an0 protecting the native +ishermen.
Pn comparison @ith the Vitnamese historical materials; $J$Q @as the +irst year that Hia :ong
,mperor or0ere0 the navy +orce instea0 o+ the Paracels /lotilla to have activities in Ho8ng
Sa)Paracels. Pt @as this event that the Vesterners consi0ere0 very important. Bhey 0i0 not
@rite in $J$Q Hia :ong ,mperors sol0iers *ut they @rote Hia :ong ,mperor himsel+
solemnly esta*lishe0 the sovereignty over Ho8ng Sa)Paracels.
DC
+ter analyîng the Vitnamese; -hinese an0 other +oreign 0ocuments; @e have +oun0 out the
Vitnamese 0ocuments are *y the Vitnamese governments; certi+ying clearly the
esta*lishment an0 eèrcising the sovereignty o+ Vitnam through economic activities; namely
the activities o+ Ho8ng Sa an0 3_c H>i /lotillas un0er state control. Bhe other
activities are similarly governmental( 1u>ng Nghia; 3hnh 5Lnh; 3hnh Bhuen provincials an0
the navy +orce; the cita0el supervisor +orces (gilm th8nh) activities o+ temple construction;
tree planting; stele erection; lan0mar' erection; sea route measuring Bhe -hinese an0 other
+oreign sources o+ 0ocuments are those +rom non)government in0ivi0uals. ccor0ingly; the
*ishops; the merchants; the e`plorers have all a++irme0 that -lt V8ng (Ho8ng Sa) is Paracels
an0 the Vitnamese state has alrea0y practice0 o@nership an0 sovereignty over these islan0s
through many perio0s.
"." Bhe a++irmation an0 esta*lishment o+ sovereignty *y Vitnamese states
".".$ Bhe a++irmation o+ sovereignty over Ho8ng Sa)Paracels; BrETng Sa)Spratlys *y
Vitnamese :or0s; ,mperors an0 royal courts
Vhere as in -hina; there have *een no 0ocuments telling o+ any emperor or royal court
a++irming -hinese sovereignty over Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 BrETng Sa)Spratlys; the
Vitnamese o++icial historical materials have sho@n that the Vitnamese lor0s; emperors an0
royal courts have many times a++irme0 that Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 BrETng Sa)Spratlys are
Vitnamese territory. 9++icial materials +rom Vitnamese states an0 royal courts as .ecor0s
on Vitnamese +acts un0er the Nguyn ,mperors (w<i Nam Bhxc :uc -hvnh 3iAn) 2
154) .oyally 0eci0e0 history o+ the Vitnam Nguyn Dynasty a0ministrative statutes
(wn)); pni+ie0 Vitnamese History (w<i Nam Nhyt Bhnng -hv)
678)have recor0e0 clearly that Vitnamese :or0s; ,mperors an0 royal courts ha0 *een
continuously a++irming that Ho8ng Sa)Paracels *elongs to Vitnamese sea territory.
/or eàmple in the J
th
lunar month in autumn o+ the 1i B year; $%
th
,mperor ($J&&); !inh !<ng ,mperor or0ere0 the Pn0ustry !inistry( Paracels archipelago
in the 1u>ng NghIa sea... (.ecor0s on Vitnamese +acts un0er the Nguyn ,mperors (w<i
Nam Bhxc :uc -hvnh 3iAn) 2154); part t@o; volume $#%). Pn 3vnh Bhdn year; $S
th
year un0er !inh !<ng ,mperor ($J&Q) (eiuivalent to $Q
th
year un0er -hinese 1ing 0ynasty;
UXo 9uang ,mperor). Bhe -onstruction !inistry reporte0 to the ,mperor( Paracels area
in our national territory is very crucial area (.ecor0s on Vitnamese +acts un0er the Nguyn
DQ
,mperors (w<i Nam Bhxc :uc -hvnh 3iAn) 2154); part t@o; volume $QC). Bhe "#
th
o+ $" lunar month in $S
th
year un0er Bhiu BrL ,mperor ($J%S); the revision report +rom
Pn0ustry !inistry also con+irme0( ,very year; in springtime; accor0ing to tra0ition; @e sen0
ships an0 sol0iers to have 0istant investigation o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels @hich *elongs to the
national sea territory... (9++icial Document Bhiu BrL).oyally Vie@e0 Documents (chdu
*>n) Bhiu BrL; volume C$; page "&C). pni+ie0 Vitnamese History (wng NghIa province to the san0 islan0s
vertically; there are is Ho8ng Sa)Paracel archipelago @hich is in line @ith the *lue sea...
"."." Bhe a0ministrative management +rom the Vitnamese states over the archipelagos o+
Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 BrETng Sa)Spratlys(
During the @hole perio0s o+ the Nguyn :or0s; Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 BrETng Sa)Spratlys
@ere consi0ere0 as one unit. Bhis unit @as in the a0ministrative control o+ Bha BuyAn
1u>ng Nam un0er the name o+ :A Dynasty or 1u>ng NghIa province province (pht) an0 at
time may*e 1u>ng NghIa to@n (tryn); *ut all are un0er the actual autonomy o+ the then
South Vitnam (w8ng Brong); in line @ith the historical perio0s. Bhere+ore; +rom the time
Nguyn Ho8ng came *ac' to control Bhuen 1u>ng (in $Q##) till the time Nguyn Phc
Xholt ($S&J)$SQC) ma0e himsel+ :or0 in $S%%; nominatively; the Nguyn :or0s @ere the
man0arins rto help the :A Dynastys to control Bha BuyAn 1u>ng Nam o+ 5<i Vit 9
(+ormer name o+ Vitnam); un0er the reign o+ the :A ,mperors. Bhus all the activities to
esta*lish sovereignty +rom Nguyn :or0s @ere all in the name o+ 5ng Nam.
Pn $Q#"; @ith the properties o+ autonomy an0 sel+)governing; Nguyn Ho8ng change0 to the
name o+ 1u>ng Nam cita0el; controlling 1u>ng NghIa or 1uang Ngi province; +ormerly to
*e BE NghIa province. lso since $Q#"; 1u>ng NghIa province +orme0 up the government
o++icial ran's o+ province mayor (tubn pht) an0 vice mayor ('hlnh ly) to rule the location.
Hence; on such an actual autonomy; 1u>ng NghIa province inclu0e0 3hnh Sgn count Sgn
county (+ormerly 3inh DEgng county) an0 n VInh hamlet @as one unit in 3hnh Sgn
-ounty. -ompile0 Vitnam /our Direction .oa0 !ap (Bo>n tep thiAn Nam tM chv l] mR thE )
& '( ) * + , -) or -ompile0 Vitnam .oa0 !ap (Bo>n Bep n Nam :]) @rote
Bhe Nello@ San0 (3i -lt V8ng )Ho8ng Sa) in 1u>ng NghIa province. !iscellaneous
DS
.ecor0s on the Paci+ication o+ the /rontiers (Pht 3iAn Bng NghIa province (@ithin the 1u>ng Nam ône); 3hnh Sgn county;
n VInh village . Heography !ap (wLa DE -hv) *y Phan Huy -h @rote Paracels)Ho8ng
Sa is in 1u>ng NghIa to@n. Pn the Bdy Sgn 0ynasty in $SS&; 1u>ng NghIa province @as
change0 its name to Ho8 NghIa province.
Pn $J#$; Ho8 NghIa @as re)change0 *ac' to 1u>ng NghIa (or 1u>ng Ngi province). Pn
1u>ng NghIa province; *esi0e the province mayor (tubn pht); mayor assistant ('hlnh l7)
there @ere also one chvnh h] l7; one mG lnh; one archivist ('7 luc); one cai phu an0
one secretary (thE '7). :ater on 1u>ng NghIa *ecame a to@n; then province. Pn $J"D; this
a0ministrative unit continue0 to control n VInh village. Hra0ually; n H>i village in the
North o+ Sa XY port also provi0e0 sol0iers +or Ho8ng Sa)Paracels. Bhe villagers +rom n
VInh an0 n H>i hamlets trans+erre0 to .Z Pslan0 (-[ :ao .Z) to +orm up t@o @ar0s o+ n
VInh an0 n H>i @hich Nguyn Bh6ng calle0 the t@o neigh*orhoo0 ) phETng o+ n VInh
an0 n Hai. Pn the *eginning o+ Nguyn Dynasty; @hen the t@o @ar0s inha*itants in .Z
Pslan0 (-[ :ao .Z) 0evelope0; they reiueste0 to separate in0epen0ently +rom their ol0
villages in the inlan0 an0 *ecame the main suppliers +or the civilian sol0iers +or Ho8ng Sa)
Paracels. Ph<m 1uang fnh himsel+ @as appointe0 to *e Ho8ng Sa /lotilla comman0er in
$J$C an0 he @as one native o+ n VInh village in .Z Pslan0 (-[ :ao .Z). No@a0ays; this
place is in the 56ng hamlet; n VInh village; :7 Sgn count -ounty. !any 0ocuments such as
Vitnamese History) *reviate **reviate0 an0 assorte0 research (Vit SK -Egng Hilm
Xh>o :E}c) 9ABCDE)*y Nguyn Bh6ng an0 pni+ie0 Vitnamese History (wng NghIa province. Ho8ng
Sa)Paracels is a vast an0 crucial place. Bhere+ore; the higher a0ministrative units as to@n or
province ha0 repeate0ly ha0 0irect inter+erence in the perio0ic activities o+ the civilian
sol0iers o+ Paracels)Ho8ng Sa /lotilla. Bhis @as aime0 at having satis+actory +acilities an0
ensuring to *e a*le to meet the reiuirements +rom the central government in Ph Wudn; @hich
is the seat o+ South Vitnam (w8ng Brong) then the capital o+ the Nguyn Dynasty later on.
".".& Bhe +ormation an0 activity o+ Paracels /lotilla +rom WVPP century to WPW century.
3e+ore $D#D; neither -hina nor any other Southeast sian countries ha0 ha0 any proo+ to
Uusti+y their attention to esta*lish the sovereignty on the archipelagos o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels
an0 BrETng Sa)Spratlys. Vhereas; 0uring three centuries +rom WVPP century to WPW century;
DJ
an organiâtion o+ Vitnamese civilian sol0iers; Ho8ng Sa /lotilla ha0 *een operating in
Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 BrETng Sa)Spratlys. Bhey @ere assigne0 the 0uty o+ control an0
e`ploitation o+ the resources on the islan0s o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 BrETng Sa)Spratlys.
".".&.$ Bhe *irthplace o+ Ho8ng Sa /lotilla is in the Sa XY Port (/igure ".C$) an0 .Z Pslan0
(-[ :ao .Z)
/irst o+ all; .Z Pslan0 Pslan0 (-[ :ao .Z)("."$) (/igure ".C") @as also calle0 :7 Sgn. Bhe
Portuguese calle0 this place Pulo -atah the -hinese calle0 it VoVai :uo. .Z Pslan0 (-[
:ao .Z) at the latitu0e o+ $C
#
%# North an0 longitu0e o+ $#D
#
,ast. Pt is on the Northeast o+
Dung 1uyt *ay; C# 'm +ar +rom 1u>ng Ngi. Pt is "S 'm +rom Sa XY estuary. Bo the +arther
North is -h8m Pslan0; to the South is Ph 1uv Pslan0.
.Z Pslan0 (-[ lao .Z) is an uneven multi)angle0 shape. Bhe longest length is S 'm; the @i0th
is & 'm. Bhe area is nearly $$'m
"
(".""). !ountains are covering area aroun0 the islan0.
Pn the mi00le it is space. Bhe +ive mountains are Hjn BiAn; Hjn Bai; Hjn S|i; Hjn Vung an0
the largest is the Bhi :i. Bo the North @est sea @as the mountain o+ Hjn 3Z. Bo the ,ast is
Hjn ![ -u. 9n Hjn 3Z there are ara*le lan0 @ith 0rin'a*le @ater @ells on the very
seashore. 9ut in the sea aroun0 the islan0 there are coral an0 valua*le sea specialty as sea
cu+ull*er (mRn m]t). Bhe islan0 is rich in peanut an0 corn plantation. No@a0ays; they plant a
lot o+ onion an0 garlic. Pslan0 inha*itants have *een present here +or long time. Bhe cultural
remains o+ Sa Huynh inclu0e the ceramics; the vase co++ins that are over "### years o+ age
("."&). Bhere are also -hampa cultural vestiges. ccor0ing to genealogy recor0s; the early
Vitnamese immigrants to the islan0 @ere at the *eginning o+ the WVPP century an0 +rom the
inlan0 Sa XY to arrive there.
Bhere @ere t@o groups o+ immigrants to occupy t@o 0i++erent areas o+ the islan0. Si` +amilies
+rom n VInh village (Sgn BLnh county) to move to n VInh @ar0; no@ it is n VInh @ar0.
Bhere are seven +amilies +rom n H>i village (3hnh Sgn county) to move to n H>i @ar0;
no@ it is n H>i village ("."%). t the Hang pago0a (another name to *e BhiAn Xh6ng Bh<ch
Bx) on the Bhi :i mountain; there are respect+ul a0oration to the pioneers reclaiming the
lan0s o+ n VInh (:7 VInh) an0 n H>i (:7 H>i). Hra0ually; people +rom many other places
inclu0ing those +rom Hia wLnh also migrate to this place. ccor0ing to the genealogy recor0s
o+ the Ph<m V=n +amily (Bdy hamlet; n Vinh village); the names o+ the pioneers in the D
th
year un0er Ho8ng wLnh ,mperor ($Q#D). People +rom n VInh; n H>i villages have *een
0@elling an0 multiplying in .Z Pslan0. Ho@ever; they have to *ear the responsi*ilities to their
root villages in the inlan0. 9nly +rom the &
r0
year un0er Hia :ong ,mperor ($J#%) coul0 the
DD
t@o @ar0s o+ n VInh an0 n H>i actually separate into their ne@ a0ministrative i0entities
an0 in0epen0ent @ith the +ormer root villages in the inlan0. Bhis is accor0ing to the
application o+ the n VInh @ar0 o++icers reiuesting +or the separation +rom n VInh village.
Bhis 0ocument is still 'ept at the +amily ancestor temple o+ Ph<m 1uang; 56ng hamlet; n
VInh village; :7 Sgn county rJSs rJJs
9pposite to .Z Pslan0 (-[ :ao .e) in the inlan0 is the Sa XY estuary an0 3a :8ng n
(3atangan) @here there is a sea)pointing cape nearest to Ho8ng Sa)Paracels in terms o+
longitu0e; as compare0 @ith all other places along the coast o+ !i00le Vitnam. Bhis is the
root village o+ the .Z Pslan0 inha*itants. Bhe location is; locate0 at one *an' o+ the Sa XY
estuary; Sgn BLnh county. Bo the North is the n H>i hamlet; 3inh Sgn county; 1u>ng NghIa
province. n VInh village inclu0e0 one part o+ area in the inlan0 at Sa XY estuary an0 n
VInh @ar0. n H>i village similarly consiste0 o+ n H>i @ar0 in .Z Pslan0. Bhese
a0ministrative units separate0 +rom each other in the &
r0
year un0er Hia :ong ,mperor ($J#%)
as a*ove mentione0. Pn the South o+ Sa XY estuary there is still gar0en VETn 5Rn relic;
@here there @as a military post in the past. Pn this place; there is also the relic -l ng shrine
(Vhale shrine) an0 the relic o+ n VInh village temple (no@ n VInh village; BLnh XY
hamlet; Sgn BLnh county; 1u>ng NghIa province).
Bhe *ay o+ Sa XY has no river +lo@ing out; so there is no san0 a00ition. Bhe 0epth is
relatively satis+actory +or 0eploying a seaport there. Hence; the t@o si0es o+ the *ay is iuite
convenient +or the people to settle; especially the South si0e; n VInh village @hose
inha*itants are specialiîng in sea +ishery an0 agriculture; a*out &#'m +rom 1u>ng NghIa
seat. Bhe North si0e o+ Sa XY *ay is in n H>i village; less populate0 an0 less *usy. Valua*le
sea specialties in .Z Pslan0 (-[ lao .eZ) as sea cu+ull*er; turtles are easy +or consummation(
H]i n to@n in the North. Sa XY seasi0e an0 .Z Pslan0 (-[ :ao .Z) coul0 easily *e supplie0
@ith sail*oat)ma'ing materials as *am*oo; leaves; @oo0 inclu0ing the hopea pierrie hance
('iGn 'iGn @oo0) *asically use0 +or ma'ing sail mast. Bhis 'in0 o+ @oo0 coul0 *e +oun0 +rom
1u>ng NghIa; 1u>ng Nam +orests not +ar a@ay.
Natural; geography an0 human +eatures as a*ove)mentione0 +acilitate the people o+ Sa XY
an0 .Z Pslan0 to *e @ell verse0 in sea+aring. Bhey @oul0 ship +or search o+ sea cu+ull*er;
elephant)ear)li'e snail (Bri0acna siuamosa)nc tai tE}ng) eàctly at the vicinity o+ .Z Pslan0
(-[ :ao .Z). specialty)rich Paracels @oul0 certainly attract these +ishing villagers into sea
a0ventures. Bhat is the very +irst reason that .Z Pslan0 (-[ :ao .Z) an0 Sa XY *ay *ecame
the initial 0eparture place +or Paracels /lotilla. !oreover; 0ue to the historical nee0 to eìst o+
w8ng Brong (South Vitnam un0er the Nguyn :or0s); Nguyn Ho8ng himsel+ ha0 thought
$##
a*out sea *oun0 tra0ing 0evelopment. He ha0 +acilitate0 the 0evelopment o+ an
internationally commercial port o+ H]i n @ith the presence o+ the ?apanese; -hinese an0 the
Vesterners @ho +rom the *eginning o+ WVP century; 0evelope0 their commercial potential to
the ,ast *y +oun0ing their commercial stations in !acau an0 !alacca. Bhe naval *attle @ith
the Dutch (in alliance @ith the BrLnh :or0s) *y the Bhuen n port un0er the Nguyn Phc
NguyAn :or0 ha0 urge0 -ochin)-hina)w8ng Brong (South Vitnam) to have a regular plan
+or collecting not only valua*les *ut also ship@rec'e0 articles; especially arms an0 @eapons
+or accelerating their +orces against BrLnh :or0s in Bon'in)58ng Ngoai (North Vitnam).
".".&.". Bime o+ Ho8ng Sa /lotilla operations an0 activity(
Bhe *irth time o+ Ho8ng Sa /lotilla; accor0ing to Vitnamese an0 even -hinese materials;
coul0 *e in the initial time o+ the Nguyn lor0ship. -hinese 9verseas .eports (H>i Ngo<i X
Sx) @rote in $QDQ that the +ormer Nguyn :or0 ha0 launche0 the operations o+ Ho8ng Sa
/lotilla an0 !iscellaneous .ecor0s on the Paci+ication o+ the /rontiers (Pht 3iAn B<p :uc).
/ 0 1 ) ($SSQ) @rote 3e+ore the Nguyn +amily. .ecor0s on Vitnamese +acts un0er the
Nguyn :or0s (w<i Nam Bhxc :uc BiGn 3iAn) 2134) ($J"$) @rote( Pn early
national +orming time; there @as 0eployment o+ Ho8ng Sa /lotilla (1unc sg trv Ho8ng Sa).
-ertainly the esta*lishment o+ Ho8ng Sa /lotilla shoul0 *e *e+ore or in the time o+ Nguyn
Phc Bbn :or0 ($Q%J)$QJS); that means *e+ore or in the same time as the appearance o+
Vitnam /our)Direction .oa0 !ap (BhiAn Nam BM -hv :] wR BhE) ( * + , )
($QJQ). Since these materials ha0 @ritten a*out the activities o+ Ho8ng Sa /lotilla. Bhat is
eàctly in the ruling time o+ Nguyn Phc :an :or0 ($Q&C)$Q%J) or Nguyn Phc NguyAn
:or0 ($Q$&)$Q&C) or Nguyn Phc Bbn :or0.
ccor0ing to !iscellaneous .ecor0s on the Paci+ication o+ the /rontiers (Pht 3iAn Bi Vdn mountain; he sa@ the crucial +eatures o+ this
mountainous region an0 commente0 that this @as the 'eystone o+ Bhuen 1u>ng. He then
passe0 the mountain to see the geography characteristics as +ar as currently -du Hc hamlet;
Duy WuyAn county. +ter that he or0ere0 the Q
th
son Nguyn Phc NguyAn to move to an0
protect the 1u>ng Nam cita0el. Since then till $Q$&; Nguyn Phc NguyAn 0irectly han0le0
all operations in the South o+ H>i Vdn pass.
00itionally; the !iscellaneous .ecor0s on the Paci+ication o+ the /rontiers (Pht 3iAn B<p
:uc). / 0 1 ) as @ell as other 0ocuments reporte0 that Paracels /lotilla @oul0 come
$#$
*ac' in the J
th
lunar month *y ,o port or BE HiGn port an0 su*mitte0 the articles at the main
cita0el o+ Ph Wudn. Nguyn Phc NguyAn himsel+ no longer settle0 in i BK; 1u>ng BrL.
3ut he Uust 0@elle0 at PhEc NAn; 1u>ng wiGn; on the 3R river*an'; one *ranch o+ HEgng
.iver (Per+ume .iver). Nevertheless; the main seat @as not yet move0 to Ph Wudn. Nguyn
Phc :an :or0 *egan the removal the seat to Xim :ong in $st year un0er DEgng Ho8 ($Q&C)
an0 Nguyn Phc Bbn :or0 @as the one that move0 all to Ph Wudn. Bhere+ore; @e can have
*asis to conclu0e that the Ho8ng Sa /lotilla coul0 *e esta*lishe0 )may*e earliest; at the time
o+ Nguyn Phc :an :or0 ($Q&C)$Q%J). Bo *e surer; the /lotilla coul0 *e esta*lishe0 un0er
the Nguyn Phc Ban :or0 time ($Q%J)$QJS); as it is in this perio0 that the /lotilla ships
@oul0 enter ,o Port (Bhuen n) an0 su*mit articles at Ph Wudn cita0el.
No matter in @hich :or0 the Ho8ng Sa /lotilla @as +orme0; it is surely in the +irst hal+ o+
WVPP century; or as per history; in the early time o+ Nguyn lor0ship. Bhe Ho8ng Sa
/lotillas ha0 *een operating +rom either Nguyn Phc :an :or0 or Nguyn Phc Bbn :or0
until the en0 o+ the Nguyn lor0ship; total un0er S :or0s an0 a*out one an0 a hal+ century.
("."C)
t the Bdy Sgn uprising; Nguyn :or0s evacuate0 to Hia wLnh an0 Ho8ng Sa /lotillas @ere
un0er the Bdy Sgn control. Bhese are re+lecte0 in the 0ocuments that are still preserve0 in the
V +amily ancestor temple in n VInh village; .e Pslan0. Bhis 0ocument has in+orme0 that in
the D
th
year un0er Bhli wMc ($SJQ); .Z Pslan0 inha*itants ha0 operation a reiuest to Bdy Sgn
authorities to allo@ the Ho8ng Sa /lotilla to restart their operations. rJJs. Bo the en0 o+ Bdy
Sgn movement; the Ho8ng Sa /lotilla activities @ere also in+luence0. So only in the "
n0
year
un0er Hia :ong ($J#&) coul0 Ho8ng Sa /lotilla to restart as per .ecor0s on Vitnamese +acts
un0er the Nguyn ,mperors (w<i Nam Bhxc :uc -hvnh 3iAn) 2154); volume WWPP
iuotation( 9++icer (cai cg) V V=n Ph) chie+ (tht Ngx) o+ Sa XY seaport; or0ere0 to recruit
the outlan0ish people to +orm up the Ho8ng Sa /lotilla. Pn $J$C; Hia :ong ,mperor or0ere0
the Ho8ng Sa /lotilla to launch on the sea route measurement in Ho8ng Sa)Paracels.
Since $J$Q; Hia :ong ,mperor *egan to sen0 navy +orce to coor0inate @ith Ho8ng Sa
/lotilla (not only Ho8ng Sa /lotilla) to carry on the control; sea route measurement in Ho8ng
Sa)Paracels. Ho8ng Sa /lotilla *ecame a more civilian organiâtion. s tra0ition goes; the
.Z Pslan0 inha*itants @oul0 Uust continue to go sea+aring to 0estinations as Ho8ng Sa)
Paracels @here there are many valua*le specialties. Bhere is no 0ocument saying that Ho8ng
Sa /lotilla @oul0 *e 0is*an0e0 e`cept the *oo' Vitnamese History) a**reviate0 an0
assorte0 research (Vit SK -Egng Hilm Xh>o :E}c) 9ABCDE)($JSS) *y Nguyn
$#"
Bh6ng. Pn this *oo' the author @rote that Ho8ng Sa /lotilla @as 0is*an0e0 long *e+ore the
compilation o+ the *oo' ($JSS). Pn the ruling time o+ Bx 5Mc ,mperor; there @as no
chronological history report on Ho8ng Sa /lotilla activities any more. 3ecause as per
Vritings on Vitnamese reality (w<i Nam Bhxc :uc) 21); +ourth part; @ritten in Bx
5Mc time; those activities that *ecome the common practices @oul0 not *e @ritten 0o@n into
the recor0s. Bhe activities o+ Ho8ng Sa /lotilla an0 navy +orce in the $S
th
year un0er !inh
!<ng ,mperor ($J&Q) ha0 *ecome common practices; as seen in .oyally 0eci0e0 history o+
the Vitnam Nguyn Dynasty a0ministrative statutes (Xhdm wLnh w<i Nam H]i wi4n Sx :)
FGHIJK)
3esi0es; there @ere pre+uneral orations +or commemorating the sol0iers @ho Uoine0 Ho8ng Sa
/lotillas. Bhese 0ocuments are still 'ept in the .Z Pslan0. Pn short; although @e still 0o not
'no@ eàctly @hen the Ho8ng Sa /lotilla halte0 operations. Ve are only in+orme0 that in
$JSS; the /lotilla @as 0isperse0 +or some time. Bhat is the time @hen Nguyn Bh6ng @rote
his *oo' Vitnamese History) a**reviate0 an0 assorte0 research (Vit SK -Egng Hilm Xh>o
:E}c)9ABCDE). Since $J$Q; navy +orce ha0 too' charge in the investigation; sea route
measurement. Bhis tas' @as no longer assigne0 to in the control o+ the Ho8ng Sa /lotilla as
*e+ore.
s +or the operating sche0ules in the archipelago; on rea0ing the *oo's o+ Vritings on
geography (DE wLa -hv) ;:8); Vitnamese royal 0ynasties geography (Ho8ng Vit wLa
DE -hv) 9:;8); .ecor0s on Vitnamese +acts un0er the NguyAn :or0s (w<i Nam
Bhxc :uc BiGn 3iAn)2134); pni+ie0 Vitnam History (w<i Nam Nhyt Bhnng -hv);
every year the Ho8ng Sa /lotilla ha0 to start +rom &
r0
lunar month an0 to come *ac' in J
th
lunar month. ccor0ing to /our)0irection map o+ the South (BhiAn Nam BM -hv :] wR BhE)
or -ompile0 Vitnamese roa0 maps (Bo>n Bep n Nam :o<i 5R BhE); the /lotilla @oul0 go
*y the en0 o+ @inter an0 there @as no i0ea a*out the time to come *ac'. s !iscellaneous
.ecor0s on the Paci+ication o+ the /rontiers (Pht 3iAn B<p :uc) . / 0 1 ); there @ere
maps telling o+ the 0eparture in the $st lunar month then coming *ac' on the J
th
lunar month.
P+ the +oo0 supplies ta'en along ha0 *een +or Q months; the 0eparture time o+ $st lunar month
is not eàct. /rom &
r0
to J
th
lunar month; i.e. +rom a*out pril to Septem*er; 1u>ng NghIa is
un0er 0ry season @ith the South@est @in0 o+ convenience to sea+aring. ,specially; 1u>ng
NghIa @oul0 su++er typhoon +rom J
th
to $$
th
lunar month; most serious to *e on the D
th
an0 $#
th
lunar month. So the choice o+ time o+ activity +or Ho8ng Sa /lotilla is Vitnamese ancestors
$#&
very intelligent 0ecision. Pn J
th
lunar month; the South@est @in0 *ecomes @ea'er an0 the
Northeast @in0 starts. t this time; the Ho8ng Sa /lotilla ships arrive0 ,o Port to su*mit the
articles. Bhis time sche0ule @as reasona*le an0 Uust in time. t +irst; they *egan to go too
early to *e convenient. Bhen they change0 to the &
r0
lunar month. Bo +inish the trip in the J
th
lunar month is Vitnamese ancestors right 0ecision. !ost o+ the 0ocuments @rote the
0eparture too' place in &
r0
lunar month +rom .Z Pslan0 then the arrival @as & 0ays & nights
later +or starting activities in Ho8ng Sa)Paracels. Pn Bhe pni+ie0 Vitnamese History (w<i
Nam Nhyt Bhnng -hv) 678); the total time ta'en @as +rom three to +our 0ays an0
nights. Bhis time +rame is the actual time o+ travelling +rom inlan0 or .Z Pslan0 to the nearest
islan0 o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels archipelago. pparently in their Q months o+ activities; the ships
o+ the /lotilla @oul0 go every@here +arther to the North. Bhe islan0s +ar a@ay to the South in
the BrETng Sa)Spratly archipelago are -6n 5>o; H8 BiAn @ere ta'en care o+ *y the 3_c H>i
/lotilla @ho @ere un0er the control o+ Ho8ng Sa /lotilla.
Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 BrETng Sa)Spratlys are areas regularly visite0 *y storms an0 strong
@in0s. Bhe then con0itions 0i0 not allo@ a permanent stay the @hole year roun0 *ut it @as
only possi*le +or staying *y season. Bhus the process o+ Ho8ng Sa /lotillas activity is also
the process o+ esta*lishment an0 eècution Vitnamese sovereignty on Ho8ng Sa)Paracels
an0 BrETng Sa)Spratlys +rom early WVPP century to WPW century in accor0ance @ith Vitnam
states la@.
Ba*le ".$ -omparison ta*le o+ Vitnamese 0ocument 0ata on the activity o+ Paracels
/lotillas
Document
name
Num*er o+
manning
(civilian
sol0iers)
Num*er
o+ ships
Departure
time
.eturning
time
Bravelling
time
9perating
time
/our)
0irection map
o+ the South
(BhiAn Nam
BM -hv :]
wR BhE) or
Not @ritten $J ,n0 o+
@inter o+
lunar
calen0ar
Not
@ritten
9ne an0 a
hal+ 0ay
(Bhere is
0i++erent
script @riting
hal+ a 0ay)
Not clear
$#%
-ompile0
Vitnamese
roa0 maps
(Bo>n Bep
n Nam :])
!iscellaneou
s .ecor0s on
the
Paci+ication
o+ the
/rontiers
(Pht 3iAn
B<p :uc) .
/ 0 1 )
S# (n
Vinh
village)
C small
+ishing
ships
&
r0
lunar
month
(there is
0i++erent
script
@riting $st
lunar
month;
/e*ruary)
J
th
lunar
month
(Septem*e
r)
& 0ays &
nights
Q months
Vritings on
geography
(DE wLa -hv)
;:8)
n0
-iviliâtion
history in
classi+ication
on
Vitnamese
royal
0ynasties
(:Lch BriGu
HiOn -hEgng
:o ?
@ )
S# (n
VInh
village)
C small
units
&
r0
lunar
months
(pril)
J
th
lunar
month
(Septem*e
r)
& 0ays &
nights
Q months
(+oo0
supplies
+or use)
.oyal
Vitnamese
S# (n
VInh
C small
units
&
r0
lunar
month
J
th
lunar
month
& 0ays an0 &
nights
Q months
(+oo0
$#C
0ynasties
geography
(Ho8ng Vit
wLa DE -hv)
9:;8)
an0 Vritings
on geography
(wLa DE -hv)
village) supplies
+or use)
.ecor0s on
Vitnamese
+acts un0er
the Nguyn
:or0s (wo :E}c)
9ABCD
E) volume %
(Not @ritten
the num*er
an0 n Hai
an0 n
VInh
neigh*orho
o0s
Not
@ritten
"
n0
lunar
month dm
lLch
J
th
lunar
month
Not @ritten S months
(!iscalcul
ation)
pni+ie0
Vitnamese
History (w<i
Nam Nhyt
Bhnng -hv)
678)
S# (n
VInh
village)
N.. &
r0
lunar
month
J
th
lunar
month
&;% 0ays an0
nights (i+ the
@in0 is
convenient)
Q months
$#Q
".".&.&. .esponsi*ility o+ Ho8ng Sa /lotilla\team (5]i Ho8ng Sa)
Pn terms o+ responsi*ility an0 0uty; Ho8ng Sa /lotilla @as reiuire0 to 0o the +ollo@ing tas's(
$. -ollecting the articles +rom the sun'en ships an0 the valua*le sea pro0ucts in the North o+
the ,ast Sea (South -hina Sea)no@a0ays) the South or the no@a0ays BrETng Sa)Spratlys @as
controlen or ta'en care o+ *y the 3_c H>i /lotilla).
". Ba'ing +ull control on the other groups having same responsi*ility *ut in the other
locations as 3_c H>i /lotilla in the South. !iscellaneous .ecor0s on the Paci+ication o+
the /rontiers (Pht 3iAn B<p :uc). / 0 1 ); volume "; .ecor0s on Vitnamese +acts un0er
the Nguyn :or0s (w<i Nam Bhxc :uc BiGn 3iAn) 2134) volume $#; pni+ie0
Vitnamese History (w<i Nam Nhyt Bhnng -hv) 678); Volume Q. 3esi0es; this
/lotilla later too' charge o+ investigation; sea route measuring in the area o+ Ho8ng Sa)
Paracels archipelago. Bhis responsi*ility @as a00e0 since the Hia :ong ruling time (.ecor0s
on Vitnamese +acts un0er the Nguyn :or0s (w<i Nam Bhxc :uc BiGn 3iAn) 213
4); part one; volume C# an0 volume C").
&. s +or the responsi*ility o+ open sea intelligent searching; protection; 'eeping trac's o+ the
sea pirates; it @as mentione0 in the application reiuest +or n VInh @ar0 to *e separate0
+rom n VInh village 0ate0 $st "
n0
lunar month &
r0
year un0er Hia :ong ($J#%). Bhis proves
that the people themselves +elt this to *e their o*ligation. -ertainly; the government @hen
receiving such a reiuest @oul0 *e apt to accept out o+ no loss o+ supplies. !oreover; the
semi)military characteristics o+ this /lotilla @ere surely suita*le to this 0uty. Vhats more;
the ran' o+ cai m]i Ho8ng Sa (Paracels /lotilla comman0er) meant ta'ing +ull control o+ cai
cg
"
tht ngx
&
@hile Bht Ngxs (cita0el protector) 0uties then inclu0e0 the vigilance o+ the
seasi0e. !any 0ocuments accounts that the Ho8ng Sa /lotilla comman0er Ba'ing +ull charge
o+ cai cg tht ngx as in .ecor0s on Vitnamese +acts un0er the Nguyn ,mperors (w<i Nam
Bhxc :uc -hvnh 3iAn) 2154); part one; volume WWPP. Bhe iuotation is( V V=n
Ph @as or0ere0 to re)organiê the Ho8ng Sa /lotilla an0 he @as himsel+ then the cita0el
protector o+ Sa XY *ay.
"
-ai cg( o++icer (cai) in charge o+ a cg. -g num*er ranges +rom $# to "## or C## sol0iers (Vietnamese gran0 0ictionary) Nguyen Nhu N;
-ommunicative an0 cultural Pu*lishing House $DDJ)
&
Bht ngx( cita0el protector (Vietnamese gran0 0ictionary) Nguyen Nhu N; -ommunicative an0 cultural Pu*lishing House $DDJ)
$#S
Hence; the responsi*ility o+ Ho8ng Sa /lotilla @as very heavy; not merely on economy;
resource e`ploitation *ut also on investigation; sea route measurement; an0 intelligent
in+ormation collection on Ho8ng Sa)Paracels. ,specially in the Nguyn lor0ship an0 the
initial perio0 o+ Nguyn Dynasty; @as through Ho8ng Sa /lotillas tas' o+ Ba'ing +ull control
o+ the 3_c H>i /lotilla that @e can have 'no@le0ge a*out ho@ the Nguyn :or0s an0
,mperors implemente0 their management on the ,ast Sea (South -hina Sea)that time. Bhe Sa
XY seaport an0 the .e islan0 inha*itants @ere very pro+essional in the 0istant sea+aring. Bhe
location geography sho@s that this area (Sa XY; .Z Pslan0) is most pointing out to the ,ast
Sea. ?ust li'e the inlan0 pioneers in that perio0; the +ore+athers in the locations o+ Sa XY an0
.Z Pslan0 (1u>ng NghIa) got the trust +rom Nguyn :or0s to have management on their
ne@ly reclaime0 areas an0 spaces. Bhey @ere also appointe0 to *e in +ull charge o+ those ne@
areas.
".".&.% Ho8ng Sa /lotillas organiâtion an0 contents o+ activity(
Pn terms o+ organiâtion; Ho8ng Sa /lotilla @as a militia)civilian organiâtion @hich @as
*oth civilian an0 military; *oth private an0 governmental; *oth economical an0
a0ministrative; managerial in the ,ast sea. Bhe /lotilla @as create0 in the early 0ays o+
Nguyn lor0ship @hen people ha0 to open the virgin lan0 +or reclamation; one han0 @ith
s@or0 an0 the other @ith hoe. Bhe highest hea0 o+ this a0ministrative unit then @as cita0el
governor
%
. Pt is necessary to maintain a cita0el to simultaneously manage a0ministratively;
increase more virgin lan0 an0 operate militarily +or com*at rea0iness. Bhis 'in0 o+ unit
organiâtion @as rather special in w8ng Brong (South Vitnam) as @ell as in other Nguyn
0ynasty organiâtions as ne@ lan0 reclamation plantation @here each plantation chie+ is an
o++icer in charge o+ a military unit (iu>n cg).
During Nguyn :or0s time; accor0ing to !iscellaneous .ecor0s on the Paci+ication o+ the
/rontiers (Pht 3iAn B<p :uc). / 0 1 ) *y :A 1u7 56n; in volume &; there @ere many
civilian sol0ier organiâtions as sea police units (m]i tht ngx); local military units.
Bhe unit o+ m]i @as an organiâtion o+ militia)civilian group; an0 this @ay o+ arrangement
ha0 the w8ng Brongs military organiâtional characteristics.
ccor0ing to w8ng Brongs military regime; *esi0e the main +orces
C
(elite
Q
or internal
S
+orces); the protecting generals an0 man0arins @oul0 usually recruit the locals to ta'e care o+
%
chEng 0inh
C
-hvnh *inh
Q
Binh *inh
S
N]i *inh
$#J
the locations. Bhese sol0iers @ere calle0 e`ternal +orces
J
(also calle0 local +orces
D
; temporary
+orces
$#
or su*or0inate +orces
$$
). Bhe num*ers o+ these +orces @ere higher than the main
+orces *ut they @ere not pai0 monthly salary as the main +orces @ere. Bhey coul0 only enUoy
the ta` eèmpt only. Bhe regimes are 0inh; cg; m]i; an0 thuyGn. BhuyGn is the
lo@est unit. 9ne m]i inclu0e0 +rom %# to Q# persons. !anaging a m]i @oul0 *e cai
m]i
$"
an0 m]i trEng
$&
. t the hea0 o+ Ho8ng Sa /lotilla is a /lotilla comman0er an0 the
/lotilla mem*ers @ere calle0 sol0iers. Bhese *etraye0 the militariâtion traits o+ the regimes.
So @hen @e rea0 a @esterner translator to @rite compagnie Ho8ng Sa @e shoul0
un0erstan0 that the compagnie here is a military organiâtion an0 not a commercial one.
Pn Nguyn :or0s time; every year the state recruite0 S# sol0iers to +ul+ill the Ho8ng Sa
/lotilla responsi*ility. Bhe recruit ho@ever @oul0 *e *ase0 on the capacity o+ transportation
over the sea. Bhe num*er o+ S# @as a particular case +or a militia)civilian group li'e Ho8ng
Sa /lotilla. lso accor0ing to the *oo' !iscellaneous .ecor0s on the Paci+ication o+ the
/rontiers (Pht 3iAn B<p :uc) . / 0 1 ) *y :A 1u7 56n; the @or0 sol0ier @as use0 to
name mem*ers o+ Ho8ng Sa /lotilla. Pn $S
th
year un0er -8n :ong (-hina); there @ere t@o
sol0iers 0ri+te0 *y storm to U 1ing:an port (Hainan Pslan0) ($SC%); the other J sol0iers
@ere missing. Bhus each ship in Ho8ng Sa /lotilla consiste0 o+ a*out $# sol0iers.
Pn n VInh village; no@a0ays n VInh village; Bx XY hamlet; there still eìsts a temple ne`t
to Sa XY seaport calle0 Ho8ng Sa temple; paying homage to the s'ull *one o+ a @hale; (this is
sai0 to *e *rought *ac' *y the /lotilla a+ter their trip *ac' +rom Ho8ng Sa)Paracels). Bhis
temple is also commemorating Ho8ng Sa /lotilla sol0iers. Bhe temple @as 0amage0 in the o+
@artime an0 the @hale s'ull *one @as trans+erre0 +or a0oration at the Saint Bom*; ne`t to the
ol0 temple. Pn .Z Pslan0; no@a0ays; :7 Sgn county; there stan0s the Pago0a +or :ost Souls
(also calle0 Ho8ng Sa Bemple); situate0 at the ol0 n VInh village. Bhere is another Pago0a
+or :ost Souls at n H>i hamlet; +ormer n H>i @ar0. Pn n VInh village an0 n H>i village
(*oth in inlan0 an0 out at the .Z Pslan0); there is one tra0itional rite o+ paying respect to the
living sol0iers *e+ore 0eparture (as i+ they ha0 passe0 a@ay once sailing)
$%
on every "#
th
o+ "
n0
J
Ngo<i *inh
D
Bh *inh
$#
B<m *inh
$$
Bhu]c *inh
$"
-ai( !anager or o++icer
$&
BrEng( -hie+ (translators)
$%
BO( paying respect to the 0ea0 BO snng( a rite o+ paying respect to the living as i+ their trip
@ere to 0eath (translators)
$#D
lunar month at village pago0as. No@ this tra0ition is practice0 in then n H>i village (ol0
time n H>i @ar0) pago0a. Bhe Ho8ng Sa /lotilla mem*ers @ere commemorate0 in that @ay
*ecause their 0uties @ere so crucial. Bhe Paracels sol0iers; easy to go; har0 to return.
,`cept the o++icers as captains or chie+ sailors; the sol0iers @oul0 rather *e recruite0 +rom the
single male not yet marrie0; strong an0 not +amily)involve0. Pn n VInh village; BE XY
hamlet or in .Z Pslan0; there are +amilies @ith genealogy recor0s an0 altars +or the +amily
mem*ers having *een Paracels sol0iers as !r. Ph<m 1uang Bnhs +amily in w6ng hamlet;
n VInh village. Pn this +amily @e can see the ancestor temple (/igure ". C%) an0 the
genealogy *oo' @ith the +irst ancestor to *e !r. Ph<m 1uang fnh @ho @as appointe0 Ho8ng
Sa /lotilla comman0er *y Hia :ong ,mperor in $J$C.
Pn the rite o+ Paracels) Ho8ng Sa sol0iers commemoration as 0escri*e0 a*ove; people @oul0
ma'e human statues o+ *am*oo +rames @ith colore0 stuc' on them as su*stitutes +or the
sol0iers; then *ring them to the village pago0a to carry on the rite. +ter the rites; these
su*stitutes @oul0 *e *urne0 a@ay or put onto small ships ma0e o+ *anana tree; letting them to
+loat +reely to the sea. Bhe rite is calle0 Paracels) Ho8ng Sa sol0ier su*stitute a live
commemoration @ith the concept that the sai0 su*stitutes @oul0 *ear all 0angers an0
acci0ents that might ta'e place at sea +or the real sol0iers. Bhis is also a @ish +or the +amily
mem*ers to return sa+ely. -urrently; in many Paracels) Ho8ng Sa sol0ier +amily ancestor
temples there are also those tra0itional rites li'e that an0 there are the te`ts to ma'e prayers
0uring the cele*rations; @ritten in -hinese an0 Vitnamese; part o+ them is(
Bo0ay (or tonight; this morning); accor0ing to the @ill o+ the man name0in the
province o+in the nation o+ 5<i Nam; @e @oul0 su*mit to the go0s a su*stitute ship
+or sailing to Paracels an0 several ta*les o+ *aniuet; some silver an0 gol0 Uoss paper in or0er
to ans@er to the go0s. Ve here*y su*mit these ritual articles to the respecta*le go0s o+ sea
@ith our @hole)hearte0 homage... Bhis te`t is no@ 'ept *y !r. Nguyn Wuan -anh; S" years
ol0; Vest village;n H>i hamlet; :7 Sgn county. rJJs
9n the compass o+ activity; Ho8ng Sa /lotilla range0 to a very large spaces. Pnitially; they
*egan @ith the islan0 near the shore. Pn the Q
th
lunar month +or many years; the /lotilla
enlarge0 their activity to the coral islan0s in the ,ast Sea (South -hina Sea)inclu0ing Ho8ng
Sa)Paracels an0 too' +ull charge o+ the 3_c H>i /lotilla @hose activity @as in BrEng
Sa) Spratlys.
Vhile the North islan0s are near 3!n& ChEu province; Hainan; -hina; the South islan0s in
their e`ten0e0 range are -6n :6n; H8 BiAn. lthough the Ho8ng Sa /lotilla 0i0 not have
$$#
su++icient +orces to reach many places; they too' charge o+ controlling the other /lotillas as
3_c H>i /lotilla. Bheir range o+ @or'ing @as very large( all over the ,ast Sea (South
-hina Sea)islan0s along the !i00le Vitnam shore o+ 1u>ng BrL; Tha ThiAn; +rom the
South@est o+ Hainan Pslan0 to the present BrETng Sa)Spratlys.
/rom the *eginning o+ WVPP century; Vitnam authorities ha0 un0erstoo0 that Ho8ng Sa)
Paracels or 3i -lt V8ng or 1ian li zhang Sha ST BrETng Sa is a very long san0
trac' running thousan0s o+ miles in the ,ast Sea. Bhis common concept is also in the
assignment o+ 0uties +or Ho8ng Sa /lotilla. Bhe /lotilla comman0er (cai m]i or m]i trEng)
@as appointe0 *y the government an0 @oul0 ta'e +ull control to the 3_c H>i /lotilla in
the South +or uni+ication o+ the responsi*ility. Bhis is also the vie@point o+ economy
management in the ,ast Sea (South -hina Sea)o+ Vitnam government that time. s a*ove)
mentione0; Ho8ng Sa /lotilla @as a militia)civilian organiâtion @ith many +unctions an0
responsi*ilities in the ,ast sea; this organiâtion @as very special. Bhe comman0er (cai m]i)
as 0escri*e0 in !iscellaneous .ecor0s on the Paci+ication o+ the /rontiers (Pht 3iAn B<p
:uc). / 0 1 ) volume "( rVes or0er the comman0er o+ Ho8ng Sa /lotilla to manage the
+amily. pn0er the Nguyn :or0s military regulation; a siua0 or /lotilla @oul0 have a
comman0er an0 an o++icer (cai m]i an0 m]i trEng) to lea0. Ho8ng Sa /lotilla comman0er
usually assume0 other responsi*ilities such as that o+ Ph Nhuen viceroy (Ph Nhuen Hbu).
Bhis governmental ran' too' responsi*ility +or the protection o+ Sa XY seaport post an0 the
cita0el police. Bhis is sho@n in the report +rom Ph Nhuen viceroy on $st o+ $#
th
lunar month
"
n0
year un0er Hia :ong ,mperor ($J#&). Bhis report is archive0 in the ancestor temple o+ V
+amily; n VInh @ar0; no@ Bdy hamlet; n VInh village; :7 Sgn county; 1u>ng NghIa
province. s a cita0el police agency (tht ngx); this organiâtion 0uty @as ta'ing vigilance
an0 patrolling against ro**ery an0 thievery in the Nguyn Dynasty.
Depen0ing on the realistic situation o+ each year; the num*er o+ ships @oul0 *e +rom % or C to
$J. ,ach ship (thuyGn) @oul0 *e un0er one captain. Ship (thuyGn) @as also the smallest unit
in the military regulating ran's un0er the Nguyn 0ynasty.
Bhe S# men allocate0 to every ship are civilian sol0iers an0 they @ere calle0 iudn nhdn
(sol0ier) as in !iscellaneous .ecor0s on the Paci+ication o+ the /rontiers (Pht 3iAn Bi village in the inlan0 or +rom .Z Pslan0.
$$$
n VInh village an0 n H>i village in the t@o si0es o+ Sa XY *ay. Bogether @ith the t@o
@ar0s o+ n VInh an0 n H>i people @ho migrate0 to .Z Pslan0 (n VInh in greater
num*er); these @ere the manning source +or Ho8ng Sa /lotilla. Pn most sources o+ historical
0ocuments; n VInh village @as mentione0 +or this contri*ution. 9nly in the *oo'
Vitnamese History) **reviate0 an0 ssorte0 .esearch (Vit SK -Egng Hilm Xh>o :E}c)
9ABCDE); volume % *y Nguyn Bh6ng @ere mentione0 the t@o neigh*ourhoo0s o+ n
H>i an0 n VInh @hich means the t@o @ar0s o+ n VInh an0 n H>i in :7 Sgn or .Z Pslan0.
s per ver*al story +rom the inha*itants o+ the .Z Pslan0; the recruiting o+ S# men +or Ho8ng
Sa /lotilla @oul0 *e on the *asis o+ 0ivision +or +amilies. Ho@ever; the general regulation o+
military recruitment un0er the Nguyn 0ynasty @as applie0. Bhose sol0iers @oul0 *e
recruite0 in the system o+ hamlet; village county an0 province. 3ecause o+ the rule o+ turn
changing; every year the Ho8ng Sa /lotillas ha0 to a0Uust the num*er o+ cre@s in or0er to
assure a*i0ing this regulation. Bhe sol0iers in Ho8ng Sa /lotillas *ore the responsi*ility o+ a
normal civilian sol0ier; 0i++erent +rom that o+ the regular main +orces. Pn terms o+ rights;
*esi0es ta` eèmption; they coul0 retain the surplus income a+ter su*mitting the articles to
government as the rules @ent. /oo0 supplies +or Q months @ere +rom government; mainly
rice. 9ther +oo0s @oul0 *e their o@n e++orts to catch +ish an0 *ir0s a*out the islan0s. Bhey
ha0 to *ring along the +ire@oo0 an0 +ire *y the tra0itional @ay o+ 'eeping the *urne0 coconut
+i*er ropes that @ere a*le to 'eep +ire +or a long time. Sol0ier li+e as Ho8ng Sa /lotillas un0er
the Nguyn :or0s @ere *etter than that o+ normal people; as 0escri*e0 *y -i Da -an) Bhich
5<i Sln. Bhe normal people @ere rather misera*le +or they ha0 to su*mit S# to J# o+
income to the government. Bhe +ishermen must han0 in all their catch to the man0arins. Bhe
man0arins @oul0 0eci0e ho@ much the +ishermen coul0 'eep *ac' +or themselves. Vhen
there @as any governmental reiuirement; the man0arins or0ere0 the people to go on service.
Bhese people ha0 to prepare rice *y themselves an0 to go on service. Sol0iers o+ the /lotillas
must *ring along @ith them a pair o+ sleeping mats; S rattan ropes; S *am*oo poles. P+
un+ortunately passing a@ay in the open sea; the mats; the ropes an0 the poles @oul0 *e use0
+or shrou0ing the sol0ier *e+ore putting his remains into the sea. 9ne *am*oo car0 @ritten
@ith the 0ea0 sol0iers name; homelan0; an0 military unit @oul0 *e care+ully attache0 insi0e
the mats +or in+ormation purpose in case any*o0y might catch up the corpse. rJJs
Ho8ng Sa /lotillas use0 light an0 +ast sail ships. s ?. 3arro@ @rote in his *oo' voyage to
-ochichina; the ships +rom w8ng Brong -ochin -hina use0 in the coastal tra0ing; +ishing;
collecting sea pro0ucts an0 *ir0 nests in Ho8ng Sa) Paracels @ere varie0 in shapes an0 +orms.
$$"
lso in the travel *oo' o+ Suma 9riental *y the Portuguese Bome[ Pires; translate0 *y .
-ortesas @ith the ne@ title o+ Bhe Suma 9riental; an account o+ the ,ast; +rom the .e0 Sea
to ?apan; printe0 in :on0on $D%%; the author gave comments on the Uourneys to the lan0s he
visite0 ($C$&)$C$%) in 9riental countries; +rom .e0 Sea to ?apan. Bhis *oo' also 0escri*e0
'ing0om o+ -auchy ) chyna or w8ng Brong o+ 5<i Vit 9 (+ormer name o+ Vitnam)
un0er :A)!<c Dynasties. He reveale0 there @ere many seasi0e)reclaiming pioneers @ith a
great 0eal o+ lancharas; one 'in0 o+ +ast travelling sail ship. Pn the ol0 Vitnamese
0ocuments a*ove iuote0; the Ho8ng Sa /lotillas @ere 0escri*e0 to travel on the +ive small
+ishing ships calle0 ti4u miOu thuyGn !iscellaneous .ecor0s on the Paci+ication o+ the
/rontiers (Pht 3iAn B<p :uc). / 0 1) or ti4u thuyGn Vritings on geography (DE wLa
-hv);:8) an0 Vitnamese royal @ritings on geography (Ho8ng Vit wLa DE -hv)9:
;8).
-i Da -an) Bhvch 5<ii Sln in his *oo' 9verseas .eports (Hai @ai Ui shi V) as state0
a*ove also @rote( Bhe +ormer national emperor @ill every year sen0 +ishing ships to go long
these islan0s to pic' up gol0 an0 silver o+ the ships that are getting in. Pn autumn; the @aters
are shallo@ an0 +lo@ to the ,ast; there+ore a single @ave can move a ship up to hun0re0s o+
miles the @in0 is not strong; yet @e +ear the 0anger in BrETng Sa)Spratlys. r$$Q; $"Cs lso
in 9verseas .eports (Hai @ai Ui shi V); Bhvch 5<i Sln also tal'e0 a*out a +ishing ship
calle0 5iOu `l. :or0 Nguyn Phc -hu himsel+ ha0 sent a +ishing ship calle0 5iOu `l to
receive Bhvch 5<i Sln ) XY s 0isciples an0 articles at -ham Pslan0 (BiAn 3vch Sa).
Vhen Bhvch 5<i Sln ) XY le+t Huang0ong *y *ig ships @ith %## people; there nee0e0
t@o small *oats to pilot. lthough the *ig ship @ent e`tremely +ast; she nearly got trou*le
once *ecause o+ not +ollo@ing the small ships gui0ance.
3ase0 on the Vitnamese historical @ritings; the range o+ Ho8ng Sa /lotilla operations @ith
these small ships @as +rom :7 Sgn .
Vitnamese +ishing ships in the centuries o+ WVPP; WVPPP @ere most simply ma0e in Sa XY
an0 .Z Pslan0. ccor0ing to the materials an0 /igures still 'ept in .Z Pslan0 +rom the +amily
o+ Nguyn H<p; a longtime +ishery +amily mem*er; this ship trun' @as *am*oo)'nitte0; an0
then ha0 a00e0 a coat o+ *u++alo 0ung *e+ore another coat o+ otter oil. Bhe *alcony aroun0 the
e0ge o+ the ships @as ma0e o+ parashoera @oo0 or tepana o0orata ro`* (sao @oo0). Bhere
@ere three mast ma0e o+ hopea pierrie hance ('iGn 'iGn @oo0). Bhe other less important parts
as the @e0ges @ere ma0e o+ callophyllum inophyllum linn (m[ u @oo0) @hich @as rea0y at
$$&
local area. Bhe +ishermen ma0e all the ships. Bhough small as they @ere; those ships @ere
light an0 coul0 travel +ast. psually these ships travelle0 *y @in0 +orce on the sails. s Bhvch
5<i Sln ) XYs narration; some sails loo'e0 li'e the aè. He also 0escri*e0 those ships to
*e small; light an0 to carry +e@ people an0 that @as the reason @hy the velocity coul0 *e ten
time +aster as normally. psually the .Z Pslan0 an0 Sa XY ships @ere @ith three sails ma0e *y
'nitte0 leaves. Bhe other utensils as @ater containers @ere ma0e o+ *am*oo. .ecently; in .Z
Pslan0; one coul0 also see several +ishing ships @ith the same structure as those tra0itional
ships in the area; @hich @ere a*le to travel +ar at sea as Ho8ng Sa)Paracels. (Please see
/igure ".CC an0 ".CQ).
Historical +acts reveale0 Vitnamese +ishing ships; than's to *eing ma0e @ith these light
materials; coul0 easily avoi0 the coral roc's an0 ree+s as @ell as coul0 smoothly *erth at the
coral islan0s at Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 they @ere also suita*le +or the actual situation o+ the
Sa XY .Z Pslan0 inha*itants to accomplish their historical missions. Vith these
responsi*ilities an0 activity organiâtions; Ho8ng Sa /lotillas ha0 collecte0 sea pro0ucts an0
articles in Ho8ng Sa)Paracels as sea cu+ull*er; +lo@ere0 snails an0 one 'in0 o+ snails @hich
might *e as large as a mat an0 might 'eep pearl o+ a chil0s thum* 0imension. Bhe colors
@ere opaiue an0 not as *rightene0 as that +rom the mother)o+)pearl *ut their shells coul0 *e
separate0 into pieces. Bhe shell coul0 *e use0 to ma'e lime. Bhere @ere mother)o+)pearl
shells that coul0 *e use0 to insert to the utensils. 3ig tortoises or turtles are also aroun0 the
islan0s.
Pn spite o+ the +act that those sea pro0ucts @ere surren0ere0 to the royal court as regulation;
the Ho8ng Sa /lotillas coul0 *e given one part +or selling out; mainly to the H]i n mar'et
@here the sales coul0 *e higher than other places.
!ost importantly @ere the articles ta'en +rom @rec'e0 ships that the *oo' -ompile0
Vitnam /our)Direction .oa0 !ap (Bo>n tep thiAn Nam tM chv l] mR thE ) & '( ) *
+ , -) accounte0. !ost o+ the articles @ere silver; gol0; money an0 @eapons. Pn
!iscellaneous .ecor0s on the Paci+ication o+ the /rontiers (Pht 3iAn B<p :uc). / 0 1);
there @as a 0escription a*out the sea articles as s@or0s; copper horses @ith silver paint; silver
coins; gol0; copper@ares; tin in *ul's; *lac' lea0; ri+les; elephant tus's; *ee @a` an0 ceramic
@ares.
Vhen Ba'ing charge o+ governance o+ Bhuen Ha; :A 1u7 56n @rote in his *oo'
!iscellaneous .ecor0s on the Paci+ication o+ the /rontiers (Pht 3iAn B<p :uc). / 0 1)(
$$%
on checemperor the note*oo' o+ the /lotilla comman0er BhuyAn 5Mc Hbu( the long)time
Ho8ng Sa /lotilla lea0er has come to Ph Wudn to su*mit the articles collecte0 +rom the
Ho8ng Sa)Paracels archipelago; namely(
) Pn Nhdm Ngo year ($S#"); Paracels /lotilla collecte0 &# pieces (thoi) o+ silver.
) Pn Hilp Buyt year ($S#%); collecting C$## poun0 o+ tin
$C
.
)Pn t Deu year; pic'ing up $"Q pieces o+ silver.
/rom the X SKu year ($S#D) to the 1i B year ($S$&); a*out C years; at times they coul0
pic' up some tortoise an0 sea cu+ull*er. 9nce in a @hile they coul0 pic' up some stone *o@ls
an0 t@o *ronê cannons.
Pt @as P. Poivre @ho @rote in his travel 0iary in $SC#( People coul0 see in Hue cita0el
several iron cannons o+ Q)livre *arrel; on @hich it @as inscri*e0 to *e the property o+ the
Vereenig0e 9ost)Pn0ische -ompagnie (V.9.-.) (c6ng ty w6ng n Ha :an). Bhese @eapons
@ere pic'e0 up +rom Paracel archipelago an0 among the remaining o+ those ships *eing
@rec'e0 aroun0 this place . (?ournal ..,.9; PPP; $JJC). rQQ;$Qs
-ertainly 0uring the @artime; those @eapons +etche0 +rom Ho8ng Sa)Paracels @ere very
precious. Distant sea+aring traine0 the Ho8ng Sa /lotilla mem*ers to *e pro+essional. During
the time o+ Hia :ong; !inh !<ng; Bhiu BrL emperors; navy +orce @as having intensive
activities in Ho8ng Sa)Paracels; than's to the sea@ay pilotage o+ @ell)verse0 +ishermen @ho
might have *een Ho8ng Sa /lotilla mem*ers. Bhat is the reason @hy those ships un0er the
Nguyn 0ynasty navy +orce going +rom HuO to Ho8ng Sa)Paracels must assem*le themselves
in 1u>ng NghIa province.
".".% 3_c H>i /lotilla implemente0 their activities un0er the control o+ the Ho8ng Sa
/lotilla in the South o+ ,ast Sea; i.e. BrETng Sa)Spratlys an0 the vicinity
Hra0ually; there @ere more an0 more /lotillas @ith the same +unctions an0 responsi*ilities as
3_c H>i /lotilla to come into *eing *ecause the Nguyn 0ynasty government ha0 +oun0
out vast areas o+ coral islan0s in the ,ast sea. Ho@ever; Nguyn :or0s still let the Ho8ng Sa
/lotillas to ta'e concurrent control o+ the other /lotillas in or0er to have a +ull an0 easy grasp
o+ ,ast Sea (South -hina Sea) situation.
Bhere+ore; the /lotilla comman0er shoul0 *e an important man0arin as comman0er (cai m]i)
BhuyAn wMc Hbu @hose navigation 0iaries ha0 *een stu0ie0 *y :A 1u7 56n +rom $S#"
(Nhdm Ngo year) to $S$& (1i B year). BhuyAn wMc Hbu @as promote0 to *e viceroy (hbu).
Pt is similar @ith the case o+ Ph Nhuen Hbu in the report 0ate0 $st in the $#
th
lunar month o+
$C
cadn
$$C
"
n0
year un0er Hia :ong ($J#&). He concurrently too' charge o+ the position o+ .oyally)
9*e0ient protector ('hdm sai cai tht) o+ Sa XY seaport an0; at the same time; o+ police chie+
(cai cg tht ngx) in +ull charge o+ Ho8ng Sa /lotilla. Bhe report +rom Ph Nhuen Hbu is no@
'ept at the V +amily ancestor temple in n Vinh @ar0; no@ Bdy hamelet; n VInh village;
:7 Sgn county; 1ua>g NghIa province. .oyally)9*e0ient protector ('hdm sai cai tht) @as
the position o+ protecting an0 Ba'ing care o+ the seaport. Bht ngx is the man0arin Ba'ing
charge in patrolling an0 +ighting against the ro**ery an0 thievery. Viceroy Ph Nhuen (Ph
Nhuen Hbu) @as the man @ho assigne0 many important responsi*ilities. He then ha0 the
prestige to ta'e concurrent control o+ the other /lotillas as the 3_c H>i /lotilla.
!iscellaneous .ecor0s on the Paci+ication o+ the /rontiers (Pht 3iAn Bi /lotilla
ha0 to +ul+ill(
Bhe Nguyn +amily also esta*lishe0 a 3_c H>i /lotilla. Bhis /lotilla @as not
0e+initely assigne0 ho@ many in num*er. Bhey either chose the people +rom BE -hvnh village
(near the sea si0e) in the 3hnh Bhuen province or chose the ->nh DEgng villagers to select
the volunteers +or a00ing to the 3_c H>i /lotilla. He @ho volunteere0 to go @oul0 *e
grante0 the @ritten or0ers +or him an0 +or the /lotilla to go on 0uty.
Bhose @ho @ere a00e0 to the 3_c H>i /lotilla @oul0 *e grante0 ta` eèmpt an0 @oul0
enUoy +ree o+ charge +or all other payments @hen crossing the post or using the river +erries.
Bhe /lotilla mem*er @oul0 use the small +ishing ships to go to 3_c H>i ; -6n :6n
islan0 or the islan0s aroun0 H8 BiAn +or collecting the tortoise; turtles; @hales; an0 sea
cu+ull*ers.
Bhus in terms o+ organiâtion; 3_c H>i /lotilla @as not 0e+initely 0eci0e0 in num*er.
Bhe num*er @oul0 0epen0 on the possi*ility to recruit volunteers +rom villages as BE -hvnh
(3hnh Bhuen province) or ->nh DEgng @ho @oul0 *e grante0 the certi+icates an0 or0ers to
go on 0uty. Bheir rights @ere the same as the other /lotillas( eèmpt personal ta`; @aiver o+
post an0 +erry payment. 9ne coul0 not +in0 @hether they enUoye0 eèmption +rom other
taès. Bhe ships use0 here @ere also private +ishing ships. .ange o+ 0uty @as in the South at
the BrETng Sa)Spratlys an0 reaching to -6n :6n an0 H8 BiAn. Bo the South o+ Bhe ,ast Sea
(South -hina Sea)(no@ BrETng Sa)Spratlys) at that time; there @ere +e@ strong storms; not
crucial so less ship@rec's. -onseiuently there @ere +e@ articles to *e a*le to collect as silver;
gol0; @eapons *ut there mainly @ere @hales (mRn ngE).
$$Q
Bhe recor0s o+ 3_c H>i @ere continuously ta'en notes in the +ollo@ing time (WPW
century). Pn the *oo' .ecor0s on Vitnamese +acts un0er the Nguyn :or0s (wi
/lotilla recruite0 the people +rom villages o+ 3hnh Bhuen; BE -hvnh or ->nh DEgng hamlet.
Bhey also got or0ere0 to ta'e small +ishing ships to islan0s in 3_c H>i +or collecting
articles; un0er the +ull control o+ Ho8ng Sa /lotilla. pni+ie0 Vitnamese History (wi
/lotilla @oul0 travel to -6n :6n islan0 +or pic'ing sea articles an0 this /lotilla @as also
un0er the +ull control o+ Ho8ng Sa /lotilla . Bhere @ere no 0ocuments stating that the 3_c
H>i /lotilla activity cease0 their operation *e+ore or a+ter Ho8ng Sa /lotilla. 9ne coul0
only 'no@ surely that the 3_c H>i /lotilla came into *eing a+ter the *irth o+ Ho8ng Sa
/lotilla an0 *e+ore $SSQ @hen :A 1u7 56n @rote !iscellaneous .ecor0s on the Paci+ication
o+ the /rontiers (Pht 3iAn B<p :uc). / 0 1).
".".C Vitnamese royal navy +orce activities in the archipelagos o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0
BrETng Sa)Spratlys
".".C.$ Bhe activities o+ sea route measurement; mapping on Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 BrETng
Sa spratlys
/rom WVP century; Portuguese then Dutch sea navigators an0 a0venturers ha0 researche0 an0
0ra@n maps o+ the archipelago. Ho8ng Sa)Paracels or Parcel or Pracel @as 0ra@n into a
s@or0 *la0e)shape tape +rom $S latitu0e N to $# latitu0e N. Bhe more this tape moves to the
South; the thinner an0 thinner it *ecomes as a*ove mentione0. Pn WVPP century; Nguyn
:or0s in South Vitnam (w8ng Brong) *egan to pay attention to ,ast Sea (South -hina Sea)
(3i4n w6ng). Bhe ol0est map sho@ing Nello@ San0*an's (3i -lt V8ng) in the ,ast Sea
(South -hina Sea)(3i4n w6ng) still preserve0 till to 0ay is the map *y 5q 3l -6ng 5<o in
-ompile0 Vitnam /our)Direction .oa0 !ap (Bo>n tep thiAn Nam tM chv l] mR thE ) & '(
) * + , -)($QJQ). (Hhnh $. $)
Ho@ever; there are still very +e@ 0ocuments un0er goo0 preservation no@; partly *ecause o+
@artime. Nevertheless; Nguyn :or0s ha0 carrie0 on many researches; sea route
measurement to 0ra@ map in the area o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels. Ho@ coul0 they 0ra@ a map
@riting Nello@ San0*an's (3i -lt V8ng) trong -ompile0 Vitnam /our Direction .oa0
$$S
!ap (Bo>n tep thiAn Nam tM chv l] mR thE ) & '( ) * + , -) or -ompile0
Vitnam .oa0 !ap (Bo>n Bep n Nam :]). Ho@ coul0 they have a map in the Bhuen Hol
1u>ng Nam map 0iaries (Bhuen Hol Huang nan wLa wR Nhet Brhnh) @ith BrETng Sa
in the .Z Pslan0 @ithout t@o)0ay travel an0 la*or !oreover; .ecor0s on Vitnamese +acts
un0er the Nguyn :or0s (w<i Nam Bhxc :uc BiGn 3iAn) 2134); volume J; also
@rote( Pn Bdn !o;"#
th
year in Hien !inh ,mperor ($S$$);summer; %
th
lunar month; rthe
,mperors or0ere0 the measurement the san0*an's o+ Spratlys to 'no@ ho@ long; short; ho@
@i0e; thin they are. Vhether the location BrETng Sa here is eàctly Paracels archipelago
in the sea or the location here is an inlan0 BrETng Sa; this te`t has a++irme0 that Nguyn
:or0s 0i0 have plans to measure the san0*an's
3e+ore the coronation in $J#"; Nguyn nh ha0 *een assiste0 *y the Dayot *rother in
measuring the sea routes in the ,ast Sea (South -hina Sea)(3i4n w6ng) inclu0ing archipelago
o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels .
Pn the *eginning; Ho8ng Sa /lotilla @as in charge o+ investigation; measurement o+ the @ater
routes as +rom Hia :ong ,mperor perio0 on@ar0s. Pn the $st lunar month o+ t H}i year
($J$C); Ph<m 1uang fnh; Ho8ng Sa /lotilla @as appointe0 to go to Ho8ng Sa)Paracels to
investigate an0 to measure the @ater +eatures. Ph<m 1uang fnh is no@ venerate0 in the
Ph<m 1uang +amily ancestor temple in the ,ast (56ng)Hamlet(Bh6n); n VInh Village that
@as +ormerly n VInh @ar0; :7 Sgn ( .Z Pslan0). Pn the $C
th
year un0er Hia :ong ,mperor;
3vnh Bv year ($J$Q); Hia :ong ,mperor once again or0ere0 the navy +orce to coor0inate @ith
Ho8ng Sa /lotilla to go to Ho8ng Sa)Paracels +or investigation an0 measurement sea routes
an0 ...
pn0er !inh !<ng ,mperor; the measuring o+ sea +eatures @as assigne0 to the navy +orce so
that they coul0 lease civilian ships to gui0e the sea routes.
.ecor0s on Vitnamese +acts un0er the Nguyn ,mperors (w<i Nam Bhxc :uc -hvnh 3iAn)
2154); secon0 perio0; volume $QC ( rBhe ,mperor or0erss +rom this year on; *y
the last ten 0ays o+ the +irst lunar month; navy +orce an0 sol0iers an0 cita0el supervisors
shoul0 travel on a ship in the +irst ten 0ays o+ the secon0 lunar month to 1u>ng NghIa
province; then the t@o provinces o+ 1uang NghIa an0 3hnh 5Lnh @oul0 lease % civilian ships
un0er the gui0ance +rom the people there hea0ing to Ho8ng Sa)Paracels. r$#$s
measuring @ater routes or sea routes means measuring the navigation tra++ic in the sea. Bhis
is one o+ the main instruction +rom the -onstruction(Pu*lic Servive) !inistry in or0er that the
sea)travelling ships coul0 navigate sa+ely in the Ho8ng Sa)Paracels @aters. Bhe measurement
$$J
o+ sea routes an0 then mapping in Ho8ng Sa)Paracels @ere un0er -onstruction !inistry
lea0ership as @ell as the coor0ination *et@een navy +orce an0 cita0el supervisor; an0 the
cooperation *et@een 1u>ng NghIa province an0 Ho8ng Sa /lotilla.
,ach voyage nee0e0 @ell)verse0 helmsman @ho un0erstoo0 shallo@ an0 0eep seas; easy or
0i++icult +eatures o+ un0ersea ree+s; an0 roc's to avoi0. Bhe helmsman shoul0 also un0erstan0
to @atch mountains +or 0irections; @in0 changing con0itions to a0Uust sailing; to control the
velocity. Pn .oyally vie@e0 history o+ the Vitnamese Nguyn Dynasty a0ministrative
statutes (Xhdm wLnh w<i Nam H]i wi4n Sx :); volume ""#; Bhe -onstruction !inistry
@oul0 report gra0e the most pro+essional to *e in gra0e ; +rom J# to D# to *e in gra0e 3;
+rom C# to Q# to *e in gra0e -. Bhose @ho @ere a*le @oul0 *e appointe0 lea0ers; vice
lea0ers @ith income o+ money an0 rice to@ *e 0ou*le0. Bhese people @oul0 *e liste0 an0
grante0 the royal treatment. Bhe 0ecrees an0 approvals @ere( Secretaries an0 engineers
@oul0 @atch the sea situations o+ @in0; @ater source; 0irections; geo0etical +eatures. Bhe
most pro+essional ones @oul0 *e in gra0e; the J# to D# pro+essional ones @oul0 *e
gra0e0 3; C# to Q# pro+essional @oul0 *e gra0e0 -. He @ho are $## pro+essional an0 has
*een siua0 lea0er coul0 *e appointe0 o++icer; vice lea0er to *e promote0 lea0er. Bhis
proce0ure is +or the su*stituting manning @henever lacemperor an0 necessary rD&s.
.oyally vie@e0 history o+ the Vitnamese Nguyn Dynasty a0ministrative statutes (Xhdm
wLnh w<i Nam H]i wi4n Sx :); volume ""# also note0( /or eàmple; in a year; the sol0ier
@ho is or0ere0 to travel *y sea in many times +ul+ils his tas' satis+actorily; the sol0ier @ho is
or0ere0 to go to +oreign country; or the sol0ier @ho is or0ere0 not to go to +oreign sea an0 is
a*le to han0le through rough sea @oul0 *e gra0e0 . Pn a year; i+ the sol0ier is appointe0 to
travel *y sea t@o times; no matter ho@ long; an0 is a*le to han0le sa+ely; he @oul0 *e gra0e0
3. Pn a year; i+ the sol0ier is appointe0 to travel *y sea one time an0 is a*le to han0le sa+ely;
he @oul0 *e gra0e0 -. P+ the sol0ier is appointe0 to travel *y sea *ut he coul0 not han0le the
tas' sa+ely an0 satis+actorily; he @oul0 *e gra0e0 +ailure. rD&s
*ove are the general regulations +or the sea+aring sol0iers an0 navy +orce on the @ay to
Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 this is also a chance to test an0 to train the navy +orce an0 to *ase on
these +or punishment or a@ar0ing. Pro*a*ly; the measurement in Ho8ng Sa)Paracels; the
punishment an0 the a@ar0ing are particularly 0i++erent. Hence +rom $S
th
year un0er !inh
!<ng ,mperor; the yearly sen0ing o+ navy +orce to Ho8ng Sa)Paracels @as very regular;
9nce in a @hile i+ there @ere strong @in0s or storms; the voyage @oul0 *e 0elaye0; then
restarte0 later. /or instant; in C
th
year un0er Bhieu Bri ,mperor ($J%C); there @as a 0ecree
+rom Bhiu BrL ,mperor to 0elay the e`cursion till the Q
th
year un0er Bhiu BrL ,mperor
$$D
($J%Q). He ma0e the approval on the application +rom the Pn0ustry !inistry. :ater on; un0er
Bx 5Mc ,mperor on@ar0s; there @as no more noting in the history *oo's as these actions
@ere regar0e0 as common practice. ccor0ing to the common practice; @hich @as 0escri*e0
in .ecor0s on Vitnamese +acts un0er the Nguyn ,mperors (w<i Nam Bhxc :uc -hvnh
3iAn) 2154); +rom Bx 5Mc perio0; those common practice @oul0 not *e mentione0
in the o++icial *oo's any more.
Distant investigation an0 measurement in Ho8ng Sa)Paracels +rom the Nguyn 0ynasty
@oul0 *e starte0 in springtime. Bhis trip @oul0 *e +rom HuO capital to 1u>ng NghIa
province. Ho@ever the time coul0 *e a *it earlier or later in springtime. /rom HuO capital; the
navy +orce @oul0 stay at 1u>ng NghIa province +or resting an0 preparation in some time. Pn
the $D
th
year un0er !inh !<ng ,mperor ($J&J); at +irst the sche0ule @as to start on the last
ten 0ays o+ &
r0
lunar month; ho@ever; *ecause o+ the repeate0 ,ast strong @in0s an0 heavy
rains; to the last ten 0ays o+ the %
th
lunar month; the group coul0 not 0epart at all. Bhe initial
plan @as to have a circling measurement o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels +rom the last ten 0ays o+ the
&
r0
lunar month to the last ten 0ays o+ the Q
th
lunar month +or completeness. :ater on; though
ho@ late the trip might *e; the total 0uration o+ Q months @oul0 *e unvarie0.
Pn case o+ lateness @ith proper reasons; the group @oul0 not *e punishe0. 3ut i+ there eìste0
any carelessness or +ailure o+ +ul+illing the tas'; punishment @as certain. Satis+actory
per+ormance @oul0 *e re@ar0e0. Pn the $Q
th
year un0er !inh !<ng ,mperor ($J&C); siua0
lea0er cai m]i Ph<m V=n NguyAn @as late on his trip to an0 +rom Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 he
@as or0ere0 to *e surren0ere0 to Pn0ustry !inistry to accept punishment an0 *eing @hippe0
J# times *ut later he @as reappointe0 the position o+ lea0er. Ph<m V=n +amily is no@ 'eeping
the ancestor temple an0 the ancestor tom* lan0 in the 56ng hamlet; n VInh village. .ight
no@ there are hun0re0s o+ Pham V=n 0escen0ents living in :7 Sgn islan0. Bhe cita0el
supervisor Brbn V=n Vdn; Nguyn V=n Bim; Nguyn V=n Hong 0re@ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels
carelessly so they @ere punishe0 *y each *eing *eaten J# ro0s. 3ut in the same voyage; there
@ere Ho8ng Sa /lotilla mem*ers as V V=n H[ng in V +amily; Ph<m V=n Sanh in Pham
v=n +amily (@hose ancestor temple an0 tom*s are in :7 Sgn) to *e a@ar0e0 each one iuan
(Nguyn currency) than's to their goo0 service. Similarly; the civilians o+ t@o provinces o+
1u>ng NghIa an0 3hnh 5Lnh accompanying the +lonary +orce @ere also a@ar0e0 each one
iuan. Pn the $J
th
year un0er !inh !<ng ,mperor ($J&S); as 0eparting later than sche0ule;
the appointe0 persons as chie+ engineer Ph<m V=n 3in; gui0e V V=n H[ng; Ph<m V=n
Sanh @ho ha0 *een a@ar0e0 +ormerly @ere all punishe0. Pn this case; the t@o provinces
$"#
accompaniers @ere all a@ar0e0 " iuan. *ove)mentione0 0etails have illustrate0 strongly
the eècution o+ Vitnamese sovereignty on the measuring an0 mapping sea routes.
!easuring responsi*ility in Ho8ng Sa)Paracels @as e`presse0 clearly in the .ecor0s on
4); secon0 perio0; volume $QC as @ell as in .oyally vie@e0 history o+ the Vitnamese
Nguyn Dynasty a0ministrative statutes (Xhdm wLnh w<i Nam H]i wi4n Sx :) ; volume ""$
as +olllo@s(
No matter @hat islan0s; @hat 0unes; @hen the ship arrives; rthey @oul0s imme0iately
accor0ing to the length; the horiôntal measurement; the height; the @i0th an0 the sea @ater;
sea *each aroun0)shallo@ or 0eep; @ith un0er @ater ree+; roc' or not; normal or rough
+eatures; measure care+ully in 0etail then 0ra@ into maps. lso one shoul0 calculate; at
starting time; @hich the 0eparture points to sail out; @hich 0irections to hea0 an0 ho@ long
the time it ta'es +rom 0eparture point to 0estination points; ho@ many in mileage. lso one
shoul0 calculate +rom that 0estination points to *e at @hat 0irections; to *e ho@ +ar
estimate0ly +rom the *each shore. Bhis shoul0 *e clearly state0 in the map to su*mit rto the
,mperors. /rom no@ on; every +irst $# 0ays o+ the +irst lunar month; @e @ill act accor0ing to
this practice rD&s.
So the measurement must *e in accor0ance @ith the mapping tas' @ith pro+essionals to *e
cita0el supervisors ("."Q).
Bhe measuring +or map 0ra@ing on Ho8ng Sa)Paracels @as starte0 +rom the $%
th
year un0er
Hia :ong ,mperor ($J$C); ho@ever the promotion o+ this tas' @as only stronger in !inh
!<ng ,mperor perio0. Pn the $Q
th
year un0er !inh !<ng ,mperor ($J&C); the cita0el
supervisors as Bran V=n Vdn; Nguyn V=n Bim; Nguyn V=n Hong 0re@ Ho8ng Sa)
Paracels maps carelessly an0 @ere all punishe0; each person J# ro0s as a*ove sai0. .eport
+rom Bhe -onstruction !inistry in the $S
th
year un0er !inh !<ng ,mperor ($J&Q) @as on
the map *eing 0ra@n in only one place an0 @as not on ho@ to 0ra@. ccor0ing to !inh
!<ng ,mperors or0er in the $&
th
o+ the S
th
lunar month in the $J
th
year ($J&S); the navy
+orce going to Ho8ng Sa)Paracels ha0 0ra@n a map o+ $$ places; ho@ever this map @as not
prepare0 @ell. ccor0ing to the report +rom -onstruction !inistry 0ate0 "$st o+ the Q
th
month
in the $D
th
year un0er !inh !<ng ,mperor ($J&J); the navy +orce su*mitte0 a map a+ter
measuring & places @ith $" islan0s in % maps. Bhree @ere 0ra@n separately an0 $ @as 0ra@n
in common; *ut not very clearly. Bhus the -onstruction !inistry (3] -6ng) or Department
$"$
o+ 3uil0ing &Development ha0 to reiuire them to re)0ra@ more 0elicately rPlease see nne`
num*er ".J (a) ; ".J(*)s
Bhough the mapping an0 measuring technology o+ Vitnamese Ho8ng Sa)Paracels in the
Nguyn Dynasty @ere more care+ul an0 *etter prepare0 than *e+ore; these are still *ac'@ar0
as compare0 @ith the Vestern mo0ern technology ("."S); especially these technologies ha0
not yet allocate0 the area on the *asis o+ @orl0@i0e latitu0e an0 longitu0e. Bhere+ore; the sea
routes though @ith many 0etails; coul0 not pilot smoothly a ship to get into this area @ithout
sea @olves that ha0 steere0 over the sea areas. Bhe sea route maps on Ho8ng Sa)Paracels
originally @as 0ra@n *y the cita0el supervisors an0 then preserve0 at the cita0el supervisor
siua0; or in navy +orce or -onstruction !inistry premises. pn+ortunately in the % ?uly$JJC
an0 the anti)/rench @ars in $D%Q; the cita0el @as *urne0 an0 havoc'e0 thus those valua*le
an0 @ell)s'etche0 map collections o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels @ere all missing. Ve un0erstan0 +or
sure that +rom $J&J; the !ing !<ng ,mperor navy +orce ha0 0ra@n one general map o+
Ho8ng Sa)Paracels.
".".C." Vitnamese activities o+ erection lan0mar's an0 sovereignty stele to esta*lish
Vitnamese sovereignty on the archipelagos o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 BrETng Sa)Spratlys
+rom the *eginning o+ the WPW century.
Pn the WPW century; a+ter coronation as Hia :ong ,mperor in $J#"; Nguyn nh *egan to re)
esta*lish Vitnamese sovereignty on the archipelagos o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 BrETng Sa)
Spratlys *y the activities o+ Ho8ng Sa /lotilla an0 then navy +orce.
Bhose /rench helping Hia :ong ,mperor; !inh !<ng ,mperor @ere -haigneau; an0 3ishop
Ba*er0 @ho have @ritten clearly a*out the ,mperors action on this issue. -haigneau @rote
in his memoirs :e !Zmoire sur la -ochinchine Pn $J$Q; the contemporary ,mperor has
occupie0 the archipelago. 3ishop Ba*er0 @rote( Pn $J$Q; His ,`cellency (Hia :ong
,mperor) has solemnly hung the +lag o+ South Vitnam (w8ng Brong) in Ho8ng Sa) Paracels.
Hut^la++ in $J%D reveale0 that the Vitnamese un0er Hia :ong ,mperor have alrea0y set up a
military station to collect ta` an0 to protect the Vitnamese +ishermen . Bhose Vesterners
@ere not researchers so they only note0 0o@n @hat they @itnesse0 an0 0i0 not mention the
long past o+ Vitnamese eècution o+ our sovereignty on Ho8ng Sa)Paracels. .ecor0s on
4); +irst perio0; volume C#; ha0 mentione0 the activities o+ Ho8ng Sa /lotilla. Bhey @ere
appointe0 to investigate; to measure @ater routes un0er the lea0ership o+ Ph<m 1uang fnh
in $J$C. Pn $J$Q; Hia :ong ,mperor +or the +irst time or0ere0 the navy +orce to *e un0er
$""
Ho8ng Sa /lotilla civilian sol0iers to travel +or investigation; measurement o+ @ater routes
over the archipelago o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels (.ecor0s on Vitnamese +acts un0er the Nguyn
,mperors (w<i Nam Bhxc :uc -hvnh 3iAn) 2154); secon0 perio0; volume C").
Bhese initial activities o+ the navy +orce ha0 mar'e0 the importance an0 time o+ the
Vitnamese re)esta*lishment o+ Vitnamese sovereignty on Ho8ng Sa)Paracels. Bhese ma0e
the Vesterners as -haigneau or later Ba*er0 to a++irm that Hia :ong ,mperor ha0 o++icially
con+irming the sovereignty as sai0 a*ove. Pn +act the event o+ $J$Q @as only the mar' that
Hia :ong ,mperor use0 navy +orce instea0 o+ only Ho8ng Sa /lotilla( m]i) to investigate;
an0 to measure sea routes an0 e`ploit sea articles as *e+ore.
Pn Nguyn 0ynasty; especially in !inh !<ng perio0; navy +orce yearly an0 repeate0ly
travelle0 Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 BrETng Sa)Spratlys +or 0istant investigation; sea route
measuring; sovereignty stele erection.... on Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 BrETng Sa)Spratlys.
Bhe navy +orce in charge o+ the esta*lishment an0 eècution o+ sovereignty is a tas' +orce
inclu0ing the central; provincial an0 local civilian sol0iers (inclu0ing Ho8ng Sa /lotilla).
-entral +orces are the navy siua0 an0 *riga0e comman0ers together @ith +orces selecte0 +rom
the cita0el an0 Bhuen n seaport military +orces. 3esi0es; the central +orces also inclu0e0 the
cita0el supervisors in the cita0el troop @ho @ere pro+essional in map 0ra@ing as state0
a*ove. Provincial +orce inclu0e0 the o++icers in 1u>ng NghIa province @ho @ere appointe0 to
*e in charge o+ coor0ination @ith the central o++icers in gui0ance; supplying o+ human
resources; construction technology an0 simultaneously recruiting the militia civilians +rom
1u>ng Ngi province or at times +rom 3hnh 5Lnh province as the Uourneys o+ $J&C an0 $J&S
a*ove mentione0.
Bas' +orce @as al@ays un0er close control o+ Vitnamese ,mperor @ith concrete 0ecrees as
un0er !inh !<ng ,mperor; Bhiu BrL ,mperor. Bhis 0etail reveale0 the importance o+ the
tas' +orce.
!inh !<ng ,mperor himsel+ sent an or0er 0escri*ing the concrete Uo*s +or each 0eparture. Pn
the $S
th
year un0er !inh !<ng ,mperor ($J&Q); the -onstruction !inistry reporte0 to the
emperor on the 0istant investigation o+ the navy +orce. !inh !<ng ,mperor @rote a*out
Ph<m Hcu Nhets tas'( P or0er to urgently in+orm 1u>ng Ngi province to implement
instantly that Ph<m Hcu Nhet must accept then he @rote( ny ship shoul0 erect lan0mar'
at any lan0 she comes to in or0er to leave our vestige. Pt @as !inh !<ng ,mperor @ho too'
trac's o+ the voyages to Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 ha0 repeate0ly sent the or0ers +or punishment
or re@ar0ing. Normally the civilian sol0iers +rom Ho8ng Sa /lotilla o+ 1u>ng Ngi an0 3hnh
$"&
5Lnh provinces @oul0 have $ or " iuan o+ money an0 ta` +reeing in return +or their la*or
in the +lotilla. :ea0ers @ere punishe0 i+ having 0elays.
Voyages to Ho8ng Sa)Paracels @ere also @ell prepare0. Bhe ,mperor an0 Bhe -onstruction
!inistry @oul0 sen0 instructions. Bhe implementation @oul0 *e responsi*ility o+ the navy
+orce in accor0ance @ith cita0el supervisors; an0 1u>ng NghIa; 3hnh 5Lnh provincials.
Bhe preparation time @as +rom the $S
th
year un0er !inh !<ng ,mperor ($J&Q) on@ar0s.
Bhe .ecor0s on Vitnamese +acts un0er the Nguyn ,mperors (w<i Nam Bhxc :uc -hvnh
3iAn) 2154); secon0 perio0; volume $C%; clearly state0( /rom this year on; in the
last ten 0ays o+ the +irst lunar month; navy +orce; sol0iers ("J) an0 cita0el supervisors @oul0
travel on a ship an0 @oul0 reach 1u>ng Ngi province on a*out the +irst ten 0ays o+ secon0
lunar month. Bhe t@o provinces o+ 1u>ng NghIa an0 3hnh 5Lnh authorities @oul0 rent %
ships o+ the provincials +or gui0ance to Ho8ng Sa)Paracels. Bhe preparation time @oul0 *e
+rom the last ten 0ays o+ $st lunar month (a*out /e*ruary) till the +irst ten 0ays o+ "
n0
lunar
month (a*out !arch) @hich @oul0 *e the arriving time at 1u>ng Ngi province. Pn the &
r0
lunar month (a*out pril); the sea @oul0 *e smooth +or 0eparture to Ho8ng Sa)Paracels.
Bhe ships @ere painte0 in *lac' +rom helm to *o@; % trE}ng long; J thEc % tyc @i0e;
@ith &# pa00les. /rom $C
th
year un0er !inh !<ng ,mperor ($J&%); there @as a royal 0ecree
to suggest coastal provinces as 1u>ng Ngi to *uil0 some +ast)spee0 ships an0 to recruit the
seasi0e inha*itants to *e helmsmen; sailors aroun0 "# persons to prepare +or urgent cases o+
patrol; in+ormation an0 transportation. Bhese +ast)spee0 ships @oul0 also +ollo@ the 0esign o+
+ishing ships o+ % trE}ng C tyc long; $ trE}ng C thEc;C phdn @i0e; C thEc $
tyc 0eep.
/rom 1u>ng NghIa province; the group @oul0 have to rent % civilian ships. Bhose @ere
+ishing ships; yet lighter an0 +aster then the normal +ishing ships in the provincial navy +orce
as 1u>ng Ngis. s the Hjang Sa /lotilla civilian ships @ere that light; +ast an0 easy to
*erth the lan0 an0 to eva0e the ree+s. Bhe sailors o+ these +ishing ships @ere s'il+ul an0 at
home @ith the geography +eatures. Bhe small sailor num*er +acilitate0 the si`)month +oo0
supply iuantity. Bhe *ir0 an0 +ish hunting @oul0 *e easier an0 not time)consuming @ith
these light ships. So the +lotilla @oul0 have plenti+ul time +or collecting valua*le sea articles;
merchan0ise; @eapons +rom the @rec'e0 ships. Bhe 0ocuments 0i0 not mention @hether the
*lac' ships @oul0 +ollo@ the group to Ho8ng Sa)Paracels or not. Ho@ever; at least the a*ove)
mentione0 navy +orce controlle0 the % +ishing ships. Bhere @ere 0epartures in @hich the tas'
+orce coor0inate0 the C small +ishing ships @ith Ho8ng Sa /lotilla. /rom this time on; there
$"%
@as not many in+ormation a*out Ho8ng Sa /lotilla. Bhis navy +orce (tas' +orce) is came the
maUor an0 regular unit un0er government o+ Vitnam. Ho8ng Sa /lotilla +rom this time on
*ecame more civilian @ith private activities on commerce an0 e`ploitation.
Pn !inh !<ng ,mperor perio0; navy +orce @as re)organiê0 +or 0uties as measuring the sea
routes; mapping; erecting lan0mar' an0 sovereignty on archipelago o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0
BrETng Sa)Spratlys. pni+ie0 Vitnamese History (w<i Nam Nhyt Bhnng -hv) 678);
volume Q state0 that *e+ore the $Q
th
year un0er !inh !<ng ,mperor; @hen the emperor
or0ere0 the sol0iers to erect the steles as lan0mar's; the sol0iers +oun0 an ancient temple @ith
+our @or0s 6Ben thousan0 miles o+ paci+ie0 @aves (V<n :7 3a 3hnh). So the
construction o+ these temple(s); might *e *e+ore !inh !<ng perio0.
Pn the $%
th
year un0er !inh !<ng ,mperor ($J&&); he himsel+ comman0e0 Bhe -onstruction
!inistry in the +ollo@ing year to sen0 people to erect sovereignty steles. .ecor0s on
4); secon0 perio0; volume $QC also note0 clearly that +rom $S
th
($J&Q); the -onstruction !inistry reporte0 to the emperor on the voyages to Ho8ng Sa)
Paracels +or sea route measuring; mapping an0 erecting lan0mar's; sovereignty steles. Pn the
report +rom the -onstruction !inistry $"
th
o+ "
n0
lunar month un0er !inh !<ng ,mperor
($J&Q); there @as !inh !<ng ,mperors comments ,very ship hea0ing +or 0istant
investigation in Ho8ng Sa)Paracels has to *ring along $# @oo0 plan's (lan0mar') o+ %; C
thuoc long; C tac @i0e . .ecor0s on Vitnamese +acts un0er the Nguyn ,mperors (w<i
Nam Bhxc :uc -hvnh 3iAn) 2154); secon0 perio0; volume Q sai0(
!inh !<ng ,mperor has +ollo@e0 the report +rom the -onstruction !inistry in or0ering the
navy +orce o++icer Pham Huu Nhat to mo*iliê manpo@er an0 ships to *ring $# @oo0en
steles so as to erect the steles as the certi+ication o+ our lan0 sovereignty . ,ach o+ the stele is
C thuoc long; C tac @i0e; @ith carve0 @or0s on *oar0( !inh !<ng $$
th
year ($J&Q); 3vnh
Bhdn year; navy +orce o++icer Pham Huu Nhat +ollo@e0 the ,mperors comman0 to visit
Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 leave these @or0s on this occasion (...phung mnh vng Paracels
mEgng m] chv tht lEu chi m-ng tx ,very year; the voyagers to the islan0s prepare0 0i++erent
@oo0en lan0mar's @ith 0i++erent year or0er; ran's an0 names o+ the tas' +orce lea0ers @ho
@as appointe0 to Ho8ng Sa)Paracels. Bhe tas' +orce lea0ers names un0er !inh !<ng
,mperor as Pham Van NguyAn ($Q
th
year un0er !inh !<ng ,mperor)$J&C); Pham Huu Nhat
($S
th
year un0er !inh !<ng ,mperor)$J&Q); Pham Van 3ien ($J
th
$"C
,mperor)$J&S); coul0 state that the num*er o+ islan0s to *e mar'e0 *y @oo0en lan0mar's.
,very ship carrie0 $# @oo0 plan's. ,very year; % or C ships coul0 erecte0 a*out %# to C#
lan0mar's on the islan0s. Ho@ever; the num*er coul0 not *e 0e+initely assure0.
".".C.& Bhe lan0mar' activities an0 the *uil0ing o+ sovereignty stele on the Paracel an0
Spratly rchipelagos since the *eginning o+ WPW century.
During the WPW century; a+ter acce0ing to the throne an0 esta*lishing the Nguyn Dynasty in
$J#"; Nguyn nh *egan the process o+ re)esta*lishing the sovereignty o+ Vitnam on the
Paracels an0 Spratlys archipelagos *y at +irst the activities o+ the Paracels team an0 later
o+ naval sol0iers.
/rench @ho has @or'e0 @ith the Hia :ong ,mperor an0 !inh !<ng ,mperor; li'e
-haigneau; *ishop Ba*er0; has @ritten very clearly on those activities un0er Hia :ong.
-haigneau has @ritten in his memoir :e mZmoire sur la -ochichine that until $J$Q; the
in+ull*ent emperor has occupie0 those islan0s. Bhe *ishop Ba*er0 has @ritten( it @as in the
$J$Q that the highness (Hia :ong ,mperor) solemnly there the +lag o+ 58ng Brong. Hut^la++
in $J%D has cite0 that the Vitnamese government un0er Hia :ong has esta*lishe0 a small
sol0ier *ase to collect 0uty an0 to protect the Vitnamese +ishermen. Bhose Vesterners; @ho
@ere not scienti+ic researchers; 0i0 only note the 0e +acto events that @ere happening.
Ho@ever; they coul0 not 'no@ the origin o+ the long *e+ore eècution o+ sovereignty on
Paracels o+ Vitnam. .ecor0s on Vitnamese +acts un0er the Nguyn ,mperors (w<i Nam
Bhxc :uc -hvnh 3iAn) 2154); the +irst e0ition; volume C#; has note0 a*out the
Paracels teams activities li'e stu0ying an0 measuring o+ @ater current; @hich @ere carrie0
out *y captain Ph<m 1uang fnh in $J$C. Pn $J$Q; Hia :ong ,mperor has +or the +irst time
or0ere0 the marines; un0er the lea0 o+ Paracels civil sol0iers; to measure the current o+
Paracels archipelagos (.ecor0s on Vitnamese +acts un0er the Nguyn ,mperors (w<i Nam
Bhxc :uc -hvnh 3iAn) 2154); the secon0 e0ition; volume C").
Pt @as those activities carrie0 out *y the marines that have mar'e0 the milestone o+ the
esta*lishment an0 the eècution o+ the sovereignty o+ Vitnam on the Paracels archipelagos.
Pt is the reason @hy Vesterners li'e -haigneau or latter the *ishop Ba*er0 has a++irme0 that
Hia :ong ,mperor has o++icially esta*lishe0 the sovereignty over Ho8ng Sa Paracels.
Nevertheless; the event o+ $J$Q @as simply a mar emperor point +or the +act that the marines
have replace0 the eìsting Hjang Sa /lotilla\ team in activities li'e stu0ying; measuring the
current an0 e`ploiting the sea pro0ucts.
$"Q
pn0er the Nguyn Dynasty; especially since the !inh !<ng reign; every year; the marines
@ent regularly to the Paracels an0 Spratlys +or visit; e`ploring; measuring the @ater current;
*uil0ing the sovereignty stele; an0 +or other activities on the archipelagos o+ Paracels an0
Pratlys
Bhe marine +orce that ha0 the responsi*le o+ esta*lishing an0 eècution o+ the sovereignty
@as a special group composing o+ the missionaries +rom the capital; the province an0 the
local civil sol0iers that containe0 also the Ho8ng Sa/lotilla\ team. Bhe commissioners +rom
the capital; lea0 *y a navy captain; @as compose0 o+ the marines +rom the capital or at the
Bhuen n port.
".".C.% 3uil0ing temples an0 planting trees on Paracels an0 Spratlys archipelagos.
,mperors an0 lor0s o+ Vitnam; especially 0uring the reign o+ !inh !<ng ,mperor; @ere
very intereste0 in *uil0ing temples an0 planting trees on Paracels an0 Spratlys archipelagos.
Pn the $Qth year un0er the reign o+ !inh !<ng ,mperor ($J&C); the emperor has approve0
the -onstruction !inistry proposals permitting the 1u>ng NghIa to *uil0 the Paracels)Ho8ng
Sa temple in stone. s state0 clearly in .ecor0s on Vitnamese +acts un0er the Nguyn
,mperors (w<i Nam Bhxc :uc -hvnh 3iAn) 2154); secon0 e0ition; *oo' $C%th; the
construction o+ the temple has not *een carrie0 out in the $%
th
year un0er the reign o+ !inh
!<ng ,mperor ($J&%) as e`pecte0. 3ut it @as in early summer o+ the ne`t year ($J&C) that
!inh !<ng ,mperor has or0ere0 the naval captain Ph<m V=n NguyAn; together @ith sol0iers
an0 @or'ers +rom the t@o provinces 1u>ng Ngi an0 3hnh 5Lnh; to carry the materials
constructing a ne@ temple aroun0 S trE}ng +rom the eìsting one. 9n the le+t an0 in +ront
o+ the temple; a @in0)*loc'ing @all @as *uilt. Di++erent to other convoys @hose missions
@ere much longer; the temple construction team le+t @hen the tas' ha0 *een +inishe0 a+ter $#
0ays.
Various types o+ tree @ere plante0 on the le+t; right an0 *ehin0 the Ho8ng Sa temple.
/ollo@ing Vit SK -Egng Hilm Xh>o :E}c o+ Nguyn Bh6ng; the sol0iers usually sprea0
see0s insi0e an0 outsi0e o+ the temple; hoping that the gro@ing trees @oul0 help locating the
islan0s. Bhus; planting trees on Paracels @as mostly *y see0s; not *y small plants. Pt @as
reasona*le giving all the 0i++iculties +or the carrying an0 preserving o+ plants on small *oats
0eparting +rom the shore. /or the activity o+ the naval convoy @as long; +rom the 0ry season
to late rainy season; the trees planting @ere rather trou*le)+ree. 3y or0ering the convoy to
$"S
plant trees on the archipelagos; !inh !<ng ,mperor @ante0 to help *oats to easily locate the
islan0s; an0 thus to avoi0 crashing into the islan0s.
Cha"ter <
-Tranlate.= e.!te. by N>T> Don1
C,NTINU+D C,NS,3IDATI,N ASS+RTI,N AND PR+S+R$ATI,N
,4 $I%TNAMrS S,$+R+I2NTY ,$+R SPRAT3YS ' PARAC+3S
A4T+R 4,R+I2N +NCR,AC*M+NTS
&.$. -ontinue0 consoli0ation assertion an0 preservation o+ Vitnams sovereignty o+
Spratlys an0 Paracels +rom $D#D up to no@.
&.$.$ /rom $D#D to $D%C.
$"J
During the /rench colonial rule; the /rench protectorate 0esignate0 a position entitle0 the
.esi0ent Superior o+ n Nam (Vitnamese( Xhdm sM Brung XY) as the 0e +acto ruler o+ the
-entral part o+ Viet Nam; in @hich the a0ministration o+ the rchipelago o+ Paracels @as
inclu0e0. Ho@ever; -ochinchina (Vitnamese( Nam Xy); a0ministering the rchipelago o+
Spratlys; @as 0irectly un0er the /rench colonial rule. Pn +act; all the lan0s @ere un0er 0irect
rule *y the /rench; @ho eèrcise0 all po@er. Bhe South Dynasty (Vitnamese( Nam BriGu)
imperial po@er @as merely nominal nevertheless; the /rench colonial government 0i0 ta'e
concrete actions to consoli0ate; assert; an0 preserve Viet Nams sovereignty at the
rchipelagos o+ Paracels an0 Spratlys .
3e+ore $D#D; no -hinese maps in0icate0 such names as Wisha ) (Vitnamese( Bdy Sa)
an0 Nansha ) (Vitnamese( Nam Sa).
Pn the Heography o+ -hina te`t*oo' pu*lishe0 in $D#D Shanghai Printer House; the
southernmost point o+ -hina as Hainan Pslan0 0escri*e0 as +ollo@s( Bhe southern port
*egins at $J$& N latitu0e @ith the -hau Nhai coastline o+ 1iong zhou (namely Hainan)
as the southern most re+erence point. rCJs ,ven in such collections o+ 0ocumentaries use0 as
evi0ence +or -hinese sovereignty o+ the so)calle0 Wisha ) as Han zhen Hua
:an ?in zhi Vu /ang 3an !# Hroup. Voguo Nanhai zhu0ao Shi0ai Hui*ian $
%%&'() ,nglish( -ollection o+ Historical !aterials on Bhe Pslan0s o+ 9ur
States South Sea) e0ite0 *y Han zhen)hua an0 colleagues pu*lishe0 in $DJJ; it is +oun0 that
map o+ Dongsha (Vitnamese( 56ng Sa) ha0 not appeare0 until $D$& an0 that later the
appearance o+ the map o+ Dongsha together @ith Wisha ) @as in $D"#s. Pn pril $D&C
the -hinese government ha0 a ne@ map printe0 @ith name Nansha ) archipelago;
ctually the !aceles+iel0 3an' an0 Buansha (Vitnamese( 5jan Sa); @hich is the Vitnams
Spratly.
+ter the $JD%$JDC Sino)?apanese Var; ?apan capture0 Bai@an; sho@ing their
apparent attempt to e`pan0 as +ar as the South ,ast sia. +ter ?apans victory in the .ussia
?apan @ar in $D#C; -hina @as very concerne0 a*out ?apanese south@ar0 e`pansion an0 ma0e
attempts to contain it.
9n ?uly "
n0
; $D#S a ?apanese tra0er; Nishiâ@a Noshi'sugu; having live0 +or long in
Xeelung (Vitnamese( -g :ong) in Bai@an; together @ith $"# men lan0e0 on Pratas; *uilt
houses; set up a S#)meter high pole; hung a ?apanese +lag; also plante0 a $C)meter high
column on @hich the story o+ the 0iscovery @as inscri*e0; name0 the islan0 Nishiâga
(Vitnamese( Si -hMc; or Bdy Br<ch). Pt is locate0 at $D%" N an0 $$Q%" ,; $#J nautical
miles +rom Hong Xong. Bhese ?apanese then erecte0 a @oo0en mar'er pole inscri*e0 @ith
the 0ate; as the J
th
month o+ the year o+ !eiUi ,ra (Vitnamese( !inh BrL); an0 the name
Wiê (Vitnamese( Bdy Br<ch) Pslan0 in the +ront an0 *ac'; respectively.
$"D
:ater the ?apanese *ac'e0 Bai@anese government 0ispatche0 o++icials there to 0rive
a*original +isherman out. Bhe Huang0ong governor su*mitte0 several reports to the 1ing
Dynasty in 3eiUing suggesting negotiations @ith the ?apanese +or the return o+ the lan0. Bhe
-hinese /oreign !inistry ha0 governor zhang .en)Uun contact the ?apanese -onsul in
Huang^hou ( ) to negotiate the matter. Bo create evi0ence; -hina use0 the name
Dongsha o+ an islan0 o++ the coast o+ Huang0ong as in0icate0 in Nanhai 1uantu
(Vitnamese( DuyAn h>i to8n mR ,nglish( -omplete !ap o+ the -oastal reas) in the *oo'
Haiguo VenUian :u (Hai Huo Ven ?ian :u e ,nglish( -hirograph o+ 9verseas
-ountries) *y -hen :un)Uiong ($S&#) (& -hen :un ?un) to name Pratas. 9n 9cto*er S
th
$D#S ?apan returne0 the Pslan0 to -hina.
s ?apan too' some iniuisitive actions over Pratas Pslan0 in $D#S; the -hinese government;
particularly Huang0ong Province; sho@e0 a so sharp min0 a*out -hinas sovereignty that
they name0 Donghsa +or Pratas rchipelago as mentione0 a*ove; later name0 Wisha )
+or the Paracels or Viet Nams Paracels rchipelago; an0 much later name0 Nansha )
+or the !aceles+iel0 3an' in $D&#s (rename0 again to zhongsha a+ter that).
So the -hinas interest in the violation o+ the sovereignty over Paracels @as prompte0
*y the ?apanese intention @hile Vitnam un0er the /rench colonial rule @as @ithout
0iplomatic rights; @hich accor0ing to the $JJ% Paten6tre Breaty @ere completely veste0 in
the /rench authorities. Pn the very letter 0ate0 !ay C
th
$D#D +rom the /rench -onsul in
Huang^hou to the /rench /oreign !inister a concern @as raise0 a*out Ho8ng Sa. Pt says( s
presente0 in the conclusion o+ my recent report to you (Num*er JQ !ay $
st
$D#D) a*out the
Dongsha (Pratas) issue; this one also causes so much -hinese interest in the other groups o+
islan0 along the Heavenly ,mpires coast that they to some e`ten0; inclu0ing the Paracels are
insi0es parts o+ the Heavenly ,mpire r$CC; "#Qs.
Pn the name letter there are some nota*le points(
) -hinas 0esire0 to ta'e the Paracels near Hainan @as an impact o+ the ?apanese
capture o+ the Pratas (Dongsha).
) Bhe $
st
illegitimate survey *y Vu ?ing)rong (Vitnamese( Ngo Xinh Vinh)
sho@e0 that on there @as +oun0 a small temple *uilt o+ coral on each islan0 r$CC "#Ss.
) Vitnamese +ishermen live0 on the Paracels @ith their +amilies @are *a0ly treate0;
the @ives an0 chil0ren @ere seiê0 an0 *rought to Hainan.
) P. :apiiue; live0 in Hong Xong in $D#D; ma0e a report o+ the $D#D survey *y
Huang0ong authorities as +ollo@s(
$&#
Pn late !ay $D#D; t@o small gunships +rom Huang^hou @are ma'ing preparations +or the
voyage. B@o Hermans +rom !aison -arl@it^ @are also +oun0 on the ships together @ith
-hinese sailors. -hinese .iver 0miral seeme0 to *e among them. Pt @as pretty easy +or
such a +leet to reach Nulin (Vitnamese( Du :dm) port in the South o+ Hainan; to the natural
mainlan0 protection *ut it got stuc' there +or as long as hal+ a month pro*a*ly in @ait +or the
less tame /ong Sami @in0 @hich also helpe0 ma'es those *rave sailors less sea)sic'.
,ventually on ?une Q
th
$D#D; the party manage0 to see one islan0 o+ the Paracels an0
later lan0e0 on some others +or a loo'. Bhen at %(## pm on ?une S
th
$D#D the t@o ships set sail
*ac' all the @ay +or Huang^hou as say a report in the Xono -he 3ao (the then largest
ne@spaper in Huang^hou) on ?une "#
th
$D#D r$QQs.
+ter this sym*olic illegal survey Hovernor Heneral zhang .en)Uun ha0 a 0irection
sent to the Prosecutor)Heneral o+ zhili (Vitnamese( Brxc :) Nh!%t *[ /ao $P_ng :!nh
sn an. 3d Tr!mt Tu]n commissioning them to ma'e preparations +or the e`ploitation o+
Paracels. Ben general steps @are 0evise0 *y NTrt :!%n TEy Sa /Fo SY $R @uO> Bhe +irst
one @as a*out a plan to survey Paracels (this ha0 *een 0one very care+ully in the reigns o+
Hia :ong; !inh !<ng; Bhiu BrL in the +irst hal+ o+ the $D
th
century) an0 the tenth @as a*out
a reiueste0 supply o+ the & military vessels( /u*o (Vitnamese( PhRc :a); -henghang
(Vitnamese( Th]& *[ng); 9uFng G!& together @ith a naval canoe +or +ast an0 convenient
movements; these t@o +acts @are relate0 is *y Trin Th!nn Tpch in @! Sha /Fo Th[nh kn
*S! :!nn in his @or' names Wisha Dao) (Vitnamese( Wi Sha Dao ); Dongsha Dao
(Vitnamese( D,N2SH 5>o ); Th[nh kn *S! :!nn ($D"J). :ater ma'e *y Trt :!%n TEy
Sa /Fo SY $R @u O rWi Sha a++airs Services @as sent to Hovernor zhang .en)Uun suggesting
eight concrete measures. Bhe Hovernor ma0e one o+ his o@n to the 1ings Pmperial -ourt.
Ho@ever; until later @hen the /rench; on Vitnams is ha+t too' concrete actions +or
sovereignty in 3eiUing @asnt intereste0 enough to put +or@ar0 any tangi*le measures.
ctions ta'en @are *y a local government( the Huang0ong authority( a provincial authoritys
actions cant *e internationally accepte0.
.egret+ully; the /rench though *oun0 *y the $JJ% Breaty; +ail to raise protest against
the -hinese an0 'ept silent. Bhis is eàctly @hat @as the content o+ the o++icial letter num*er
&C 0ate0 ?uly "J $D&# +rom !r. Vil0en; the m*assa0or ,`traor0inary an0 Plenipotentiary
o+ /rance to -hina; to the /rench /oreign !inister . 3rian0( lthough /rance has never
recogniê0 the -hinese right to this archipelago; it is o*vious that @e have misse0 protesting
against the -hinese; @ho are intereste0 in 0iscontinuance o+ prescri*e0 time o+ legal vali0ly
$&$
possi*ly un+avora*le to them; an0 +or some year have *een trying to prove that the
archipelago is part o+ their territory an0 ma'e this a +ait accompli r$CC; "&"s.
!ean@hile the ,mperor in HuO ha0 no real po@er( since the reign o+ 5Rng Xhlnh the
throne ha0 playe0 only a nominal +igurehea0. Pn the reign o+ Xh>i 5Lnh all po@ers @are in
the han0 o+ the /rench .esi0ent Superior :e /ol. Since -hina anneè0 the Paracels to zhuya
(Vitnamese( ChEu Nha!) District o+ Hainan Pslan0. Huang^hou Province on ?anuary $
st
$D"$ *y an or0er o+ the Huang0ong military authority; the /rench colonial authority too'
more an0 some interest in the group o+ islan0s.
lthough; +rom $D#D to $D"C; the /rench colonial authorities @ere a@are o+ Paracels Ho8ng
Sas strategically importance position as it @as on the maritime lane *et@een Saigon an0
Hong Xong an0 very concerne0 a*out its *eing occupie0 *y any other country; they @are still
uncertain a*out the process *y asserting Vitnamese imperial a0ministration over it.
Documents 'ept in the archives o+ the /rench Hovernor)Henerals Palace in Saigon as @ell as
in the /rench !inistry o+ -olonies contains no in+ormation a*out the long stan0ing
sovereignty o+ the Xing0om o+ Vitnam e`cept such things as Vitnamese +ishermen lining
@ith their +amilies on the islan0 an0 *loo0y clashes *et@een them an0 -hinese +rom Hainan.
So @ith this the /rench consi0ere0 they ha0 the same right to the islan0s @hen the -hinese
too' possession o+ them.
Pt @as not until $D"C that the /rench *egan to carry out intensive researches into the process
o+ asserting sovereignty over Paracels)Ho8ng Sa *y the Xing0om o+ Vitnam as reporte0 in
letter to the /rench Hovernor)Heneral o+ Pn0o china *y the .esi0ent Superior o+ n Nam
:e/ol; @ho later commissione0 the 0irector o+ Nha Brang Pnstitute o+ 9ceanography an0
/isheries; !r. !. Xrempt; to survey the islan0s r$CC; $S&s. Bhe results o+ the researches
Paracels on Paracels +oun0 in the letter 0ate0 ?anuary ""
n0
; $D"D +rom the /rench .esi0ent
Superior in n Nam :e/ol to the Hovernor)Heneral o+ Pn0ochina @as as +ollo@s(
Pn the @or' entitle0 HZographie 0e la -ochinchine (,nglish( Heography o+ -ochinchina);
translate0 into ,nglish an0 pu*lishe0 in the ?ournal 0e la SociZtZ asiatiiue 0e 3engale
(,nglish( sian Society o+ 3engal) in $J&J; .ev. ?ean :ouis Ba*er0; 3ishop o+ Psmaropolis
(the Holy Sees representative in -ochinchina; -am*o0ia; an0 -hampa) reporte0 the +act that
Hia :ong ,mperor too' possession o+ the rchipelago o+ Paracels in $J$Q an0 the solemnly
raise0 the +lag o+ -ochinchina. Bhese events @are @ritten 0o@n in 0i++erent *oo's such as
chronologic o+ historical events; chronological history *oo's (o+ the n Nam a0ministrator)
5<i Nam Nhyt Bhnng -hv rthe history o+ the uni+ie0 o+ n Nams pu*lishe0 in the $%
th
year o+
!inh !<ng reign an0 last o+ all 5<i Nam Nhyt Bhnng -hv 1uy4n Q rthe history o+ the
$&"
un+ie0 o+ n Nams or 5La DE Duy Bdn rHeography 3oo' o+ Duy Bdns. Documents 'ept in
the n Nams archives provi0e us @ith 0etaile0 in+ormation o+ the Ho8ng Sa /lotilla\ +leet
an0 the 3_c H>i /lotilla un0er the +ormers comman0 r$CC $S"s.
-onsul :e/ols letter goes on( +ter the -hinese put +or@ar0 their 0eman0; /rance @ith the
right to 0iplomacy accor0ing to the Protectorate Breaty; shoul0 have asserte0 the right o+ its
Protectorate to the islan0s in iuestion. 9n the contrary our in0i++erence to the matter has
given the -hinese an a0vantage an0 it seems that they are getting rea0y +or the o++icial
possession o+ thesee islan0s r$CC $S%s.
Pn the same letter !r. :e/ol sai0 that !r. Bhdn Brong HuG *e+ore his 0eath the
superior military ministry o+ the HuO Pmperial -ourt ha0 ma0e an o++icial report 0ate0 !arch
&
r0
$D"C that those mall islan0s al@ays *elong to n Nam an0 this is an in0isputa*le matter
r$CC $S%s.
So; it is evi0ent that; having no thorough group o+ the history o+ the process o+
asserting Vitnamese sovereignty the t@o archipelagos at the *eginning; the /rench colonial
a0ministrator overloo'e0 the -hinese illegal survey. Ho@ever; a+ter *asic in+ormation (on the
situation) @as gathere0; series o+ actions @ere ta'en *y the /rench to consoli0ate Vitnamese
sovereignty o+ the islan0s.
Bhen the /rench consi0ere0 that Paracels originally *elonge0 to Vitnam an0 there
@as no nee0 +or an action o+ ta'ing possession over them. Bhe +irst survey @as ma0e *y Nha
Brang Pnstitute o+ 9ceanography an0 /ishery in $D"C @ith the survey tra@ler -halutier 0e
:enessan carrying !r. !. Xrempt; the Pnstitutes Director; together @ith other scientists
such as !r. De :a -our an0 !r. ?a*ouille. Bhe Service o+ 9cean Heology an0 3iology ma0e
more surveys in ?uly $D"S. Bhese surveys @ere mainly ma0e +or researches on setting *uoy
mar'ers in the Spratly un0er@ater +iel0s such as the mar'er Decouverte. /rom these
researches he set +orth his 0issertation on mar'er setting an0 monsoon in+luence.
9n !arch &
r0
$D"C the Hovernor)Heneral o+ Pn0ochina 0eclare0 Spratly an0 the
Paracels to *e /rench territories.
Pn Novem*er $D"J the Hovernor o+ -ochinchina gave the ne@ phosphate company o+
Bon'in permission to 0o research on un0ergroun0 resources on the Paracels.
/rom $D"D the iuestion o+ Vitnamese sovereignty o+ Paracels @as raise0 in /rench
ne@spapers in Pn0ochina. Pn successive issues o+ the ,veil economiiue 0e lPn0ochine
(,nglish( ,conomic @a'ening o+ Pn0ochina) (H8n]i) +rom Q#Q (?an "S; $D"D) to Q"& (may
"Q; $D"D) Uournalist Henri -oucherousset gave an outline o+ the Spratly sovereignty pro*lem;
$&&
*laming the /rench a0ministration +or its in0i++erence in asserting an0 protecting Vitnamese
Sovereignty o+ the islan0s an0 suggeste0 concrete actions.
Pn a letter to the !inister o+ -olonies (colonial territories) 0ate0 !arch "#; $D&# the
Hovernor)Heneral o+ Pn0ochina con+irme0( P iuite agree @ith those @ho @rite to you that is
necessary to recogniê possi*le /rances *ene+it in representing nnam to 0eman0 the
latters sovereignty o+ the Spratly archipelago r$CC; $CDs.
Bhe legal a0visor to the /rench !inistry o+ /oreign ++airs in a note to the sia
9cean service 0ate0 !ay $C
th
; $DC# interprete0 this /rance in $D&$$D&" @as on *ehal+ o+
nnam ,mperor. Pn this case the only reason @as to implement the prior right o+ nnam an0
in the relations /rance coul0 eèrcise the right to 0eter any thir0 country an0 to have access
to international Uu0gment regar0ing the recognition o+ it r$CC; $J&s.
P+ the agreements on relations *et@een /rance an0 nnam in the Protectorate Breaty
signe0 in HuO in ?une Q
th
; $JJ% @ere still vali0; the case presente0 no pro*lems an0 /rance as
a mother country in the name o+ its protectorate ha0 the right to all the po@ers that coul0nt
*e eècute0 *y the latter.
9n pril $&
th;
$D&#; :a !alicieuse @ent to the Paracels an0 a /rench national +lag @as
hoste0 on a high groun0. notice a*out the occupation @as sent to other Hreat Po@er.
Pn $D&$ an0 $D&" more articles appeare0 in the ,veil ,conomiiue 0e lin0ochine
@ith harsh iuestions +or the very Hovernor general Pasiuier. Pt @as +or this Uournalistic
pressure in Pn0ochina that the /rench colonial a0ministration coul0nt remain in0i++erent.
Pn pril %
th
; $D&" Paracels the /rench /ar ,astern Naval /orce consisting o+ :a
!alicieuse; gunship lerte; hy0rological ships stro*ale an0 De :assan; un0er the
comman0er De :attre @as sent to the Paracels; to sen0 a protest. Vestern style occupation
@as hel0 an o++icial account @as @ritten @ith $$ copies signe0 *y call the captains each +or
an islan0.
Pn the same letter !r. :e /ol sai0 that !r. Bhan Brong Hue *e+ore his 0eath the
superior military comman0er o+ the Hue court ha0 ma0e an o++icial report 0ate0 !arch &;
$D"C asserting that those small islan0s al@ays *elong to N N! an0 this is in0isputa*le
matter ($CC $SC).
So; it is evi0ent that; having no thorough grasp o+ the history o+ the process o+
asserting Vitnamese sovereignty o+ the t@o archipelagos at the *eginning; the /rench
colonial a0ministration overloo'e0 the -hinese illegal survey. Ho@ever; a+ter enough *asic
in+ormation on the situation @as gathere0 series o+ actions @ere ta'en *y the /rench to
consoli0ate Vitnamese sovereignty o+ the islan0s. Bhen; the /rench consi0ere0 that Paracels
$&%
originally *elonge0 to Vitnam an0 there @as no nee0 +or anything li'e ta'ing possession o+
them.
Bhe Nha Brang Pnstitute o+ 9ceanography an0 /isheries ma0e the +irst survey in $D"C
@ith the surveying trailer -halutier 0e :anessan carrying !r. !.. Xrempt; the Pnstitute
Director; together @ith such scientists as !r. De :a -our an0 !r. ?a*ouille. !ore surveys on
the Spartley @ere ma0e in ?uly $D"S *y the Heological an0 ocean *iological service. Bhese
surveys @ere chie+ly ma0e +or researches setting *uoy mar'ers in the Spratly un0er@ater
+iel0s such as the mar'er Decouverte. /rom these researches he set +orth his 0issertation on
mar'er setting an0 monsoon in+luence.
9n !arch &; $D"C; the Hovernor)Heneral o+ Pn0ochina 0eclare0 the Spratly an0 the
Paracels to *e /rench territory.
Pn Novem*er $D"J; the Hovernor o+ -ochinchina gave the Ne@ Bon'inese Phosphate
company permission to 0o research on un0ergroun0 resources on the Paracels.
/rom $D"D the iuestion o+ Vitnamese sovereignty o+ the Paracels @as raise0 in
/rench ne@spaper in Pn0ochina. Pn successive issues o+ the ,veil economiiue 0e lPn0ochine
(H8n]i) +rom num*er Q#Q (?an; "S; $D"D) to num*er Q"& (!ay; "Q;$D"D) Uournalist Henri
-ouchercusset gave an outline o+ the Spartley sovereignty pro*lem; *laming the /rench
a0ministration +or its in0i++erence in asserting an0 protecting Vitnamese sovereignty o+ the
islan0s an0 suggeste0 concrete actions.
Pn a letter to the !inister o+ -olonies (coloniê0 territories) 0ate0 !arch "#; $D&#; the
Hovernor)Heneral o+ Pn0ochina con+irme0( P iuite agree @ith those @ho @rite to you that it
is necessary to recogniê possi*le /rances *ene+it in representing nam goo 0eman0 the
latters sovereignty o+ the Spratly archipelago r$CC; $CD; $Q#s.
Bhe legal a0visor to the /rench !inistry o+ +oreign a++airs in a note to the sia 9cean
service 0ate0 !ay $C; $DC# interprete0 this i0ea very clearly. Bhe occupation o+ the Spartley
carrie0 out *y /rance in $D&$)$D&$ @as on *ehal+ o+ nam ,mperor. Pn this case; the only
reason @as to implement the prior right o+ nnam an0 in the capacity i+ a mother country
responsi*le +or nnams +oreign relations. /rance coul0 eèrcise the right to 0eter any thir0
party country an0 to have access to international Uu0gment regar0ing the recognition o+ it
r$CC;$J&s.
Pn the agreement on relations *et@een /rance an0 n Nam in the Protectorate Breaty
signe0 in Hue in ?une Q; $JJ% @ere still vali0; the case presente0 no pro*lems an0 /rance as a
mother country in the name o+ its protectorate ha0 the right to all the po@ers that coul0 not *e
eècute0 *y the latter.
$&C
9n pril $&; $D&#; :a !alucieuse @ent to the Paracels an0 a /rench national +lag @as
hoiste0 on a high groun0. notice a*out the occupation @as sent to other Hreat Po@ers.
Pn $D&$ an0 $D&"; a protest @as sent *y the /rench Hovernment pointing out
a*un0ant evi0ence +or Vitnams possession. :ater; +or the +irst time; /rance suggeste0
*ringing the case to the Pnternational Bri*unal *ut -hina proteste0.
9n pril $&; $D&& a small +leet o+ the /rench /ar ,astern Naval /orce; consisting o+
:a !alicieuse; gunship lerte; hy0rological ships stro*ate an0 De :assan; un0er the
comman0 o+ -omman0er De :attre @as sent to the Paracels. @estern)style occupation
ceremony @as hel0. n o++icial account @as @ritten @ith $$ copies signe0 *y all the captains
each +or an islan0. ,ach copy @as 'ept in a seale0 *ottles an0 lai0 in a concrete post inlan0
@ith the *ottle @as +iè0 in the groun0 at a 0esignate0 place on each islan0 @here a three
color +lag hoisting ceremony @as hel0 @ith a trumpet.
9n ?uly "Q; $D&&; in the o++icial Uournal o+ the /rench .epu*lic appeare0 an
announcement a notice *y the /rench; !inistry o+ +oreign a++airs o+ the /rench Navy
occupying a num*er o+ Spratlys islan0s; @ith speci+ic 0etails o+ those consi0ere0 /rench
possession. Bhey @ere +orme0 into Q groups.
) Spratlys (Spratly) Pslan0( J
o
&D N $$$
o
CC , an0 su*si0iary islets aciuire0 on pril $&
th
;
$D&#.
) -aye 0m*oine Pslet (S
o
C" N $$"
o
CC ,) an0 su*si0iary islets aciuire0 on pril S
th
;
$D&&.
) Ptu *a Pslet ($#
o
"" N $$%
o
"$ ,) an0 su*si0iary islets aciuire0 on pril $#
th
; $D&&.
) Bhe group o+ B@in Pslan0s ($$
o
"D N $$%
o
"$ ,) an0 su*si0iary islets aciuire0 on pril
$#
th
; $D&&.
) :oaita Pslet ($#
o
%" N $$%
o
"C ,) an0 su*si0iary islets aciuire0 on pril $$
th
; $D&&.
) BhL BM Pslan0 ($$
o
S N $$%
o
$Q ,) an0 su*si0iary islets aciuire0 on pril $"
th
; $D&&.
Bhus; in accor0ance @ith the /rench t@o proclaime0 circulars; /rance ha0 starte0 their
occupation @ith Spratly Pslan0 in early pril $D&& an0 en0e0 @ith BhL BM Pslan0 *y pril
$"
th
; $D&&.
9n Decem*er $"
th
; $D&&; the Hovernor o+ -ochinchina (Vitnamese( Nam XY) !.?.
Xrautheimer signe0 the Decree no. %SQ" to anne` Spratly Pslan0; -aye 0m*oire Pslet; Ptu
*a Pslet; the group o+ B@in Pslan0s (Vitnamese( Song BK); :oaita Pslan0; an0 BhL BM Pslan0
o+ the rchipelago o+ Spratly in the ,ast Sea (South -hina Sea)to the Province o+ 3arLa
(ppen0i` $D).
$&Q
Bhe a+orementione0 0ecree @as signe0 in accor0ance @ith( the circular proclaime0 *y the
9++icial Haêtte o+ the /rench .epu*lic 0ate0 ?uly "Q
th
; $D&& *y the !inistry o+ /oreign
++airs on the Navy units occupation o+ some islan0 the letters Q&% an0 ""%&P 0ate0
Decem*er J
th
an0 $%
th
; $D&& *y the Hovernor)Heneral o+ Pn0ochina on the amalgamation o+
the islan0s an0 islets in the Spratlys or 3o Bn (/rench( BempAte ,nglish( Hale) groups the
0iscussions at the -olonial -ouncils session on 9cto*er ""
n0
; $D&& an0 the consultation
@ith the 0visory -ouncil.
/rom $D&% to $D&C; the -ommittee +or ,àmination an0 Veri+ication o+ :an0 an0 Vater
!aps assigne0 *y the .epu*lic o+ -hinas !inistries o+ /oreign ++air an0 the Pnterior in
!arch $D&C 0iscreetly name0 Buansha 1in0ao (Vitnamese( 5jan Sa 1ubn 5>o) +or
Spratly rchipelago; i.e. the Viet Nams rchipelago o+ Spratlys; an0 transcri*e0 an0
translate0 names o+ a*out $"% islan0s; ree+s; an0 su*merge0 shoals o+ Paracels an0 Spratlys
rchipelagos +rom @estern nautical charts. 9nly Dongsha (Vitnamese( 56ng Sa); Wisha )
(Vitnamese( Wi Sha); Nansha ) (Vitnamese( Nam Sa); an0 Buansha @ere use0 at
that time @hile the name zhongsha (Vitnamese( Brung Sa) 0i0 not eìst. Bhe name
zhongsha only came into eìstence in Decem*er $D%S to replace Nansha ) ; @hich @as
at the same time ta'en to replace the name Buansha. Bhis naming system is inconsistent as its
name0 islan0s positions gra0ually move0 +rom inshore areas to Vanli Shitang (Vitnamese(
Van :i Shi Bang ) the name Nansha ) also gra0ually move0 +rom
!accles+iel0 Pslan0 to Spratly in the south.
+ter the surveys on Paracels o+ the Pnstitute o+ 9ceanography in Nha Brang +rom $D"C to
$D&S; the -hie+ -ivil ,ngineer Hauthier; un0er the name o+ the /rench colonial government
protecting Viet Nam; investigate0 the +easi*ility o+ constructing a lighthouse on Paracel
Pslan0. Bo realiê the results +rom Hauthiers investigation; /rance ha0 0eploye0 the civil
guar0 units to the islan0s since $D&J.
9n the "D
th
o+ the secon0 month o+ the $&
th
year un0er 3>o 5<i ,mperor ,ra (!arch &#
th
;
$D&J); ,mperor o+ the Nguyn Dynasty signe0 the Pmperial Decree $# @ith the main content
as *elo@ (see ppen0i` &.$D +or more 0etails)(
Bhe Psles o+ Paracels (rchipels 0es les Paracels) have +or long *een o+ the South States
sovereignty (Vitnamese( NEc Nam) an0 part o+ the Province o+ Nam Ngi since the time o+
prior 0ynasties. pntil the reign o+ BhO B -ao Ho8ng; the status remaine0 unchange0 as
communications @ith those isles @ere essentially ma0e through the Province o+ Nam
Ngis( 1u>ng Nam) 1u>ng Ngi) seaports. No@a0ays; nautical a0vances have change0 the
$&S
communications +urthermore; the representative o+ the South Dynastys Hovernment
(Vitnamese( -hvnh pht Nam triGu) sent +or inspecting those isles together @ith the
representatives o+ the Protectorate Hovernment su*mitte0 a report to anne` the Psles o+
Paracels into the Province o+ Bha BhiAn +or the matter o+ convenience.
rBhe ,mperors 0ecrees the only clause here*y to approve the anneàtion o+ the Psles o+
Paracels(rchipels 0es les Paracels) into the Province o+ Bha BhiAn in terms o+
a0ministrative issues; those isles are su*Uect to the Provinces authorities. r%s
s a conseiuence o+ Hauthiers stu0y; a sovereignty stele @as erecte0 on Pattle (Ho8ng Sa)
Pslan0 in $D&J an0 inscri*e0(
.Zpu*liiue +ranaise .oyaume 0n Nam rchipels 0es Paracels $J$Q Ple 0e Pattle
$D&J
(,nglish( /rench .epu*lic Xing0om o+ n Nam rchipelago o+ Paracels $J$Q Pattle
Pslan0 $D&J)
Pn the same year; a lighthouse an0 a @eather station (9!! co0e %JJQ#) @ere *uilt on
Paracels (Pattle) Pslan0 (ppen0i` "$); a @eather station (9!! co0e %JJCD) on +u lin
Pslan0 (le 3oisZe); an0 a ra0io station BS/ on Paracels (Pattle) Pslan0. sovereignty stele; a
lighthouse; a @eather station; an0 a ra0io station @ere also erecte0 on 3a 3hnh (Ptu *a)
Pslan0. Pn ?une $D&J; a civil guar0 unit @as sent to Ho8ng Sa.
9n !ay C
th
; $D&D; the Hovernor)Heneral o+ Pn0ochina ?ules 3rZviZ proclaime0 the Decree no.
&"J"; amen0ing the previous 0ecree an0 esta*lishing t@o geography services in the
rchipelago o+ Paracels (see ppen0i` ""; Decree no. &"J" in e`tenso pu*lishe0 in the
$D&D 3ulletin a0ministrative 0e ln Nam (,nglish( the 0ministrative 3ulletin o+ n Nam);
Volume D; page JS").
Bhe ne@ Decree @as to amen0 the Decree no. $CQS- o+ ?une $C
th
; $D&" (on +oun0ing an
a0ministrative unit as the District o+ Paracels in the rchipelago o+ Paracels)Ho8ng Saun0er
the Province o+ Bha BhiAn; n Nam (Vitnamese( Brung XY)) *y esta*lishing t@o ne@
a0ministrative units calle0 -roissant an0 a0Uacent ône an0 mphytrite an0 a0Uacent
ône 0ministrative Delegations (/rench( 0ZlZgation a0ministrative Vitnamese( s m<i l7)
in the rchipelago o+ Paracels)Ho8ng Sa un0er the Province o+ Bha BhiAn . Bhese t@o
a0ministrative 0elegations @ere separate0 *y the $$"
o
meri0ian; e`cept Vula00ore su*merge0
ree+ that @as entirely @ithin -roissant 0ministrative Delegation. Bhe a0ministrative envoys
as hea0s o+ these t@o a0ministrative 0elegations @ere commissioners in Pattle an0 3oisZe
:an0 o+ the /rench ,nvoy to the Province o+ Bha BhiAn. ,ach envoy @as pai0 an allo@ance
$&J
o+ %##;## m() @hich @as in0icate0 in the Decree o+ Decem*er "J
th
; $D&% an0 @oul0 *e pai0
*y the local *u0get o+ n Nam (Vitnamese( Brung XY) in accor0ance @ith -hapter $";
-lause Q; Paragraph & o+ the Decree.
9n !arch &$
st
; $D&D; the ?apanese !inistry o+ /oreign ++airs release0 a statement that ?apan
too' the control over the rchipelago o+ Spratlys. Bhis statement sent a message to the
m*assa0or o+ /rance to ?apan that ?apan @as the +irst to 0iscovery Spratly rchipelago in
$D$S. ?apan +oun0 that in there; there is no local a0ministration; @hich threatens ?apans
interests an0 may cause 0i++iculties +or /rance in the +uture.
9n pril %
th
; $D&D; the /rench !inistry o+ /oreign ++airs sent a 0iplomatic note protesting
the ?apanese 0ecisions an0 a++irming the rights o+ /rance. /rance @as supporte0 *y the
pnite0 Xing0om. During a 0e*ate at the 3ritish House o+ -ommons (or /rench National
ssem*ly)un0er chec'ing); the representative o+ the 3ritish /oreign 9++ice asserte0 that the
rchipelago o+ Spratlys @as o+ /rench sovereignty.
Due to the nee0 to esta*lish a *ri0gehea0 to inva0e Southeast sia; ?apan iuic'ly occupie0
+u lin Pslan0 (le 3oisZe) an0 Ptu *a (3a 3hnh) Pslan0 in $D&J an0 $D&D; respectively.
9nly a+ter the ?apanese coup 0Ztat against /rance in Pn0ochina on !arch D
th
; $D%C; ?apan
hel0 /rench units statione0 on Ho8ng Sas islan0s as prisoners o+ @ar.
During the /rench colonial rule; the /rench authorities ha0 never renounce0 the sovereignty
over Paracel rchipelago o+ the Xing0om o+ n Nam; @hich /rance ha0 the responsi*ility to
protect r$CCs. Bhe /rench authorities; ho@ever; e`presse0 inconsistent attitu0e *ase0 on
/rances o@n interests to@ar0s the issue( 0etachment an0\or untimely response @hen the
sovereignty @as violate0 *y +oreign states (i.e. -hina) even the use o+ Paracels as e`change
in relation @ith -hina as Pasiuier con+esse0 in the letter o+ !arch "#
th
; $D&# to the /rench
!inister o+ -olonies r$CC; $Q$s or the i0ea o+ separating the southern islan0s in the ,ast Sea
(South -hina Sea) +rom the rest o+ Paracels an0 consi0ering them as the 0erelict archipelago
o+ Spratlys so that /rance coul0 occupy +or its o@n possession. Bhis 0erelict archipelago
@as then anneè0 to -ochinchina (Vitnamese( Nam XY); a +act that @as consi0ere0 a merely
a0ministrative amalgamation *y the /rench r$CC; "S$s.
&.$.". Bhe $D%C$DC% perio0
Bhe ?apanese army @ith0re@ +rom Paracels as @ell as Spratlys in $D%Q an0 @as replace0 *y a
/rench in+antry unit lan0ing +rom Savorgnan 0e 3ra^â *attleship in !ay $D%Q. Bhis unit;
ho@ever; only staye0 on the islan0s @ithin +e@ months. /rom "#
th
to "S
th
o+ !ay $D%Q;
0miral 0rgenlieu; High)-ommissioner o+ /rance in Pn0ochina; sent the e`press *attleship
$&D
l,scarmouche to control the situation o+ Paracels (Pattle) Pslan0 in the rchipelago o+ Ho8ng
Sa) Paracels.
Vhile the /rench e`pe0itionary +orces an0 the government o+ the Democratic .epu*lic o+
Viet Nam (Vitnamese( Vit Nam Ddn -ht -]ng Ho8) lea0 *y Presi0ent HR -hv !inh @ere
0ealing @ith a +orthcoming +ull)scale @ar; a special +leet o+ the .epu*lic o+ -hina inclu0ing
+our *attleships; each @ith some representatives +rom the agencies an0 CD sol0iers o+ the
Navys in0epen0ent guar0 platoon (precursor o+ the marines) 0eparte0 +rom Vusong
(Vitnamese( Ng6 B[ng) Port on 9cto*er D
th
an0 reache0 Paracels on 9cto*er "Q
th
; $D%Q
(). 9n Novem*er "D
th
; $D%Q; Nongheng (Vitnamese( zongìng QR ) an0 zhongUian
(Vitnamese( Brung XiAn) *attleships reache0 an0 0eploye0 their troops on Paracels Pslan0.
Baiping (Vitnamese( Bhli 3hnh) an0 zhongye (Vitnamese( Brung Nghip) *attleships
reache0 Spratlys @as still re+erre0 to as Buansha (Vitnamese( 5jan Sa) *y -hinese; not
yet Nansha ) (Vitnamese( Nam Sa); to @hich it @as change0 later) (emphasiê0 *y
the uthor).
Pn the session on 9cto*er $$
th
; $D%Q; the Pnterministerial -ommittee on Pn0ochina un0er the
Provisionary Hovernment o+ /rance 0eci0e0 that it @as necessary to a++irm the rights o+
/rance over the rchipelago o+ Paracels an0 mani+est /rances re)occupation *y constructing
a @eather station. Heneral ?uin claime0 that the highest interest o+ /rance @as to prevent
any po@er+ul states intention to re)occupy those islan0s; @hich have the positions to control
the access to the +uture military *ase in -am .anh; the sea route -am .anh 1uang^hou
(Vitnamese( 1iong^hou ) Shanghai (Vitnamese( BhE}ng H>i) (:etter no. $DD\DN\S.
-ol 0ate0 9cto*er S
th
; $D%Q o+ Heneral ?uin; -hie+ o+ the /rench rmys Heneral Sta++ in
Paris).
Bhe Hovernment o+ /rance o++icially proteste0 the a+orementione0 illegal occupation o+
-hina an0 announce0 on 9cto*er $S
th
; $D%S that Bon'inois 3attleship o+ /rance @oul0 *e
sent to Paracels)Ho8ng Sato reiuest the @ith0ra@al o+ -hinese troops +rom +u lin the
reiuest @as re+use0. /rance then sent an army section inclu0ing sol0iers o+ the rmy o+ the
State o+ Viet Nam to encamp an0 esta*lish a military post on Pattle (Ho8ng Sa) Pslan0. Bhe
Hovernment o+ -hina proteste0; an0 negotiations too' place +rom /e*ruary "C
th
to ?uly %
th
;
$D%S in Paris. Pn these negotiations; the Hovernment o+ -hina re+use0 to *ring the issue to
international ar*itrator as propose0 *y /rance. 9n Decem*er $
st
; $D%S; the !inistry o+ the
Pnterior in the -hiang Xai)she' (Vitnamese( BEng Hii Bh<ch) 0ministration proclaime0
-hinese names +or the t@o archipelagos an0 put them @ithin -hinese territory.
$%#
Pn the historical situation o+ late $D%Q an0 early $D%S; Viet Nam ha0 *een an in0epen0ent
country since $D%C an0 no longer a*o0e *y the $JJ% Paten6tre Breaty. Ho@ever; alleging the
Preliminary Breaty o+ !arch Q
th
; $D%Q; /rance asserte0 that the Democratic .epu*lic o+ Viet
Nam @as *eing a mem*er o+ the /rench pnion an0 its +oreign relations @ere *eing overseen
*y /rance; thus giving /rance the authority to represent Viet Nam against any violation
to@ar0s its sovereignty over the rchipelagos o+ Paracels an0 Spratlys. Vith the Breaty o+
!arch J
th
; $D%D; /rance +oun0e0 a pro)/rench government; also calle0 the State o+ Viet
Nam( 1unc Hia Vit Nam); hea0e0 *y +ormer),mperor 3>o 5<i ,mperor an0 con+ronting
the revolutionary government lea0 *y Presi0ent HR -hv !inh. lthough this ne@ly
esta*lishe0 state @as not *y nature a representative +or Viet Nam; it rein+orce0 some legal
*asis; particularly in the /rench)resisting @ar 0uring @hich the /rench arme0 +orces
controlle0 the ,ast Sea (South -hina Sea)inclu0ing Paracel an0 Spratly rchipelagos .
Pn pril $D%D; the Director o+ the -a*inet (Vitnamese( 5ng :7 V=n Phjng) o+ Hea0 o+
State 3>o 5<i ,mperor; Prince 3Ku :]c; pu*licly re)a++irme0 the long)stan0ing sovereignty
o+ Viet Nam over the rchipelago o+ Paracels at a press con+erence in S8i Hjn.
9n 9cto*er $
st
; $D%D; the Peoples .epu*lic o+ -hina @as proclaime0 in -hina mainlan0 the
.epu*lic o+ -hinas Hovernment hea0e0 *y -hiang Xai)she' retreate0 to Bai@an. Pn pril
$DC#; the .epu*lic o+ -hinas military post illegally occupying +u lin)Ph :dm Pslan0
(le 3oisZe) in the rchipelago o+ Paracels @as @ith0ra@n @hile that o+ /rance on Pattle
Pslan0 remaine0.
Pn pril $DC#; the .epu*lic o+ -hinas troops complete0 their @ith0ra@al +rom Paracels
Pslan0; leaving +u lin Pslan0 as the only place @here they ha0 *een still present since
$D%S.
9n 9cto*er $%
th
; $DC#; the Hovernment o+ /rance o++icially trans+erre0 the a0ministration o+
Paracels Pslan0s to the 3ao 5<i ,mperors government. Bhe -entral Parts Premier Phan V=n
Hilo presi0e0 over the trans+er o+ a0ministration over the rchipelago o+ Paracels)Ho8ng Sa.
Bhe San /rancisco -on+erence to sign a treaty o+ peace @ith ?apan too' place +rom C
th
to J
th
o+ Septem*er $DC$ @ith C$ atten0ing countries. Pn the plenary session on Septem*er C
th
;
$DC$; (Soviet) /oreign !inister Hromy'o propose0 $& amen0ments; inclu0ing the
amen0ment reiuesting ?apan to ac'no@le0ge the sovereignty o+ the Peoples .epu*lic o+
-hina over the rchipelago o+ Paracels an0 other islan0s +arther to the south. Bhis
amen0ment @as reUecte0 *y the -on+erence @ith %J no an0 three yes.
$%$
9n Septem*er S
th
; $DC$; Prime !inister an0 /oreign !inister Brbn V=n Hcu o+ 3>o 5<i
,mperors Hovernment solemnly 0eclare0 that the rchipelagos o+ Paracels an0 Spratlys
@ere Vitnamese territories( Et comme il faut franchement profiter de toutes occasions pour
touffer les germes de discorde, nous affirmons nos droits sur les les Spratly et Paracels qui
de tout temps on fait partie du Viet Nam r"Ss (,nglish( n0; +ran'ly; it is necessary to ma'e
use o+ all occasions to eliminate the see0s o+ 0iscor0; @e a++irm our rights over the Pslan0s o+
Spratlys an0 Paracels; @hich have al@ays *een a part o+ Viet Nam).
No representatives at the -on+erence ma0e comments on this statement.
Bhe -on+erence en0e0 @ith a treaty o+ peace signe0 @ith ?apan on Septem*er D
th
; $DC$. Bhe
paragraph S ; rticle " o+ the Breaty clearly speci+ies(
?apan renounces all right; title; an0 claim to the Spratly Pslan0s an0 to the Paracel Pslan0s
(ver*atim) r"Ss.
9n ugust "%
th
; $DC$; Winhuashe (,nglish( Ne@ -hina Press Vitnamese( Bdn Hoa W) +or
the +irst time e`presse0 its opinion against the rights o+ /rance an0 the claims o+ the
Philippines; an0 +irmly asserte0 the rights o+ -hina.
Vhen releasing the statement on the 0ra+t treaty @ith ?apan in San /rancisco on ugust $C
th
;
$DC$; /oreign !inister zhou ,n)lai (Vitnamese( -hu n :ai) o+ the Peoples .epu*lic o+
-hina pu*licly 0eclare0 the so)calle0 the long)stan0ing nature o+ the -hinas rights over the
archipelago 0espite the +act that the Peoples .epu*lic o+ -hina an0 the .epu*lic o+ -hina
@oul0 not atten0 the -on+erence.
t that time; ta'ing a0vantage o+ the 0isor0ere0 situation @hen ?apan surren0ere0 the llies;
the -hiang Xai)she's troops; @hich @ere assigne0 to 0isarm the ?apanese arme0 +orces +rom
:atitu0e $Q
o
to the North in accor0ance @ith Pots0am greement; re)occupie0 Paracels
rchipelagos +u lin Pslan0 (le 3oisZe) in late $D%Q an0 Spratly rchipelagos 3a 3hnh
(Ptu *a) Pslan0 in early $D%S. pntil $DC#; @hen the .epu*lic o+ -hinas troops @ith0re@
+rom Paracels an0 Spratlys ; an0 the San /rancisco Breaty o+ Peace +orce0 ?apan to renounce
its occupation o+ these t@o archipelagos; Prime !inister an0 /oreign !inister Brbn V=n Hcu
o+ 3>o 5<i ,mperors Hovernment solemnly 0eclare0 the rchipelagos o+ Paracels an0
Spratlys @ere Vitnamese territories. No representatives at the -on+erence commente0 upon
this statement.
s the -ol0 Var an0 the struggle +or in+luence @ere going on in places such as the ,ast Sea;
the Soviet pnions 0elegation propose0 to trans+er the a0ministration o+ the rchipelagos o+
Paracels an0 Spratlys to the Peoples .epu*lic o+ -hina. Pt @as a reason +or the Peoples
$%"
.epu*lic o+ -hina to raise the issue although the proposal @as not approve0 *y the
-on+erence an0 there @as no +oreign *ut 3>o 5<i ,mperor 0ministrations occupation over
the rchipelagos o+ Paracels an0 Spratlys a+ter $DC#.
.
&.$.& /rom $D%C to $DSC; perio0 o+ Vitnam protect against +oreign violations o+ Vitnams
sovereignty o+ the Paracels an0 the Spratlys
Bhe Heneva greements signe0 on ?uly "#; $DC% put an en0 to the Pn0ochina @ar;
recogniîng Vitnams in0epen0ence; sovereignty territorial integrity; an0 unity. -lause P
stimulate0 the temporary military 0emarcation line as the 3On H>i river (the $S
th
parallel)
@hich @as prolonge0 *y a straight +rom shore (into the high sea) un0etermine0 shoul0 *e the
charge o+ the correspon0ing si0e concerne0 @herever its troops @are groupe0 *e+ore a
general election +or reuni+ication @as hel0.
Bhe Paracels an0 the Spratlys that are situate0 *elo@ the $S
th
parallel @oul0 *e
a0minist *y the .epu*lic o+ Vitnam. n0 *y the government South o+ the $S
th
parallel Bhen
*oth @ere un0er no other troops than /rench.
Pn pril $DCQ the /rench ,`pe0itionary troops @ith0re@ +rom South Vitnam an0 the
Philippines raise0 the issue o+ sovereignty o+ them.
3y $DCQ; the rmy o+ the State o+ Viet Nam(1unc Hia Vit Nam); later change0 to
the rmy o+ the .epu*lic o+ Viet Nam (Vit Nam -]ng Hja); @as on the islan0s Vest o+ the
Paracels inclu0ing the Pattle (Paracels) . ,n 1
t
$DCQ the .epu*lic o+ Vitnams /oreign
!inister V2 V=n !u ma0e a proclamation reasserting Vitnams sovereignty o+ the t@o
archipelagos. Some 0ays later the /rench reiterate0 /rench right to them since $D&&.
9n ugust "" $DCQ; in+antry an0 navy troops o+ the .epu*lic Vitnam lan0e0 on the
main islan0s o+ the Spratlys an0 there they plante0 steles an0 raise0 national +lags. +ter
setting up posts on islan0 Vest o+ the Paracels the .epu*lic o+ Vitnams Naval +orces
occupie0 the tu *a (3a 3hnh).
9n 9cto*er "" $DCQ 0ecree $%& NV *y the Presi0ent o+ the .epu*lic o+ Vitnam
@as issue0 stipulating changes in the 0emarcation o+ provinces an0 to@ns in South Vitnam.
Pn the attache0 o+ a0ministrator units in South Vitnam; ne@ names @ere +oun0 such as
PhEc Buy +or 3aria V2ng B8u an0 Paracels the same name +or the Spratlys +or the
Paracels +urther to the North.
9n ?uly $&
th
$DQ$; the Decree $S%NV @as issue0 *y Presi0ent o+ the .epu*lic o+
Viet Nam to put the rchipelago o+ Paracels)Ho8ng Saun0er the Province o+ 1u>ng Nam an0
$%&
+oun0e0 a commune calle0 5Lnh H>i on the rchipelago 0irectly un0er the District o+ Ho8
Vang.
Bhe a+orementione0 0ecree rea0s( Bhe rchipelago o+ Ho8ng Sa; +ormerly un0er the
Province o+ Bh[a BhiAn; is no@ un0er the Province o+ 1u>ng Nam (rticle $). n
a0ministrative unit o+ commune @as esta*lishe0 over the entire rchipelago an0 name0
5Lnh H>i; 0irectly un0er the District o+ Hja Vang. 5Lnh H>i -ommune @as a0ministere0
*y an a0ministrative envoy (rticle ").
Pn /e*ruary $DCD; many -hinese +ishermen inten0e0 *ut +aile0 to occupy the @estern
part o+ Paracel rchipelago. Bhey @ere seiê0 *y the Navy o+ the .epu*lic o+ Viet Nam an0
returne0 to -hina.
9n ?uly $&
th
; $DS$ in !anila; /oreign !inister o+ the .epu*lic o+ Viet Nam; !r. Brbn
V=n :_m; repeate0 the Viet Nams claims over the rchipelago o+ Spratlys an0 their
+oun0ation.
9n Septem*er Q
th
; $DS&; the .epu*lic o+ Viet Nams !inister o+ the Pnterior
trans+erre0 the a0ministration o+ Spratlys to @hich Spratlys name @as change0 in $DCQ
un0er Ng6 5hnh Dim 0ministration; to PhEc H>i -ommune; 5yt 5| District; PhEc Buy
Province.
9n ?anuary $$
th
; $DS%; the Peoples .epu*lic o+ -hina 0eclare0 the anneàtion o+
Spratly rchipelago into the .epu*lic o+ Viet Nams Province o+ PhEc Buy @as a
transgression over -hinese territory an0 re)a++irme0 the -hinas claims upon the
rchipelagos o+ Paracels an0 Spratlys .
9n ?anuary $"
th
; $DS%; the Hovernment o+ the .epu*lic o+ Viet Nam reUecte0 the
-hinas claims.
9n ?anuary $C
th
; $DS%; the Peoples .epu*lic o+ -hina starte0 0eploying a po@er+ul
navy +orce inclu0ing many *attleships 0isguise0 as +ishing *oats an0 supporting airplanes.
9n the other han0; the .epu*lic o+ Viet Nams High -omman0 o+ Navy sent -ruiser
:7 BhETng Xit to Paracels +or patrolling an0 @atching purposes.
+ter noticing the presence o+ the Peoples .epu*lic o+ -hinas troops in Paracels
@ith their +lag raise0 on 1uang fnh (!oney) an0 Hcu Nhet (.o*ert) Pslan0s; the .epu*lic o+
Viet Nams arme0 +orces @ere rein+orce0 @ith Destroyer Brbn Xhlnh DE; -ruiser Brbn 3hnh
Brong; an0 ,scort Ship Nhet B>o. Bhe .epu*lic o+ Viet Nams rein+orce0 +orce @ith special
marine tas' +orce troops @as or0ere0 to lan0 an0 lo@er the +lag o+ the Peoples .epu*lic o+
-hinas troops. /ights occurre0; an0 gun+ires @ere open on 1uang Hja (Duncan) an0 some
other islan0s.
$%%
/ollo@ing the inci0ents; on ?anuary $Q
th
; $DS%; the Hovernment o+ the .epu*lic o+
Viet Nam release0 a statement reUecting the +oun0ation o+ the Peoples .epu*lic o+ -hina an0
presenting clear legal; geography; an0 historical evi0ence to con+irm the sovereignty o+ the
.epu*lic o+ Viet Nam over these t@o archipelagos.
Bhe t@o si0es starte0 co)coor0inating their entire troops @ith a 0istance o+ "## m
*et@een the t@o si0es *attleships.
Bhe t@o si0es then su00enly @ent apart +rom each other +or preparation. Bhe sea
*attle starte0 at $#("C am on ?anuary $D
th
; $DS%.
9ne o+ the Peoples .epu*lic o+ -hinas *attleship @as put on +ire *y the po@er o+
3attleship Nhet B>o. 3attleships "J$ an0 $J" o+ the Peoples .epu*lic o+ -hina retaliate0
their +ire hit Nhet B>os control to@er an0 main engine hol0; lea0ing to -aptain Nguy V=n
Bh8 sacri+ice. +ter an hour o+ e`changing +ire; t@o Peoples .epu*lic o+ -hinas *attleships
@ere sun'; t@o others @ere *urnt. s +or the .epu*lic o+ Viet Nams +orces; ,scort Nhet B>o
@as sun'; some other ships @ere 0amage0; an0 some sol0iers @ere capture0 an0 @ent
missing. mong capture0 people @as an merican name0 Heral0 Xosh Xosh @as a civil
sta++ @or'ing +or the !ilitary ttachZ 9++ice o+ the ,m*assy o+ the pnite0 States in Saigon
an0 secon0ly as communicator *esi0e the Navys Hea0iuarters in the .epu*lic o+ Viet
Nams $
st
-orp (accor0ing to the -hvnh :uen Ne@spaper; No. "DJ" on ?anuary &$
st
; $DS%).
Xosh @as returne0 at $"(## pm on ?anuary &$
st
; $DS%. 9n /e*ruary $S
th
; $DS%; 3eiUing
0ministration release0 %& sol0iers an0 other sta++ mem*ers o+ the .epu*lic o+ Viet Nam in
Winyi (Vitnamese( Bdn Hii); Hong Xong.
V=n Brong in his $DSD *oo' entitle0 Paracels)Ho8ng Sa the Viet Nams
rchipelago(Ho8ngSa 1ubn m>o Vit Nam) @rote( -hinese troops @ere too many in
num*er they use0 small *oats to approach the *eaches an0 lan0 on the Pslan0. Bhe Saigon
sol0iers retreate0 to the +orest an0 +iercely returne0 the +ire; ma'ing the -hinese troops
hesitate to a0vance +arther into the Pslan0 *ut lie on the *eaches instea0. Bhe -hinese army
only too' control o+ the Pslan0 a+ter the Saigon sol0iers ran out o+ their ammunition. Bhey
thre@ e`plosive to each room in all *uil0ings to 0estroy every thing insi0e. ll %"
Vitnamese people inclu0ing military o++icers; sol0iers; an0 the @eather stations personnel
o+ the Saigon 0ministration @ere capture0 an0 +orce0 to for& tDo l!ne= to be !nterrogate.
by the aggreorO v1C<j>
9n ?anuary $J
th
; $DS%; the m*assa0or o+ Bai@an in Saigon also sent a 0iplomatic
note re)a++irming the .epu*lic o+ -hinas claims.
$%C
9n ?anuary "#
th
; $DS%; the .epu*lic o+ Viet Nams 9*server *esi0e the pnite0
Nations 0eman0e0 the Security -ouncil to consi0er the -hinese use o+ +orce to occupy Ho8ng
Sa.
9n this inci0ent; the Provisional .evolutionary Hovernment o+ the .epu*lic o+ South
Viet Nam e`presse0 its vie@ point +ollo@s( Bhe issues o+ sovereignty an0 territorial integrity
are o+ inviola*ility to every nation. s to *or0er an0 territory issues; neigh*oring countries
usually have 0isputes that @ere *eiueathe0 *y history an0 coul0 *e so complicate0 that
+urther investigations might *e reiuire0. Hiven this complication; concerne0 countries shoul0
consi0er these issues un0er the manner o+ eiuality; mutual respect; +rien0ship; goo0
neigh*orhoo0; an0 settlement via negotiation.
Bhe Pentagon @as reiueste0 *y the Saigon 0ministration to intervene *ut 0eci0e0 to
stan0 apart +rom the con+lict. Bhe pnite0 States ssistant Secretary o+ State rthur Hummel
?r. tol0 the Saigon 0ministration that the pnites States @as not intereste0 in the Paracels
issue.
Pn the 0iplomatic message sent to all signatories to the $DS& Paris Peace ccor0s; the
Hovernment o+ the .epu*lic o+ Viet Nam repeate0 the necessity o+ the Viet Nams territorial
integrity an0 0eman0e0 a special session o+ the Security -ouncil.
9n /e*ruary $
st
; $DS%; the Saigon 0ministration 0eci0e0 to strengthen its 0e+ense in
the rchipelago o+ Spratlys; sen0ing troops to encamp on +ive islan0s o+ the rchipelago.
Bhrough its am*assa0or in !anila; the Saigon 0ministration a++irme0 the Viet Nams
sovereignty over the rchipelagos o+ Paracels an0 Spratlys.
9n /e*ruary $
st
; $DS%; the .epu*lic o+ Viet Nams 0elegation ma0e a statement at the
-aracas pnite0 Nations -on+erence on the :a@ o+ the Seas to re)a++irm the Viet Nams
sovereignty upon the archipelagos an0 0enounce0 the 3eiUings occupation o+ Ho8ng Sa.
9n !arch &#
th
; $DS%; the Saigon 0ministrations representative a++irme0 the
sovereignty o+ Viet Nam over the rchipelagos o+ Paracels an0 Spratlys Sa at the session o+
the pnite0 Nations ,conomic -ommission +or sia an0 the /ar ,ast) in -olom*ia.
9n /e*ruary $%
th
; $DSC; the Saigon 0ministrations !inistry o+ /oreign ++airs
release0 the Vhite Paper on Paracels an0 Spratlys Sa.
+ter the 3u6n !A Bhu]t Victory; the opportunity t9u li LM *erate the South ha0
arrive0. Bhe Polit*uro 0eci0e0 to complete the li*eration o+ the South inclu0ing islan0s an0
archipelagos such as Spratlys rchipelago; -gn :6n; an0 Ph 1unc Pslan0s @ithin the 0ry
season o+ $DSC.
$%Q
9n pril C
th
; $DSC; the Navys Hea0iuarters lai0 0o@n the policy to prepare +or
li*erating the rchipelago o+ SP.B:NS. Bhe li*eration +orce inclu0e0 the military
Bransportation pnit $"C; -omman0o pnit $"Q; 3attalion %S$; /i+th !ilitary zones
comman0o; 3attalion %#S; an0 comman0o +rom the Province o+ Xhanh Hoa. Bhe Navys
Hea0iuarters a0vocate0 Song BK Bdy Pslan0 as the +irst target; @hich @oul0 *e the stepping)
stone +or ta'ing control o+ Nam NOt; Sgn -a; Sinh Bon; n 3ang; Spratlys Pslan0s; an0 the
rest o+ the rchipelago.
9n Septem*er D
th
; $DSC; the 0elegation o+ the Provisional .evolutionary Hovernment
o+ the .epu*lic o+ South Viet Nam to the Vorl0 !eteorological -on+erence continue0 the
registration o+ the Viet Nams @eather station in Ho8ng Sa.
Bhe uni+ie0 Viet Nams government continues to a++irm the Viet Nams sovereignty over the
rchipelagos o+ Paracels an0 Spratlys
9n Septem*er $#
th
; $DSC; 3eiUing sent a 0iplomatic note to the Democratic .epu*lic o+ Viet
Nam to claim the -hinas sovereignty upon the rchipelagos o+ Paracels an0 Spratlyss
)BrETng Sa (@hich @ere calle0 *y -hina as Wisha ) an0 Nansha ) ;
respectively).
9n Septem*er "%
th
; $DSC; in the meeting @ith the 0elegation o+ the Party an0
Hovernment o+ the Democratic .epu*lic o+ Viet Nam hea0e0 *y Secretary Heneral :A Dun;
-hinas :ea0er Deng Wiao)ping (Vitnamese( 5ng Bi4u 3hnh) state0 that the t@o parties
@oul0 0iscuss a*out Wisha ) an0 Nansha ) issue in the +uture.
) 9n !ay $"; $DSS; the Hovernment o+ Vit Nam ma0e propagation on VNs sea ônes an0
continental shel+.
9n his visits to the Philippines an0 !alaysia in Septem*er an0 9cto*er $DSS; respectively;
Prime !inister Ph<m V=n 5Rng reache0 an0 agreement @ith Presi0ent /er0inan0 !arcos
an0 Prime !inister Hussein that all 0isputes an0 0i++erences @oul0 *e settle0 through
peace+ul negotiations.
Pn; !arch $DSJ the Vorl0s @ireless telecommunication 0ministrator con+erence passe0 a
resolution permitting -hina to utiliê a num*er o+ +reiuencies over the Paracels.
9n Decem*er &#; $DSJ S.VNs spo'esmans arguments in his 0eclaration on the
SpratlysSpratlys; rea++irming NVs sovereignty o+ the archipelagos; reiterating VNs position
on settlement o+ all 0isputes an0 0i++erences through peace+ul negotiations.
9n ?uly &#; $DSD -hina pu*lishe0 in 3eiUing materials to +orever that VN ha0 alrea0y
recogniê0 -hinas sovereignty o+ the Paracels an0 Spratlys.
$%S
9n ugust S; $DSD S.VNs /oreign !inistry ma0e a 0eclaration on the archipelagos;
re+lecting -hinas 0istortions in its pu*lication o+ a num*er o+ materials o+ VN concerning
the archipelagos; reasserting VNs sovereignty o+ them recapitulating VNs vie@point on
settlement o+ 0isputes through peace+ul negotiations.
9n Septem*er "J; $DSD VN pu*liciê0 a num*er o+ materials on VNs sovereignty o+ the
Paracels an0 Spratlys.
9n Septem*er "J; $DSD VNs +oreign ministry re+itte0 Philippines proclamation o+ anneìng
almost all the Spratlys to the Philippines territory.
9n /an &#; $DJ# -hinas +oreign ministry pu*liciê0 0ocuments on Wi Sha an0 Nansha )
. 9n /e* "; $DJ# VNs +oreign ministry ma0e 0eclarations laying *are -hinas 0istortion
tric' in its 0ocuments pu*liciê0 on /an &#; $DJ#.
9n pril %; $DJ#; a note @as sent to !alaysia *y VNs +oreign !inistry protesting
!alaysias replication o+ its map encroaching Vitnams territorial @aters an0 continental
shel+ at the Spratlys. 9n !ay J; $DJ# on a visit to !alaysia VNs +oreign minister Nguyn
-g Bh<ch asserte0 in tal's @ith it lea0ers; that n 3ang islan0 *elongs to VN.
Pn ?une $DJ#; in the sian meteorological con+erence PP hel0 in Heneva; VNs representative
state0 that the -hinese meteorological station on Sanhu0ao (VNs Paracels ) @as illegal.
/ollo@ing this; the VNs Paracels station @as retaine0 in the o++icial list as *e+ore.
9n ?une $&; $DJ#; VN reiueste0 9!! to register the Spratlys meteorological station in the
9!! net@or'.
Pn Decem*er $DJ$ VNs general post o++ice sent a message to the presi0ent o+ +reiuency
registration committee; protesting -hinas *eing permitte0 to use a num*er o+ emission
+reiuencies in VNs Spratlys)BrETng Sa an0 Paracels ) Ho8ng Sas airspace.
Pn Decem*er; $DJ$ a @hite *oo' @as pu*lishe0 *y VNs +oreign ministry( Bhe Paracels an0
Spratlys ; VNs territory
Pn ?une $DJ" the sinhua carrie0 the ne@s o+ a large seaport *eing *uilt on Paracels .
Pn Novem*er $"; $DJ" VNs government pu*lishe0 *aseline +or measuring the @i0th o+
territorial @aters.
9n /e* %; $DJ"; the 0istrict o+ Paracels)Ho8ng Sa; a 0epen0ency o+ 1u>ng Nam) 58 Nng
province; @as esta*lishe0 *y VNs government.
9n Dec D; $DJ"; the 0istrict o+ Spratlys)BrETng Sa @as esta*lishe0. 9n Dec "J; $DJ" it @as
anneè0 to Ph Xhlnh province.
$%J
Pn /an; $DJ&; the @orl0s ra0io (@ireless) telecommunications 0ministration con+erence
agree0 to consi0er emissions in Paracels) Ho8ng Sa an0 Spratlys)BrETng Sas airspace in the
ne`t meeting.
lso in /an; $DJ&; the sian paci+ic viation con+erence @as hel0 in Singapore. -hina
@ante0 to enlarge its 1iong^hou /ir encroaching the H8 N]i /ir an0 HR -hi !inh -ity
/ir *ut the con+erence 0eci0e0 to maintain the status iuo.
/rom pril % to pril $Q; $DJ% S.VNs congress 0elegation an0 Ph Xhlnhs 0elegation
ma0e a visit to Paracels an0 Spratlys . Deputy minister o+ marine pro0uct V2 V=n Brxc ma0e
a +ishery surveying tour o+ Spratlys 0istrict.
9n pril "C; $DJ% -hinas geography naming committee +ur*ishe0 ne@ names +or the
islan0s; san0 *an's an0 ree+s in the ,ast Sea; inclu0ing VNs Paracels an0 Spratlys .
9n !ay Q; $DJ% VNs +oreign ministrys spo'esman proteste0 -hinese naming.
Pn the $&
th
PNBpSB con+erence in 3ang'o'; VNs 0elegate +oretaste0 -hina utiliîng maps
ne@ names Wi Sha an0 Nansha ) +or VNs Paracels an0 Spratlys .
VNs +oreign ministry proteste0 !alaysias occupation o+ the Hoa :au islan0 in the Spratlys
group. VN also proteste0 the P.-s congresss 0eclaring the esta*lishment Hainan
a0ministrative ône inclu0ing Wi Sha an0 Nansha ) (VNs Paracels an0 Spratlys )
?uly in $DJC Heneral V=n BiOn D2ng; national 0e+ense minister visite0 Spratlys.
Pn $DJQ; Ho Dieu 3ang general secretary o+ -hinas communist party together @ith w3uu
*oa Thanh an. Truong Trong Tanr ma0e a reconnaissance trip to Spratlys)BrETng Sa.
/rom may $Q to ?une Q; $DJS the -hinese Navy con0ucte0 naval eèrcises in the sea are as o+
Spratlys BrETng Sa.
Pn 9cto*er $DJS. Bhe P.-s (-hinese) Navy carrie0 out eèrcise in the @est o+ the paci+ic
an0 the South o+ the ,astern Sea.
9n Novem*er; $DJJ; a huge +leet o+ @arships consisting o+ many 0estroyers an0 roc'et
arme0 ships move0 South +our o+ them 0ispatche0 to Spratlys engage0 in provo'ing an0
harassing t@o Vitnamese cargo ships in the area o+ -hc Bhep an0 -hdu ViAn ree+s @hose
roc's are Uust *elo@ the sur+ace. Bhere -hinese troops plante0 their +lays on these t@o ree+s
an0 their ships regularly carrie0 out provacative o*structive actions @hile Vitnamese go
ships @ere 0oing their regular supply service *et@een the islan0s protecte0 *y Vitnamese
troops. /or this operation; a special comman0 @as esta*lishe0 *y the -hinese; @ith "# ships
o+ 0i++erent 'in0s o+ the South sea Nan hai +leet rein+orce0 *y a 0ivision +rom the ,ast
Sea (South -hina Sea))56ng H>i +leet +or the Spratlys location.
$%D
9n the !arch $%; $DJJs inci0ent P.- (-hinese) 0eclare( -hina @as +orce0 to counter
attac' +or sel+)0e+ense. Bhis means Vitnamese Navy @as the attac'er (@ith t@o cargo
ships) an0 the -hinese; the attac'e0 +ighting +or sel+ 0e+ense. 0etachment o+ @arships
consisting o+ Q vessels; & o+ them @ith roc'ets; an0 $##mm cannons; attac'e0 @ithout reason
an0 san' & Vitnamese cargo ships carrying supplies to :an Dao an0 Hac !a ree+s o+
Vitnamese Sinh BRn islets group.
9n that 0ay a sea *attle *ro'e out *et@een the -hinese an0 the Vitnamese in the South Sea.
Bhrough it laste0 only "J minutes; at caught the @hole @orl0s attention. Vitnamese Navys
transport NC% +ull o+ troop @as 0amage0; @ith columns o+ *lac' smo'e *illo@ing into the
s'y. San0ing cra+t C#C san' on its @ay *ac'; an0 the Q#C stran0e0. Bhe merely "J minute
+ight *et@een uneiual +orces resulte0 in; on Vitnamese si0e " vessels sun' on the spot; "
others 0amage0; "# 0ea0; S% missing on -hinese si0e only some surveyors an0 other
employees @ere @oun0e0. -hina 0escri*e0 the sea clash as spectacularly clean (sic) o+
Vitnamese vessels. pntil pril Q; $DJJ; the -hinese ha0 occupie0 5l -hc Bhep; 5l -hdu
ViAn; 5l Haven; 5l BE NghIa; 5l Hac !a an0 5l Su*i (ree+s). 9n /an $ $DJD -hina
plante0 sovereignty mar's on the ree+s ta'en in $DJJ.
Pn $DJJ .VNs government in+orme0 the VN o+ this; sent several protest notes to 3eiUing;
particularly the ones 0ate0 !arch $Q; $S an0 "&; $DJJ suggesting settlement o+ the 0ispute *y
negotiation. -hina re+use0 an0 continue0 'eeping the ree+s.
9n pril $%; $DJJ S.VNs +oreign ministry proteste0 P.-s congress anneìng Paracels an0
Spratlys to Hainan (reselection o+ esta*lishing Hainan province on pril $&; $DJJ.
Pn pril $DJD S.VNs +oreign ministry pu*lishing a @hite *oo' Bhe Paracel an0 Spratly
rchipelagos an0 Pnternational la@.
9n ugust $%
th
; $DJD; the Hovernment o+ Viet Nam +oun0e0 the Hroup +or ,conomic;
Scienti+ic; an0 Service ++airs on BE -hvnh; HuyGn Brdn; 1uO DEgng; Phc Bbn an0 Phc
NguyAn su*merge0 ree+s Viet Nams continental shel+ at S
o
J
o
N; $#D
o
$$"
o
"# ,.
9n 9cto*er "; $DJD VNs +oreign ministry 0ismisse0 the arguments in -hinas 0eclaration on
pril "J; $DJD. P.-s +oreign ministrys spo'esman con0emne0 VNs illegal encroaching on
a num*er o+ islan0s an0 islets at V<n n an0 V<n Nh +iel0 o+ Nansha ) archipelago.
Pn !ay $DJD -hina inva0e0 a num*er o+ small islan0s. 9n !arch D; $DD# -hina cappe0 up
its scienti+ic survey o+ Spratlys *egun & years *e+ore.
9n !arch $J many +ishing vessels +rom 1iong^hou came to Spratlys +or +ishing. 9n
pril $Q; $DD# VNs +oreign ministry sent a memoran0um to -hinese em*assy in H8 N]i;
$C#
protesting -hinas 0ispatching many military ships; surveying an0 +ishing vessels to VNs
territorial @aters at Spratlys)BrETng Sa.
9n pril "J; $DD#; a note @as sent *y VNs +oreign ministry to -hinese; em*assy in Ha Noi
protesting -hinas troops ta'ing the n 5yt +iel0 o+ BrETng Sa.
Pn ugust $DD# -hinese prime minister :7 3ng suggeste0 VNs cooperation in e`ploiting
Spratlys location.
9n Dec $; $DD# on his visit to the Philippines; prime minister state0 Ve together @ith other
intereste0 nations can +in0 out an appropriate solutions to the pro*lem o+ Spratlys at an
appropriate time i+ not no@; P @oul0 thin' @e can postpone it so that P @ill not cause
0i++iculties in -hinas relation @ith it intereste0 neigh*ors.
9n /e* $; $DD$ many lighthouses @ere *uilt on the recently ta'en ree+s o+ BrETng Sa.
9n may "C; $DD$; -hina pu*lishe0 result o+ J)year scienti+ic survey o+ BrETng Sa.
9n ?uly S; $DD$; an uno++icial symposium on 0isputes in the ,astern sea @as hel0 in Xula
:umpur. team o+ -hinese o++icial atten0e0 it *ut 3eiUings spo'esman state0 such
atten0ance 0i0 not mean 3eiUings change o+ position an0 a00e0( -hina a0vocates solving
0isputes *y peace+ul means. -hina is rea0y to 0iscuss @ays an0 metho0s o+ e`ploiting it
together @ith intereste0 countries
/rom ?uly to ?uly $J; $DD$; an international con+erence +or regional countries @as hel0 in
3om*ay on Pn0onesias initiative to @or' on Spratly archipelago pro*lem. Bhe +inal
communiiuZ encourage0 0ialogues an0 negotiations.
9n Nov $#; $DD$; lea0ers o+ VN an0 -hina signe0 a Uoint communiiuZ concerning
normaliîng relation *et@een the t@o countries.
9n /e* "C; $DD" -hinas congress promulgate0 :a@ o+ -hinese territorial @aters an0
*or0ering areas; +iìng it $" nautical miles +or territorial @aters an0 -hinese territory insi0e
+our archipelagos ,ast; Vest; South; Spratlys an0 5iOu NgE inlan0.
Pn $DD%; VN proteste0 -hinas violations o+ VNs continental shel+ an0 ,,z *y signing an oil
prospecting an0 e`ploiting contract @ith cretonnes company (merican) calle0 the North
Van n "$ contract.
9n pril $J; $DD%; !r. ..-. Bhompson; Presi0ent o+ -restone ,nergy (pS) release0 a press
statement in0icating that they @ere con0ucting seismological surveys an0 going to visit the
islan0s to evaluate the petroleum potentials o+ the area all o+ these @ere parts o+ a contract
calle0 Vanan 3ei "$ (Vitnamese( V<n n 3_c "$). Bhe press release rea0s( 9ur
scienti+ic research an0 +uture commercial e`ploitation plans are the latest a0vances in the
history o+ scienti+ic research an0 survey in South -hina Sea an0 Vanan 3ei area o+ -hina;
$C$
*eginning @ith reports +rom "## 3-, un0er the reign o+ Han Vu0i (Vitnamese( Hln V2
5O).
Pt @as not until $DDJ that P.- manage0 to ta'e a num*er o+ ree+s o+ BrETng Sa.
&." $
:egal *asis +or
asserting an0 0e+en0ing VNs sovereignty o+ Paracels an0 Spratlys .
&.".$ 3asis o+ international la@ o+ 0etermining territorial sovereignty o+ o++shore islan0s.
/rom the $C
th
century to the early $Q
th
century; accor0ing to @estern conception o+ principles
o+ international la@; territorial integrity @as 0etermine0 *y the Popes 0ecree. Bhe !ay %
th
;
$%D& signe0 *y Pope leàn0er VP 0etermine0 principles o+ 0ivi0ing ne@ly 0iscovere0
territories outsi0e ,urope +or Spain an0 Portugal. ccor0ing to this 0ecree all lan0s an0
islan0s alrea0y 0iscovere0 or to *e 0iscovere0 ,ast o+ an imaginary line passing +rom Pole to
Pole through $## nautical an0 those o+ cap vest inlan0 *elonge0 to Portugal rJ";%%s an0
those 0iscovere0 Vest o+ the line *elonge0 to Spain ne@ principle @as +or the 0etermination
o+ sovereignty o+ territory 0iscovere0 *y a country. Pt @as possession priority theory. Bhe
priority *elonge0 to the country @hich +irst 0iscovere0 the territory.
Pt @as the theory Discoverers right rJ";%%s. ccor0ing to this theory @hen a navigator @ho
manage0 to plant a +lag on an inlan0; even a ships caption sa@ a ne@ lan0; his country ha0
possession priority right.
Pn reality such 'in0 o+ 0iscovery ha0 never *rought territorial sovereignty to the 0iscoverers
country *ecause it @as very 0i++icult to 0etermine accurately @hat 0iscovery @as li'e; an0
ho@ to con+irm an0 0eter mine legality o+ a territorial 0iscovery. Bhere+ore 0iscovering @as
soon supplemente0 @ith nominal possessing @hich meant the 0iscovering country must
have le+t a trace on the territory 0iscovere0 it tal' country a stele; a mar'er or a legally
proven national mar'ing to o*tain territorial sovereignty. Bhe nominal possessing theory
(principle) replacing the 0iscovering theory @as applie0 +rom the $Q
th
country to the late $D
th
century.
Ho@ever; the nominal possessing theory prove0 to *e ina0eiuate in time; some countries;
intentionally stele on; territories alrea0y con+irme0 o+ others. Bhere+ore many 0isputes arose.
:ater on; la@yers to the country an initial; traces le+t; *rought to the country an; initial;
incomplete nominal right an0 the act @as a 'in0 o+ +orestalling in character. Bhis nominal
$C"
right might *e lost i+ it @as not soli0i+ie0 *y practical; positive actions sovereignty assertion
reiuire0 reality an0 e++iciency i.e. real presence o+ the processor on the territory.
+ter the $JJC 3erlin con+erence on +rica o+ $& ,uropean countries an0 the p.S. an0 the
$JJJ session o+ the international la@ institute in :ausanne (S@itêrlan0); the principle o+
practical possessing *ecame prevalent @orl0@i0e.
rticles &; &% an0 &C o+ the 3erlin agreement o+ ?une "Q; $JJC 0etermine0 the contents o+
principle o+ practical possessing an0 main con0itions +or it as +ollo@s.
,ssential is an announcement o+ the possessing to the signatories o+ the a*ove)mentione0
agreement.
,ssential is a maintaine0 eìstence o+ po@er on the possesse0 territory strong enough +or the
possessors rights to *e respecte0.
$JJJ :ausanne international la@ institutes 0eclare0 emphatically( every possession to *e
e`clusive must *e really practical not nominal rJ";%Cs
Pt @as the a*ove mentione0 statement o+ the :ausanne international la@ institute that ma0e
the 3erlin agreements principle o+ practical possessing a value popular not only @ith the
agreement signatories *ut also @ith the international la@.
Bhe content o+ the practical possessing principle(
$. Berritorial sovereignty must *e asserte0 *y the state. private citiên has is incapa*le
o+ esta*lishing territorial sovereignty *ecause he has no international corporate capacity
international relations are *et@een nations.
". Bhe possessing must *e procee0e0 peace+ully an0 the territory must *e genuinely
o@nerless tes nallius or 0eli*erately a*an0one0 *y its o@ner 0erelieto. Ba'ing an o@ne0
territory *y +orce is illegal.
&. Bhe possessor country must carry out minimum sovereign activities compati*le @ith
natural con0itions an0 the inha*itants o+ the territory.
%. Sovereign activities must *e continuous.
9n Septem*er $#; $D$D Saint Hermain convention signe0 *y the then @orl0 po@ers 0eclare0
annulations o+ the $JJC 3erlin agreement reasoning that no more o@nerless territories @ere
+oun0; then no more legally vali0 the principle. Nevertheless; 0ue to it reasona*leness;
la@yers in the @orl0 over are still ma'ing use o+ it in their settlement o+ 0isputes over
territorial sovereignty o+ islan0.
/or eàmple; Bhe ver0ict o+ the la Hague international permanent ar*itration -ourts on the
Palmas islan0 0ispute *et@een the p.S. an0 Hollan0; an0 the p.N. Pnternational -ourts
$C&
ver0ict o+ Novem*er; $DC& on the !inguier an0 ,crehous inlan0s 0isputes *et@een 3ritain
an0 /rance.
-hanges in international la@ in the +irst hal+ o+ the "#
th
century *rought changes in @ays o+
aciuiring territorial sovereignty.
+ter @orl0 @ar PP the p.N. @as esta*lishe0 to replace the league o+ Nations. Vars o+
invasion le0 to a p.Ns charters principle (rticle "; clause %%) legally vali0 an0 applica*le
to all nations. Bhis principle o+ prohi*ition o+ the use o+ +orce @as 0evelope0 an0 rein+orce0
*y resolution "Q "C $DS#. nations territory shoul0 not *e an o*Uect o+ military
occupation e++ecte0 *y +arce contrary to the charters regulation. nations territory shoul0
not *e an o*Uect o+ invasion *y another *y means o+ intimi0ation or +orce.
ny territorial aciuisition achieve0 *y intimi0ation or use o+ +orce is not consi0ere0 legal.
Bhe a*ove mentione0 resolution also stipulates( States are o*lige0 not to use intimi0ation or
+orce to violate current internationally recogniê0 *or0ers o+ another or its o@n @ay to settle
international 0isputes inclu0ing the ones over territory or *or0er
Pn $DJ"; the pnite0 Nations convention on :a@ o+ the sea; pN-:9S 0eclare0 it $DC
signatories. +ter *eing rati+ie0 *y Q# countries the pN-:9S agreement has *ecame
international la@ since Nov $Q; $DD%; has *een (put to use); an0 has a++irme0 every country
countrys sovereignty on the sea. Bhere+ore; prior to +oreign countries violations o+ VNs
sovereignty o+ the Paracels an0 Spratlys carrie0 out +rom early "#th century *ac' to $Sth
century; the @estern style la@ -ontemporary la@ shoul0 *e the *ases +or VNs assertion o+ its
sovereignty. Pn $D#D @hen VNs sovereignty @as in+ringe0 the $DJJ :ausanne. Pnternational
:a@ Pnstitutes 0eclaration shoul0 *e re+erre0 to. :ater; the pN charter an0 the $DJ" :a@ o+
sea; @hose signatories inclu0e china; the Philippines; !alaysia an0 3runei; countries
violating VNs sovereignty; shoul0 *e +ully respecte0.
&.".". Pnternational legality o+ VNs assertion o+ sovereignty o+ the Paracels an0 the Spratlys
/rom the early $Sth century; :or0 Nguyn Phc :an or Nguyn Phc Bbns times; to
the early; to the early "#th century or eàctly $D#D VN ha0 eècute0 its genuine occupation
o+ these archipelagos asserting its sovereignty peace+ully an0 continuously accor0ing to the
then vali0 international legal principle.
The o#ere!gnty of The Paracel -*oang Sa1>
/irst; s a states economic policy; the Paracels)Ho8ngSa(team\+lotilla\ +leet)m]i)
paramilitary +ormation; @as assigne0 to control Paracels an0 per+orm there continual;
peace+ul perio0ical e`ploitations o+ valua*le marine pro0ucts an0 materials inclu0ing guns
$C%
+rom sun'en ships throughout the 5<i Vit 9 times ; 0uring :or0 Nguyn an0 Bdy Sgn
s times; P e +rom the early $Sth century to $J#$ to $J$C.
/rom $J$Q the Paracels)Ho8ng Sa(team\ +lotilla\ +leet)m]i) ha0 to @or' in cooperation @ith
marines ,very Near the Paracels)Ho8ng Sa(team\ +lotilla\ +leet)m]i) operate0 +or Q months
+rom !arch to ugust :unar or pril to Septem*er Solar in accor0ance @ith +avora*le
@eather con0itions.
Ssecon0; throughout the Nguyns times +rom $J$Q the Navy @as charge0 @ith the 0uty to
control an0 0e+en0 Paracels an0 Spratlys .
Bhir0; as +or as a0ministration is concerne0; throughout centuries; +rom the $Sth to $DS%
(@hen china too' it o+ *y +orce) Paracels @as place0 un0er a0ministrative control o+ 1u>ng
NghIa (@ith 0i++erent 0ivision names as PH as B.N accor0ing to historical perio0s); or o+
Bha BhiAn (0uring /rench colonial rule) or o+ 1pfNH N!)5~ NNH (0uring North)
south secession) then o+ 5~ NNH city (since reuni+ication) this proving VNs minimal
authority over the archipelago. ,vi0ence o+ this a0ministrative authority can *e +oun0 in state
*oo's o+ geography such as H9~NH VPB 5 D -H or 5P N! NHB BHNH
-H compile0 in the Nguyn Dynasty in 0ocuments compile0 *y the emperor himsel+ or *y
the court (-onstruction 0epartment) in the !PNH !NHs times in or0inances 0ecisions o+
Vitnams governments such as ,mperor 3>o 5<i ,mperor o+ Hue court o+ Hovernor
Heneral o+ Pn0ochina 0uring /rench colonial rule o+ presi0ents; ministers; 0uring separation ;
o+ the state or congress a+ter reuni+ication . Bhe a*ove)mentione0 evi0ence is iuite
0i++erent +rom that o+ china @hich can only assert its a0ministrative a+ter $D#D in $D"$; the in
$D%S P. e & centuries later than VN. n0 its other arguments are *ase0 on 0e0uctions @ithout
positive evi0ence. Bhroughout its 0i++erent historical perio0s VN even 0uring /rench colonial
rule; VN has never a*an0one0 its sovereignty o+ H9~NH S. So; even ta'en illegally *y
china a+ter @orl0 @ar PP on in $DS%; P.-,:S @as a0ministere0 *y 1pfNH N!s
authority an0 since $DDS has *een a0ministere0 *y 5~ NNH city.
/ourth; *e+ore violations; in any historical perio0; the state o+ Vitnam ha0 ha0 sovereignty)
asserting an0 implementing activities such as hy0rological measurement an0 mapping carrie0
out every year *y the P.-,:S)H9~NH S( team\ +lotilla\+leet) in late years o+ lor0
Nguyns times or *y the Navy +rom $J$Q 0uring the Nguyns 0ynasty (clearly @ritten
0o@n in 5NB:B3; 5NB:-3 or 5NH5S: *y N]i -lc or -hdu 3>n alrea0y presente0 in
re+erence materials). :ater; +rom early in the "#th century to $DS%; the same activities @ere
continue0 *y surveying; an0 mapping teams.
$CC
/i+th; 3e+ore violations un0er the Nguyns 0ynasty; particularly +rom $J&Q; as a practice
every year a sovereignty steel *uil0ing ceremony @as hel0 on every islan0. ,ven @hile
isolations @ere going on; governments o+ VN al@ays ha0 ne@ sovereignty steel put up to
replace 0amage0 ones.
Si`th; *e+ore the violations; in the Nguyn s temples @ere *uilt an0 @ells @ere 0ug. Bhey
@ere spotte0 *y chinas +irst surveying team in $D#D an0 0eclare0 to have eìste0 at a time
un'no@n. Particularly on /u lin; -hinese 0ocuments r%Js mention clearly the long)
stan0ing eìstence o+ a temple calle0 Ho8ng Sa Bx( Paracels Pago0a) @ithout clear starting
0ate. +ter the violations; temples an0 other @orship *uil0ings continue0 to.
Seventh *e+ore the violations; in the reign o+ Nguyn s Dynasty; particularly !inh !<ng
,mperor ; trees @ere plante0 on the islan0s so that *oats or ships coul0 +ee them to avoi0
acci0ents. 3otanists such as la /ontaine recogniê0 most o+ the +lora o+ Paracels came +rom
central Vitnam.
,ighth. 3e+ore the violations 0uring the reign o+ Hia :ong ,mperor; as in @estern materials
such as HutUla++s in the ?ournal o+ Bhe Heography society o+ :on0on; vol. $D; $J%D; page DS
a small *arrac' an0 a ta`)collecting Post sha0 *een setup *y Vitnam. Vitnam @as the +irst
to put up troop encampments on Pattle ( Paracels) @hile -hina ha0 its troops there only +or a
short time a+ter @orl0 @ar PP; then ha0 them retreate0 (in $DCQ -hina recapture0 /u lin
(Ple 3oisee) Pn $DS%; -hina recapture0 the remaining is lan0s a+ter sea an0 lan0 *attles
against the .VNs navy conclu0e0 on +an "#; $DS%)
Ninth Bhe +irst meteorological station on Pattle (Paracels) @as esta*lishe0 *y VN in $D&J;
remaine0 in operation +or a long time until -hina too' it *y +orce in $DS%
Benth 3e+ore the violations i.e$D#D; Vitnamese emperors as !inh !<ng; an0 then courts;
namely (3] -6ng) Department o+ pu*lic service; themselves; assertively 0eclare0
P.-,:S to *e a 0angerous place @ithin the *oun0ary o+ 1pNH NHP.
,leventh *e+ore the violations none o+ the islan0s @ere mentione0 in any o++icial state
0ocuments such as the Nguyn s times 1unc SK 1uln is o++icial *oo' o+ geography.
Neither @ere any o+ them in great Vitnamese historians @or's such as :A 1uv 56ns Pht
3iAn Bo :E}c. Pnterestingly; VNs sovereignty o+ the is
lan0s @as asserte0 ever in -hinese @or's such as -P D -N) BH-H 5P SNS Hai @ai
Ui shi V @ritten in$QDQ an0 those o+ @estern @inters such as :e Poivre ($S%D) ?.
-haigneau ($J$Q) $J$D); Ba*er0 ($J&&) HutUla++ ($J%D)
$CQ
Bhe map entitle0 N N! 5P 1p- H 5 in *ishop Ba*er0s :atin)Vitnamese
0ictionary :BPN)N!PBP-p!; pu*lishe0 in $J&J +eatures a clear note( Paracels seu
-lt V8ng (yello@ san0s) in the ,astern Sea @hile -hinese HP NN is not +oun0 in
Paracels (seu( @or0 :atinus means or).
The So#ere!gnty of The S"ratly -TrPqng Sa1
Pt shoul0 *e ma0e clean that +or " centuries +rom the $Sth to the early "#th; the t@o
archipelagos( the Paracels an0 the Spratlys @ere regar0e0 as a stretch o+ islan0s Ben
thousan0 miles long in the ,ast Sea (South -hina Sea)@ith the name Van li ^hang sha
or 5P B.NH S (:ong large san0s) also -B V~NH or P.-,:S
(Ho8ng( yello@; sa san0). Pt is +or this reason that in $DCQ the NH 5NH DP!
government name0 the islan0s anneè0 to south Vitnams 3~ . VNH B~p province;
P.-,:S)H9~NH S; the same +or the islan0s anneè0 to BH BHPN province in
central Vitnam. Pn the +irst hal+ o+ the $D
th
-entury; on the 5P N! NHB BHNH
B9~N 5; P.-,:S @as +oun0 note0 as in the North; an0 the VN :P SHNH SH
(Ben thousan0 an0 miles long san0s) in the south o+ the ,ast sea; *ut *oth @ere 0ra@n
as a long continuous stretch +rom North to south. Bhere @as no 0e+inite (clearness) *et@een
them as 0escri*e0 *y the /rench later @hen they 0emonstrate0 their intention to anne` the ten
thousan0)*e long san0s 1PN :P zHNH SH ST to thesouth; their colony; @hile
the Paracels *elonge0 to *elonge0 to their protectorate central @estern navigators share0 the
same vie@ @hen they has on their maps 0ra@n *y themselves +rom $Qth century to $Cth
century the name parcel or Paracels to in 0ictate a long stretch o+ islan0s along the central
5i area (5i ). -6n :6n islan0 an0 H8 BiAn are
@ithin operational range o+ the 3_c H>i (North Sea). ; 5<i BrETng Sa)Hreat long
san0s or P.-,:S o+ the late $Jth century reache0 as +ar as south o+ the ,ast Sea (South
-hina Sea)i.e. the present position o+ Spratlys . Bhe Wi Sha)TEy Sa $xn $ot compile0 *y
Huang museum; pu*lishe0 *y 3. V. pu*lishing House in 3eiUing in $DSC also @rites clearly(
3_c H>i is a group o+ islan0s o+ Nansha ) ; a -hinese name +or B.NH S
o+ VN. s +ar as international :a@ o+ the early "#th century is concerne0; *e+ore -hinese
$CS
violations; the B.NH S sit archipelago on 5P B.NH S or Van :7 BrETng Sa;
@as genuinely an0 peace+ully possesse0 *y Vitnam; @ith its sovereignty e++ectuate
continuously. ,vi0ence is as +ello@s(
/irst; in & centuries +rom the late $Sth to the "#th; the 3_c H>i team \+lotilla @as
organiê0 *y the state o+ VN to search +or sea pro0ucts in the region o+ 3_c H>i ;
namely the region o+ B.NH S; -N 5f9 an0 even H~BPN; to the south o+ 5i team\+lotilla ha0 H9~NH Steam\+lotillas
comman0er concurrent 3_- H>P team\+lotillas manager move to 3_c H>i an0
the islan0s in -6n :6n to search +or sea pro0ucts. : 1p 5N s PH 3PN BP :p-
vol. " also ma'es it 'no@n that the 3_c H>i team\+lotilla coul0 get nothing more than
sea animals such as tortoises; turtles; 0olphins; si` precious +ishes; sea cu+ull*er an0
(holothurians) sel0om 0i0 they manage to +in0 gol0; silver an0 other previous things. Bhe
reason is clear 3ecause o+ the 3_c H>i team\+lotillas +ailure to +in0 valua*le things as
gol0 or guns the Paracels team\+lotillas comman0er @as assigne0 to care o+ the 3_c H>i
team\+lotilla as @ell *y Nguyn :or0s; @ho @ere 'eenly intereste0 in gol0 or guns @hich
coul0 *e +oun0 only +rom sun'en ships yes; 5P B.NH S or B.NH S no@;
locate0 in the south; @as less 0angerous to sea ships +rom storms @ore rare there the 3_c H>i
team\+lotilla @as not consi0ere0 as important as the Paracels hence no compulsory or
voluntary service @as nee0e0; *ut it @as manage0 *y the state. PH 3PN BP :- Vol. ."
says volunteere0 @as given a service or0er @ith a 0irective +or the 3_c H>i
team\+lotilla s mission an0 the men a00e0 to the 3_c H>i team\+lotilla @ere eèmpt
+rom taès an0 0ues o+ all 'in0s even travel +ares this is clear evi0ence o+ the sta'es
management o+ the 3_c H>i team\+lotilla @hich @as place0 un0er P.-,:S
team\+lotillas comman0; the latters commission @as not only to e`ploit resources. 3ut to
control VNs o++shore is lan0s.
Secon0; Bhe 3_c H>i team\+lotillas operation ha0 *egun long *e+ore the PH 3PN
BP :- came into eìstence ($SSQ) as early as 3NH BHpN *ecame part o+ 5ng Ngis authority since *oth Paracels)Ho8ng Sa an0 Spratlys)BrETng Sa
@ere regar0e0 as one the 3inh Bhuens authority ha0 to supply men +or the 3_c H>i
team\+lotilla only. n0 it is alrea0y 'no@n Paracels is @ithin 1u>ng NghIas sea an0
a0ministere0 *y 1u>ng Ngi province. Pt @as not $D&& that SP.B:NS is that SP.B:NS
*ecame part o+ 3~ .; province; @hich @as rename0 PH- BpN in $DJ" it *ecame an
islan0 0istrict a0ministere0 *y PH XHNH province .
Bhir0 Perio0ical; continuous naval activities +rom $J$Q in the early Nguyns 0ynasty @ere
carrie0 out in the Paracels region inclu0ing Spratlys as 'no@n at the time. Bhe activities
@ere hy0rological measurementmapping; planting sovereignty mar'ers an0 steles as an
annual practice on every islan0; o+ @hich recor0s are +oun0 in !inh !<ngs on 0ynasty *oo'
o+ HP 5PN.
/ourth Pn $D&&; @hen no countries inclu0ing -hina ha0 sta'e0 their claim to SP.B:NS
the /rench 0ministration in VN organiê0 a @estern)style tra0itional ceremony o+
aciuisition o+ the is lan0s so accor0ing to the /ranco)Vitnamese Breaties o+ $JS% an0 $JJ%
the /rench colonial 0ministration ha0 acte0 on Vitnam *e hal+ possessing SP.B:NS;
then le+t o@nerless. -omplate terns)style aciuisition proce0ure @as implemente0 @ith a +leet
o+ @arships @ith @ritten 0ocuments signe0 *y the captain an0 seale0 in to *e inlan0 into a
cement pillar *uilt on each islan0. +lag @as put up; an0 trumpets @ere *lo@n in the
ceremony on each o+ the islan0s( sprat cay; 0*oine; Ptu)*a; :oai ta; BhL tM an0 their
0epen0ant islets. Bhen on ?uly "Q; $D&& the /rench !inistry o+ /oreign ++airs pu*lishe0 a
circular in the /rench 9++icial Haêtte on the aciuisition o+ Spratly on pril $&; $D&#; o+
*oine Pri)*a; :oai Ba; BhL BM an0 their a0Uacent islets +rom S
th
to $"
th
o+ pril; $D&&. Bhe
3_c H>i team\+lotillas annual continuous activities in :or0 Nguyns times an0 in the
early an0 naval operations throughout the perio0 o+ Nguyns 0ynasty are alrea0y eloiuent
evi0ence that Spratlys)BrEgng Sa @as not an0 is not o@nerless . Vestern tra0itional
aciuisition +ormalities hel0 *y the /rench colonial 0ministration in VN @ere merely
legaliâtion o+ the aciuisition con+orming to the then vali0 international :a@; concurrently
preventing 0isputes @ith other countries; an0 sho@ing than @ill to anne` SP.B:NS to their
southern colony (-ochin china) instea0 o+ the central protectorate. Pt is also note0 that prior to
/rench aciuisition activities in $D&# an0 $D&& no 0isputes over Spratlys has ever arisen @ith
any other thir0 country. Pt @as not until $D#S that china *egan to 0ispute @ith ?apan a*out the
Pratas archipelago; an0 not until $D#D that -hina *egan to carryout its illegal survey only
$CD
P.-,:S that it name0 NNSH ) . Pt @as not until $D&C the place name NNSH
) appeare0 on the map; *ut then it only in0icate0 the !aceless+iel0 roc' *an' (or
zhongsha) the name NNSH ) +or VNs Spratlys @as not given *y -hina until a*out
$D%S.
Bhe Spratlys Vestern style aciuisition ceremony per+orme0 *y the /rench colonial
0ministration in VN an0 then the anneàtion o+ SP.B:NS to -ochin) china signi+y
nothing move than reasserting VNs age long sovereignty o+ the archipelago *e+ore it @as
place0 un0er /rench colonial ru0e. !oreover; a+ter the /rench @ith0ra@al +rom VN in $DCQ;
Spratlys @as trans+erre0 to south Vitnams government; thus the continuous; peace+ul
implementing o+ VNs sovereignty o+ SP.B:NS ensure0.
/i+th 3esi0es the a0ministrative anneàtion o+ SP.B:NS to 3~ . VNH B~p in
accor0ance @ith /ranco Vitnamese treaties o+ $JQ" an0 $JS% the /rench colonial
a0ministration carrie0 out concrete actions such as *uil0ing a sovereignty stele; a
meteorological station (less) a .a0io communications station on Ptu) *a; an0 a *arrac' on
SP.B:NS an0 regular surveys an0 resources e`ploitation activities in the area organiê0
+rom $D"S through to $DC%
Si`th Di++erent governments o+ Vitnam responsi*le +or the management o+ the ,ast Sea
(South -hina Sea) o++shore region have al@ays asserte0 VNs sovereignty @henever it is
violate0; an0 have never le+t it a*an0one0.
Bhe success+ul $D%C ugust .evolution terminate0 the colonial rule an0 the reign o+
Hue court invali0ating the $JS% an0 $JJ% treaties; *ut +orm Septem*er "&; $D%C; the /rench;
a+ter recapturing Saigon; esta*lishe0 the pro /rench sel+)government o+ the south an0 later
the pro)/rench 3>o 5<i government; signe0 @ith the latter the $D%S Breaty trying to gain
support o+ the @est +or its +ight against HR -hv !inh government @hich @as preparing
resistance against the /rench. Bhe pro)/rench governments or /rench colonialist
continuously a0ministere0 SP.B:NS an0 other islan0s aciuire0; inheriting @hat ha0 *een
possesse0 *y NguyAn :or0 an0 the Nguyn 0ynasty *e+ore. Pt is also note0 that the regime
un0er @hich the South; to @hich Spratlys @as anneè0; @as colonial sel+) rule 0i++erent +rom
the protectorate regime +or the central there+ore the /rench sovereignty.
Breatment o+ Spratlys o+ either Spratlys or Paracels @as 0i++erent. Not only in the name o+
in accor0ance @ith the $JJ% Breaty *ut also o+ 0irect rule colonial a0ministration. Bhe
/rench; in @estern tra0itional proce0ure; gaine0 possession o+ BrETng Sa. Vhatever name
may have *een use0; the anneàtion o+ Spratlys to 3~ . VNH B~p province remains
$Q#
legally vali0 accor0ing to Pnternational la@ *ecause it @as 0one @hen no other thir0 countries
ha0 ever ha0 true possession o+ the archipelago.
Bhe a*ove)mentione0 0etails are clear evi0ence o+ Vitnams peace+ul; continuous
possession o+ SP.B:NS; @hich @as interrupte0 only +or a short time @hen it @as occupie0
illegally an0 +orci*ly *y the ?apanese (@ho overthre@ the /rench in a coup an0 0isarme0 the
/rench troops on Spratlys on !arch D; $D%C). Pn the late $D%Q an0 early $D%S the 3a 3hnh
islan0 (Ptu)*a) alrea0y occupie0 *y the ?apanese some years *e+ore; @as ta'en also +or a
short time *y the Nationalist -hinese troops; @ho too' a0vantage o+ the con+use0 situation
an0 their mission o+ 0isarming the ?apanese. Bhen in the early $DC# the P.-s troops le+t.
:ater in $DCQ also pro+iting *y the *usy authority han0 over the Nationalist -hinese occupie0
the 3a 3hnh (Ptu)*a) is lan0 o+ Spratlys an0 the P.- occupie0 /u lin (is :an0) o+
Ho8ng Sa. Pn spite o+ this occupation *y +orce an0 0isputes over Paracels an0 Spratlys an0
Spratlys sovereignty VNs asserting its age)ol0 (sovereignty) right is legally vali0 accor0ing
to Pnternational la@ seventh the /rench ,`pe0itionary /orces in pril $DCQ @ith0re@ the
government o+ south Vitnam continue0 the a0ministration o+ SP.B:NS; constantly
carrying out sovereignty 0e+ense activities. Pn $DSC @hen South Vitnam @as li*erate0; the
peoples rmy o+ Vitnam too' over the responsi*ility to 0e+en0 the archipelago;
e++ectuating VNs age)ol0 sovereignty o+ it. ny invasion *y -hina or other +oreign
countries; past or present; is consi0ere0 as a violation o+ international la@ .
&.".&. rguments against those o+ +oreign countries plea0ing +or their violations o+
VNs sovereignty o+ Paracels an0 Spratlys.
rguments against those o+ -hina plea0ing +or its violations o+ VNs sovereignty o+
Paracels an0 Spratlys .
/rom $D#D on@ar0; many changes in argument have *een ma0e *y -hina to Uusti+y its
violations o+ VNs sovereignty o+ Paracels an0 Spratlys Sa. Pnconsistency in argumentation
as @ell as inconsistency in naming( Nansha ) no@ mentioning !accles+iel0 3an'; no@
in0icating Spratly *etray untruth in history P.-s 0iplomatic 0ocuments +rom is success+ul
$D%D .evolution on@ar0s have al@ays +eature0 the argument( -hinas sovereignty o+ Wi Sha
(or VNs Paracels)Ho8ng Sa) an0 Nansha ) (or VNs SP.B:NS is in0isputa*le. Pt
@as not until +an) so; $DJ# that P.-S !inistry o+ +oreign ++airs; +or the +irst time; ma0e it
'no@n systematically an0 comprehensively. -ompile0 0ocument( -hinas sovereignty o+ Wi
Sha an0 NNSH ) is in0isputa*le /ollo@ing @as a huge 0ocumentary *oo' Voguo
$Q$
Nanhai zhu0ao Shi0ai Hui*ian pe ' *y Han zhen Hua)H8n -hyn Hoa( " )
group; :dm Xim -hi #$:an ?in zhi; Ng6 PhE}ng 3dn lmnVu /ang 3an; (SDC
pages) its compilation starte0 in $DJC; complete0 in $DJJ pu*lishe0 *y PhEgng /0ng
pu*lishing house (3eiUing) meant to give illustrations to the a*ove)mentione0 0ocument
critical analysis o+ the 0iplomatic 0ocuments an0 the 0ocumentary *oo' reveals chinas
sovereignty or unhistorical conception to argue against VNs historical 0ocuments (
@! Sha -or $Nr *o[ng Sa1
Bhe +irst given argument o+ the Huang0ong uthority @hen it pu*licly carrie0 out a
survey o+ Paracels (or Wi Sha name0 *y -hina) @as that Wi Sha @as o@nerless. Such
activities as having +lags plante0( "$)gun salute on a num*er o+ is lan0s o+ P.-,:S in
$D#D eècute0 *y Huang0ong Navy implie0 chinas intention o+ regar0ing Paracels as
o@nerless.
Bhe arguments ma0e *y -hina to counter the /rench colonial a0ministration in VNs
evi0ence @ere such as +ollo@s(
$. Pn $D#D the -hings government 0ispatche0 here a naval unit +or researches on the islan0s
con0ition an0 +or the eècution o+ real aciuisition act; a -hina +lag @as hoiste0 @ith cannon
salute on z9NHWPNH QR ( /p :PN). No reaction +rom the /rench government @as
re+lecte0 then
". Hun0re0s o+ years ago Pn0ochina @as a -hinas vassal state there+ore Paracels
*elongs to -hina; Pn0ochina has no right to its :or0s lan0
&. ccor0ing to rticle & o+ +un "Q;$JJS Sino)/rench convention on the 0emarcation
o+ *or0er *et@een -hina an0 Bon'in; Paracels *eing locate0 ,ast o+ $#J# " ,ast; is naturally
-hinese r%Js
*sence o+ /rench reaction to HpNHD9NH local uthoritys violation accor0ing to the
then vali0 international lo@ 0oes not mean VNs loss o+ sovereignty. Pt is impossi*le to
consi0er VN a vassal as o+ ,uropean +eu0al times to say VNs territory on the Paracels is
naturally -hinese even to say VN @hose vassalage grante0 *y the celestial ,mpire has 0are0
to violate -hinese territories +or & centuries. Bhe Paracel archipelago has never *een
-hinese territory. Bhere in $SC% part o+ Paracels team on 0uly struc' *y a storm 0ri+te0 to
1ing :an ( port. +ter *eing interrogate0 *y Hainan * authority it @as helpe0 @ith
supplies an0 returne0 home @ithout a hitch. /or this a letter o+ than's @ar sent *y :or0
$Q"
NHpNN PH- XH9B an0 the entire story @as reporte0 clearly in PH 3PN BP :-
as @ell as 5P N! BH- :- BPN 3PN
$JJS Sino)/rench convention 0e+ine0 the 0emarcation line only in the Hul+ o+
Bon'in *ut P.-,:S)H9~NH S is outsi0e the gul+ *elo@ the $Sth parallel ( the
citation o+ the convention is iuite irrelevant +ter Var " ; in the late $D%# the ,`tracts +rom
WP SH research reports *y WP SH an0 NNSH ) 0ocuments collecting committee
o+ Huang0ong 0ministration pu*lishe0 in $D%S r%Js suggeste0 the arguments as +ollo@s (
/irst Huang0ong Hovernor zhang .en)Uun ha0 men 0ispatche0 to D9NHSH an0 NNSH
) +or research .
Pn the &&r0 year o+ Huangùs reign (Vitnamese( 1uang Bx); t@o @arships /u*o an0
-henhang un0er the comman0 o+ vice. 0miral :ee zhun (Vitnamese( :i ^hun qr) came
to $% islan0s o+ WP SH +rom Nulin (Vitnamese( Du :dm ) Port. ,ach o+ them @as name0
@ith +lag hoisting ; gunshot ; stone engraving ceremony ; this together @ith internal an0
e`ternal announcements costing more than %## thousan0 teals o+ national currency. :og
*oo's @ith measurement an0 maps are still 'ept in archives. Pt the archipelago ha0 *een
/rench @hy no protest then
Secon0 ; in the +irst year o+ Wuantong ,ra ( s ); 1D governor zhang .en)Uun
suggeste0 0eveloping Wisha ) ; ha0 more research 0one coral +erti) li+er pro0uce0 an0
phosphate mines e`ploite0 @are e`hi*ite0 in NanNang PNam Xinh..
Bhir0; in the early years o+ the .epu*lic o+ -hina; Wisha ) guano tra0ers @ere
grante0 licensees *y authority +ive times in total.
/ourth; the pniversity o+ zhongshan (Vitnamese( Brung Sgn) together @ith south 1D
Bian Hou (t) organ carrie0 out research on WP SH phosphate mines /i+th; @hen as'e0 *y
?apanese NN WPNH u/oo0 company on sep "#;$D"# @hether Paracels @as /rench
territory; the /rench Naval comman0 at all in Saigon replie0 No material on Wi Sha is 'ept
in /rench Navys archives is 'ept in /rench Navys archives
Pn the "Sth year o+ the .epu*lic o+ -hina; /rance in+orme0 3ritain o+ its occupation o+ WP
SH; alleging the reason @as ?apans occupation o+ Hainan * threatening N N! not
the archipelago sovereignty
Si`th; petitions o+ NN! meteoro lo gical o*servation station chie+
$Q&
Seventh; -hinese citiêns un0er Song (Vitnamese( Bnng) an0 Nuan (Vitnamese( NguyAn)
Dynasties 0iscovere0 Bian li chang sha +,- an0 Van :i Shi Bang . zH9
.p SHP ) abXs zhu /an zhi vw8 *oo' o+ the Southern Songs time recounts( in
the Cth year o+ -H,NH zpN ; 1iong zhou @as appointe0
Vhen he reache0 Sha Nang -.; the +urthermost part o+ sea; he +orgot the @ay *ac' *y lan0.
9utsi0e @as @hat @as calle0 ,u l! / ) ; to NCAT 3AN2O; opposite @as -H!P; to the
@est -HN :P; to the ,ast; Bian :i -hang Sha (; Van :i Shi Bang very
+ar a@ay; e`tremely *lurre0 in the immense limitless @aters an0 s'ies o+ one color.
Navigation 0epen0e0 solely on the compass to *e @atche0; 0ay an0 night @ith li+e or 0eath
accuracy :ater Uong Da! NguynnOM o+ the Nguyns times saying in Dao Ni zhi :ue
B@o great scares up 1i ^hou xh a*ove 0o@n NC0n 30nO @as cite0 *y -hina an0
also the story o+ TRIN* *,AOs seven trips to Wi Nang P @as re+erre0 to as o*vious
passing *y WP SH; so @as /,P WPN * My *,ANOs account o+ his itinerary +rom
PH- XPN south @est 0o@n@in0 +or 0ays to -hampa. .e+erence @as also ma0e to the
0iscovery o+ the VInh :<c coin in the Dth year Nationalist -hina.
Vith these; -hinas 0iplomatic o++icials al@ays asserte0 that -hinas sovereignty o+ Wi Sha
@as in 0isputa*le. Ho@ever ll most all o+ these pieces o+ evi0ence @hich have *ecome
valueless are not repeate0 (mentione0) anymore *ecause the eloiuent un0enia*le historical
evi0ence o+ VNs asserting its sovereignty reUects all o+ -hinas arguments. -hinas mention
o+ even hun0re0s o+ activities is pointless since they are only instances o+ violating VNs
$DC# sovereignty. Bhe /rench late ness in protesting as presente0 *e+ore cannot *e a reason
+or VNs loss o+ sovereignty accor0ing to the then vali0 international la@.
s'ing the /rench Naval comman0 in Saigon +or in+ormation a*out the o@nership o+
Paracels @as as'ing the @rong authority. Pt must have *een the /rench consul to the central
li'e consul :e/ol or an nnams court o++icial @ho coul0 have given an ans@er as clear cut
an0 eàct as the remar' ma0e *y chancellor BHN B.NH Hp in $D"C( VNs sovereignty
is not to *e 0ispute0
+ter -hina $D%D success+ul .evolution; the +irst tie0 material o+ P.- SP.B:NS @as the
article entitle0 Notes on the Nam@ei an0 Sisha Pslan0s (anonymous) carrie0 in the
monthly peoples -hina pu*lishe0 *y the /oreign :anguage Press in 3eiUing on Sept
$;$DC$. -ompare0 @ith years *e+ore $D%D no@ -hina *egan to ta'e more interest in the
argument that -hinas sovereignty o+ Paracels an0 Spratlys @as age)long esta*lishe0 @ith
$Q%
plenty o+ proo+; @estern)style aciuisition proce0ure such as +lag hoisting @ith "$)gun salute
in $D#D consi0ere0 secon0ary. So *asically -hinas argument change0 +rom regar0ing Wi Sha
as o@nerless in $D#D an0 -hinas aciuisition complete0 to Wi Sha *eing -hinas age)ol0
territory. +ter illegally e`torting P.-,:S in the mi0 +an $%; $DS% -hina trie0 to see'
materials @ith contri*utions o+ scholars such as Shi :i zu y +; have them chippe0 i+
necessary 0istorte0; then +oiste0 on the argument( all the islan0s in the south -hina sea have
*een -hina territory time immemorial. Bhey @ere +irst 0iscovere0; *y +irst e`ploite0; *y (the
people o+ -hina) -hinese people; an0 +irst a0ministere0 *y -hinese 0ynasties. Bogether @ith
this; plenty o+ 0e0uctive citations o+ historical 0ocuments @ere use0 as evi0ence -9UAN2
MIN* N*zT :k,= Nov."%; $DSC).
:ater as mentione0 a*ove; on ?an &#; $DJ# the P.-s !inistry o+ /oreign ++airs
promulgate0 a 0iplomatic 0ocument o++icially putting +or@ar0 the argument carrie0 in the
article; then in $DJJ ha0 the huge 0ocumentary *oo' *y Han zhen Hua 01 group
pu*lishe0.
Vhatever is sai0; even -hina manage0 to +in0 evi0ence o+ 0iscovery earlier than Hans times;
not Songs as +irst claime0; the Hans; a+ter crossing the Nangtê (Vitnamese( DEgng BK);
move0 south only to 3ai yue z9; then Hainan an0 the ,ast Sea (South -hina Sea) very
slo@ly; long a+ter the a*origines; among them 3P Np, {9 inclu0ing :<c Vit; an0 the
3{ +rom HPNN +oun0 to eìst in Bhanh Hoa Viet Nam; also long a+ter the ancestors o+ the
inha*itants along the coast o+ central Vitnam inclu0ing the -h=ms; no@ a component o+ the
present community o+ peoples in Vitnam. Bhe -h=m @ere e`pert sea+arers @hose -hampa
Xings @ere o+ten out at sea; even one @as 'ille0 there in the ,ast Sea. Not to mention almost
all evi0ence citations @ere +rom *oo's on +oreign countries NChP Ph!nnO= i.e. not on internal
a++airs o+ -hina li'e !NNH /p s Nan ^hou yi @u ^hi ppen0i` &."C
(*oo' on Nan^hou s @on0ers) or zhao .u 1u abc s zhu +an ^hi |}8
(ppen0i` &."Q). !oreover; accor0ing to the international legality possession together @ith
continuous sovereignty implementation constitutes legality. So; the matter o+ concern is in its
ne@ argument -hinas use o+ +a*ricate0 evi0ence the +irst to a0minister +oun0 in Han zhen
Hua "s research an0 @or's; scattere0 in other 0ocuments as @ell as in -hinas $DJ# @hite
3oo'. -hina ma0e an e++ort to +in0 a real geography name in history to ascri*e to WPSH )
archipelago such as C|u Nh} 3oa ChEuO; originally the name o+ a small -hinese
o++shore islan0. Nevertheless; as cite0 in -hinese 0ocuments; C|u Nh} 3oa ChEuO; itsel+;
$QC
is @est o+ ~Na zhou o+ Hainan as sho@n in the Huang 0ong yang tu map in the
*oo' Nang +eng yang ruo 2 , or the 1i ^hou yang 3 map printe0 in some *oo's
1pN zH9p /p zHP 8 (-HPNHs time) or N/~C S P*,N2 G YUO; Uust
$## miles ,ast o+ HPNNs $N @7N2O 0istrict; @hile WPSH ) archipelago is
not ,ast o+ HPNN.
/or the 0emonstration o+ its asserting sovereignty o+ WPSH ) i.e. VNs Holng Sa;
-hina set +orth arguments consi0ere0 most soli0; as +ollo@s(
/irst( -hina asserte0 that the islan0s in the South -hina Sea ha0 *een un0er -hinas
a0ministration since SJD; the Cth zhenyuan NTr!nh NguynnO year o+ Bang Dynasty; /Pqng6
Bangs time.
-orrect; as @ritten 0o@n in -hinese historical *oo's as zH9 .p 1p abcs zhu +an
^hi |}8 ; there @as a0ministrative status change +rom Hans to Songs time ()(no@ a
0epen0ency o+ H>i -hdu city); upgra0e0 to *ecome capital city in SJD; the C
th
year o+
zhenyuan (Vitnamese( Brinh NguyAn) ,ra un0er the Bang Dynasty (Vitnamese( nh8
5ETng). 3ut accor0ing to N/78N2 T*7O; Bai ping huan @u Ui 456 ; /A D7
G T*N2O ($""$) an0 Huang 0ong tong ^hi ($J%"); in that year a story @as
tol0 that N3 P*CO; an a0miral o+ the Bang 5ETngs 0ynasty; le0 his men to reta'e
HPNN a+ter it ha0 *een un0er a*origines control +or $## year as a result o+ a revolt; then
petitione0 the ,mperor to place capital city in 9UN* SNO; nothing @as sai0 a*out the
anneàtion o+ any islan0 in the South -hina Sea to Hainan. rCDs
Secon0( -hina cite0 -hina Navy @as 0ispatche0 to patrol the sea. Bhis re+ers to the story
that the Northern Songs -ount or0ere0 the Navy to patrol Huang^hou; @ritten 0o@n in zeng
Hong :iang s Nu ?ing zong Nao - o+ Songs times (DQ#)$"SD). 9ther
citation are the story o+ a Nuan Dynasty general passing *y 1i ^hou yang 3 ; Van :i
Shi Bang on his @ay to ?ava +or a *attle in $"D&; +oun0 in N2UY{N SO; the
story o+ Hovernment o+ Huang0ongs 0ispatching *attle ships to sea +or 0e+ense; +oun0 in
Vang zuo s Huang 0ong tong ^hi o+ the !ing Dynasty ($&QD$Q%%); an0 the
story o+ Huang0ongs lieutenant Heneral NH BHNH ma'ing a patrol to@; +rom 1iong
Na . to Si Shang Sha 7- (a*out $S##)$S$"); @ritten 0o@n in Huang ren s
Tuy\n ChEu PhTO o+ 1ings times ($Q$Q)$D$$).
$QQ
/irst +or all; as +ar as evi0ence naval 0ispatche0 to patrol sea *or0ers is concerne0; Han
zhen)hua groups argumentation is *ase0 only on one paragraph in Nu ?ing zong Nao
- @ith the content as +ollo@s(
Nanhai 0istrict; a 0epen0ency o+ Huang^hou; @as the ancient 3ai yue z9 inha*ite0 *y the
!an an0 the 5>n. /rom the Hans times on@ar0s; it @as mar'e0 out as 0istrict. pn0er the
Bang Dynasty; it @as name0 1inghai (Vitnamese( Bhanh H>i) (Luan T!mt /S). +ter
0e+eating 3Pu @P_ng; our Dynasty ma0e it a metropolis. Xeeping it in +ull military control
an0 +ree +rom insurrection o+ $Q ônes. /oreigners an0 the Hans living together miè0 up. He
ha0 royal troops sent to ,ast an0 Vest har*ors; a +ort *uilt +or naval patrols. "J# @i0e; "##
miles a@ay +rom MN SNO post an0 N/Fo NgPO= *attleships *uilt. Bhe +ort @as %# miles
a@ay +rom the sea to the South ,ast. "# miles +rom NM0n S_nO post; at possi*le spee0 o+ C#
miles a 0ay; "## miles is total. (") /rom NM0n S_nO post 0o@n@in0; +rom the ,ast to@ar0
the South Vest +or S 0ays @as NC|u ChEuO= to :]t 3ao S_nO -*o[n ChEur *or0erlan0
note *y author); then on to the South Vest as +ar as N/X! ThRcO= Phot SP T| Bian ^hu (
; time o+ the Uourney incalcula*le.
Bhe paragraph completely +ails to prove the argument( /rom Naval /orces @ere 0ispatche0
to patrol WPSH ) +rom the Song Dynasty.
B@o parts o+ the paragraph @ere intentionally couple0 *y Han zhen)huang group; one a*out
an itinerary /rom M0n S_nO post to Da Shu ; Phet SE BK; Bian ^hu ( @ith
another a*out setting up +orti+ications +or naval patrols at t@o har*ors ,ast an0 Vest. Bhis
is iuite 0i++erent +rom the original Vu Shang zong .uo / rCJs. Bhis incoherent
coupling @as an e++ort to prove the Songs Navy patrolling NC|u Nh} 3oa ChEuO=
consi0ere0 *y the group to *e Wisha ) . ,vent @ith C|u Nh} 3oa ChEu ; there is no
+irm evi0ence as sho@n a*ove +or its *eing a group o+ -hinese o++)shore islan0s.
/urthermore; not only -Ku Nh2 Hoa -hdu *ut also other places li'e D SHp ; Bian
^hu +8 @ere mentione0 in the itinerary. Ps it possi*le that these nations @ere -hinese; too
,`tremely illogical.
s +ar as the story o+ Nguyns 0ynasty general @ar against ?ava; it goes @ithout saying this
is an act o+ invasion. n0 ho@ presumptive it is to con+irm is passing WP SH an0 NNSH
) @hile the sea is so vast.
$QS
.egar0ing Huang0ongs a0ministration 0ispatching *attleships +or 0e+ense; HN zH,N
H9) HN zH,N Hp "groups citation the !ings times Huang 0ong tong ^hi
*y H9~NH B contains a paragraph Dispatching ships to sea +or 0e+ense/rom Nan
0ing G Har*or (o+ D9NH H9NH 0istrict) o++ to sea to@ar0 three seas , Chu= Du
chuO an0 x 1i zhou ; then compares oriente0 -9NH !,P 0 to Vo VP
:p9. Bhis is to sho@ that +rom !ing an0 -hings times on@ar0 the WP SH an0 NNSH
) region @as @ithin -hinese naval patrol range (-hinese) rCJs.
Bhe content o+ the citation reveals its t@o 0i++erent sources. Pn Huang 0ong tong ^hi
only this +oun0( Sea pirates use three @ays to come; 0eploy anti. y (?apan) +orce +or
0e+ense; in late Spring an0 early Summer @hen @in0 rises; 0ispatch *attle ships to sea +or
0e+ense( Bhe mi00le @ay +rom Nam Dau Bhanh to PHB Dp9NH har*or; -H
BHP har*or; 3anh Thuy 2!ac sea regions rCJs Bhis 0escri*es Huang Dongs planne0
coastal sea patrol against ?apanese sea pirates.
n0 this paragraph is +oun0 in Huang zhuong s Hai Nu ($CQ&) Siam is in the
South Sea; setting o++ +rom Nan Ding G to@ar0 sea; then 0o@n South to 9 -hu; Du chu
; x 1i zhou (names o+ three seas; authors note); in -ong mei 9 compass rea0
to Vai la :; (-[ :ao .Z); in XH9N BHN compass rea0 0issection to -H!Ps ol0
port (no@ 1pP NHN); passing *y 5P PHB :PNH S9N (no@ !P 5P :NH); @here
*urning +lame to@er seen is ?iao ^hi < ; !P 0irection ta'en to -N :N SN (no@
-N 5f9); again -9NH !,P 0 0irection ta'en to 5P !P -Hp; tortoise shell
+oun0 at 1pP SN 5p 0irection ta'en to SP!s port rCJs Bhe paragraph is the recor0
o+ a voyage +rom Nan Ding G (a -hau Hiang river mouth) to Siam or Bhailan0 no@.
Vor0s so; through chipping an0 gra+ting the te`ts o+ t@o 0i++erent original @or's @ere
re@ritten on purpose in the style o+ Huang 0ong tong ^hi *y the authors o+ the
-ollection.
Vritten is such a@ay; the 0ocumentary collection itsel+ has no practical value. Pn no @ay can
it *e a source o+ evi0ence +or argumentation a*out sovereignty. rCJs
.ecor0s +oun0 in the t@o *oo's sho@ clearly that -hinese naval patrols at that time @ere o+
0e+ensive nature only against sea pirates +rom y (?apan); not +or WP SH an0 NNSH )
protection. s regar0s Vp SH,NH l s patrols; +irst; research on geography names
sho@s that 1iong Na . @as the capital city o+ 1iong zhou in the North o+ HPNN;
$QJ
that 1i ^hou yang 3 to the ,ast o+ HPNN; an0 Si Shang Sha 7- ; a san0 *an';
to the @est o+ HPNN; then naval patrols comman0e0 Vp SH,NH l @ere carrie0 out
aroun0 HPNN; not WP SH. Pt is also riote0 that 1i zhou Nang 3 is to the ,ast o+
HPNN an0 can never *e WP SH or VNs H9~NH S; more than &C# nautical miles
a@ay to the south ,ast o+ HPNN.
Bhir0( stronomical measurements *y 1uo 1iu ?ing in $"SD recor0 e0 in Nguyn
history *oo's only say( Pn $"SD 1p9 1Pp ?PNH ma0e /our Seas measurements as
or0ere0 *y NHpNN XPNH (vol.%J.leaves Sa)S*) to stu0y the movements o+ the pniverse
(sun; moon; stars) +or a ne@ calen0ar (vol.$Q%; leaves %*)Ca). Bhe measurements @ere carrie0
out in "S sites in X9.,; She le (Si*ia); North Sea an0 South Sea in the South Sea;
measurement @as ma0e at $C# North Pole (eiuivalent to $%#%S N lat).
Pn VNs o++icial history *oo's such as the Nguyns 0ynasty 1unc SK 1ulns XH! 5NH
VPB S BHNH HP! -NH !-; is +oun0 an e`tract +rom Ngh!nu /!n vol. o+
N, WPN * (*oo' o+ -on+ucius teachings)( Nghieu Xing again ha0 N*y ThcO go to stay
in Nan Uiao N (?iao zhi NO in the South); ma'e arrangements +or rice planting accor0ing
to the Southern climate; respect+ully ma'e recor0ings o+ the sun movement on the summer
solstice; the longest 0ay o+ the year; ma'e o*servations o+ the o+ the Hreat !ars in the South
to 0etermine the right high summer; @hen people are scattere0 (the Nguyns 1unc SK
1uln; XH! 5NH VPB S BHNH HP! -NH !-; BPN 3PN; S8i gjn;
!inistry o+ culture an0 ,0ucation; $DQC p."S). Bhis in+ormation coul0 have helpe0 -hinese
researchers to argue the @ay they 0i0; that -hinese territory inclu0e0 ?iao zhi NO (Wi Sha;
too) +rom 5ETng an0 NghiAus times; not only +rom Ban an0 Hans So; astronomical
measurement cannot *e *asic to sovereignty asserting. Pt is important to note that -hinese
maps pu*lishe0 *e+ore $D#D in0icate to note that part o+ -hina is HPNN (see re+erence
0ocuments *elo@).
/ourth( South Sea islan0s @ere sho@n on -hinese maps. $& maps o+ -hina are la*oriously
sho@n in Han zhen Hoa) Han zhen Hua " groups collection. Bhey are o+ " categories.
9ne is o+ !ing an0 -hings times. Vith South Sea islan0s sho@n. Bhe other is also o+ !ing
an0 -hings times @ith South Sea islan0s together @ith islan0s o+ neigh*oring countries
sho@n. .ea0ing the maps *rought +or@ar0 as proo+ *y -hina; care+ully; one can see
imme0iately; on category P map o+ the NguyAn; !ing an0 -hings times such as the zhi
sheng hai yang ông tu P in Nang /ang ?i Nao P1- ; not only 1PN :P zHNH
$QD
SH ST *ut also other li'e Wia 9u li / ) p Wiu => ; Da :iu Wiu >
(?apanese .yu'yu no@); DpP ! (?apanese Bsuma) sho@n. Ps it possi*le +or these
?apanese islan0s sho@n on the zhi Sheng Hai Nang zong Bu P map to *e claime0 *y
-hina as much as 1PN :P zHNH SH ST is 9r on Huang0ong Nang Bu 2
map in the Nang /ang ?i Nao P1- ; the names NCU N* *,k C*UO +or a high
mountain +igure (&)conepea') is also +oun0 ne`t to the names N3n /iu S_nO an0 NNa&
:angO @hich are names o+ the o++)shore islan0s sho@n in the naval 0e+ense map 3
HpNH D9NH B9NH zHP Np NpN 4 ($JJ"). -p NHp H9 -Hp itsel+ @as the
name o+ a -hinese o++shore islan0; not o+ WP SH archipelago as name0 *y -hina a+ter $D#S.
s +ar as the category PP maps; the !ing an0 -hings times maps o+ -hina an0 neigh*oring
countries are concerne0; it is +ar more 0i++icult +or them to *e use0 in proving @hich islan0 is
-hinese.
!ean@hile; no islan0 in the South Sea is +oun0 mar'e0 on state maps or mentione0 in state;
geography *oo's +rom the Bongs times (DQ#)$"SD) to the -hings times ($Q$Q)$D$$).
/urthermore; on plenty o+ o++icial maps o+ -hina +rom Nguyn; !ing to -hings times;
among @hich some @ere printe0 near the time o+ 0ispute such as the Da 1ing Di Huo (!
" map in Da 1ing Di Huo 1uan Bu (!" # pu*lishe0 in $D#C; +ourth reprint in
$D$#; HPNN is +oun0 0ra@n as the southernmost part o+ -hina an0 no islan0 is +oun0
0ra@n in the ,ast Sea; an0 on the Vang chao yi tong Nu 0i ông tu ^ in
the Vang -heng Ni Bong Nu ti Bu 6
pu*lishe0 in the "#th 1pNH Bp year ($JD%) is +oun0 clearly 0ra@n the southernmost
-hinese territory as ~N zH9p; 1iong zhou 0istrict; Huang Dong at $J#&# North
@hile the Northernmost islan0 o+ Wi Sha (or H9~NH S); as name0 *y -hina; is at $S##C
North. !any more other maps o+ -hina *e+ore $D#D also sho@ the southernmost o+ -hina to
*e NN HP islan0 see maps o+ -hina in Pllustration section). ll o+ this proves that WP SH
or P.-,:S)H9~NH Shas never *een -hinese territory.
/i+th( Pn $JJ&; a survey o+ WP SH @as carrie0 out *y Hermans; it @as proteste0 *y -hina.
Bhe Hermans stoppe0.
Bhis argument is representative o+ -hinese uncertainly. No cone0 poo+ +or this event is +oun0;
@hile there is plenty o+ evi0ence +or Hermans surveying almost all the seas +rom HPNN to
3_- H>P (North sea); Wiao ^hou h as +ar as WP !,N ; /p zH9ph ; +rom
$S#
$JJ$ to $JJ% unhin0ere0; @ith such goo0 result that the +in0ings @ere use0 *y the maritime
surveying service o+ the /rench Navy to 0ra@ the maps entitle0 mer 0e -hine !eri0ionale)
rchipel 0es Parecels pu*lishe0 in $JJC @ith co0e num*er %$#$ an0 a clear note( 0apres
les leves lleman0 ($JJ$)$JJ&).
Bhe a*ove)mentione0 -hinese evi0ence is consi0ere0 the most po@er+ul +or -hinas
assertion o+ sovereignty o+ Paracels archipelago. Not @orth much 0iscussing are very
+ee*le pools such as -hinas local (government) uthority rescuing en0angere0 +oreign
*oats an0 ships; t@o +oreign *oats sun' cite0; one at -uu zhou yang h ($Xn ChEu) in the
"#th -an :ong year ($SCC); anther at 1i ^hou yang xh in the "Dth -an :ong ($SQ");
survivors supplie0 @ith +oo0 an0 other necessities an0 returne0 home *y or0er o+ the -hings
government itsel+. Stories o+ this 'in0 @ere recor0e0 long a+ter the story o+ a ship carrying
Paracels troops sent to @or' @ith Paracels team *y :or0 Nguyn; sun' in a storm an0
0ri+te0 to U 1PNH:N port; a+ter an interrogation 'in0ly supporte0 *y the authorities o+
1iong Na . o+ HPNN; to @hom a letter o+ than's sent *y lor0 NHpNN PH-
XH9B (story +rom PH 3PN BP :- *y :A 1ui 56n; an0 5P N! BH- :-
BPN 3PN).
Nan Sha -$Nr TrPqng a1
pnli'e P.-,:S sovereignty; violate0 only *y -hina; SP.B:NS sovereignty has *een
violate0 *y many countries( -hina (inclu0ing Bai@an); the Philippines; !alaysia an0 3runei.
-hinas violation o+ VNs sovereignty o+ Spratlys actually occurre0 later; only +rom Vorl0
Var "; a+ter ?apan. Bhe latter nee0e0 to capture strategically important position to control the
,ast Sea. Pn $D&D; ?apan too' the largest islan0 Ptu *a name0 3a 3hnh *y VN; *ut in $DC$
SN /.N-PS-9 con+erence it renounce0 its claim to its. t present; the Ptu *a (3a 3hnh)
is occupie0 *y Bai@an an0 D *an's ta'en *y +orce in $DJJ occupie0 *y -hina ever since;
islan0s an0 % *an's to the ,ast occupie0 *y the Philippines; C *an's to the South *y
!alaysia. 3runei claims its sovereignty o+ the sea close to it. Pn0onesia an0 VN have opene0
many negotiations a*out 0emarcation o+ continental shel+ an0 economic privilege0 ônes
accor0ing to $DJ" convention on la@ o+ Sea. Pn0onesia has no am*ition +or territorial
sovereignty o+ VNs BrETng Sa. "" islan0s an0 Q *an's are un0er VNs control. (Sea
illustrate0 0ispute section; map &.CS; &.CJ; &.CD; &.Q#; &.Q$; &.Q" an0 list o+ SP.B:NS
islan0s occupie0).
Pn $D#D; only WP SH)P.-,:S sovereignty pro*lem @as raise0 an0 violations ma0e *y
-hina; VNs Spratlys unmentione0. /rom $D&C; as a reaction to actions ta'en *y the /rench
$S$
colonial 0ministration in VN; -hina *egan to have all the names o+ the Sea islan0s
translate0 into -hinese; NNSH ) +or !accless+iel0. Pt @as not until $D%S that -hina
*egan to use the name NNSH ) +or VNs SP.B:NS or the Spratly archipelago.
So; +rom the &#s to the S#s +irst *rought +or@ar0 @as -hinese argument NNSH )
has *een -hinas age)long un0ispute0 territory. :ater; as +or Paracels @as the argument
-hina @as the +irst to 0iscover; the +irst to e`ploit an0 the +irst to a0minister. Bhe time is
inconsistent; no@ Bongs; no@ Hans times. /ro the $DJ#s on @ar0 argument *ase0 on
historical 0ocuments such as the -hinese +oreign !inistry 0iplomatic 0ocument o+ ?an &#;
$DJ# an0 the Han zhen Hoa) Han -han Hua groups collection *egan to appear. Pn the ?an;
&#; $DJ#s 0iplomatic 0ocument; /an chen k s Nan ^hou Ni Vu ^hi j8 an0
Xang tai fs Pht Na& Story o+ Bhree Nations times.
No evi0ence +or the 0iscovery o+ Nansha ) as @ell as WP SH is +oun0 in these t@o
story*oo's. rCJs
-hinese researchers li'e Han zhen Hoa) Han zhen Hua "group ransac'e0 history *oo's to
+in0 place names such as Wp Shi ; ^hang shi T; 1ian :i zhang Sha ST; Van
:i Shi Nang 56 P ; BH-H 5NH@hich @ere names o+ coral coastal san0 *an's
or seashores to use them; *y mean o+ grasping +or the annotation o+ NNSH ) itsel+
recently given to !accles+iel0 *an' ($D&C); then move0 South +or the Spratlys ($D%S); C##
'm a@ay. -hinese researchers unprinciple0; li*eral name grasping sho@s itsel+ clearly in the
+act that Van :i Shi Nang 56 P @as use0 to in0icate no@ WP SH or Spratlys; no@
NNSH ) .
Bhe ?an.&#; $DJ# 0iplomatic 0ocument contains citations +rom !,NH :PNH :p
o+ Bongs times; Dao Ni zhi :ue; o+ Nguyns times; Dong Wi Nang -ao
728 an0 Shun /ong Wiang Song 9 o+ !ings times; NC*I P*AP NAMO an0
Hai Vai Ven ?ian :u V o+ -hings times; pointing out that not only WP SH an0
NNSH ) @ere consecutively name0 -Ku Nh2 Hol -hu; Shi Du ; 1ian
:i zhang Sha ST; Van :i zhang Sha *ut also the san0 *an's an0 roc'
*an's o+ these t@o archipelagos @ere given visually vivi0 names let us turn every page o+
these cite0 *oo's; one *y one; or rea0 the paragraphs cite0 *y HN zH,N H9) HN
zH,N Hp "group to prove -hinese sovereignty.
$S"
Bhe !,NH :PNH :p @ritten *y Ng0 Tu ThP $"SC has nothing e`cept a
paragraph mentioning the place names x 1P zH9p an0 1P zH9p NNH xh -9N
:9N as +ollo@s( i+ a *oat trip aroun0 the sea to +oreign countries +or tra0e is chosen; set sail
+rom NTuy\n ChEuO all the @ays to 1P zH9p NNH xh @here the 0epth is S# tr. n
ol0 saying( up scare x 1P zH9p ; 0o@n scare -9N :9N; @here the 0epth is almost as
great; C# truong. i+ tra0ers @ant to search /X! nO= NTuynn Phc; it is not necessary to
pass the great 1i ^hou yang xh an0 -on :on. Naturally 0eparture must *e +rom BpN,N
-Hp port; go out DP Dp outlet; then to the large sea Ho@ever; HN zH,N H9) HN
zH,N Hp " groups e0itorial note says x 1P zH9p is NNSH )
archipelago an0 1P zH9p NNH xh is the sea aroun0 WP SH; a stretch o+ archipelagos
@ith implie0 intent to support evi0ence +or -hinas sovereignty. rCJs
Dao Ni zhi :ue; of NNguynns time *y Da *o +ang mention -9N :9N;
SHP Dp an0 VN :P SHP BNH @ith this 0escription( /ormerly -on
:on @as also name0 N9uin Wn S_nO> Bhe mountains is high *ut siuare; its *ase hun0re0s
o+ miles in *rea0th; clearly seen in the mi00le o+ the vast sea; together @ith -hampa an0
NTY TRCO mount +orming a tripo0; the -on :on Sea *elo@; hence mountain name0
a+ter; merchant vessels have to pass they as iuic'ly as they can; 0o@n@in0 passing possi*le
in S 0ays an0 nights. prover* says up scare x 1P zH9p ; 0o@n scare -9N :9N. Bhe
*oo' also says the SHP Dp roc' seam starts +rom NT*IU C*UO an0 continues
stretching across li'e a sna'e +ar into the sea sea+aring countries call it( Van :i Shi Bang
. Bhe *oat rigge0 @ith % sails sets o++ +rom 5P Dp; ri0es the @in0; cleaves the
@aves racing at +ling spee0 to WP NNH P; +or possi*ly more than a hun0re0 0ays;
0istance covere0 over $# thousan0s o+ miles calculate0 on the *asis o+ a 0ay an0 a night
spee0; all the @ay to N9ua DaO (&#); all the @ay to 3ot Ne (&$) to -o :y; all the @ay to
-9N :9N o+ WP NNH P so +ar @ay that TU DU,N2 C*U TUO say( +oreign lan0s
an0 the !i0lan0 o+ -hina are o+ the same vein; are they not :oo' at the limitless vast sea
@here hi0es SHP Dp ; @ho 'no@ rCJs. 3ut Han zhen Hoa) Han zhen Hua "groups
note says the NNSH ) archipelago inclu0es the -on :on sea an0 the -on :on
mountain; again to support -hinas claim
$S&
Bhe note e`plains( DAN2 DI+N P*,N2 :AT consi0ere0 Van :i Shi Nang 56P to
*e the SP.B:NS archipelago. Ve (Han zhen Hoa) Han zhen Hua " group) *elieve
SHP Dp stretches +rom Tr!\u ChEuto ?ava; 3]t NA (-alimantan); -o :y 0ia mon
(De pan islan0) an0 -on :on. So; Van li shi yang 56P o*viously inclu0es all the
islan0s in the South Sea; @ith D9NHSH; WPSH; zH9NHSH; NNSH )
archipelago r%Js ,iually ChP_ng T!m"s Dong Wi Nang -ao 728; volume o+ NC*U
S G*, an0 WP NNH P -H! :9 copy @ith +ore@or0 o+ !ings year o+ NMzU
N2 $N 3IC*O ($Q$J) contain paragraphs @ith clear 0escriptions o+ 1P zH9p NNH
xh an0 Van :i Shi Nang 56P as +ollo@s( NAT C*U S,NOcompass 0irecte0
to@ar0 BN N! +ort; go +or a*out $& @atches to reach x 1P zH9p S9N; 1P zH9p
NNH xh (1iong zhou ). n0( in the Sea $## nautical miles ,ast o+ VN
WNH eìts S)straight pea' mountain @here pota*le +resh @ater springs can *e +oun0
an0 @here a Song ,mperors relative Dp DP,N XHp, @as capture0 *y :Eu Bhans troops
o+ Nguyn ,mperor in pursuit o+ B9NH D9N B9NH.
Pt is sai0 in ol0 times x 1P zH9p @as su*merge0; passing *oats ha0 to o++er the Sea
patrol Xing live (*u++alos or goats viscera) pottage; i+ not; @oul0 *e harme0 *y *a0 spirits;
very 0angerous place to pass *y. little more to the ,ast is Van li shi yang 56P calle0
*y 1pNNH -HP; SHP Dp HP. /e@ 3oats in tru0ing SHP Dp coul0 escape. Bhe
0epth o+ 1P zH9p NNH xh @as $&# arms stretches.
3oats on the @ay to 1P zH9p NNH xh an0 VoVP :p9 in these 0ays shoul0 not
0eviate +rom the ,ast; 'eep a little ,ast@ar0; hulls raise0; 0eviation @est +or*i00en; no +resh
@ater availa*le there Sea)going reiuires o*servation s'ill; @ater *lue @ith +ish sur+ing
+iel0s in0icates Vest; @ater *lac' in0icates 0e+initely ,ast; @ater *lue; @ith 0ecaye0 +allen
trees 0ri+ting; @il0 0uc's crying li'e *lac')taile0 @hite *ir0s; in0icates the right 0irection i+
a+rai0 @ith a little 0e+lection into the ,ast; go on +or S canh @atches to reach 56P @an
li shi yang @here stan0s are not very high re0 roc' mountain. P+ *oats shallo@ hulle0 an0
su*merge0 roo's seen; e`treme care shoul0 *e ta'en. r%Js
Here; Han zhen)hua groups note says 1P zH9p NNH xh is Wisha ) ; 1P zH9p
xh ; Van li shi yang 56Pgenerally all South Sea islan0s.
$S%
Bhe NThuon Phong TPqng TQngO recor0( in ancient times; rages traveling *y sea generally
use0 a "%)point compass. Bo ta'e the right @ay to x 1P zH9p they hel0 +irm to -8n
point (Northeast),ast) in the upper; to Xh6n point (South@est)South) in the lo@er.rCJs
Bhe HfP 59 -HN XPNH *oo'; Thuon Phong ThPbng Bnng an0 zhi na ^heng +a
85 (o+ late XHNH HN o+ -hing times) com*ine0; recor0s( 1P zH9p NNH x
h @as to $"# arm stretches 0eep. 9n the @ay to an0 +ro; an o++ering o+ three sacri+ices (pig;
*u++alo; goat) @ith mello@ @ine an0 soup @as ma0e to solitary souls. 3oats 0e+lecte0 ,ast;
plenty o+ *ir0s; 0e+lecte0 Vest; plenty o+ +ish. rCJs
Pn the lo@er ?iao ^hi yang NOPto the Vest; grass islan0 +oun0; @here s@i+t @ater currents
s@i+t @ith plenty o+ ree0s; +ire@oo0 an0 +lying +ish. De+tecte0 Vest Nba! "hong nguO ()
an0 +oun0 @ater %C arm stretches 0eep. De+lecte0 ,ast; S)@atch *oat ri0e to reach Van li shi
yang 56P. rCJs
Hai Huo Ven ?ian :u e *y & -hen :un ?un also recor0s position o+ VN :P
zHNH SH ( South o+ the san0 trace as +ar as Nue hai 9 is VN :P zHNH
SH . sea a@ay to the South is B.NH S !N. again at the southern en0;
another san0 trace rises an0 continues as +ar as VN -Hp o+ 1pNNH HfP. South o+ this
san0 stretch rises a roc' stretch running as +ar as x 1P zH9p sea calle0 BHP,N :N SHP
Dp ; B.NH S !N; L N! 9 to the North@est; an0 DP BPNH
islan0 in 3PNH HP are symmetrically apposite to each other; +orming something li'e a
trivet. Bhe North to South @i0th o+ B.NH S !N is a*out C)@atch *oat ri0e.
/oreign *oats an0 ships o+ neigh*oring or Vestern countries *oun0 +or Pn0onesia; :uôn (:c
Bnng); Prain ?aya (V<n :<i); Bo :oc (Bimor) use B.NH S !N as a @ay out. North
@in0; L N! 9; South @in0; DP BPNH as re+erence points. 3oats +rom 2!ang To=
Ch!et 2!ang= Phuc G!en *oun0 +or :c Bnng countries *y @ay o+ ,ast Pn0onesia have to pass
Sa !a Xy Dau !on o+ Bai@an. 3oats +rom Wi Nang P *oun0 +or PHp- XP,N an0 Ch!et
2!ang +ollo@ the route passing the ,ast o+ the -on :on x 1i zhou Sea; a@ay +rom VN
:P zHNH SH ; then S ! XN Dp !9N. 3oats +rom ?apan; *oun0 +or -hina
+ollo@ a *o@)string straight a@ay; *oun0 +or Pn0onesia sail across the sea; ta'ing their course
+or x 1P zH9p +rom VP,B Dp9NH some@here *et@een these islan0s. rCJs
$SC
Vith this; & -hen :un ?uns Hai Ven ?ian :u (-hing times) gives a clearer
0escription o+ the position o+ 1PN :P zHNH SH ST *ut in no @ay to say that it
in0icates NNSH ) or VNs B.TNH S; not to mention to *e use0 as evi0ence +or
-hinas assertion o+ sovereignty. Vhat a con+using an0 li*eral interpretation -hinese
scholars use Van li shi yang 56P to in0icate no@ zH9NHSH (&"); no@ WP SH (re0
roc' islan0 H9NH BH-H Dp; no@ Bhach Dao o+ Bhuong Nhat Dao group o+ Nansha )
; no@ D9NHSH. D9NHSH has *een move0 +rom its original place o++ Huang Dong
shore to the present place since BHP,N :N SHP Dp @as use0 to in0icate NNSH )
. Pn Hai @ai @en Uian lu V notes iian li ^hang sha ST; Van li shi yang 5
6P generally in0icates islan0s in the South Sea. Pn historical *ills o+ 1ing Dynasty is
people comprehensive *oo's o+ $J## 1ings a0ministrative units; or BH-H D9 PHp
-Hp HP,N -hing a0ministrative units comprehensive *oo's o+ map *y HP,N PH9NH in
$J##; some note sho@ BHB Dp9NH -Hp to *e WP SH. 9ther notes sho@ Van li shi
yang 56P to *e zH9NHSH an0 NNSH ) as in 0a iing ^hong @ai tian ìa
iuan tu V(\#; $S"% iing ^hi sheng +en tu (: ;; an0 $SCC @ang cheng ge
^hi sheng +en tu _ or SP.B:NS to *e WP SH the map 0ong nan hai yi tu
<= in $Q"$ !9 NpN NPS 8Vp 3P zHP *oo's an0 many other maps
s alrea0y 'no@n; @ith these eiuivocal; con+use0 proo+s e++orts have *een ma0e *y
-hinese scholars t9u li LM *erally names on Wisha ) or Nansha ) . -are+ul stu0y
o+ the 0escri*e0 events sho@s they too' place all aroun0 the sea near /uUian Huang
Dong not as +ar as the South @here the names Wisha ) ; zhongsha an0 Nansha )
gra0ually appeare0 a+ter $D#S. Bhe name Nansha ) itsel+ @as move0 +rom the present
zhongsha to the present Nansha ) ; C## Q## 'm a@ay Bhe name -on :on ha0 *een
use0 *y -hinese years *e+ore -hrist to in0icate a mountain @here a legen0 says !uc BhiAn
SM o+ Bbn came to meet Bdy VEgng !u. :ater the name @as use0 to in0icate various high
mountains; even the Himalaya as +inally. /rom the $S
th
century on@ar0 the name -on :on
@as use0 *y -hinese to in0icate a num*er o+ islan0 o+ VN @as not calle0 *y that name at that
time. ccor0ing to Pelliot the Vitnamese name -on :on comes +rom !alay; Pulau (islan0)
Xun0er or islan0 o+ pump'ins or Poulo -on0or *y Vesterners (&&)
$SQ
Bhe li*eral an0 casual use o+ Wisha ) an0 Nansha ) is all the more apparent
@hen the -hinese collecte0 0ocuments in Han zhen)hua groups historical collection are
0iscovere0 to have 0etermine0 clearly the position o+ SP.B:NS; as recor0e0 in Mao *ong
TEnrs Huang 0ong tu ^hi Van li chang sha $Xn 3d TrPqng Sa *elonge0
to Nue hai 9 (Sea) (@ith 1iong zhou islan0 0istrict) 0otte0 @ith plenty o+ islan0s an0
islets o+ various siê0 ree+s roc' *lan's su*merge0 roc's the more *ranching the more
0angerous. Bhat is Van li chang sha as a 0epen0ent o+ 9uynh Duong ; Nue hai
9 as the sea ,ast o+ Huang Dong; the ancient 3ai yue z9 ; an0 1iong yang as the sea
,ast o+ 1iong zhou o+ Hai Nan; all situate0 close to Huang Dong; impossi*ly as +ar as
the present Nansha ) r"&s.
great num*er o+ -hinese *oo's 0escri*ing sea going itineraries very clearly 0e+ine
the position o+ 1ian li zhang Sha ST an0 that o+ Van :i Shi Bang
impossi*ly sai0 as +ar as the present position o+ Nansha ) . & -hen :un ?un s
Hai Ven ?ian :u; H< Nam to Huang nan @ith a note saying i+ Nga! 3a S_n (c[ lao
.Z) o+ 1uYnh -hdu is seen *oats 0eviate0 ,ast @ill intru0e 1ian li zhang Sha ST ;
0eviate0 Vest very possi*ly go into Huang nan 3ay. So; it @asnt until the mi0 $D
th
century or even $D%S that -hina claime0 Vitnams Spratly or Spratlys to *e Nansha ) .
Bhis is a +act( never *e+ore 0i0 the -hinese authorities ta'e interest in possessing the
archipelagos in the ,ast Sea. Particularly -hinas claim +or Nansha ) archipelago or
name0 BuanSa)5o8n Sa in $D&C an0 Nansha ) in $D%S *y the country occurre0 at least
nearly &# years later than its claim +or Wisha ) .
Vhen the /rench colonial 0ministration in Vitnam carrie0 out Vestern style
possession ta'ing proce0ures +or these archipelagos in the years +rom $D&# to $D&&. -hinas
interests *ecome more su*stantive an0 planne0 sovereignty violations o+ these islan0s starte0
against the /rench acting as Vitnams 0iplomatic protector.
-hinas $DJ# 0iplomatic 0ocument as @ell as the Han zhen Hua " s groups
-ollection o+ 0ocuments *rings out archeological an0 cultural recor0s or those +rom
HPNN +ishermens log *oo's. Vhat @aste o+ e++orts the +act that many -hinese antiiues
as ancient Q Nong le coins have *een +oun0 is very similar to the +act that .oman antiiues
have *een 0iscovere0 in 9c ,o (South Vitnam). Pt is impossi*le to conclu0e that the
$SS
.omans 0iscovere0 Vitnam ; hence ha0 the sovereignty o+ the lan0. Vhat an irony o+
e`plicitly mentioning Ho8ng Sa Bx (the Paracels temple); a proo+ o+ Vitnams sovereignty;
in the part o+ those -hinese archeological an0 cultural 0ocuments treating the +u lin
islan0 (Ple 3oisZ) as supporting evi0ence. Similarly the name /0ng *F!O (,ast Sea) is +oun0
recor0e0 in HPNN +ishermens log *oo's;
N/0ng *F!O meaning the ,ast Sea. Bhe ,ast o+ -hina or even o+ HPNN is @here
everyone 'no@s. Bhe position o+ Paracels or 5o8n Sa is south o+ HPNN; so South o+
-hina; o+ course
Nevertheless; @ith such eiuivocal; unreasona*le evi0ence the $DJ# 0iplomatic
0ocument o+ -hinas /oreign !inistry even criticiê0 Vitnams argument in its $DSD Vhite
3oo'( Pts +reest parts is li'e point to a 0eer an0 say it is a house an0 the remaining part is
completely @ea' hence legally valueless
Bhe -hinese 0ocument insists that Paracels an0 Spratlys Sa o+ Vitnam arent
-hinese Wi Sha an0 Nansha ) ; an0 possi*ly they are o+ shore islan0s an0 san0 *lan's
along the coast o+ -entral Vitnam even as remar'e0 at ran0om *y Han zhen)hua group;
Paracels is nothing else than :e 1ui Dons Phu 3ien Bap :uc; re+erre0 to *y -hina +or
citations; contains many paragraphs @ith clear in0ication o+ Paracels +iel0 *eing near
HPNNs Phu :iem -hau an0 the story o+ t@o sol0iers o+ Paracels team +leet on 0uty
0ri+te0 to U 1ing:an port (HPNN) in the $J
th
-an :ong year ($SC%).
-hinas $DJ# 0iplomatic 0ocuments also says Vitnams $DSD Vhite 3oo' +ails to
*ring out any valua*le historical 0ocument recogniîng its SP.B:NS; namely -hinas
Nansha ) . Bhis is o*vious *ecause -hinas Nansha ) isnt real an0 the name is
mo*iles( in $D&C it @as +or the !accles+iel0 3lan'; in $D%S it @as move0 South as mentione0
many times *e+ore. Bhe iuestion is @hether it has stoppe0 at $%N or @ill move +urther 0o@n
South . Bhe Phu 3ien Bap :uc 0e+ines the position o+ 5i locality *ut the North Sea locality is claime0 to *e South
o+ the ,ast Sea (South-hina Sea)stretching as +ar as -on :on islan0 . ,nough is enough .
Bhe $DJ# -hinese 0iplomatic 0ocument also claims that Vitnam government has +aile0 t9u
li LM ve up to its statement( No@ the Vitnamese government hasnt 'ept its @or0s;
s@allo@ing all @hat it ha sai0; acting against its +ormer recognition o+ Wisha ) an0
Nansha ) archipelagos as -hina territory. Such a thing is +or*i00en *y Pnternational
la@.
$SJ
/irst o+ all; as regar0s Pnternational :a@ applica*le to all the countries (inclu0ing
-hina) @hich signe0 the $DC% Heneva greement on Vitnam; South Vitnam 0o@n +rom the
$S
th
parallel inclu0ing Paracels an0 Spratlys Sa a0ministere0 *y the /rench e`pe0itionary
/orces @as to *e han0e0 over to South Vitnam government in $DCQ. Saigon government an0
later the Provisional .evolutionary government o+ the .epu*lic o+ South Vitnam too'
responsi*ility to a0minister an0 0e+en0 Paracels an0 Spratlys Sa. Never ha0 these t@o
governments; 0eclare0 their renunciation o+ sovereignty o+ them. No matter @hat @as starte0
*y any governments inclu0ing the Democratic .epu*lic o+ Vitnams @hich 0i0nt
a0minister the territory South o+ the $S
th
parallel accor0ing the Heneva agreement; the
statement; only o+ political value at the time; hasnt a++ecte0 in any @ay Vitnams
sovereignty o+ Paracels an0 Spratlys Sa . Vhen -hina too' possession o+ Paracels in $DS%;
the Provisional .evolutionary government o+ South Vitnam 0eclare0 that the matter shoul0
*e put o++ an0 settle0 *y peace+ul means.
Bhere+ore; any statement *y any governments; the Democratic .epu*lic o+ Vitnams
inclu0e0; a*out these sovereignty o+ these t@o archipelagos isnt (vali0 accor0ing to
Pnternational la@) o+ legal value internationally.
Bhe P..SVNs point o+ vie@ regar0ing -hinas ta'ing Paracels in ?anuary $DS% re+lects
+aith+ully the .evolutionary lines o+ Vitnam le0 *y Vitnams communist party. nything
else re+lects only actions ta'en against the common enemy. Prime !inister Pham Van Dong
s statement too @as 0istorte0 *y -hina. Bhe Prime !inister only gave his approval to
-hinas 0ecision on -hinas territorial @aters ma0e *y the P.-. Pn reality; -hinas Wisha )
an0 Nansha ) arent Vitnam Paracels an0 Spratlys Sa. Bhey are only pro0uct o+
name gra+ting an0 0e0uctions. Pn -hina history; nothing li'e possession ta'ing ha0 ever
happene0; to Wisha ) *e+ore $D#D an0 Nansha ) *e+ore $D&C. Boo much e++ort @as
ma0e in the 0iplomatic 0ocument as @ell as in Han zhen)huas groups 0ocumentary
collection to cite mane countries recognition o+ -hinas sovereignty o+ Wisha ) an0
Nansha ) . ,very country has its o@n allies; rea0ily supporting its 0iplomatic move.
Bhis happene0 in the $DC$ San /rancisco -onvention @here -hina @as supporte0 *y the
Soviet pnion to have its sovereignty o+ Wisha ) an0 Nansha ) recogniê0;
Nevertheless; -hina hasnt gaine0 any recognition so +ar o++ere0; *y the $DC$ San /rancisco
-oven Paracels in $DS% an0 a num*er o+ islan0s o+ Spratlys in $DJJ *y +orce .
$SD
Bhe ?anuary "$; $DJ# 0iplomatic 0ocument @as +ollo@e0 *y the $DJJ !emoran0um
an0 many more research @or's li'e Han zhen)hua groups collection. !ore e++orts to
research have *een ma0e *ut nothing consi0era*le ne@ has a00e0 to the argument that -hina
@as the +irst to 0iscover; the +irst to e`ploit an0 the +irst a0minister. Ho@ever; *ecause it is
*ase0 on untruth it is a vain attempt li'e *uil0ing castle in the air.
-onseiuently; ho@ much evi0ence an0 ho@ much support +rom allies -hina has
gathere0 +or its claim +or sovereignty o+ Paracels an0 Spratlys Sa is no matter since the
agreement is so +aint so unscienti+ic an0 so unconvincing.
&.&." rguments against those o+ the Philippines; !alaysia; 3runei plea0ing +or their
violations o+ Vitnams sovereignty o+ Spratlys
Violations o+ Vitnams sovereignty o+ Spratlys *y a num*er o+ South ,ast sian
countries occurre0 much later; nearly hal+ o+ a century; than -hinas violations o+ Ho8ng Sa.
Bhe Philippines @as the +irst; +ollo@e0 *y !alaysia an0 3runei to *ring up the pro*lem o+
sovereignty o+ a part o+ SP.B:NS. Bhe +irst violation o+ the Philippines @as in $DCQ; o+
!alaysia in $DSD an0 o+ 3runei in $DJ". Bhe reason +or the out*rea' o+ violations o+ those
countries @asnt only strategy *ut also natural resources @hich @as petering out on lan0; yet
very potential un0ersea aroun0 SP.B:NS; oil reserves in particular. /or the same reason
-hina attempte0 to violate even o+ Vitnams continental sheet. (See maps illustrating
0isputes).
Bhe $DJ" pN-:9S convention 0e+ines(
,very country is permitte0 to esta*lish its territorial @aters not more than $"
nautical miles a@ay +rom the *aseline.
Vhere the coastline is 0eeply an0 irregularly in0enture0 or e0ge0 close @ith a string
o+ islan0; the *aseline to *e use0 is +orme0 *y straight lines Uoining point applica*le (article
S).
Sea *or0ere0 countries must not o*struct harmless passage o+ +oreign vessels in
their territorial @aters; e`cept in cir cumstances 0e+ine0 *y the -onvention (article "%).
Sea *or0ere0 countries can esta*lish a ône a0Uoining their territorial @aters not
more than "% nautical miles @i0e a@ay +rom the *aseline use0 to calculate the @i0th o+ their
territorial @aters (article &&).
n archipelago country can 0ra@ straight lines to 0etermine the area o+ its territorial
@aters; a0Uoining ônes; e`clusive economic ônes an0 continental shel+ on con0ition that
such *aseline surroun0s its main islan0s an0 mar' out a region @ith $\$ to D\$ @ater to lan0s
proportion. Bhe length o+ the *aseline must not e`cee0 $## nautical miles or a permitte0
$J#
maìmum & o+ the total length o+ the *aselines surroun0ing the archipelago possi*ly longer
than $## miles; *ut less than $"C nautical miles (article %S %J).
n archipelago countrys sovereignty o+ the @aters insi0e the *asic line 0e+ine0 *y
article %S calle0 archipelago @aters irrespective o+ the 0epth an0 0istance +rom shore o+ the
@aters.
sea *or0ere0 country is permitte0 to possess an e`clusive economic ône; not
@i0er than "## miles +rom the *aseline use0 +or 0e+ining territorial @aters (article CS).
Bhe $DJ" -onvention approve0 a ne@ 0e+inition o+ continental shel+ @ith the
stan0ar0 o+ "## nautical mile @i0th instea0 o+ "## metre 0epth. No@ the e`tent o+ the
continental shel+ is approve0 is as great as that o+ the e`clusive economic ône. Pt is
0etermine0 to inclu0e the sea *e0 ant its un0erneath outsi0e the territorial @aters o+ the
country e`ten0ing all the @ay +rom the mainlan0 to as +ar as the outer e0ge o+ the continent or
+rom the *asic territorial @aters 0e+ining line to "## nautical miles a@ay i+ the mainlan0 outer
continental e0ge is more than "## nautical miles
P+ the outer continental e0ge is more than "## nautical miles a@ay the continental
shel+ can *e con+ine0 in t@o @ays. Bhe +irst e`ten0ing the shel+ to territorial @as &C# nautical
miles in @i0th +rom ône an0 continental shel+ as any other. Pn spite o+ its reUection o+ the
right to continental shel+ an0 ,,z o+ non)human li+e supporting or noneconomic li+e roc's;
the convention has apparently *rought +orty plenty o+ complicate0 0isputes over overlapping
Uuris0iction o+ countries %## nautical miles a@ay +rom each other.
Vitnam an0 regional countries have proclaime0 their *aselines; their continental
shelves an0 their ,,z. Pt is certain there are 0isputes over overlapping acres among the
countries in the region. -hina is very +ar a@ay so no overlapping is +oun0 at SP.B:NS; the
pro*lem may arise @ith Paracels only.
s +ar as the Philippines is concerne0 the countrys territorial @aters @ere 0e+ine0 *y
the $DDC Spanish merican greement (article & signe0 on Decem*er $#
th;
$JDJ). Bhe
agreement 0etermine0 the countrys Vestern *or0er as $$J, :ongitu0e (not any islan0 o+
Spratlys @ithin) an0 accor0ing to the $D&# nglo merican greement its *or0ers @ere
0e+ine0 as parallel lines o+ longitu0e an0 latitu0e +orming a rectangular. Pn $D%D an0 $DC#;
Bomas -loma o@ner o+ a +ishing +leet an0 concurrently 0irector o+ maritime school;
0iscovere0 a group o+ islan0s large an0 small a*out %## miles Vest o+ Pala@an. His hope
@as to set up an ice +actory an0 a canning +actory on the largest islan0 an0 to e`ploit guano
on a0Uacent ones.
$J$
9n !ay $S
th;
$DC$ Philippines Presi0ent claime0 sovereignty o+ Spratlys on the
groun0 that the archipelago is close to the Philippines. 9n ugust "%
th
; $DC$ Win Hua agency
@as engage0 in 0ispute @ith the /rance an0 the Philippines over sovereignty an0 strongly
asserte0 that that archipelago @as -hinese. 9n !arch $C
th
; $DCQ Bhomas -loma an0 a group
o+ /ilipino recurs lan0e0 on some islan0s o+ SP.B:NS; on the prete`t o+ their *eing
o@nerless an0 name0 the in+orme0 the Philippines /oreign !inister o+ the +act an0 the
territory @as given Protectorate status *y the Philippines government.
9n !ay $C
th
; $DCQ the Philippiness /oreign !inistry 0eclare0 e`cept S islan0s
internationally 'no@n as Spratly; every smaller ones @ere res nullius.
Pn $DS$ the Philippines Navy -omman0 announce0 the occupation o+ % islan0s Vinh
Vien ; Song Bu Dong ; :oaita; Bhi Bu ; respectively calle0 :a@a'; Parola; Xota; Pagasa +or
Philippines security.
9n ?uly $Q
th
; $DS$ Win Hua comman0e0 the Philippiness occupation o+ the islan0s
an0 asserte0 -hinas claim on the archipelago.
Pn $DSJ one more islan0; Panata; @as ta'en *y the Philippines raising the total num*er o+
islan0s ta'en to S( % in $DS$; " more name0 :i'as an0 Puga0. 9n ?une $$
th
; $DSJ Philippines
Presi0ent signe0 a 0ecree claiming almost all the archipelago e`cept the Spratly; to *e
Philippines territory islan0 the :an Xian Xay them on ?uly "J
th
; $DJ# another; the con0or
@ere ta'en *y the Philippines. note o+ protest @as sent *y Vitnam on ugust $$
th
; $DJ#.
9n !ay "$st; $DJ% the Philippines merican treaty o+ Uoust 0e+ense 0i0nt recogniê
Xalayaan (i.e. SP.B:NS) to *e Philippines territory. t the same time; !ay $DJ%; in
response to repeate0 protests *y Vitnam; the 9!! Secretary Heneral sai0( Bhe names
use0 in this announcement an0 the presentation o+ statistics in it shoul0 not attache0 the
9!! Secretary Heneral to any responsi*ility +or vie@points concerning rules an0 la@s;
territories cities or ônes an0 activities o+ countries; as @ell as +or the limitation o+ their
*or0ers.
9n Decem*er "$st; $DSD !alaysia pu*lishe0 a ne@ map sho@ing *oun0aries o+ its
continental shel+ an0 its territorial @aters @ith a large area South o+ Vitnams Spratlys
inclu0e0. ,arlier in $DS$; a 0iplomatic note ,/S)S$ o+ /e* &
r0;
$DS$ @as sent to .VNs
+oreign !inistry as'ing @hether the islan0s lying insi0e DN an0 $$"V *elonging to the
country calle0 repu*lic o+ !orac)Songhrati)!ea0s @ere an o*Uect o+ .VNs claim. Pn the
reply note o+ pril "% Saigon a++irme0 VNs sovereignty o+ Spratlys archipelago.
9n !ay $C
th;
$DJ# !alaysia 0eclare0 its acceptance o+ sovereignty o+ its "## nautical
mile @i0e ,,. an0 suggeste0 settling overlapping Uuris0iction allocate0 areas *y peace+ul
$J"
means. Bhe outer e0ge o+ !alaysias continental shel+ covers a part o+ Southern Spratlys o+
Vitnam @ith N3NH an0 BhuyGn -h8i occupie0 *y VN an0 con0or *y the Philippines.
Bhis is !alaysias +irst o++icial claim in its 0ispute @ith Vitnam.
9n /e* "&r0; $DJ& !alaysia lai0 claim to & islan0s o+ SP.B:NS. 9n !arch "C
th
;
$DJ& Vitnams /oreign !inistry reUect !alaysias claim. Pn ?une $DJ& !alaysia ha0 its
troops occupy Hoa :au islan0 an0 start constructions; @hich VN protecte0 strongly. Pn
Decem*er $DJQ !alaysia occupie0 Xy Van an0 Xieu Ngua o+ SP.B:NS. Pnvolve0 in
0ispute too late; +rom late $DS#s !alaysia coul0 not avoi0 historical evi0ence. /rom $DSJ
!alaysia trie0 to search +or argument supporting element. Pn $DJJ; !r.Boh !u0a; !alaysias
Prime !inister; concurrently /oreign !inister *rought out this argument( Bhe islan0s an0
coral ree+s are !alaysias an0 !alaysia has asserte0 its Uuris0iction over them. Bhey lie on
!alaysias continental shel+ an0 !alaysias sovereignty o+ them @as o++icially 0eclare0 on
Decem*er "$st; $DSD; illustrate0 *y the ne@ map o+ !alaysia. Bhis claim con+orms to the
$DCJ Heneva -onvention concerning 0elimitation o+ territorial @aters an0 continental
shelves; an0 to -:9S as @ell as other international realities (Ne@ Straits Bimes; "&; $DJC).
Pn $DDC !alaysia 0eclare0 an0 carrie0 out it tourist in+rastructure construction on
occupie0 spot. 9n ?une "S
th
; $DDQ at the opening ceremony o+( :ang'a@i tourist mar'eting
programme; !alaysias Prime !inister !ahathir !ohama0 state0 in his speech that the
coral islan0s in the ,ast Sea (South-hina Sea)@here structures have *een set up *y !alaysia
lie in !alaysias ,,z; so !alaysia has never Violate0 any +oreign territory (BBWVN; Bin
Nhanh; "J)Q)$DDQ).
Pn ?une $DDD !alaysia occupie0 Bham Hiem *an' (PeninUan) an0 ,N- roc' (Siput) $Q#
$S# nautical miles ,ast o+ !alaysia an ha0 t@o story *uil0ings an0 ra0ar installations
constructe0 there. 3runei promulgate0 its +ishing la@ in $DJ" +or a "## nautical miles @i0e
region overlapping ,,z claime0 *y neigh*oring countries; e++ective +rom ?anuary $
st;
$DJ&
Pn0onesia also 0eclare0 acceptance o+ a "## nautical miles @i0e ,,z in !arch $DJJ;
*ut not involve0 in any 0ispute over SP.B:NS.
9n Decem*er $Q
th;
$DD% the pN-:9S too' e++ect a+ter *eing rati+ie0 *y Q# countries.
Vitnam @as the C$
st
country to rati+y the convention on ?une "&
r0;
$DD%. gainst the
*ac'groun0 o+ the $DJ" :a@ o+ Sea coming into eìstence 0ispute over Spratlys ris's *eing
augmente0.
Such a*ove events are presente0 @ith the vie@ o+ sho@ing that Philippines; !alaysia
an0 3runei violate0 VNs sovereignty too late an0 +or very simple reasons. Philippines
argument generally is *ase0 on proìmity theory; claiming the archipelago to *e nearer to
$J&
the country an0 its islan0s to *e res nullius. !alaysia an0 3runei lai0 claim to ,,z *ase0 on
$DJ" pN-:9S @hereas in reality Vitnam ha0 ha0 sovereignty o+ Spratlys very long
*e+ore the $DJ" pN-:9S. lmost all o+ at high ti0e or 0esolate uninha*ite0 islan0s; *lan's;
roc's open to occupation *y any country @hen *eing those countries *egan to apply the
la@ to their claims to continental shelves an0 e`clu0e economic ônes. Ho@ever the $DJ"
:a@ o+ Sea also provi0es that @hen overlapping occurs countries @ith sovereignty o+ islan0s
shoul0 settle 0ispute *y negotiation in accor0ance @ith Pnternational :a@ as state0 in
international Bri*unal statute; clause &J; to come to a suita*le solution (article S%; J&). pnli'e
Vitnam an0 -hina; the Philippines; !alaysia an0 3runei 0i0nt inten0 to claim all *ut part
o+ the archipelago. Bhe Philippines claime0 the greater part o+ it e`cept Vitnams Spratlys
Pslan0)BrETng Sa (Spratly); !alaysia; the :oaita islan0s +or its *oun0ary an0 3runei; islan0
close to its shore.
Pn the $DJ#s the Philippines an0 !alaysia violate0 the $DJ" pNS:9S an0 the p.N. -harter
*y occupying a num*er o+ islan0s o+ Spratlys *y +orce an0 provo'ing Vitnamese 0e+ense
+orce there.
Paracels an0 Spratlys Sa ha0 *een thought o+ as one consisting o+ $# thousan0s o+
miles long stretch o+ san0 *an's an0 coral ree+s in the ,ast Sea; age long *e+ore the /rench
0omination; @hen they *egan to *e regar0e0 as t@o.
Bhe 0emotic name Paracels meaning Nello@ San0s or Nello@ San0 3an's unli'e the name
given *y -hina; has *een consistently use0 *y Vitnam since the $S
th
century an0 recogniê0
since the $D
th
century *y Vesterners li'e Ba*er0; -haigneau; an0 Hut^la++ to *e Parcel or
Paracels . Not to mention in Vitnams 0ocuments li'e :e 1ui Don s Phu 3ien Bap :uc ;
Paracels *eing clearly locate0 near :iAm -hdu o+ HPNN; -hina. Bhe names Wisha )
an0 Nansha ) @ere coine0 *y -hina in early "#
th
century. Wisha ) has *een use0
*y -hina to in0icate very vague place name such as -Ku Nh2 :oa -hdu; actually a name +or
the islan0s near Huang Dong coast. n0 Nansha ) has *een use0 inconsistently *y
-hina; no@ +or !accles+iel0; no@ +or Spratly.
Vitnam is 'eeping enough soli0 un0ispute0 +acts; geography; historical as @ell as
legal to prove its sovereignty o+ Paracels an0 Spratlys Sa to *e a historical in0isputa*le truth
an0 up to the stan0ar0s o+ practical; peace+ul possessing an0 continuous sovereignty
implementing activities. :ying scattere0 in the ,ast Sea (South-hina Sea)strongly in+luence0
*y the monsoon an0 +reiuent storm hence very 0i++icult to 0e+en0 islan0s o+ the t@o
archipelagos; Paracels an0 Spratlys Sa can *e inha*ite0 an0 e`ploite0 *y Vitnam only Q
$J%
months every year. Ba'ing a0vantage o+ this as @ell as the circumstances is @hich Vitnam
lost its right to 0iplomacy un0er /rench colonial rule; an0 later @as 'ept *usy @ith the
struggle +or li*eration an0 in0epen0ence
-hina an0 other countries illegally occupie0; part *y part; then the @hole o+ Paracels
archipelago an0 they have 'ept violating Vitnams sovereignty o+ Spratlys archipelago ever
since.
/or nearly a century; +rom early the "#
th
up to no@; Vitnams a0ministration o+ the
t@o archipelagos has *een 'ept one @ay or another *y 0i++erent governments inclu0ing the
one un0er the /rench colonial rule; an0 Vitnams sovereignty has *een a*an0one0.
/or nearly & centuries +rom the $S
th
to $D#D @hen +oreign violations o+ VNs
sovereignty *egan; Vitnams practical; peace+ul possession an0 continuous sovereignty
implementation @ere assure0 in accor0ance @ith the contemporary internationally accepte0
legal principles. ,vi0ence +or this is as +ollo@s(
/or Ho8ng Sa
/or the @hole o+ three centuries; +rom the $S
th
to the -hinese violation ($D#D);
Paracels @as a0ministere0 *y 1u>ng Ngi; un0er 0i++erent a0ministrative 0ivision names
Pht; Dinh; Bryn an0 Bnh. /rom :or0 Nguyn times through Bay Son (early $S
th
century
$J#$); Nguyn times (+rom $D#") to the /rench 0omination.
s recor0e0 in chronological 0ocuments (5<i Nam Bhxc :uc -hvnh 3iAn ; "n0 year;
vol.$#%;$C%;$QC) in 1unc BriGu -hvnh 3iAn Bolt NOu ; in :a@ 3oo's (Xhdm 5Lnh 5ng NghIa territorial @aters a
perilous *ut portent +rontier o+ Vitnam. Bhis perception o+ !inh !<ng ,mperor an0 his
court that Paracels lies @ithin a perilous *ut important +rontier area sho@s our ancestors
strategic vision o+ the ,ast Sea (South -hina Sea) islan0s. Bhe illustration part o+ not only :A
1uv 56n s BhiAn Nam BM -hv :] 5R BhE an0; Nguyn Bimes 1unc SK 1u>ns Hjang Vit
5La DE -hv; 5ng Ngi *oun0ary. Bhe Ho8ng Sa+leet\ +lotilla @as organiê0 *y the State +or long term
e`ploitation o+ Paracels pro0ucts; carrie0 out Q months every year @hen @eather permitte0;
on regular an0 continuous *asic; throughout " centuries +rom the early $S
th
o+ :or0 Nguyn
times to Bdy Sgn an0 early Nguyn emperors eras. Bhe Navy together @ith the Ho8ng Sa
/lotilla @as assigne0 +or the +irst time *y Hia :ong ,mperor an0 later on a regular *asic *y
!inh !<ng ,mperor to carry out reconnaissance an0 survey missions @ith mapping an0
$JC
hy0rological measuring @or'; occasionally even *uil0ing roc' shrines; planting steles;
mar'ers; tree etc
Pn 0iaries; essays an0 map *y Vesterners; Paracels @as asserte0 to *elong to
NN!. 3ishop Ba*er0 ($J&J) a++irme0 -lt (Xlt) V8ng (Ho8ng Sa) @as Paracels. ?ean
3aptist -haigneau ($J"#) an0 Hu^la++ ($J%D) recor0e0 that as soon as $D$Q Hia :ong
,mperor ha0 +lags; stele plante0; a *arrac' an0 ta` collecting post set up there. -i Da -an ; a
-hinese himsel+; in his 9verseas .ecor0s (Hai @ai Ui shi V ) recogniê0 that :or0
Nguyn ha0 *oats @ith men sent to VN :P zHNH SH )V<n :7 Ho8ng Sa
(i.e. Vitnams Ho8ng Sa) every year to e`ploit resources +rom ship@rec's. ,ven in the latest
-hinese 0ocumentary collection entitle0 >?< ' Vo Huo Nan Hai zhu Dao Shi
:iao Hui 3ian ) vol.$ p.$$C e0ite0 *y Han zhen)hua is recor0e0 the eìstence o+ the vestige
o+ a temple in the Northern part o+ zongìng QR ( +u lin) islan0 o+ Paracels @ith the
name Ho8ng Sa Bx) Paracels temple. Bhe temple vestige is concrete evi0ence +or Vitnams
assertion o+ sovereignty( Vitnamese emperors li'e !inh !<ng ha0 *uilt Ho8ng Sa Bx )
Ho8ng Sa temples.
Since +oreign violations the Stage o+ Vitnam; even in the times o+ colonial rule; has
never a*an0one0 its sovereignty *ut continue0 consoli0ating an0 implementing it.
/or SP.B:NS(
s +ar as a0ministration o+ islan0s is concerne0; Spratlys an0 Paracels @as +or a
long time consi0ere0 one *y Vitnamese -ourts. Bhere+ore *oth Spratlys an0 Paracels @ere
@ithin the 1u>ng NghIa Sea; an0 a0ministere0 *y 1u>ng Ngi authorities. Ho@ever; the
Southern islan0s @ere actually anneè0 to Paracels only a+ter 3hnh Bhuen @as anneè0 to
5<i Vit 9 (9l0 name o+ Vitnam) $QDS an0 then the locality @as responsi*le only +or
the management o+ +lotillas population. Spratlys 0i0nt *ecome a 0espon0ent o+ 38 .La o+
South Vitnam until $D&& @hen Vitnam @as still un0er the /rench colonial rule. :ater in the
times o+ .VN it *ecome a 0epen0ency o+ PhEc Buy province; then a+ter reuni+ication;
0epen0ency o+ Xhlnh Ho8 province.
Bhe (North Sea) 3_c H>i +lotilla organiê0 *y the State o+ Vitnam in the late
$S
th
century an0 concurrently place0 un0er the same comman0 o+ the Ho8ng Sa)Paracels
+lotilla; @as put in continuous operation to e`ploit sea pro0ucts an0 @ealth +rom @rec's
aroun0 the islan0s in the South o+ North Sea or Spratlys an0 -6n :6n H8 BiAn.
$JQ
/rom $J$Q in the Nguyn times on@ar0s activities asserting an0 implementing sovereignty
o+ Paracels in general or Spratlys in particular @ere carrie0 out *y Vitnamese navel +orces.
During the /rench colonial 0omination Spratlys @as ta'en *y the /rench accor0ing to
Vestern tra0itional style +ormalities; then it @as anneè0 to 3arLa province o+ -ochinchina; a
/rench 0irect rule colonial unit @as han0e0 over to Saigon government.
-hina @as the +irst to violate the sovereignty o+ BrETng Sgn a+ter it ha0 *een
asserte0 *y Vitnam +or nearly three centuries. Bhe violation occurre0 later than o+ Ho8ng Sa;
@hen Spratlys @as separate0 +rom Ho8ng Sa. -hina 0i0nt actually violate the sovereignty i+
Spratlys until a+ter Vorl0 Var PP; since -hinas primary interest ha0 *een in Paracels calle0
Wisha ) *y -hinese. Nansha ) +irst in0icate0 only the !accles+iel0 *an'.
Bhroughout -hina an0 other countries violation; +rom the /rench 0omination to the @ar
against the /rench an0 the merican; on Spratlys constantly (all the time) Vitnamese troops
@ere statione0; scienti+ic surveys carrie0 out resources e`ploit as 0irecte0 *y 0i++erent
Vitnamese government responsi*le +or the archipelago a0ministration this strongly
reasserting sovereignty through actual; peace+ul possessing an0 continuous sovereignty
implementing activities is in0isputa*le *ut still violate0 *y -hina an0 other countries.
Deci0e0ly it @as an act o+ invasion *ase0 on coercive an0 presumptive evi0ence. Paracels
an0 Spratlys Sa have *een neither o@nerless (res nullius) nor a*an0one0 (0erelicto) *ut
simply violate0 *y +orce. Bhe o@nerless theory @as ruine0 @hen historical evi0ence +or
Vitnams practical possession ta'ing o+ Spratlys *egun in :or0 Nguyn an0 Nguyn
emperors (Hia :ong; !inh !<ng) times; an0 sovereignty reasserting activities carrie0 out in
the early "#
th
century @as *rought up. Bhen e++ort @as ma0e *y -hina through name gra+ting
tric's an0 presumptive 0e0uctions to come to its assertion o+ it age ol0 sovereignty; no@ +rom
the $C
th
century; no@ +orm Song times; no@ +rom ,ast Dong Han (Han Dynasty) times
(Bhree Xing0oms).
+ter illegally ta'ing possession o+ the @hole Paracels archipelago in $DS% an0
$DJ#; +or the +irst time -hina *rought out in its 0ocuments the agreement that -hina @as the
+irst to 0iscover to e`ploit an0 to a0minister; supporte0 *y 0e0uctive; inconsistent;
groun0less; unscienti+ic; unconvincing evi0ence.
Since the enactment o+ the pnite0 Nations -onvention $DJ" on :a@ o+ Sea;
economic reason ha0 emerge0; no less important than political or military. pn0er sea
resources especially oil an0 gas resources in the ,ast Sea (South -hina Sea)have entice0 the
regional countries to ta'e possession +or e`ploitation into consi0eration. Bhe la@ also has
$JS
given rise to 0ispute over overlapping continental shelves territorial @aters; an0 e`clusive
economic ônes among countries in the region(
Bhe real cause o+ -hina as @ell as other countries violations o+ Vitnams
sovereignty o+ Paracels an0 Spratlys @as at the *eginning; the control o+ the ,ast Sea (South
-hina Sea)i.e. o+ political an0 military nature. Pn recent 0eca0es economic +actor ha0
prevaile0 in their violations( their am*ition +or possessing un0ersea resources; oil; in
particular. s +or Vitnam among other things; *oth archipelagos play a strategically
important role +or its 0e+ense in the ,ast Sea.
Bhere+ore; Vitnams *est countermeasure must *e constant assertion o+ its age)ol0
perpetual sovereignty o+ the t@o archipelagos; @hich is Vitnams un0enia*le an0
in0isputa*le right. ,ven i+ opportunity to regain the sovereignty o+ Paracels comes only in a
millennium as @hat happene0 to VN in the +irst one; perseverance is a must +or the
restoration o+ Vitnams sovereignty o+ Paracels as sho@n in the peoples everlasting might
+or national 0e+ense an0 resistance on lan0 an0 sea. s +ar as Spratlys concerne0 it is
o*ligatory that all the islan0s un0er Vitnams control *e +irmly 0e+en0e0 to the last.
9n the other han0; sovereignty settlement *y peace+ul means; *i)lateral as @ell as
multi)lateral negotiations; must *e pursue0 @ith patience *y Vitnam. Vhenever possi*le;
Vitnam shoul0 continue its proposal to *ring the matter to the Pnternational -ourt @hile
remaining +aith+ul to its goo0 @ill policy; rea0y +or negotiation @ith; an0 posing no 0anger to
any country.
Conclu!on
Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 BrETng Sa)Spratly; till the /rench 0omination to Vitnam; ha0 long
*een regar0e0 as one. Bhey inclu0e san0*an's o+ corals o+ ten thousan0s miles long in the
,ast Sea. pn0er /rench 0omination; the name @as separate0 to t@o archipelago names.
-ontra0ictory to the -hinese; the appelation o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels in Vitnamese N6m
language means Nello@ San0 (-lt V8ng) or Nello@ Dunes (-Rn V8ng) @hich have *een
unanimous since early WVPP century till no@. Bhis name has *een certi+ie0 *y the Vesterners
(since early WPW century till no@) as Ba*er0; -haigneau; an0 Hut^la++ to *e Parcel or
Paracels Bhat is not to mention the Vitnamese 0ocuments as !iscellaneous .ecor0s on the
Paci+ication o+ the /rontiers (Pht 3iAn B<p :uc) . / 0 1 ) *y :A 1u7 56n; @hich has
$JJ
allocate0 clearly Paracels position to *e near :iAm -hau; HaiNan Pslan0; -hina. Vhereas
-hina has Uust name0 the archipelago to *e Wisha ) an0 Nansha ) +rom the early
WW century. Bhe so)calle0 Wisha ) name @as manipulate0 *y -hina to *e in line @ith
the vague location names as -Ku Nh2 :oa -hdu; @hich are only islan0s near Hang0ong
coastal . s +or Nansha ) ; -hina is al@ays capricious @hen no@ using +or no@ using +or
Spratly.
Vitnam has su++icient; concrete an0 clear geography; historical an0 legal evi0ences to Uusti+y
in0isputa*ly Vitnamese continuous an0 peace+ul eècution o+ Vitnamese sovereignty on
the t@o archipelagos o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 BrETng Sa)Spratlys.
!a'ing use o+ the geography +eatures o+ the t@o archipelagos Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 BrETng
Sa)Spratlys @hich lie in a scattering manner an0 are crucial in protection; @ithin the tropical
rain in+luence; ma'ing use o+ the heavy storms an0 thin Vitnamese population @ho only get
there Q months a year; ma'ing use o+ the status un0er /rench 0omination @ith no 0iplomatic
rights an0 repeate0 @ars; -hina an0 other counties ha0 use0 po@er to occupy illegally partly
then @holly the archipelago o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels. Bhey are also violating Vitnamese
sovereignty on the archipelago o+ BrETng Sa)Spratlys. Nearly one century +rom the early WW
century till no@; *eing violate0 *y the +oreigners; the Vitnamese governments even those
un0er the /rench have carrie0 on announcing an0 never reliniuishing Vitnamese
sovereignty; though the implementations might 0i++er.
pntil the moment o+ *eing inva0e0 *y the +oreign country in $D#D; in nearly three continuous
centuries +rom WVPP century; Vitnam ha0 *een occupying peace+ully an0 continuously in
accor0ance @ith legal regulation o+ the time.
Bhe proo+s +or the peace+ul an0 continuous occupation are(
To arch!"elago of *o[ng Sa6ParacelM
) Pn nearly three centuries; +rom early WVPP century till -hina inva0e0 ($D#D Ho8ng Sa)
Paracels that ha0 *een un0er the a0ministrative management o+ 1u>ng Nghia province (+rom
time to time *eing phu; 0inh then tryn an0 tinh) un0er the Nguyn :or0s; Bdy Sgn
Dynasty (early WVPP century $J#$) an0 Nguyn Dynasty (+rom $J#") till un0er /rench
0omination.
Pt @as Vitnamese ,mperors as !inh !<ng ,mperor ($J&Q); Bhiu BrL ,mperor ($J%C) an0
royal court (!inistry o+ -onstruction) that a++irme0 in the chronological 0ocuments (!ain
Vritings on Vitnamese reality )w<i Nam Bhxc :uc -hvnh 3iAn); secon0 part; volume $#%;
$C%; $QC) or National Dynasty !aUor *ri0ge0 History 3oo' (1unc BriGu -hvnh 3iAn Bolt
$JD
NOu )1B-3BN) or in the statute *oo' o+ .oyally vie@e0 history o+ the Vitnamese Nguyn
Dynasty a0ministrative statutes (Xhdm wLnh wn) CQ; CS;
that Ho8ng Sa)Paracels is lying in the sea territory o+ 1u>ng Ngi province; critical
*oun0ary o+ Vitnam . !inh !<ng ,mperor an0 the royal courts certi+ication that Ho8ng
Sa)Paracels is so important that one can see the signi+icant strategic vie@ o+ Vitnamese
ancestors to the islan0 in the ,ast Sea.
3esi0e Vitnam /our)Direction .oa0 !aps (BhiAn Nam BM -hv :] wR BhE); !iscellaneous
.ecor0s on the Paci+ication o+ the /rontiers (Pht 3iAn B<p :uc). / 0 1) o+ :A 1u7 56n;
Vritings on geography (DE wi< -hv) *y Phan Huy -h or geography *oo's as @ritten *y
National History gency (1unc SK 1uln) o+ Nguyn Dynasty as Vitnamese royal @ritings
on geography (Ho8ng Vit wLa DE -hv)9:;8); especially Bhe unity *oo' on Vitnam
history (wng Ngi province.
) nnually Vitnamese governments have organiê0 the Ho8ng Sa)Paracels
*riga0es\+lotilla\+leet\team\ m]i to e`ploit in long)term the sea pro0ucts in Ho8ng Sa)Paracels
Q months in the +avora*le seasons. Bhis activity lasts more than t@o centuries +rom early
WVPP century (Nguyn :or0s perio0; Bdy Sgn Dynasty; then Nguyn Dynasty)
) Pn $J$Q un0er Hia :ong ,mperor; the sen0ing o+ navy +orce ha0 starte0. Ho@ever in $S
th
year un0er !ing !<ng ,mperor ($J&Q); this activity *ecame a common practice. Bhe royal
court or0ere0 navy +orce to accompany Paracels *riga0es\+lotilla\+leet\team to the
archipelagoes to investigate; to measure; to 0ra@ maps an0 to *uil0 stone temples; to erect
sovereignty steles an0 to plant trees.
) !any Vesterners ha0 @ritten 0iaries; articles an0 0ra@n maps a++irming Paracels is an
archipelago o+ n Nam (Vitnam). 3ishop Ba*er0 ($J&J) con+irme0 Nello@ san0*an's (-lt
or Xlt V8ng) @as seu Paracels. ?ean 3aptist -haigneau ($J"#) or Hut^la++ ($J%D) @rote that
Hia :ong ,mperor since $J$Q ha0 comman0e0 to erect the +lag poles; sovereignty steles an0
to set up military stations an0 to collect ta`.
) Bhe very -hinese as Bhvch 5<i Sln in his *oo' 9verseas .eports (Hai @ai Ui shi V)
similarly certi+ie0 that the Nguyn :or0s ha0 annually sent ships to e`ploit the sea articles
inclu0ing those +rom @rec'e0 ships in Van li chang sha )Spratlys (or Ho8ng Sa)
Paracels). Pn the latest collection o+ -hina 9ur countrys south sea islan0s historical collection
$D#
(pe ' Vo Huo Nan Hai zhu Dao Shi :iao Hui 3ian ) Voguo Nanhai zhu0ao
Shi0ai Hui*ian) chapter $; page $$C *y Han zhen Hoa) Han -han Hua ( )(chie+
e0itor)one can see that on Voo0y islan0 ) QR ôngìng ) +u lin islan0 in Ho8ng Sa)
Paracels there is a temple calle0 Paracels temple (Ho8ng Sa tx )) in the islan0 North
en0. Ho8ng Satemple is the vestige o+ the esta*lishment o Vitnamese sovereignty. Bhis
temple @as or0ere0 to *e constructe0 *y Vitnamese emperors as !inh !<ng ,mperor @ith
the name o+ Hjang Sa tx) Paracels temple.
) +ter *eing inva0e0; Vitnamese authorities inclu0ing /rench governments never
a*an0on Vitnamese sovereignty an0 continue to implement the eècution o+ sovereignty.
To the arch!"elago of TrPqng Sa6S"ratly>
ccor0ing to the vie@points o+ managing the islan0s in o+ the Vitnamese royal courts; in a
long time; the t@o archipelagos o+ BrETng Sa)Spratlys an0 Ho8ng Sa)Paracels @ere one.
Proo+s an0 evi0ences +or the *ona)+i0e peace+ul; continuous occupation an0 continuous
eècution o+ sovereignty are as +ollo@s(
) rchipelago BrETng Sa)Spratly lie0 in the same system @ith archipelago Ho8ng Sa)
Paracels an0 they @ere in the sea territory o+ 1u>ng Ngai province; so they @ere un0er
1u>ng Ngi province a0ministration. Ho@ever; the south part o+ the archipelago @as only
integrate0 to archipelago Ho8ng Sa)Paracels a+ter 3inh Bhuen @as integrate0 to 9 5i *riga0e\+lotilla\+leet\team . 9nly in $D&& un0er /rench authority
coul0 BrETng Sa)Spratlys *elong to 38 .La province; in South Vitnam.
Pn the perio0 o+ .epu*lic o+ Vitnam; BrETng Sa)Spratlys @as change0 to *e un0er
a0ministration o+ PhEc Buy province. Vhen Vitnam @as uni+ie0 as one; BrETng Sa)
Spratlys then came un0er Xhlnh Ho8 province regulation.
Vitnamese governments since Nguyn :or0s o+ WVPP century en0 ha0 organiê0 3_c H>i
*riga0es\+lotilla\+leet\team to *e un0er the +ull control o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels
*riga0es\+lotilla\+leet\team. 3_c H>i *riga0es\+lotilla\+leet\team also carrie0 on
activities o+ pic'ing up sea pro0ucts; articles; gol0 an0 silver in the South ,ast Sea (South
-hina Sea)that meant the current BrETng Sa)Spratlys; -6n :6n islan0; H8 BiAn sea areas.
pn0er the Nguyn 0ynasty; in Ho8ng Sa)Paracels in general an0 in currently BrETng Sa)
Spratlys in particular; there @ere activities to con+irm; to eècute the Vitnamese sovereignty
*y navy +orce since $J$Q.
$D$
Pn the time o+ /rench 0omination; the /rench ha0 impose0 the occupancy o+ archipelago
BrETng Sa)Spratlys as Vestern tra0ition @ent an0 integrate0 the archipelago to 38 .La
province; in South Vitnam (Nam XY) a colony o+ /rance. Pn $DCQ; the /rench @ith0re@ out
o+ Pn0ochina an0 trans+erre0 the government to the Saigon government to continue control o+
BrETng Sa)Spratlys.
+ter nearly three centuries; Vitnamese esta*lishment an0 con+irmation o+ sovereignty;
-hina @as the +irst country to violate Vitnamese sovereignty on BrETng Sa)Spratlys; @hen
BrETng Sa)Spratlys ha0 *een separate0 +rom Ho8ng Sa)Paracels. Bhis violation @as later
than that in the North) Ho8ng Sa)Paracels. Bhus it @as a+ter "
n0
Vorl0 Var that -hina
actually inva0e0 the archipelago o+ BrETng Sa)Spratlys o+ Vitnam. Pnitially; -hina only pai0
attention to Ho8ng Sa)Paracels @hich they calle0 Wisha ) . t that early stage; Nansha )
@as only !accles+iel0 to them.
) During the time -hina an0 other countries violate0 Vitnamese sovereignty Vitnam; in
/rench 0omination or in the @ar against the mericans; the governments in Vitnam @ith
responsi*ility o+ management in BrETng Sa)Spratlys; have al@ays statione0 sol0iers there;
implemente0 scienti+ic researches; e`ploite0 resources in BrETng Sa)Spratlys; re)con+irming
an0 protecting Vitnamese sovereignty on archipelago o+ BrETng Sa)Spratlys.
Bhose proo+s an0 evi0ences o+ Vitnamese actual peace+ul an0 continuous occupation an0
continuous eècution o+ Vitnamese sovereignty on t@o archipelagos Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0
BrETng Sa)Spratly are o*vious an0 un0enia*le. 3ut @hy -hina an0 the other countries
intentionally violate0 that sovereignty right o+ Vitnam. Bhese are actions o+ aggression.
Bhey have e`pose0 groun0less an0 unreasona*le arguments. Ho8ng Sa)Paracels as @ell as
BrETng Sa)Spratly have never *een o@nerless lan0 (res nullius); neither a*an0one0 lan0
(0erelicto); *ut they are lan0s inva0e0 *y +orce.
-hina an0 other countries have *een inva0ing Vitnamese sovereignty on the archipelagos o+
Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 later BrETng Sa)Spratly. Pnitially they sho@e0 the arguments to
occupy that Ho8ng Sa)Paracels @as originally o@nerless (res nullius. Vhen Vitnamese
government un0er /rench 0omination *egan to present historical proo+s an0 evi0ences on the
actual occupation +rom Nguyn :or0s time to Nguyn Dynasty (Hia :ong; !inh !<ng
,mperor) an0 ha0 action o+ eècuting the rea++irmation o+ sovereignty on archipelago o+
BrETng Sa)Spratlys. Bhere+ore on the +irst hal+ o+ WW century; -hina *egan to manipulate
an0 ma'e up the arguments that they ha0 esta*lishe0 their sovereignty +rom long times past.
$D"
t times they sai0 it @as in WV century; then in Song 0ynasty; then in ,ast Han)N/0ng
*anO or Bhree)'ing0om perio0
+ter -hina illegally inva0e0 totally the archipelago o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels in $DS%; in $DJ#;
-hina +or the +irst time sho@e0 a @ritten 0ocument @ith the arguments that -hina @as the
+irst to 0iscover the archipelago; the +irst to have *usiness an0 tra0e; the +irst to impose
a0ministration @ith unscienti+ic; groun0less; inconsistent an0 not persuasive arguments.
Since the pnite0 Nations -onvention on la@ o+ Sea @as promulgate0 in $DJ" ; the economic
reasons are o+ no less importance than the political an0 military reasons. Bhe un0er@ater
resources especially oil an0 gas in huge capacity in the ,ast Sea (South -hina Sea)have ma0e
several nations in the region implement the occupation +or e`ploitation. !oreover; the $DJ"
Sea :a@ also has to 0eal @ith ne@ pro*lems o+ continental shel+; e`clusive economic ône
(,,z) o+ the countries that may have congruous area in the sea.
Pn +act; -hinese an0 the other countries violation o+ Vitnamese sovereignty on the t@o
archipelagos Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 BrETng Sa)Spratly at +irst @as mainly in military an0
political meaning. Pn recent 0eca0es; the violation pro*lem has *een the thirst +or o@ning the
un0ersea resources; especially oil. Particularly; to Vitnams position; Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0
BrETng Sa)Spratlys are crucial posts (nec' position) in terms o+ military 0e+ense +rom the
,ast Sea.
Bhere+ore; on one han0; Vitnamese optimal policy @oul0 *e repeate0 con+irmation an0
announcement o+ Vitnamese sovereignty on the archipelagos o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0
BrETng Sa)Spratlys; in the past an0 in the +uture +or ever. Bhis sovereignty right is
in0isputa*le; un0enia*le. P+ @e nee0 to @ait a thousan0 years as @e have 0one in the +irst
millennium; @e have to *e patient an0 consistent to recover our sovereignty on the
archipelagos o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels. Bhe long)lasting Vitnamese anti)invasion po@er has
al@ays *een peoples po@er on lan0 or at sea. s +or BrETng Sa)Spratly archipelago;
Vitnam has to consistently protect *y all means an0 to the last all currently occupie0 islan0s.
9n the other han0; Vitnam also has to constantly pursue a peace+ul solution; *ilateral or
multilateral negotiation to solve the sovereignty pro*lem. P+ having +avora*le con0ition;
Vitnam shall continue the solution o+ su*mitting the case to international courts +or proper
Uu0gment o+ our sovereignty *eing violate0. Vitnam al@ays longs +or negotiation @ith all
nations an0 @ill not *e the threat to any nation.
Ve suggest that the Vitnamese government shoul0 have a long)term strategy to struggle +or
recovering an0 protecting our nations sovereignty on archipelagos o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0
BrETng Sa)Spratlys(
$D&
$. Pntro0uction o+ the history o+ esta*lishment; eècution an0 protection o+ Vitnamese
sovereignty on the archipelagos o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 BrETng Sa)Spratlys into the high
school an0 university levels all over the country.
". Hranting martyr0om to all the people @ho have *een sacri+icing +or the protection o+
Vitnamese sovereignty on the archipelagos o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 BrETng Sa)Spratlys.
&. Naming the schools an0 streets a+ter Ho8ng Sa; BrETng Sa) Paracels; Spratlys an0 all
those martyrs @ho have sacri+ice0 their lives +or the protection o+ Vitnamese sovereignty on
Ho8ng Sa)Paracel an0 BrETng Sa)Spratly archipelagos.
%. Pu*liciîng *roa0ly inclu0ing on the internet a*out the history o+ esta*lishment; eècution
an0 protection o+ Vitnamese sovereignty on the archipelagos o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0
BrETng Sa)Spratlys.
C. llocating the sea ônes +rom 1u>ng BrL to -8 !au; .<ch Hil; the government an0 the
people to apply Uoint a0ministration; to e`ploit resources an0 to protect the sea territory o+ the
t@o archipelagos Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 BrETng Sa)Spratlys.
$D%
:!bl!ogra"hy
-Tranlate. by 9NC:D1
P Vitnamese 0ocuments
$.($QJQ); 5q 3l -6ng 59 (3Ku -bm translate0); Bo>n tep thiAn Nam tM chv l] mR thE ) & '( )
* + , -) Vitnam /our)Direction .oa0 !aps; (volume $; HRng 5Mc !ap (HRng
wMc 3>n wR); Bt slch Vin Xh>o -)rcheology Pnstitute :i*rary; Saigjn; $DQ"; tr. S# )
$#".
".($QDQ); BH-H wP SN (Nguyn PhEgng; H>i BiAn Nguyn Duy 3]t translate0); H>i Ngo<i X
Sx) Hai @ai Ui shi V; y 3an PhAn DLch SK :iu Vit Nam; 5<i Hoc HuO) 9verseas
.eports; Vitnamese Branslation -ommittee; HuO pniversity ; $DQ&.
&.($SSQ) :A 1u7 5N (:A Wudn Hilo translate0); Pht 3iAn B<p :uc) . / 0 1)!iscellaneous
.ecor0s on the Paci+ication o+ the /rontiers ; volume " (tepP); Bt Slch - V=n y 3an DLch
Bhuet; S8igjn)ncient :iterature :i*rary; Vitnamese Branslation -ommittee; Saigjn; $DS".
%.($SSQ) H8 :Pp (chie+ o+ .Z Pslan0 (-[ :ao .Z); n VInh village); application to Bdy Sgn Dynasty
authorities to allo@ Paracels /lotilla in 1uang Ngi to continue activity; 0ocument 'ept in
the V +amily ancestor temple; n VInh @ar0; .Z Pslan0 (-[ :ao .Z) no@ Vest village; n
VInh village; :7 Sgn county; 1u>ng Ngi province); original te`t in -hinese; an0 translate0
te`t *y Nguyn 1uang Ngoc an0 V2 V=n 1udns collection
C.($SJQ) -PVP: ND !P:PB.N -BPVPBN !PNPSB,.)-9pN-,::9.(BHP PH BNH :
1pN 3PNH DN -H V BHNH BNH -NH); or0er +rom Bhe -ivil an0
military activity minister)counselor (Bdy Sgn Dynasty); Bhai Duc ,mperor D
th
year; $%
th
o+
"
n0
lunar month ($SJQ); 0ocument 'ept at Vo +amily ancestor temple; n Vinh Var0; .e
Pslan0 (-[ :ao .Z). No@ Vest village; n Vinh village; :y Son county; 1uang Ngai
province); original te`t in -hinese an0 translation te`t collecte0 *y Nguyn 1uang NH9-
an0 Vu Van 1pN.
Q.($J"$) Phan Huy -h (Bn NguyAn Nguyn Bho Dxc translate0); :Lch BriGu HiOn -hEgng :o ? @)-iviliâtion history in classi+ication on Vitnam royal 0ynasties ; volume
$DC
C; DE wLa -hv )Vritings on Heography ; Bt Slch - V=n y 3an DLch Bhuet;)ncient
:iterature :i*rary; Vitnamese Branslation -ommittee; Saigon; $DS".
S.($J&&) nonymous (:A Wudn Hilo partly translate0); Ho8ng Vit wLa DE -hv) 9 : ;
8)Vitnamese royal 0ynasties geography (); volume $; Bep san SK wLa)History an0
Heography .evie@ ("D) (?an to !ar\$DSC); page $"J)$&$.
J.($J&C) !PNH !NH ,!P,.9.; Decree 0ate0 $J
th
o+ S
th
lunar month; $Q
th
year un0er !ing !ang
,mperor ($J&C); -hdu *>n) .oyally Vie@e0 Documents ; !inh !<ng ,mperor num*er C%;
page D"; Bn ).oyally Vie@e0 Documents ; !inh !<ng ,mperor CC; page &&Q; (B<p
chv WEa & Nay) History n0 Present !agaîne H8n]i; (num*er Q&3; !ay) $DDD; page "$.
$#.($J&Q) -onstruction !inistry; .eport +rom !inistry o+ /inance $$
th
o+ S
th
month in $S
th
year un0er
!inh !<ng ,mperor ($J&Q); -hdu *>n) .oyally Vie@e0 Documents ; !inh !<ng ,mperor
num*er CS; page "$$. B<p chv WEa & Nay )History n0 Present !agaîne ; (num*er
Q&3); H8n]i; !ay) $DDD; page "$.
$$.($J&S) !PNH !NH ,!P,.9.; Decree 0ate0 $&
th
o+ S
th
lunar month in $J
th
year un0er !inh
!<ng ,mperor ($J&S); -hdu *>n ).oyally Vie@e0 Documents ; !inh !<ng ,mperor CS;
page "%C; B<p chv WEa & Nay )History n0 Present !agaîne ; H8n]i; (num*er Q&3);!ay)
$DDD; page "$ (9riginal te`t an0 translate0 te`t +rom Nguyn -hv Vin in the ppen0i`).
$".($J&J) -onstruction !inistry; .eport +rom -onstruction !inistry "
n0
in %
th
lunar leap month in $D
th
year un0er !ing !ang ,mperor ($J&J); -hdu *>n ) .oyally Vie@e0 Documents ; !inh
!<ng ,mperor QJ; page "$; B<p chv WEa & Nay )History n0 Present !agaîne ; H8n]i;
(num*er Q&3); !ay) $DDD; page "$ (9riginal te`t an0 translate0 te`t +rom Nguyn -hv Vin
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"D.($D&")nonymous; ppon the pro*lem o+ Wisha ) ; thin'ing a*out our ancient country.
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page % ) S.
&#. ($D&&)Nguyn 3a B.- e0itor in chie+ ; 1uang Ngai Province 3oo' ; Nam Phong !agaîne;$%J
page (translate0 te`t preserve0 at 1uang Ngai Heneral :i*rary).
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Dissertation +or Hra0uation o+ 0ministration Department; National 0ministration Pnstitute;
Saigon.; page $&S.
%&.($DS& Pnterior !inistry o+ .,Pp3:P- 9/ VPBN!; Decision num*er %"# ) 3NV\ Hw-P \"Q
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%Q.($DS%) HpN 3-H; Bhe 0ispute a*out sovereignty on t@o archipelagos o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0
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nguyt san); Saigon; (%Q); pr $DS% ; page & ) %$.
%S.($DS%) Nguyn Huu :NH; Pnternational :a@ an0 the issue o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 BrETng Sa)
Spratly; National De+ense !onthly ?ournal (1unc Phjng nguyt san); Saigon; (%Q); pr
$DS%; page S$ ) JC.
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%D.($DS%) nnouncement +rom !inistry 9+ /oreign ++airs o+ .epu*lic o+ Vitnam on .e0 -hinas
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C".($DSC) ,ngineer Bran Huu -Hp; .evision on the activity o+ the last phosphate research on the
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$D)&$.
C&.($DSC) Bran Dang DP; 9++icial 0ocuments certi+ying -lc v=n 'in chvnh thMc `lc nhen
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CC.($DSC) Bran Bhe Dp-; Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 the @itnesses ;History an0 Heography .evie@ (Bep
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CQ.($DSC) Brbn BhO 5Mc; Nguyn V=n HETng; :am Vinh BH,; Nguyn Nhut BN an0 Hoang Viet Bp
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.evie@ (Bep san SK wLa) Saigon; ("D); $DSC; page &"")&%J.
CS.($DSC) Hoang Wuan HN; rchipelago o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels; History an0 Heography .evie@
(Bep san SK wLa) Saigon; ("D); $DSC; trS)$D.
CJ.($DSC) HN NHpNN (Nguyn NH); -hinese historical 0ocuments proving the Vitnamese
sovereignty on archipelagos o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 BrETng Sa)Spratly 0uring many
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$J#.
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C&.
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Q&.($DSC) Nguyn NH; .aising the issue o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels; (History an0 Heography .evie@
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Q%.($DSC) Nguyn NH; Ho8ng Sa)Paracels through several 0ocumentary treasury o+ Paris !issionary
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"CJ)"S&.
QC.($DSC) 1p9- BpN; -ommenting on the -hinese arguments on the sovereignty o+ t@o
archipelagos Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 BrETng Sa)Spratly; History an0 Heography .evie@
(Bep san SK wLa) Saigon; ("D); $DSC; page "$C)"CS.
QQ.($DSC) Vo :ong B,; Bhe aspect o+ science on locality names o+ the t@o archipelagos Ho8ng Sa)
Paracels an0 BrETng Sa)Spratly; History an0 Heography .evie@ (Bep san SK wLa) Saigon;
(num*er "D); $DSC; page "$$)"$Q.
QS.($DSD) !inistry 9+ /oreign ++airs o+ Socialist .epu*lic o+ Vitnamese; Vitnamese sovereignty on
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Pn+ormation Department ; page CJ.
QJ.($DSD) VN B.9NH; Ho8ng Sa)Paracels; Vitnamese archipelago; Pu*lishing House o+ Science;
H8n]i $DSD.
QD.($DJ#) !inistry 9+ /oreign ++airs o+ People .epu*lic o+ -hina; -hinese sovereignty on t@o
archipelagos Wisha ) an0 Nansha ) is in0isputa*le; &# ?an $DJ#; page $C page;
0ocument +rom Hovernmental 3oun0ary -ommittee ( Vitnamese)translate0 te`t).
S#.($DJ$) !N XHNH DNH X & Brbn Wudn -p; B 3i -lt ... mOn Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0
BrETng Sa)Spratly ) Berritory o+ Vitnamese; 9+ History Science; Pu*lishing House
pniversity an0 Brung hoc -huyAn Nghip; H8n]i; (num*er "); $DJ$; page J" ) JD.
S$.($DJ$) nonymous; rchipelagos Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 archipelagos BrETng Sa)Spratly; Berritory
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"#$
S".($DJ") pnite0 Nations -6ng Ec cta pnite0 Nations vG luet *i4n; pnite0 Nations -onvention on
the la@ o+ the sea; Pu*lishing House o+ National Politics; H8n]i; $DDD; JQ% tr.
S&.($DJ%) !inistry 9+ /oreign ++airs o+ Bhe Socialist .epu*lic o+ Vitnamese; rchipelagos Ho8ng
Sa)Paracels an0 BrETng Sa)Spratly. Berritory o+ Vitnam; Pu*lishing House o+ Social
Science; H8n]i; $DJ%; "C page an0 the anneès.
S%.($DJJ) Vu Hai p; Bhe current 0e*ates on archipelagos o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 BrETng Sa)
Spratly; !ilitary History !agaîne (B<p chv lLch sK iudn sx); H8n]i; (num*er Q) &#); $DJJ;
page "&)"J.
SC.($DJJ) !inistry 9+ /oreign ++airs o+ Bhe Socialist .epu*lic o+ Vitnam; Bhe archipelagos o+ Ho8ng
Sa)Paracels an0 BrETng Sa)Spratly an0 the international la@; H8n]i; pril $DJJ ; "Q page
an0 the anneès; s'etches.
SQ.($DJJ) wp- :P; -hina inva0e0 archipelago o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels +rom Vitnamese in $DS%;
!ilitary History !agaîne(B<p chv lLch sK iudn sx); H8n]i; (num*er Q )&#); $DJJ ; page "D)
&$.
SS.($DJJ) HP D9NH; :ocation names on t@o archipelagos o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 BrETng Sa)
Spratly; !ilitary History !agaîne(B<p chv lLch sK iudn sx); H8n]i; (num*er Q)&#); $DJJ;
page Q%)QQ.
SJ. ($DJJ) Han zhen Hua) Han -han Hua ( ) an0 #:an ?in zhi; lmn Vu /ang 3an;
(translate0 te`t *y Hovernmental 3oun0ary -ommittee); 9ur countrys south sea islan0
history general compilation (Ng 1unc Nam H>i -hE 5>o SK :iu H]i 3iAn); Pu*lishing
House PhEgng w6ng; 3_c Xinh; $DJC.
SD.($DJJ) Vu Phi H9NH; Some comments on the t@o archipelagos Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 BrETng
Sa)Spratly; !ilitary History !agaîne(B<p chv lLch sK iudn sx) ; H8n]i; (num*er Q)&#);
$DJJ; page %)$#.
J#.($DJJ) Phan HpNNH; :i*erating the archipelago o+ BrETng Sa)Spratly (%)$DSC); !ilitary History
!agaîne ; H8n]i; (num*er Q)&#); $DJJ; page &C)&S.
J$.($DJJ) 5inh Wuan :!; Ho8ng Sa)Paracels ) BrETng Sa)Spratly in the spiritual min0 o+ the
Vitnamese; !ilitary History !agaîne(B<p chv lLch sK iudn sx); H8n]i; (num*er Q)&#);
$DJJ; page %D)C#.
J".($DJJ) :e !PNH; Pntro0uction o+ the sentence +rom the :a Haye Pnternational -ourt o+ ?ustice an0
the 0ispute o+ the Palmas islan0 *et@een the pS an0 Hollan0; !ilitary History
!agaîne(B<p chv lLch sK iudn sx); H8n]i; (num*er Q)&#); $DJJ; page SJ)J#.
"#"
J&.($DJJ) :, !PNH; Pntro0uction to the ver0ict o+ pnite0 Nations international court on the 0e*ates
o+ the islan0s !iniuiers an0 ,crehous *et@een /rance an0 ,nglan0. !ilitary History
!agaîne(B<p chv lLch sK iudn sx); H8n]i; (num*er Q)&#); $DJJ; page J$)J".
J%.($DJJ) !PNH NP ; Pnternational la@ on the esta*lishment o+ territory sovereignty on the res
nullius islan0; !ilitary History !agaîne(B<p chv lLch sK iudn sx); H8n]i; (num*er Q)&#);
$DJJ; page %&)%J.
JC.($DJJ) !PNH B.N; Some ancient 0ocuments +rom -hina certi+ying that the archipelagos Ho8ng
Sa)Paracels an0 BrETng Sa)Spratly 0o not *elong to -hinese territory; !ilitary History
!agaîne(B<p chv lLch sK iudn sx) ; H8n]i; (num*er Q)&#); $DJJ; page S$)S&.
JQ.($DJJ) NH9- N; historic 0ecision in pril $DSC( li*erating strategic archipelago o+ BrETng Sa)
Spratly; !ilitary History !agaîne(B<p chv lLch sK iudn sx); H8n]i; (num*er Q)&#); $DJJ;
page &")&%.
JS.($DJJ) 1pNH :9P; Bhe issue o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels; BrETng Sa)Spratly an0 the principle o+ not
using arme0 +orces to solve the 0ispute; !ilitary History !agaîne (B<p chv lLch sK iudn
sx); H8n]i; (num*er Q)&#); $DJJ; page $D)"".
JJ.($DJJ) :e S9N; Bhree international con+erences to han0le the pro*lems o+ the secon0)@orl0)@ar
?apan)occupying territory 0o not ac'no@le0ge archipelagos Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 BrETng
Sa)Spratly to *e -hinese; !ilitary History !agaîne(B<p chv lLch sK iudn sx); H8n]i;
(num*er Q)&#); $DJJ; page SC)SS.
JD.($DJJ) Nguyn 1. BHNH; Ho8ng Sa)Paracels BrETng Sa)Spratly; Nouth Pu*lishing House; H-!
-PBN; $DJJ
D#.($DJJ) Bran -ong B.p-; rchipelago Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 archipelago BrETng Sa)Spratly;
sacre0 territory o+ Vitnam through historical an0 legal proo+s an0 evi0ences; !ilitary
History !agaîne; H8n]i; (num*er Q)&#); $DJJ; page $$)$J.
D$.($DJJ) Sea Department; Hovernmental 3oun0ary -ommittee; Socialist .epu*lic o+ Vitnamese;
Documents o+ the naming o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels ) BrETng Sa)Spratly; $% tr; (9n rone[o
printing)
D".($DD&) Ph<m HN; Phan Xim H[ng conte`t error o+ !iscellaneous .ecor0s on the Paci+ication
o+ the /rontiers (Pht 3iAn Bi in !iscellaneous .ecor0s on the
Paci+ication o+ the /rontiers (Pht 3iAn Bn tep thiAn
Nam tM chv l] mR thE ) & '( ) * + , -); Bhe -hinese an0 Nom language
!agaîne(Bep chv Hln N6m); H8n]i; (num*er $) $J); $DD%; page "Q)"D.
DC.($DD%) Ph<m HN; Bhe strangeness in the ne@s announcement o+ -restones company; Peoples
rmy Ne@spaper (1udn w]i Nhdn Ddn); H8n]i; (num*er $$J"S); Sun0ay "% pr $DD%.
DQ.($DD%) Ph<m HNN; Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 BrETng Sa)Spratly in the history; History n0
Present !agaîne (B<p chv WEa & Nay); H8n]i; (num*er J ) #D); $$)$DD%; page $#)$&.
DS.($DD%) Vu Huu SN; ,ast Sea (South-hina Sea)Heography @ith Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 BrETng Sa)
Spratly; Bhe -ommittee +or the Protection o+ Vitnams Berritorial Pntegrity; Stan+or0
pniversity; $DDC; page "#$.
DJ.($DDC) Ph<m HN; :ocation name o+ Nello@ San0*an's in the history; Bhe -hinese an0 Nom
language !agaîne; H8n]i; (num*er $); $DDC; page %%)%C.
DD.($DDC) Pham Xim HpNH; Nguyn Van H9NH; Nguyn Bhua HN; Pnitial comments on the *oo' o+
9ur country South sea islan0 history general compilation (Han zhen Hua as
chie+ e0itor :an ?in zhi Vu /ang 3an !# Hroup. Voguo Nanhai zhu0ao Shi0ai
Hui*ian $%%&'()Han zhen Hua "( )as chie+ e0itor; ,ast Sea (South
-hina Sea)an0 islan0 Program; Bopic o+ 3w Hw #$)#"; $DDC.
$##.($DDC) :uu Van :9P; Sino)Vitnamese 0isputes on the t@o archipelagos o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0
BrETng Sa)Spratly; Pu*lishing House o+ People Police; H8n]i; $DDC.
$#$.($DDC) PhD Nguyn 1uang NH9-; .eport on the contract implement result o+ the secon0 phase o+
the topic Vitnamese Sovereignty History over Ho8ng Sa)Paracels n0 BrETng Sa)Spratly;
National pniversity H8n]i; $DDC (-o0e num*er 3wHw #$ ) #$).
$#".($DDC)Vitnam Ne@s gency; -hina an0 regional security; (re+erence 0ocument); H8n]i; (num*er
Q); $DDC.
$#&.($DDC) Vitnam Ne@s gency; BrETng Sa)Spratly 0isputes on archipelagos; (re+erence 0ocument);
H8n]i; (num*er $# $$); $DDC.
$#%.($DDQ) !. -:H,BB 3rice; (translate0 te`t); Bhe contra0ictory reiuirements +rom Vitnam an0
-hina in the .ee+s o+ Bu -hinh an0 Bhanh :ong in the ,ast Sea; ,nglish oil an0 gas;
(num*er $#%$$); Pu*lishing House 9+ National Politics; H8n]i; $DDQ.
$#C.($DDQ) Pham HN; Stu0y o+ the author o+ Vitnam /our)Direction .oa0 !aps (Bo>n tep thiAn Nam
tM chv l] mR thE ) & '( ) * + , -); Bhe -hineses an0 Nom language !agaîne;
H8n]i; (num*er $ ) "Q);$DDQ; page &%)&Q.
"#%
$#Q.($DDQ) Pham HN; Bhe original source o+ Bhe pnity history o+ Dainam map (w<i Nam Nhyt Bhnng
Bo8n wR; Bhe -hinese an0 Nom language !agaîne; H8n]i; (num*er $ ) "D); $DDQ; page
"%)"Q.
$#S.($DDQ) Phan Dinh H9; s'etch on the tra0itional +estivals o+ :y Son islan0; -m Bh8nh
!agaîne; 1uang Ngai; (num*er D); ug )$DDQ; page C#)C".
$#J.($DDQ) Vo Van H9NH; :y Son( Bra0ition an0 revolution; -m Bh8nh !agaîne; 1uang Ngai;
(num*er D); ug )$DDQ; page $&)$Q.
$#D.($DDQ)Pham Xim HpNH; Hovernmental 3oun0ary -ommittee; Several truth+ul +acts a*out the
historical 0ocument in the compilation le0 *y HN zH,N Hp "; .eport in National
seminar( History Science rguments; Heography an0 legal Vitnamese Sovereignty on "
archipelagos o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 BrETng Sa)Spratly.
$$#.($DDQ) :e Hong XHNH; :y Son; a cultural lan0 o+ potential an0 e`pectation; -m Bh8nh
!agaîne; 1uang Ngai; (num*er D); ug )$DDQ; page &$)&&.
$$$.($DDQ) Doan Ngoc XH9P; Bhe origin o+ ancient civiliâtion on :y Son islan0; -m Bh8nh
!agaîne; 1uang Ngai; (num*er D); ug )$DDQ; page "J)&#.
$$".($DDQ) Nguyn Nen !9; wRn m]t in .e Pslan0; -m Bh8nh !agaîne; 1uang Ngai; (num*er D);
ug )$DDQ; page QSJ.
$$&.($DDQ) PhD Nguyn 1uang NH9-; Bhe process o+ e`tension sea territory *oun0ary in -hinese map
generations; .eport in the National Seminar( Historical; geography an0 legal arguments o+
Vitnamese sovereignty on the t@o archipelagos o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 BrETng Sa)
Spratly; National pniversity H8n]i; $DDQ.
$$%.($DDQ) Nguyn 1uang NH9- an0 Vu Van 1pN; !ore materials on the homelan0 an0 the
activities o+ Paracels /lotillas in the past; .eport in the National Seminar( Historical;
geography an0 legal arguments o+ Vitnamese sovereignty on the t@o archipelagos o+ Ho8ng
Sa)Paracels an0 BrETng Sa)Spratly; National pniversity H8n]i; $DDQ.
$$C.($DDQ) Nguyn Bhanh BpNH; :y Son cultural relics. Value preservation orientation an0
0evelopment; -m Bh8nh !agaîne; 1uang Ngai; (num*er D); ug )$DDQ; page "$)"".
$$Q.($DDQ) Dang V; Some characteristics o+ :y Son +ol'lore culture; -m Bh8nh !agaîne; 1uang
Ngai; (num*er D); ug )$DDQ; page &J)%&.
$$S.($DDJ) Hovernmental 3oun0ary -ommittee; Heneraliâtion on international sea la@ an0 the
application o+ international sea P la@ @a in Vitnam; Braining Document +or Pmprovement
o+ Sea management capacity; Document an0 in+ormation -enter; H8n]i; ?une $DDJ; page %$
"#C
$$J.($DDJ) Hovernmental 3oun0ary -ommittee; Some issues on the organiâtion o+ governmental
machinery on sea management; Braining Document +or Pmprovement o+ Sea management
capacity; Document an0 in+ormation -enter; H8n]i; ?une $DDJ; page C&
$$D.($DDJ) Bran 3a -HP; Do 3a -ong D9 @ith the Nello@ San0*an's map (Ho8ng Sa)Paracels);
!agaîne o+ Social Sciences (National pniversity H8n]i); t WPV; (n
o
&); $DDJ ; page "$)"D.
$"#.($DDJ) Phan Ngoc H9; Nguyn Dinh H9,; Bhe causes o+ the territory iuarrels o+ the islan0s in
archipelago o+ BrETng Sa)Spratly; !agaîne o+ Social Sciences; National pniversity H8n]i;
t WPV; (n
o
&); $DDJ; page CQ)Q".
$"$.($DDJ) Hong BP Nguyn Dang DpNH; Bhe issue o+ esta*lishment o+ territorial sovereignty
territory in international la@ !agaîne o+ Social Sciences ; National pniversity H8n]i; t
WPV; (n
o
&); $DDJ; page S")JJ.
$"".($DDJ) Pham Xim HpNH; Historical 0ocument a++irming the archipelagos in the ,ast Sea
(South-hina Sea)(South -hina Sea) never *eing -hinese territory; !agaîne o+ Social
Sciences; National pniversity H8n]i; WPV; (n
o
&); $DDJ; page %& )%C.
$"&.($DDJ) Pham Xim HpNH; .esearching an0 reUecting the *oo' o+ 9ur countrys south sea islan0s
historical collection (Han zhen Hua ,Voguo Nanhai zhu0ao Shi0ai Hui*ian $
%%&'() ; .esearch on the Program o+ ,ast Sea (South-hina Sea)an0 Pslan0s;
Bopic 3w)Hw #$ ) #"3; National pniversity H8n]i (Bype@riting script)); &QS page
anneès
$"%.($DDJ) Nguyn Bhua HN; Paracel archipelago an0 the Portuguese sea+arers in the WVP century;
!agaîne o+ Social Sciences; National pniversity H8n]i; tWPV; (n
o
&); $DDJ; page &#)%".
$"C.($DDJ) Nguyn 1uang NH9- & Vu Van 1pN; !aterials on the +unctions an0 activities o+
Paracels /lotilla ; !agaîne o+ Social Sciences (National pniversity H8n]i); t WPV; (n
o
&); $DDJ; page $#)"#.
$"Q.($DDJ) Pain S-933P, (Branslate0 te`t +rom Hovernmental 3oun0ary -ommittee); Disputes on
BrETng Sa)Spratly archipelago in another vie@point; Document an0 Pn+ormation -enter;
H8n]i; pril\$DDJ; %% tr.
$"S.($DDJ) -ao Wuan BHp & Nguyn H9N; Ho@ -hina 0ra@n the maps o+ Ho8ng Sa; Spratlys an0
name0 them; !agaîne o+ Social Sciences; National pniversity; H8n]i; t WPV; (n
o
&);
$DDJ; page Q&)QJ.
$"J.($DDJ) -ao Wuan BHp & Nguyn H9N; 8 Heographic map) a history o+ sovereignty; !agaîne
o+ Social Sciences ; National pniversity H8n]i; t WPV; (n
o
&); $DDJ; page QD)S$.
"#Q
$"D.($DDJ) Bran -ong B.p-; Vitnamese sovereignty on the t@o archipelagos o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels
an0 BrETng Sa)Spratly; !agaîne o+ Social Sciences (National pniversity H8n]i); t WPV;
(n
o
&); $DDJ; page & )D.
$&#.($DDD) Bran 3a -HP; !any -hinese ol0 geography *oo's till WW century have *een manipulate0 in
terms o+ location names in or0er to ro* sovereignty on Vitnamese Ho8ng Sa; Heneral
collection o+ reports in the Science -on+erence on History; Heography; :a@; Sovereignty o+
the Socialist .epu*lic o+ Vitnamese on t@o archipelagos Ho8ng Sa)Paracels ) BrETng Sa)
Spratly (Bopic 3w ) Hw )#$); !inistry o+ Science; Bechnology an0 ,cology & National
pniversity; H8n]i; $DDD; page &%)%$.
$&$.($DDD) -H.PSB9PH,. -. ?oyner (Branslate0 te`t +rom Hovernmental 3oun0ary -ommittee);
Disputes on BrETng Sa)Spratly( thin'ing on the interaction o+ 0iplomatic an0 political
activities in the South -hina Sea; Document an0 Pn+ormation -enter; H8n]i; $DDD; Page JQ.
$&".($DDD) Nguyn Van DN; :ocation names an0 Vitnamese sovereignty on the t@o archipelagos
o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 BrETng Sa)Spratly; Heneral collection o+ reports in the Science
-on+erence on History; Heography; :a@; Sovereignty o+ the Socialist .epu*lic o+
Vitnamese on t@o archipelagos Ho8ng Sa)Paracels ) BrETng Sa)Spratly (Bopic( 3w ) Hw
)#$); !inistry o+ Science; Bechnology an0 ,cology & National pniversity; H8n]i; $DDD;
page %&)CQ.
$&&.($DDD) Nguyn Dang DpNH; ciuisition o+ Berritory an0 international la@; Heneral collection o+
reports in the Science -on+erence on History; Heography; :a@; Sovereignty o+ the Socialist
.epu*lic o+ Vitnamese on t@o archipelagos Ho8ng Sa)Paracels ) BrETng Sa)Spratly (Bopic(
3w ) Hw )#$); !inistry o+ Science; Bechnology an0 ,cology & National pniversity; H8n]i;
$DDD; page QD)SC.
$&%.($DDD) Nguyn H<p (*orn an0 *rought up in the +amily @ith sea+aring tra0ition in .e Pslan0 (-[ :ao
.Z); ,ast Hamlet; :y n VInh village; :y Son county); S'etch o+ the tra0itional sail ship in
.e Pslan0 (-[ :ao .Z) use0 to go to ,ast Sea (South-hina Sea)inclu0ing Ho8ng Sa)Paracels;
(0ra@n accor0ing to the materials 'ept in the inha*itants o+ ,ast Hamlet; :y n Vinh village;
:y Son county (+ormerly in n Vinh @ar0; .e Pslan0) $DDD.
$&C.($DDD) Pham HN; Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 BrETng Sa)Spratly in history; Bhe truth history an0
the science history (e`cerpts +rom History n0 Present !agaîne); Nouth Pu*lishing House
an0 History n0 Present !agaîne (B<p chv WEa & Nay); H8n]i; Dec\$DDD; Page $SC )$J".
$&Q.($DDD) Pham Xim HpNH; -hinese conspiracy on Ba'ing over the archipelagos in the ,ast Sea
(South-hina Sea)an0 the cheating arguments o+ -hinese scholars; Heneral collection o+
reports in the Science -on+erence on History; Heography; :a@; Sovereignty o+ the Socialist
"#S
.epu*lic o+ Vitnamese on t@o archipelagos Ho8ng Sa)Paracels ) BrETng Sa)Spratly (Bopic(
3w ) Hw )#$); !inistry o+ Science; Bechnology an0 ,cology & National pniversity; H8n]i;
$DDD; page $J)&&.
$&S.($DDD)Nguyn 1uoc HpN,N; -ommenting on the characteristics o+ the 0isputes over t@o
archipelagos o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels an0 BrETng Sa)Spratly; Heneral collection o+ reports in
the Science -on+erence on History; Heography; :a@; Sovereignty o+ the Socialist .epu*lic
o+ Vitnamese on t@o archipelagos Ho8ng Sa)Paracels ) BrETng Sa)Spratly (Bopic( 3w ) Hw
)#$); !inistry o+ Science; Bechnology an0 ,cology & National pniversity; H8n]i; $DDD;
page C")Q&.
$&J.($DDD) Nguyn Bhua HN; rchipelagos Ho8ng Sa)Paracels in the WVPP ) WVPPP centuries; un0er
Vestern vie@; Heneral collection o+ reports in the Science -on+erence on History;
Heography; :a@; Sovereignty o+ the Socialist .epu*lic o+ Vitnamese on t@o archipelagos
Ho8ng Sa)Paracels ) BrETng Sa)Spratly (Bopic( 3w ) Hw )#$); !inistry o+ Science;
Bechnology an0 ,cology & National pniversity; H8n]i; $DDD; page $)".
$&D.($DDD) Nguyn 1uang NH9-; Protection o+ Vitnamese sovereignty on ,ast Sea (South-hina
Sea)( a remar'a*le activity o+ the Bdy Sgn Dynasty; !ilitary History !agaîne(B<p chv lLch
sK iudn sx); H8n]i; (num*er $); $DDD; page $C ) $J.
$%#.($DDD) Vo Van 1pN; revie@ o+ the achievement on history research o+ Vitnamese sovereignty
on Ho8ng Sa)Paracels; BrETng Sa)Spratly; Heneral collection o+ reports in the Science
-on+erence on History; Heography; :a@; Sovereignty o+ the Socialist .epu*lic o+
Vitnamese on t@o archipelagos Ho8ng Sa)Paracels ) BrETng Sa)Spratly (Su*Uect 3D)HD)
#$); !inistry o+ Science; Bechnology an0 ,cology & National pniversity; H8n]i; $DDD; page
$)".
$%$.($DDD) .!S,S; rner (translate0 *y Hovernmental 3oun0ary -ommittee); -hinese an0
Vitnamese territory 0isputes an0 the regional sta*ility; !o0ern Southeast sia; volume $D
(num*er $); ?une\ $DDS; page %S.
PPP ,nglish an0 /rench 0ocuments
$%".($J&S) ?ean :ouis B3,.D; Note on the Heography o+ -ochinchina; ?ournal o+ the .oyal
siatic Society o+ 3engal; -alcutta; *] VP; D\$J&S.
$%&.($J&J) ?ean :ouis B3,.D; 00itional Notice on the Heography o+ -ochinchina; ?ournal o+ the
.oyal siatic Society o+ 3engal; -alcutta; *] VPP; %\$J&J; pp &$S ) &"%.
$%%. ($J%D) HpBz://; Heography o+ the -ochinchinese ,mpire; ?ournal o+ Bhe Heography Society
o+ :on0on; vol. the $D
th
; pD&.
"#J
$%C. ($JDQ) !.H Dp!9pBP,.; tu0e sur un portulan nnamite 0u WV
e
siecle; 3ulletin 0e
gZographie historiiue et 0escriptive; Paris; (n
o
"); $JDQ; Q%p.
$%Q. ($D"&) . S::,S; :a !Zmoire sur la -ochinchine 0e ?ean 3aptiste -haigneau; 3ulletin 0es
mis 0u vieu` Hue; W; (n
o
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$%S. ($D"S) . X.,!P/; :a +orme 0es .Zci+s -oralliens et le .Zgime 0es Vents lternants; .apport
0u -onseil 0u gouvernement sur le /onctionnement 0u Service 9cZanographiiue 0es
Pches 0e lPn0ochine pen0ant lannZe $D"Q $D"S. !Zmoire 0u Service 9cZanographiiue
0e lPn0ochine; Saigon; (n
o
"); $D"S; pp "Q ) "J.
$%J.($D"D) Henri -p-H,.9pSS,B; :a iuestion 0es Ples Paracels; veil conomiiue 0e lPn0ochine;
H8n]i; (n
o
Q#Q); "S\#$\$D"D; pp $) % (n
o
Q""); $D\#C\$D"D; pp $# ) $$ (n
o
Q"&);
"Q\#C\$D"D; pp $# ) $$.
$%D. ($D"D) Henri -p-H,.9pSS,B; :es 0roits 0e lnnam sur les Ples Paracels et les Devoirs 0u
Houvernement Protecteur; veil conomiiue 0e lPn0ochine; H8n]i; (n
o
Q"S); "&\#Q\$D"D;
pp $ ) ".
$C#. ($D"D) P.. :PP-1p,; Propos 0es Ples Paracels; ,`tredme sie. .evue Pn0ochinoise
PlustrZe; Saigon; (n
o
&J); $D"D; pp Q#C ) Q$Q.
$C$. ($D&#) ?. D, :-9p.; et ?39pP::; 9iseau` 0es Ples Paracels; !Zmoire 0u Service
9cZanographiiue 0e lPn0ochine; Houvernement HZnZral 0e lPn0ochine; Saigon; (n
o
&);
$D&#; "% p.
$C". ($D&$) Henri -p-H,.9pSS,B; :es Ples Paracels et la SZcuritZ 0e lPn0ochine; veil
conomiiue 0e lPn0ochine; Saigon; (n
o
QJC); $#\#C\$D&$; pp $) ".
$C&. ($D&$) Henri -p-H,.9pSS,B; :Pn0ochine au` Paracels; veil conomiiue 0e lPn0ochine;
Saigon; (n
o
QJJ); &$\#C\$D&$; pp &) %.
$C%. ($D&$) Hustave S:,S; :es Ples Paracels \ :es Ples Paracels et la SZcuritZ en ,`tr me 9rient;
veil conomiiue 0e lPn0ochine; Saigon; (n
o
S#C); "S\#D\$D&$; ppS.
$CC. ($D&$) Hustave S:,S; :es Ples Paracels et la SZcuritZ en ,`trme 9rient; venir 0u Bon'in;
(n
o
$#%DC); $S\#%\$D&$; pp ".
$CQ. ($D&") Henri -p-H,.9pSS,B; Histoire !o0erne 0es Ples Paracels; veil conomiiue 0e
lPn0ochine; Saigon; (n
o
S%%); #&\#S\$D&"; pp$)" (n
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S%Q); $S\#S\$D&"; pp " )%.
$CS. ($D&") leìs ,lie :-9!3,; :histoire !o0erne 0es Ples Paracels; ,veil ,conomiiue 0e
o
S&J); ""\#C\$D&"; pp C ) Q.
$CJ. ($D&") Pierre PS1pP,.; :histoire !o0erne 0es Ples Paracels; veil conomiiue 0e
o
S%$); $"\#Q\$D&"; pp % )C.
"#D
$CD. ($D&&) 9livier SPW; Ples Paracels; :a HZographie; (:W); $$\$"\$D&&; pp "&" ) "%&.
$Q#. ($D&&) Paul !aurice -:,.H,B; :es phosphates 0es Paracels; :veil 0e lPn0ochine; (n
o
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"&\#%\$D&&; pp S ) $".
$Q$. ($D&&) Henri -p-H,.9pSS,B; la coniute 0es Ples Phosphates a Spratly; veil 0e
o
SD#); "J\#C\$D&&; pp $) &.
$Q". ($D&&) Henri -p-H,.9pSS,B; :a iuestion 0es Paracels; :veil 0e lPn0ochine; Saigon; (n
o
SSS); "Q\#"\$D&&; pp $) &.
$Q&. ($D&&) Sauvaire ) ?9p.DN; -omman0ant. :es Paracels Pn+iniment Petits 0e Notre Domaine
-olonial; :a Nature; Paris; Q$
e
anne[e; "
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semestre; (n
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$Q%.($D&&) :e Houverneur De :a -ochinchine; 9++icier De :a :Zgion Dhonneur; rrAtZ le "$
DZcem*re $D&& 0e ?. Xhrautheimer; -entral rchive Breasury "; H-! -PBN; not yet 0e+ine0
@ith co0e.
$QC.($D&&) !inistre 0es ++aires trangres( vis relati+ a loccupation 0e certaines iles par 0es unitZs
navales pansac.Zs; ?ournal o++iciel; "C ?uillet $D&&; p SSD%.
$QQ.($D&%) P. -H,V,N; Ples et .Zci+s 0e -orau` 0e la !er 0e -hine; 3ulletin 0e la Socie[te[ 0es
,tu0es Pn0ochinoises; Saigon; PW; (n
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%); $#\$"\$D&%; pp %J ) CQ.
$QS.($D&D) 3.3; :es Ples Spratly :sie /ranaise; Paris; WWWPW; (n
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&QD); vril\ $D&D; pp $"& )
$"%.
$QJ.($D&D) Houverneur HZnZral De :in0ochine; rrAtZ n
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$QD.($D%$) ?ean Nves -:,NS; ?ournal 0e Voyage au` Paracels; Pn0ochine; H8n]i; (n
o
%%);
&#\#S\$D%$; pp S ) $& (n
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$S#.($DC$) .aoul S,.,N,; Petit histoire 0es Paracels; Su0 ) ,st siatiiue; 3ruèlles; (n
o
$D);
?anvier ; $DC$; pp &S ) %".
$S$.($DCC) ,. Sp.PN; Notes sur les Ples Paracels; rchives Heologiiues 0u Vitnam; -entre
National 0e .echerches Scienti+iiues et Bechniiues; Saigon; (n
o
&); $DCC; pp & ) &D.
$S".($DCC) .aoul S,.,N,; :institut 9cZanographiiue 0e Nha Brang et la zoologie !arine au
Vitnam; -ontri*ution ; Saigon; (n
o
$C); $DCC.
$S&.($DCS) Henri /9NBPN, et :A v=n Hoai; -ontri*ution a la -onnaissance 0e la +lore 0es Ples
Paracels; nnales 0e la /aculte 0es Sciences; pniversite 0e Saigon; $DCS; pp $&& ) $&S.
$S%.($DCS) ,. Sp.PN; propos 0es Halets ,òtiiues 0es Ples Paracels; rchives Heologiiues 0u
Vitnam; P.N.D.,.9; Saigon; (n
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$SC.($DCJ) ,. Sp.PN; /aune !alacogiiue Berrestre 0es Ples Paracels; -ontri*ution; lPnstitut
9cZanographiiue 0e Nha Brang; (n
o
&D); $DCJ; pp QD ) SQ.
"$#
$SQ.($DQ#) ,0moun0 Sp.PN; Hastropo0es marins 0es Ples Paracels; nnales 0e la /aculte 0es
Sciences; Saigon; $DQ#; pp $DC ) "$Q $DQ$; pp $SS ) $DJ.
$SS.($DQ#) Hea0 1uarters; ps rmy; 3roa0casting a visual activity Paci+ic; 9P9 &&$. nalysis Bhe
Spratly; Paracels Pslan0 0ispute; $#p. (archive0 at pniversity o+ -ali+ornia; :os ngeles; ?un
"D $DQ"; li*rary Hovt. Pu*lics .oom)
$SJ.($DQ") ,. Sp.PN; :amelli*ranches 0es Ples Paracels; nnales 0e la /aculte 0es Sciences;
pniversite 0e Saigon; pp %&C ) %%Q.
$SD.($DS$) :A Bh8nh XH; :a++aire 0es Ples Paracels et Spratly 0evant le 0roit Pnternational; Bhese
&
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cycle; Pnstitut Pnternational 0,tu0es et 0e .echerches Diplomatiiues; Paris; $DS$; "DJ
pages 3i*liotheiue S, (" rue Bournon); (n
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&D%#).
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SouverainetZ sur cet rchipel Survenues 0e $D&& 8 $D&D entre la /rance et le ?apon et 0epuis
$DC$ entre la -hine; les Philippines et le Su0 Vitnam ) ,volution 0u Di++Zrence au cours 0e
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0epuis $DCD entre le Vitnam et la -hine ) .elativement a lppartenance 0es Ples
Paracels; .evue HZnZral 0e Droit Pnternational Pu*lic; :WWVP; &; ?uillet ) Septem*re ;
$DS".
$J$.($DS%)V :ong BA; :es rchipels 0e Ho8ng Sa)Paracels et 0e BrETng Sa)Spratly. Selon les
nciens 9uvrages Vitnamiens 0Histoire et 0e HZographie; 3] V=n Hol Hilo Duc an0
Bhanh NiAn; Saigon ; $DS%; "#$p .
$J".($DSC) !inistry 9+ /oreign ++airs; .epu*lic 9+ Vitnam; Vhite paper on the Ho8ng Sa)Paracels
(Paracels) an0 BrETng Sa)Spratly (Spratly) Pslan0; Saigon; $DSC; $#&p.
$J&.($DJ$) !inistry 9+ /oreign ++airs; Socialist .epu*lic 9+ Vitnam; Bhe Ho8ng Sa)Paracels
(Paracels) an0 BrETng Sa)Spratly (Spratly) rchipelagoes Vitnamese Berritories; %&p.
$J%.($DJD) P.3. :/9NB; :es rchipels Paracels et Spratly. pn con+lit 0e +rontires en !er 0e
-hine !Zri0ionale. :es /rontieres 0u Vitnam 0ition lHarmattan; Paris; $DJD; pp "%% )
"Q# ) "Q$.
$JC.($DD#) .. Haller )B.9SB; Bhe Spratly Pslan0 ) stu0y on the limitation o+ Pnternational la@; Bhe
occasional Paper; -entre o+ South ) ,ast sian stu0y; pniversity o+ Xent at -anter*urry; (n
o
$%); DCp.
$JQ.($DD$) !ar' ? V:,N-P; !alaysia an0 la@ o+ the sea; Bhe +oreign policy issues; the options
an0 their implications; Pnstitut o+ Strategie an0 Pnternational stu0ies; !alaysia; $DD$; $CCp.
"$$
$JS.($DDC) Davi0 HN-9W an0 Victor P.,S-9BB; geography 0iscription o+ the Spratly islan0s
an0 ccount o+ hy0rographic surveys amongst those islan0s; !aritime 3rie+ing; pniversity
o+ Dunhan; ,nglan0; volume $; (n
o
Q); $DDC; JSp.
$JJ.($DDQ) !.-. H,ND.,p. :a SouverainetZ sur les rchipels Paracels et Spratly; 0ition
lHarmattan; Paris; $DDQ; &#Qp.
$JD.($DDQ) :Eu v=n :gi; :es Di++erences Vitnamo ) -hinois sur les rchipels Ho8ng Sa)Paracels et
BrETng Sa)Spratly; ,0itions BhA gigi; H8n]i; $DDQ; $%# p.
$D#.($DDQ) Nguyn HRng Bhao; :e Vitnam +ace au` pro*lemes 0e l,`tension maritime 0ans la mer 0e
-hine !eri0ionale; B $&"; Bhese pour le 0octorat Droit; lpniversite 0e Paris P; Panthe on )
Sor*onne; $DDQ; DD%p.
PPP -hinese Document
PPP. B~P :Pp -H HN
$D$ $QJQ
?@ABC+7DEFGHIJ
$D" $SSQ
KLMCNOP
$D& $J"$
QRSCTUVWXHIYZ[X
$D% $J&&
\][ZXHIJ
$DC $J&%)&J
^'_CCH`
$DQ $J&S
^ aC bCcdefghi @ A ej
$DS $J&J
^ aC bCcdekglimenj @ A
$DJ $J%S
^ aC bCophgemimefj @ A
$DD $J%J
^'_CqJrHYs
"## $J%J
^'_CqJrHYst
"#$ $JC$
^ aCuvtw3 @
"#" $JC$
^ aCuvCHtwtsJ @
"#& $JQ%
^'_CCqtrJw7
"#% $JQ%
^'_CCqtrJwtst
"#C $JQ%
"$"
^'_CCqtrHJwYs7
"#Q $JQ%
^'_C qtrHJwxsY
"#S $JSS
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"#J $JSD
^'_Cq~rH7s
"#D $JJ"
^'_CJHx
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^'_HI~
"$# $DJJ
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"$&
Re&ar?
Tranlate. by 9NC:D
-HPB,. $
$;$. .ichar0 Spratly @as an ,nglish captain o+ a @hale)+ishing ship name0 -yrus. He 0iscovere0
the islan0 on Dam "D
th
!ar $J%&. ustralian -olonel Doyle an0 -olonel -amp*ell o+ 3ritish
!easurement gency @rote a letter to the 3ritish Sea !easurement 3ureau in $st pril $J%&
to supply this in+ormation +or the naming o+ this islan0. Please rea0 !aritime !agaîne;
$J%&; p QDS; e`cerpte0 +rom !aritime 3rie+ing; volume $; num*er Q; $DDC (pniversity o+
Dunhan; ,nglan0).
$.". n VInh is the name o+ a villge in 3hnh Son county; 1u>ng Ngi province; inclu0ing the
inlan0 part an0 .Z Pslan0. /rom these locations; there @ere many sol0iers to *e recruite0 to
the civilian sol0iers in Ho8ng Sa /lotilla since early Nguyn :or0 time.
$.&. mphitrite is an ,uropean ship @hich @as @rec'e0 in Ho8ng Sa)Paracels. Bhis /rench ship
@as on the @ay to -hina +or commerce *y the en0 o+ WVPP century (Please rea0 ?ournal 0e
voyage au` Paracels; ?ean Nves -laeys; Pn0ochine (H8n]i); num*er %%)%C ($D%$)
$.%. 9nly +or the Northern most islan0 to the southern most islan0. P+ inclu0ing the *an's an0 ree+s;
that coul0 *e +rom %
#
North to $"
#
North latitu0e.
$.C. ccor0ing to -hinese statistics in $D&C; at that time this @as call Buansha) 5o8n Sa; inclu0ing
DJ islan0s; roc's; *an's. Nansha ) @as un0erstoo0 to *e !accles+iel0 3an'. t that
time this @as inclu0ing $## islan0s; roc's; *an's. Bo Han zhen Hoa) Han -han Hua (
)group in 9ur countrys south sea islan0s historical collection ( ' Vo Huo
Nan Hai zhu Dao shi liao hui *ian ); the total num*er o+ South Sea is $&" islan0s; un0ersea
ree+s; *an's. Nansha ) @as name0 !accles+iel0 3an'. :ater on they change0 Buansha)
5jan Sa to Nansha ) @ith DJ islan0s; roc's an0 *an's. Similarly in this groups
collection; there @as also a comparison list o+ the ol0 an0 ne@ names o+ the South Sea islan0s
issue0 *y -hina Pnterior !inistry in $D%S. Bhe archipelago o+ Buansha)5jan Sa change0 to
Nansha ) inclu0e0 $## islan0s; roc's an0 *an's.
$.Q. 3asing on the ne@ 0e+initions o+ $DJ" Sea ct on the continental shel+ an0 the ,`clusive
economic ône (,,z); C un0ersea ree+s have *een counte0 as in Vitnamese BE -hvnh
continental shel+; inclu0ing( Prince o+ Vales 3an' (3i Phuc Bdn; Huangya Bai); J
#
#J North
"$%
latitu0e; $$#
#
"S ,ast longitu0e); leàn0ra 3an'; (3i HuyGn Brdn; .enUunotan); J
#
#$ North
latitu0e; $$#
#
&S ,ast longitu0e); Hrainger 3an' (3i 1uA HEgng; :i^hunBan); S
#
%J North
latitu0e; $$#
#
"D ,ast longitu0e); Prince -onsort 3an' (3i Phc NguyAn; Wi @ei tan); S
#
CC
North latitu0e; $#D
#
CJ ,ast longitu0e); Vanguar0 3an' (3i BE -hvnh; Vant an Ban); S
#
&"
North latitu0e; $#D
#
%& ,ast longitu0e)
-HPB,. "
".S No@0ays; Bhe -hinese an0 Nom language Pnstitute (H8N]i) is 'eeping the copy o+ 5q 3l
-6ng 5<os map tittle0 -ompile0 Vitnam .oa0 !ap (Bo>n Bep n Nam :6) an0 the
remar' o+ S
th
year o+ -hvnh Ho8 ($QJQ); @hich is integrate0 in the Vorl0 !ap (BhiAn Ha
3an 56). Same contents @ith this map collection coul0 *e +oun0 in Vitnam /our)Direction
.oa0 !aps (Boan Bdp BhiAn Nam BM -hv :] wR BhE) in the HRng 5Mc !ap (H6ng 5Ec 3an
56). Bhe +irst page o+ this 0ocment runs *elo@ line(
Bhanh Hiang 3ich BriGu stu0ent; getting over the eàm; his +amily name 5q 3l; his
surname -6ng 5<o; has compile0 this 0ocument (Vritten in HRng 5Mc !ap (H6ng 5Ec
3an 56). Bhis 0oment is no@ archive0 in Boyo 3un'o (,ast Sea (South-hina Sea):i*rary) in
?apan. Bhe similar te`t Bhanh Hiang 3ich BriGu stu0ent; getting over the eàm; his +amily
name 5q 3l; his surname -6ng 5<o; has collecte0 this 0ocument(Vitnamese(Bhanh
Hiang 3vch BriGu nho sinh trng thMc 5q 3l thL; tx -6ng 5<o )@ritten in the *oo'
-ompile0 Vitnam .oa0 !ap (Bo>n Bep n Nam :]); Bhe -hinese an0 Nom language
Pnstitute (H8n]i);VHN "Q"J).
Bhe @or0 phu in this conte`t conveys a courtesy meaning. Bhat is eiuivalent to
respect+ully; sincerely an0 that ma'es people misun0erstan0 the name to *e w<o Phu.
ccor0ing to geneology recor0s o+ 5q +amily in -m N=ng village; 3ich BriGu hamlet;
Bhanh -hEgng county; Ngh n province no@a0ays; in the anne` o+ the geneology recor0s
*oo'; there is a section Pn our +amily; there @as one gentleman name0 wq 3l; sunrname0
-6ng :uen or -6ng w<o @ho passe0 the HEgng eàm @ith the tittle o+ HEgng gi>i nguyAn
(eiuivalent to highschool gra0uation no@); an0 the royal court grante0 him the position o+
university stu0ent (giam sinh); ho@ever he 0i0 not ta'e it as a +avor. Ve @as then appointe0
to *e the county chie+ o+ Bh<ch H8 county; *ut he also 0i0 not @ant to *e a man0arin. He
usually complanie0 9ur country is ne`t to -hampa; an0 every year su++ers +rom invasion. t
times the violators enter Phuong mar'et; 'ille0 people an0 ro**e0 property.Bhat is very
pain+ul. Pn aroun0 -hvnh Ho8 perio0 ($QJ# ) $S#C); he resigne0; playe0 the role o+ a
merchant +rom :am river; crosse0 the lan0 o+ Bhuen 1u>ng (no@ 1u>ng 3hnh an0 Ph NAn);
"$C
to reach -hampa; -henla; to stu0y mountains; rivers; an0 sea routes; then he 0re@ a map to
sumit to the court in the North; a0vise0 the court +or Southern paci+ication an0 e`pan0ing the
*oun0ary. BrLnh :or0 (BrLnh -=n) @as very 0elighte0 an0 selecte0 him to complie the !ap o+
/our)Direction (BE -hv :6 56).
Vitnam /our)Direction .oa0 !aps (Bo>n tep thiAn Nam tM chv :] mR thE) inclu0e0 %
volumes. Pn each volume there is a num*er o+ maps @ith the remar's on the le+t or on the
hea0. Vitnam /our)Direction .oa0 !aps (Bo>n tep thiAn Nam tM chv :] mR thE) 0ra@n *y
5q 3l -6ng 5<o @as 0erive0 into many various 0i++erent copies. Sometimes it @as attache0
to HRng 5Mc !ap (HRng 5Mc *>n mR) (@hich is also seen in the *oo' -ompile0 Vitnam
.oa0 !ap (Bo>n tep thiAn Nam tM chv :] mR; Bhe -hinese an0 Nom language Pnstitute
(H8n]i);VHN "Q"J ). Pt is also un0er the name o+ -ompile0 Vitnam /our)Direction .oa0
!ap (Bo>n Bep n Nam BM -hv :] 5R). Bhe 0erivatives @ere also a00e0 @ith miscellaneous
stories as -ao 3iGn lan0; B> o legen0;etc No@ the -hinese an0 Nom language li*rary in
H8n]i still 'eeps many 0erivatives o+ 5q 3l -6ng 5<o maps.r$J; "Ss
".J !iscellaneous .ecor0s on the Paci+ication o+ the /rontiers (Pht 3iAn B<p :uc). / 0 1 ); volume
" (part P); Saigon( ncient 3oo' 3i*liography; Branslation -ommittee; -ulture !inistry (Pht
1unc Vu Xhanh wc Brlch V=n Hol); $DS"; page "$". Bhe origin is no@ 'ept at Bhe -hinese
an0 Nom language Pnstitute @ith % 0erivatives. Pn @hich there are t@o copies @ith the N6m
@or0 o+ Ho8i @ith su++icient stro'es ( $%J; $$SC) one copy @ith the N6m @or0 o+ Ho8i
@ith insu++icient stro'es (VHV. $"Q&); one copy @ith the N6m @or0 N (VHV.$S&S).
Bhere+ore the copy @ith N coul0 *e the @ong copy. Bhus the translation o+ the +oreign ships
struc' *y storms anchoring at this islan0 (clc thuyGn ngoo
n8y) shoul0 *e change0 to +oreign ships struc' *y strong @in0s mostly *eing 0amage0 in
this islan0 (BhuyGn clc nEc ngo8i gp gi phbn nhiGu hE h|ng to n8y). Please rea0
Ph<m Hdn; conte`t error o+ !iscellaneous .ecor0s on the Paci+ication o+ the /rontiers
(Pht 3iAn Bng Ngi Pht. Since Nguyn Ho8ng @as appointe0 to govern Bhuen 1u>ng; he change0 the
name o+ BE NghIa Pht (Province) to 1u>ng Ngi Pht (Province). Pn S
th
year un0er Hia :ong
,mperor; Pt @as change0 to 1u>ng Ngi Pre+ecture an0 in $&
th
,mperor $& ($J&"); it @as change0 again to 1u>ng Ngi Province until no@. 1u>ng Ngi
Pht *e+ore :A Bhlnh B6n coniuest o+ -hampa ($%S$) ha0 *een -hampas lan0 an0 in the
range o+ @ar *et@een Vitnam an0 -hampa; sometimes un0er Vitnamese an0 sometimes
"$Q
un0er -hampa control. -+ . pni+ie0 Vitnamese History(5ng Ngi province; in the part o+ XiOn Brv DuyAn -lch.
".$#. .e Pslan0 ( .Z an0 not Bre islan0 is the popular name o+ :7 Sgn islan0; o++ the shore; in the
,ast o+ 3inh Sgn county; 1u>ng Ngi province. Bhere @ere inha*itants o+ the t@o @ar0s n
VInh an0 n Hi.
".$$ Hreat :ong san0*an's (5<i BrETng Sa) is the archipelago o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels. Vhen :A
1u7 56n compile0 this *oo' ($SSQ); Paracels) Ho8ng Sa /lotilla @as eìsting as a proo+ +or
the continuous practice o+ Vitnamese sovereignty on Ho8ng Sa)Paracels in many centuries.
".$" ccor0ing to Hoa 3ng; Phan Huy -h surren0ere0 to !inh !<ng ,mperor in his $st year
($J"#). (Please rea0 Hoa 3ng; Phan Huy -h @ith the *oo' -iviliâtion history in
classi+ication on Vitnam royal 0ynasties (:ich BriGu HiOn -hEgng :o<i -hv)
); pn0erstan0ng Bri Bdn num*er CC ("$\S\$D%"); page &). Phan Huy -h; another
surname0 :dm Xhanh; penname !ai Phong @as *orn in Bhu Hoach hamlet; BhiAn :]c
county; Ngh n province. His +arthest ancestor name0 -an change0 0omicile to Bhuy XhA
village; :at Sai @ar0; NAn Sgn county; 1unc 9ai province; Sgn Bdy pre+ecture. He @as Phan
Huy Pchs son. He @as clever *ut @as not success+ul in the eàmination +iel0 an0 ha0 to
repeat many eàminations. He coul0 only get t@o time o+ B B8i (eiuivalent to highschool
gra0uation) in $J#S an0 in $J$D. Ho@ever; his 'no@le0ge @as 0eep an0 vast. !inh !<ng
,mperor un0erstoo0 his talent; so he appointe0 Phan Huy -h to *e e0itor in History gency
(SK 1uln) then a00e0 the ran' o+ Vice m*assa0or (t Ph SM) to go on 0uty to -hina t@o
times ($J"%; $J&#) then to Pn0onesia t@o times ($J&"; $J&&). Bhan's to his in)0epth
'no@le0ge an0 vuluminous rea0ing; @hen @riting Heography 3oo' (DE 5La -hv) mentioning
BE NghIa Province; he certainly state0 Ho8ng Sa)Paracels.
".$&. Pn $%th year un0er !inh !<ng ,mperor ($J&&); there @as a carving copy o+ the .emaining
:iterature -lu* . Pn Dth year un0er Bhanh Bhai ,mperor ($JDS); there @as a carving copy
+rom :iterary -oncentration -lu* (Bu V=n wETng). Pn the year o+ Nhdm Bhdn ($JS"); there
@as also another carving copy in the $st year un0er Duy Bdn ,mperor o+ 5inh ![i ($D#S)
+rom :iterary 3roa0casting -lu* (1u>ng V=n wETng). Please rea0 ,mile Haspar0onne; page
&D
".$%. .ecor0s on Vitnamese +acts (w<i Nam Bhxc :uc) +rom National History gency (1unc SK
1uln) un0er the Nguyn 0ynasty; inclu0ing Pnitial Script (BiAn 3iAn) an0 !aUor Script
(-hvnh 3iAn) @rote the +acts un0er every emperor (*y perio0). !inh !<ng ,mperor or0ere0
"$S
the historical man0arin in the National History gency (1unc SK 1uln) to @rite +rom the
"n0 year un0er !inh !<ng ,mperor ($J"$).
.ecor0s on Vitnamese +acts (5<i Nam Bhxc :uc; in the initial part (BiGn *iAn) or Bhe
/ormer ,mperors +acts initial part; inclu0e0 $& volumes in t@o sets. Bhis 0ocument @rote
a*out the +acts un0er the Nguyn :or0s +rom Nguyn Ho8ng (later posthumously grante0
Bhli B Hia Du ,mperor) in $CCJ to HiOu Bhuen Du B6ng in $SSS. Bhese 0ocuments @ere
r@itten 0o@n an0 carve0 into *oo's in the %th year o+ Bhiu Bri ,mperor ($J%%).
.ecor0s on Vitnamese +acts un0er the Nguyn ,mperors (5<i Nam Bhxc :uc -hvnh 3iAn)
) @as the secon0 part o+ the *oo' .ecor0s on Vitnamese +acts (w<i Nam
Bhxc :uc) +irst perio0; @hich mentione0 +rom Hia :ong ,mperor in his :or0 time ($SSJ).
Bhis *oo' @as +inishe0 in compilation in $J%S; in carving in $J%J. .ecor0s on Vitnamese
+acts un0er the Nguyn ,mperors (5<i Nam Bhxc :uc -hinh 3iAn)) ) secon0
perio0 @as a*out !inh !<ng ,mperor. Bhis @as +inishe0 in compilation in $JQ$ an0
+inishe0 in carving in $JQ%. .ecor0s on Vitnamese +acts un0er the Nguyn ,mperors (5<i
Nam Bhxc :uc -hvnh 3iAn) ); thir0 perio0 @as a*out Bhiu BrL ,mperor an0
@as +inishe0 carving on $JSD. .ight no@ Vitnam only archive0 the original te`t an0 the
tranaltion into mo0ern Vitnamese o+ the 0ocuments until 5Rng Xhlnh ,mperor ($JJC )
$JJJ). Bhe rest is no@ 'ept in /rance.
".$C..oyally vie@e0 history o+ the Vitnamese Nguyn Dynasty a0ministrative statutes (Xhdm
5Lnh 5<i Nam H]i 5in Sx :) is a set o+ volumes @ritten *y the Pnterior Pnstitute (N]i -lc).
Bhis Pnterior Pnstitute @as esta*lishe0 in $#th year un0er !inh !<ng ,mperor ($J"D) @ith
the responsi*ility o+ 'eeping stamps; 0ocuments o+ the royal agencies an0 note0 0o@n the
Uo*s o+ the ministries; institutes an0 the statutes applie0 *y the government. Bhese @ere
prepare0 an0 +inishe0 accor0ing to the emperors or0ers in the &r0 year un0er Bhiu BrL
,mperor ($J%&); Qth year ($J%Q); &r0 year un0er Bx 5Mc ,mperor ($JC#) an0 the %th year
un0er Bx 5Mc ,mperor ($JC$). Pn Jth year un0er Bx 5Mc ,mperor ($JCC); the carving @as
starte0 an0 in the "$th year un0er Bx 5Mc ,mperor ($JQJ); the Uo* @as +inishe0. Bhe contents
comprise0 o+ all 0ecrees; or0ers; reports @hich ha0 *een applicate0 since the $st year o+ Hia
:ong ,mperor ($J#") till the %th year o+ Bx 5Mc ,mperor.
.oyally vie@e0 history o+ the Vitnamese Nguyn Dynasty a0ministrative statutes)
continue0 part (Xhdm wLnh w<i Nam H]i wi4n Sx : Buc 3iAn) accounte0 the +acts +rom the
Cth year o+ Bx 5Mc ,mperor ($JC") to the Jth year o+ Duy Ban ,mperor ($D$%). Bhis *oo'
"$J
@as +irst starte0 in the $st year un0er Bh8nh Bhli ,mperor ($JJD). Bhe contents @ere
announce0 +rom $JC" to $JJD. Bhe rest +rom $JJD to $D$% @as only 0ra+t scripts.
".$Q. .oyally Vie@e0 Documents (chdu *>n) @ere the 0ocuments; reports +rom ministries;
localities sen0ing to emperors @ith the notes +rom the monarchs as royally note0 or
royally vie@e0 an0 normally @ith a stamp o+ royally note0 in re0 in'. Bhe status o+ *eing
royally note0 inclu0e0 royally note0; royally pointe0; royally roun0e0 an0 royally
hea0e0 (chdu phA; chdu mi4m; chdu 'huyAn; chdu m<t). Bhe .oyally Vie@e0 Documents
(chdu *>n) un0er the Nguyn 0ynasty inclu0e0 the 0ecrees; announcements an0 other
0ocuments as statistics; reports; 0iplomatic 0ocuments @hich @ere still 'ept *ac'. Bhose
@ere the archives o+ Nguyn royal court care0 *y the royall o++ices as Pnstitute o+ :i*rary
(Vin BhL BhE); Pnstitute o+ ca0emy (Vin BhL H8n); Pnstitute o+ Pnteriror Services (Vin
N]i H8n) un0er Hia :ong ,mperor ($J#" ) $J$D). Bhe a*ove li*raries @ere change0 to *e
un0er the control o+ Pnterior Pnstitute +rom the $# year un0er !inh !<ng ,mperor ($J"D). Pn
$Sth year un0er !inh !<ng ,mperor ($J&Q); Nguyn Dynasty constructe0 the ,ast 3uil0ing
)w6ng -lc *ehin0 the :e+t -ourt (B> Vu) o+ -bn -hlnh Palace to archive the .oyally
Vie@e0 Documents (chdu *>n). Pn $D%"; this @arehouse o+ .oyally Vie@e0 Documents (chdu
*>n) @as trans+erre0 to *e un0er the -ulture Pnstitute un0er 3>o 5n) @as not @ell)preserve0 an0 the 0ocuments @ere lost
an0 0amage0 in a great num*er. Pn $DCD; Hue pniversity Pnstitute applie0 to ta'e control an0
preserve this treasury an0 *egan to set up the Vitnamese Historical Branslation -ommittee
(y 3an PhiAn DLch SK :iu). Bhis committee @as in charge o+ the sorting an0 researching
the Pn0e` o+ .oyally Vie@e0 Documents (chdu *>n) un0er the Nguyn 0ynasty.
Pn $DQ#; the Pn0e` o+ .oyally Vie@e0 Documents (chdu *>n) Nguyn 0ynastey; part P o+ Hia
:ong perio0 ($J#" ) $J$D) @as complete0 an0 pu*lishe0. Pn $DQ"; the Pn0e` o+ .oyally
Vie@e0 Documents (chdu *>n) Nguyn 0ynastey; part PP o+ !inh !<ng ,mperor perio0
($J"# ) $J"%) @as pu*lishe0. 3e+ore $DSC; Saigon government trans+erre0 the treasury o+
.oyally Vie@e0 Documents (chdu *>n) +rom HuO to 58l<t. Pn $DSC; these 0ocuments @ere
trans+erre0 to Breasury 3ureau in Saigon. +ter the uni+ication o+ Vitnam; the National
rchive 3ureau too' charge o+ this 0ocument treasury an0 this *ureau @as un0er the 0irect
control o+ National rchive -enter PP. Pn the en0 o+ $DD$; the treasury o+ .oyally Vie@e0
Documents (chdu *>n) @as trans+erre0 to H8n]i an0 @as un0er the preservation o+ National
rchive -enter P.
"$D
ccor0ing to the statistics o+ the Vitnamese Historical Branslation -ommittee (y 3an
PhiAn DLch SK :iu) le0 *y !r Brbn Xinh Hol in HuO pniversity $DCD; the treasury o+
.oyally Vie@e0 Documents (chdu *>n) inclu0e0 Q$$ parts an0 a num*er o+ single sheets
having not *een attache0 together. ssorting results o+ National rchive -enter P in $DSC
reveale0 there @ere Q#" parts; not mentioning the single sheets. +ter more care+ul assorting;
in $DD& the National rchive -enter P systemiê0 S&% parts; not mentioning %# parts to *e
stuc' together an0 $" parts to *e not yet certi+ie0 the contents. No@a0ays; there is only a*out
D;"" in goo0 con0ition. Bhe rest @ere mol0e0; stuc'; 0egra0e0 an0 among them $C is
un0er heavy 0amage. Since $DDC; National rchive 3ureau have applie0 the computer
science to han0le the 0ocuments o+ .oyally Vie@e0 Documents (chdu *>n). Pnitially; the +iles
have *een input to 0igital 0is's to 'eep along @ith the original te`ts. Bhis is a valua*le
cultural relic @hich @as grante0 *y pN,S-9 to *e Pnternational 3rain Program.
!oreover; in private houses there are still many archive0 copies o+ the .oyally Vie@e0
Documents (chdu *>n) missing a*ove mentione0.
".$S. Pn the $JSS pre+ace o+ Vitnamese History) a*reviate0 an0 assorte0 research (Viet Nam
-Egng Hilm Xh>o :E}c)!); *y Nguyn Bh6ng in 3vnh Bhdn year ($JSQ) on his
occasion o+ *eing recruite0 to Uoin the e0itor *oar0 o+ the *oo' .oyally 0eci0e0 Vitnamese
history chronology in0e` (Xhdm 5Lnh Vit sK th6ng gilm cEgng muc)
Nguyn Bh6ng ($J"S ) $JD%); another surname Hi Phbn; penname XY WuyAn; nic'name 5]n
m; @as *orn in Bdn BhLnh village; Bdn 3hnh county; Hia 5Lnh Province. Pn secon0 year
un0er Bx 5Mc ,mperor ($J%D); @e pase0 the eàm to *e a *achelor an0 @as appointe0
+inancial an0 resi0ential o++icer (*n chlnh). Pn $JSQ; he @as recruite0 to *e an e0itor +or
.oyally 0eci0e0 Vitnamese history chronology in0e` (Xhdm 5Lnh Vit SK Bh6ng Hilm
-Egng !uc) o+ the History gency. He then @rote Vitnamese History) a*reviate0 an0
assorte0 research (Vit sK cEgng gilm 'h>o lE}c)!).
Vitnamese History) a*reviate0 an0 assorte0 research (Vit SK -Egng Hilm Xh>o :E}c) 9
ABCDE)inclue0s S volumes. Bhe author collecte0 an0 use0 many materials +rom -hinese
history that @ere in connection @ith Vitnamese history as @ell as geography science o+
Vestern countries. Volume P inclu0es %& articles that the author ha0 commente0. Volume PP
consists o+ $S% comments. /rom volume PPP 0o@n; each issue @as remar'e0 @ith many
commentaries.
""#
".$J. pni+ie0 Vitnamese History (5<i Nam Nhyt Bh6ng -hv)) is a geography *oo' o+
"J volumes. ,ach province @oul0 *e state0 in one volume an0 the *oo's @ere compile0 *y
the historical agency in Bx 5Mc ,mperor perio0.
9riginally this *oo' @as compile0 in the "n0 year un0er Bx 5Mc ,mperor ($J%D) an0 @as
+inishe0 in the $%th year o+ Bx 5Mc ,mperor ($JQ$). 3ut this *oo' @as in rough 0ra+t @ith
the tittle o+ pni+ie0 Vitnamese !ap (5<i Nam Nhyt Bhnng Boln 5R). Pn $JQC; the *oo'
@as re)compile in the +orm o+ the 1ing 0ynasty *oo' o+ pni+ie0 *oo' (Nhyt Bhnng -hv). Bhe
*oo' @as +inishe0 in the &Cth year un0er Bx 5Mc ,mperor ($JJ"); *ut not yet carve0 +or
printing. Pn ?une o+ Nhdm Ngo year ($JJ"); the 0ra+t o+ pni+ie0 Vitnamese History (5<i
Nam nhyt thnng chv)) @as issue0. Bx 5Mc ,mperor consi0ere0 the *oo' to *e
+inishe0 in the $Jth year un0er Bx 5Mc ,mperor ($JQC) to the past. s +or the +ollo@ing time;
the locations in Vitnam @oul0 arrange *y themselves. Bhere @ere also many loyal eàmples
an0 righteous @arriors not yet state0 in the *oo'; so +rom the &%th year un0er Bx 5Mc
,mperor &% ($JJ$); the ,mperor or0ere0 to a00 more on the *oo's. Please rea0 National
Dynasty !aUor *ri0ge0 History 3oo' (1unc triGu chvnh *iAn tolt yOu); Saigon; Vitnamese
History an0 Heography .esearch Hroup; $DS"; page &DD.
Ho@ever; this content @as lost in the inci0ent o+ the Cth ?uly $JJC.
Bo Bhanh Bhli ,mperor perio0; the vassals in National History gency (1unc SK 1uln)
@ere again comman0e0 to re)compile the *oo' un0er the same name o+ pni+ie0 Vitnamese
History (w<i Nam Nhyt Bhnng -hv) 678). Pn the &r0 year un0er Duy B=n ,mperor
($D$#); the compilation group +inishe0 $S volumes ($S !i00le Vitnam provinces) @hich
@ere calle0 *y the /rench Heographie 0e Duy Bdn. Bhough the completement o+ the a*ove
$S volumes @as until $D$#; all o+ the materials @ere *ase0 on the changing +acts until $D#Q.
Bhat means the *oo' ha0 up0ate0 all the incurring inci0ents +rom the *oo' pni+ie0
Vitnamese History (w<i Nam Nhyt Bhnng -hv)678) +inishe0 in $JJ".
".$D. National Dynasty !aUor *ri0ge0 History 3oo' (1unc BriGu -hvnh 3iAn Bolt NOu) is a
history *oo' that e`cerpts the crucial events in the National Dynasty !aUor History 3oo'
(1unc BriGu chvnh *iAn) or .ecor0s on Vitnamese +acts un0er the Nguyn ,mperors (w<i
Nam Bhxc :uc -hvnh 3iAn) 2154) *y National History gency (1unc SK 1uln)
un0er the Nguyn Dynasty. Bhe history @ritings @ere in -hinese an0 +ollo@ing the
chronological or0er as +rom Hia :ong ,mperor on@ar0s. National Dynasty !aUor *ri0ge0
History 3oo' (1unc BriGu -hvnh 3iAn Bolt NOu) a*ove @as implemente0 *y the ,0ucation
""$
!inistry in the comman0 o+ Xhai Dinh ,mperor in his Dth year o+ rule ($D"%). Bhis *oo' @as
translate0 into mo0ern Vitnamese in or0er to print an0 grant to schools @ith the mo0ern
Vitnamese sentence( 1unc BriGu -hvnh 3iAn Bolt NOu. Bhis *oo' consists o+ Q volumes(
Volume P( Nguyn !onarch unite0 the country ($SQ$)$J#").
Volume PP( BhO B -ao Ho8ng mO ),mperor ($J#")$J"#).
Volume PPP( Bhlnh B Nhdn Ho8ng mO ),mperor ($J"#)$J%$).
Volume PV( HiOn B -huong Ho8ng mO ),mperor ($J%$)$J%D).
Volume V( Dxc B6ng nh Ho8ng mO ),mperor ($J%J)$JJ%).
Volume VP( PhO 5O Hip Ho8 Ho8ng mO ) ,mperor ($JJ%)
Hi>n B6ng Nghi XiOn Phc Ho8ng mO ) ,mperor( ($JJ%)$JJC)
->nh B6ng Bhuen 5Rng Xhlnh Ho8ng mO ),mperor ( ($JJC)$JJJ)
"."#. Pn 3vnh By[ year (or &Cth year o+ Xhang Hy; $QDQ); Nguyn Phc -hu :or0 tittle0 the *oo'
@ritten *y -i Da -an) 9verseas .eports (H>i Ngo<i X Sx). -i Da -an or ThXch 3!n&O
Venera*le; surname N/X! San 3n ngO= @as *orn in zheUiang an0 stu0y 3u00hism in
TrPqng ThO (:ongevity) Pago0a in Huang^hou; Huang0ong; -hinan. He @as invite0 *y
Nguyn Phc Br=n :or0 (Ngi :or0) to visit Vitnam ";& times to 0eliver 3u00hism lectures.
Pn Nguyn Phc -hu :or0 perio0; he came to stay in Vitnam +rom the "Dth o+ +irst lunar
month in t H}i year ($& ) &) $QDC) to the last ten 0ays o+ Qth lunar month in 3vnh B7 year
($QDQ). He ha0 @ritten the *oo' o+ this voyage to 1u>ng Nam since the Jth month o+ Hilp
Buyt year (&&th year o+ Xhang Hy or $QD%) @hen he met the representative o+ Nguyn Phc
-hu :or0 in :ongevity Pago0a till the $$th lunar month o+ t H}i year (&%th year o+ Xhang
Hy )$QDC). Pt @as @hen he ha0 to came *ac' Bhuen Hol an0 then returne0 to Huang0ong.
9verseas .eports (Hai @ai Ui shi V) composes o+ Q volumes; @hich is no@ archive0 in
?apanese ,ast Sea (South-hina Sea):i*rary (Boyo 3un'o) an0 National -entral :i*rary
(Brung 1unc BhE 1uln) in -hina. Bhe script in ?apanese ,ast Sea (South-hina Sea):i*rary
(Boyo 3un'o) is on the shel+ num*er $$; $$ ) X CQ. Bhe Q volumes are 0ivi0e0 into t@o
sets. Bhe *oo' in National -entral :i*rary (Brung 1unc BhE 1uln) is in Q volumes o+ t@o
parts.
"."$. .Z Pslan0 @as name0 .Z *ecause +ormerly in this area there @ere a lot o+ re rattan pipes use0
to ma'e rope; very strong an0 soli0.
"."". ccor0ing to Ph<m Brung Vit; 1u>ng -ountry Ne@ Notes (Non nEc `M 1u>ng tdn *iAn);
area to *e $D 'm
"
.
"""
"."&. .esearch on ?uly $DDQ *y 1u>ng Ngi province !useum reveale0 % vase co++ins *elonging
to Sa HuYnh -ulture in 9c Village; n VInh; :7 Sgn islan0. Please rea0 Nguyn B
HuangWung; :7 Sgn cultural relic an0 5o8n Ngoc Xh6i Sources an0 ancient rites on :7
Sgn islan0; -m Bh8nh ?ournal; num*er D ug $DDQ ( 1u>ng Ngi); page "$ ) "J.
"."%. :egen0 has it that each village ha0 one 0emote0 pioneer ancestor ran' *ecause o+ overtaìng.
P+ not *eing punishe0 li'e this; there @oul0 *e S pioneer ancestors in n VInh; J ones in n
H>i an0 total @oul0 *e $C pioneer ancestors.
"."C. ,ight :or0s 0uring $Q% year( Nguyn Phc NguyAn :or0 )Si :or0($Q$&)$Q&C); Nguyn
Phc :an) :or0 BhE}ng ($Q&C)$Q%J); Nguyn Phc Bbn :or0) HiGn :or0 ($Q%J)$QJS);
Nguyn Phc Br=n :or0) NghIa :or0 ($QJS)$QD$); Nguyn Phc -hu :or0 ) 1uoc :or0
($QD$)$S"C); Nguyn Phc Br ($S"C)$S&J); Nguyn Phc Xholt ($S&J)$SQC); Nguyn
Phc Bhubn ($SQC)$SSS).
"."Q. Hilm th8nh)cita0el supervisor
ccor0ing to .oyally vie@e0 history o+ the Vitnamese Nguyn Dynasty a0ministrative
statutes (Xhdm wLnh w<i Nam H]i wi4n Sx :); volume $%&; +rom &r0 year un0er !inh
!<ng construction; the reiuest +rom Pn0ustry !inistry @as approve0 *y the ,mperor.
.ecruiting the outlan0ish people +rom the provinces an0 +in0ing those @ho un0erstan0
mapping to appoint them to the *riga0e o+ Hilm Bh8nh (cita0el supervisors). -ita0el
supervisor @oul0 *e organiê0 into *ri0age in the cita0el an0 gra0ually thie *riga0e
organiâtion @as per+ecte0. Pn $%th year o+ !inh !<ng ,mperor; the report +rom
construction !inistry @as approve0( Bhe cita0el supervisor *riga0e *elongs to the -ita0el
De+ence rmy; in charge o+ mapping an0 supporting construction.
Bhis 'in0 o+ *riga0e @as 0ivi0e0 into % to $# siua0s. ,ach siua0 @oul0 consist o+ C#
persons. Vhen in short o+ manning; the num*er coul0 *e only "#; &# or %# persons.
"."S. Pn WVPPP; WPW centuries; the t@o nations o+ /rance an0 3ritain *ecame stronger in nay po@er.
Bhese t@o countries actively +orme0 up the o++icial navy sea measurement agencies (/rance
in $S"# /rance an0 3ritain in $SDC). Pn $SDC; 3ritish royal navy sea measurement agencys
+irst Director leàn0er Da*rynuple) a +ormer ,ast Pn0ia -ompanys measurement chie+ ha0
organiê0 many researches as there @ere many @rec's in the ,ast sea. Pn $J#J; this agency
researche0 the area o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels. Bhence; Hors*urgh pu*lishe0 the Sea !ap $st
version in $J"$ an0 the "n0 version in $J"$.
"."J. 3ien *inh( sol0iers in general un0er the Nguyn 0ynasty.
-hapter &
""&
&."D. Pratas @as a 3ritish captain an0 his name @as use0 +or a series o+ coral islan0s a*out %##'m
to the South,ast o+ Perl .iver ectuasy. Pn $Dth century; hie ship ha0 to *erth here +or
avoi0ing the storms. Bhis islan0 name appeare0 in maps on the *oo' South -hina Sea
Director pu*lishe0 *y ,nglish Navy in $JD%
&.&#. Han zhen Hua as chie+ e0itor ,Voguo Nanhai zhu0ao Shi0ai Hui*ian ; remar'e0
to *e North o+ ?ava !i00le.
&.&$ 3ot No @as remar'e0e *y Han zhen Hua as chie+ e0itor ,Voguo Nanhai zhu0ao
Shi0ai Hui*ian to *e -alimantan.
&.&" Vhen Han zhen Hua as chie+ e0itor ) ,Voguo Nanhai zhu0ao Shi0ai Hui*ian
remar'e0 on Pslan0 Brue Vritings on the Directions (Hai w>o -hdn Xinh -h Nam -hinh
Phap)
&.&& +ter Pelliot; Deu` iteneraires 0e -hine en Pn0e 3,/,9; t @; the -hinese transcripte0 into
Xouen luoen or Xouen touen. Please rea0 pni+ie0 Vitnamese History 5<i Nam Nhyt
Bhnng -hv) ) (translate0 *y Ph<m Brong Din) H8n]i( Pu*lishing House o+
Social Sciences; $DS$; page $%D
&.&% Bhe other annoncement pu*lishe0 in the ?ournal o++iciel 0e la .epu*liiue /ranaise; "Q
?uillet $D&&; leaving the 0ate o+ $#)S)$D&& using the 0ate o+ "Q ?ul $D&&.
&.&C. Please rea0 the original te`t o+ the announcement in the ?ournal 0e la .epu*liiue /ranaise
"C ?uillet $D&&; partion o+ vis ) -ommunication ou !inistres 0es ++aires trangres; p
SSD%.
""%
APP+NDI@ A
1> /igures @as translate0 into ,nglish *y nne & ?ames !inton
/igure $.$ ) -oncept o+ 0eveloping South ,ast sian :anguage throughout the @orl0 *y
ocean lines; *eginning +rom ,ast Sea (South-hina Sea)(Paul .iver; $D"&)
""C
/igure $." Bhis @oul0 *e the map o+ ,ast Sea (South-hina Sea)i+ the sea level 0ecreases *y
S# meters. Bhe coastal line o+ Vitnam @oul0 e`pan0 an0 get much closer to the Paracel an0
Spratly Pslan0s.
/igure $.& !ap o+ the 0eep ocean +loor proves that Spratlys @as the e`ten0e0 length o+ the
coast o+ Vitnam
""Q
/igure $.% Paracel Pslan0s Spratly Pslan0s (Heo)history .evie@; Pssue a"D)
""S
/igure $.C ,ast Sea (South -hina Sea)@ith Ho8ng Sa Paracels\Spratlys an0 other important
lan0 names
/igure $.Q :ocation o+ ,ast see an0 the @orl0. Bhe circle0 area ("C## nautical miles in
0iameter) inclu0es almost a hal+ o+ human population.
""J
/igure $.S !ap sho@e0 the 0istance +rom the nearest isles o+ Ho8ng Sa Paracels to the
closest isles *elonge0 to the lan0 o+ Vitnam (re+erre0 +rom the !ap o+ Southeast sia
National Heographic Society Vashington; D. - ($DQJ)
""D
/igure $.J !ap @ith the @hole vie@ +or the locations o+ the islan0s an0 hi00en roc's in the
,ast Sea
"&#
/igure $.D rial vie@ o+ Ho8ng Sa Paracels (Pattle; Shanhu Dao) sho@ing a military
esta*lishment an0 @eather station
"&$
/igure $)$# Vitnamese Sovereinty Stele an0 the Statue o+ 3u00hist Ho00ess on Ho8ng Sa)
Paracels
"&"
/igure $.$$ Bhe Berrace o+ Vitnamese Veather Station on Ho8ng Sa (Pattle Shanhu Dao);
Paracels (photo $DQD)
"&&
/igure $.$" ,ngineer Brbn Hcu -hdu @ith the 0elegation o+ ?apan)Vitnam specialists
@or'ing on Ho8ng Sa) Paracels. (the *attleship H1" is in the *ac'groun0) Photo @as ta'en
in $DS&.
"&%
/igure $.$& Bhree ?apanese e`perts on 1uang Hoa Dong Pslan0. Bhe *ac'groun0 is 1uang
Hoa Vest. ,ngineer Bran Huu -hau le0 the Uoint ?apanese)Vitnamese specialists to
eàmine an0 inspect Ho8ng Sa Paracels Pslan0s in the /all o+ $DS&.
/igure $.$% ,ngineer Brbn Hcu -hdu on .o*ert islan0 o+ Ho8ng Sa)Paracels
"&C
/igure $.$C Huu Nhat Pslan0 (.o*ert)
"&Q
/igure $.$Q 1uang Hoa Pslan0 (Duncan)
"&S
/igure $.$S 1uang fnh Pslan0 (!oney)
"&J
/igure $.$J !ap o+ BrETng Sa Spratlys @ith Vitnamese names (*y Vitnamese
!easurement gency o+ Social .epu*lican Vitnam; $DJD)
"&D
/igure $.$D S'etching map o+ Song BK 56ng Pslan0
"%#
/igure $."# Sovereinty !onument signi+ie0 Vitnamese o@nership o+ Song BK 56ng
Pslan0 *elonge0 to the Spratlys Pslan0s
"%$
/igure $."$ S'etching !ap o+ Song Bu Vest Pslan0
"%"
/igure $."" Sailors o+ the Vitnamese Navy on Song BK Vest Pslan0; Spratlys Pslan0s
"%&
/igure $."& S'etching map o+ BhL BM Pslan0
"%%
/igure $."% S'etching map o+ :oai Ba Pslan0
"%C
/igure $."C S'etching map o+ Nam Net Pslan0
"%Q
/igure $."Q S'etching map Sgn -a Pslan0
"%S
/igure $."S S'etching map o+ 3a 3hnh Pslan0
"%J
/igure $."J S'etching map o+ Sinh BRn Pslan0
/igure $."D S'etching map o+ BrETng Sa Spratly Pslan0
"%D
/igure $.&# S'etching map o+ n 3ang Pslan0
"C#
/igure $.&$ ccor0ing to ecological evolution; ,ast Sea (South-hina Sea)*elongs to
Vitnam. Bhe Vallace Hu`ley :ine 0i++erentiates Philipine +rom ,ast Sea.
"C$
/igure $.&" 9cean currents an0 salt level o+ ,ast Sea
"C"
/igure $.&& Sea storms an0 other natural 0isasters (e.g. earthiua'e; tsunami) inhe ,ast Sea
"C&
/igure ".&% !ap sho@ing the @ay +rom lan0 1uang Nam (a province o+ the :e Dynasty)
to@ar0 the Hjn .Zk Pslan0 an0 3i -lt V8ng (Paracels) inclu0e0 in Vitnam lan0 o@nership)
"C%
/igure ".%S ) !aps in the 0ocument *oo' :ivro 0a marinharia o+ /! Pinto ($CQ#)(p."QQ)
"CC
/
/igure ".%D !ap o+ Van):angren ($CDC
"CQ
/igure ".C# !ap o+ Hreat -ountry o+ n Nam
"CS
/igure ".C# n Nam mi ( :7 Sgn county to the ,ast o+ .Z Pslan0
(/igure *y Nguyn Nh; $DDD)
"Q#
/igure ".C% ncestor !emory House o+ Ph<m 1uang fnh (Photo *y Nguyn Nh; $DDD)
"Q$
/igure ".CC Sailing ship use0 +or going to Ho8ng Sa)Paracels *y Nguyn Ho Ho8ng Sa V8 BrETng Sa *y Nguyn Nh;
Ph.D. Dissertation; pu*lishe0 *y Bhe National pniversity o+ Hochiminh city; Hochiminh city;
"##&.
"Q%
D9-p!,NB ".$ (a)
,`cerpt in -hinese +rom Bo>n Bep BhiAn Nam BM -hv :] 5R ( CD E F; Bhe
-omplete Southern :an0 /our)3oo' .oa0 !aps) *oo' P; in HRng 5Mc 3>n 5R ( HRng 5Mc
!aps); no@ at Boyo)3un'o. Bhe rcheological Pnstitute in Saigon has translate0 it accor0ing
to micro+iche $##)JD$ in $DQ".
Branslate0 into Vitnamese *y 3Ku -bm; ,nglish *y 1ui Hoang
Pn the mi00le o+ the sea there is a Hol0en San0 Strip ($); aroun0 %## mile long an0 "#
mile @i0e rising up straight. /rom 5<i -hiAm (") sea mouth to Sa)Vinh sea mouth (port) the
south@est @in0 *lo@s all the commercial ships travelling @ithin to it; @hile the Northeast
@in0 @oul0 push all the ships +rom outsi0e to the Strip also; an0 all @oul0 0ie o+ hunger (&).
ll cargos @oul0 *e le+t there. ,ach year at the @inters en0ing month the Nguyn sent $J
"QC
ships to ship a@ay those cargos mostly gol0; silver; monies; guns an0 ammunitions (%). Pt
too' a 0ay an0 a hal+ to get to the Strip +rom 5<i -hiAm; hal+ a 0ay +rom Sa)XY (C).

Bhe Strip also ha0 tortoise shells. t Sa)XY seaport (Q) there @as a mountain on @hich
people pro0uce0 @oo0 pro0ucts; mostly the elm @oo0; calle0 the elm +iel0. /orest ranger @as
in place to ta'e charge
($) Bhe Hol0en San0 Strip( in the photocopy o+ the -hinese original; the map has script in
N6m (Vitnamese)create0 characters *ase0 on -hinese characters) 3i -lt V8ng. See
HRng 5Mc 3>n 5R; i*i0. p. D%
(") 5<i -hiAm( sea mouth in guang nan; "C miles ,ast o+ DiAn PhEc precinct. Bhe
le+t shore *elongs to Phc Br<ch village; Hja Vang precinct the right shore n :Egng
village; :A DEong precinct. Bhis is @here the -h} -ti .iver opens to the sea. See 5<i Nam
Nhyt Bhnng -hv; *oo' S; Huang nan province; 1uan Byn section.
(&) Bhis is the only ol0 account telling ho@ the +oreigners ships @ere @ashe0 ashore to
the Strip an0 all sailors 0ie0 o+ hunger @ith all cargos le+t *ehin0. Bhis coul0 only happen
@hen the ships hit coral ree+s an0 @ere 0amage0 to the e`tent that they coul0 no longer *e
use0; an0 they sailors ha0 to move the cargos onto the Strip; ran out o+ +oo0s. P+ the ships ha0
not *een 0estroye0; the sailors coul0 have survive0; a+ter the storms. Historical recor0s o+ the
Vestern missionaries; through theirs letters; sho@ clear 0etails o+ the @rec'ages at Ho8ng Sa
(Paracels) Pslan0s.
(%) :unar calen0ar @inters en0ing month usually +alls in solar calen0ar ?anuary or
/e*ruary o+ ne`t year. During this time; at Paracels Pslan0s; it is the 0ry season @ithout any
more storms. Bhis is the most convenient time +or the Nguyn lor0s to sen0 their sol0iers to
ship a@ay the le+t)*ehin0 gol0; silver; monies; guns an0 ammunitions. Bhis historical account
clearly proves the authority an0 sovereignty o+ Vitnam (through the Nguyn lor0s) on the
Paracels Pslan0s. P+ the islan0s *elong to another nation; there coul0 not *e this action o+
sen0ing $J ships every year to Ho8ng Sa islan0s (the Hol0en San0 Strip) to ship a@ay the
cargos @ithout any o*Uections +rom another country. 9ther su*seiuent accounts continuously
recor0e0 this action\event through the @or' o+ the Ho8ng Sa (sol0ier) group; the 3_c H>i
(sol0ier) group though centuries until the /rench came to 0ominate Vitnam.
"QQ
(C) Bhere is a possi*le error in recor0ing the 0ay an0 a hal+ an0 hal+ a 0ay here *ecause
accounts in -hinese normally say the time lengths are & 0ays an0 three nights. /rom Huang
nan going out one 0ay an0 a hal+ there is no islan0 that measures %## miles long an0 "#
miles @i0e. 3eyon0 that; the Paracels islan0s coul0 reach that long; even though the estimate
is not that goo0.
(Q) Sa)XY( sea mouth at 3hnh Sgn precinct; 1u>ng Ngi province. See 5<i Nam Nhyt
Bhnng -hv; *oo' Q; 1uan Byn section.
"QS

D9-p!,NB ".$ (*)
n Nam .oa0s -omplete 3oo'; compile0 *y 5q 3l -6ng 5<o
"QJ

D9-p!,NB ".$ (c)
"QD
Bhe Hol0en San0 Strip an0 notes on *oo' P; n Nam .oa0s -omplete 3oo'
r$$Ds

D9-p!,NB "."
"S#
Pht 3iAn B<p :uc ( G H I ; .ecor0s o+ 0ministering Bhe /rontiers);
3oo' "; sheets SJ*)SDa in -hinese
Branslate0 into Vitnamese *y Nguyn V=n 3Rng; ,nglish *y 1ui Hoang
3eyon0 the large sea mouth in the vicinity o+ n VInh village; 3hnh Sgn precinct;
1u>ng NghIa province ($); there is mountain name0 -[ :ao .Z ("). Pts @i0th may reach
+arther than &# miles. Previously villagers +rom BM -hvnh area plante0 numerous *eans there.
Pt too' % canh (")hour perio0) +rom the sea mouth to ro@*oat to -[ :ao .Z.
3eyon0 -[ :ao .Z lie the islan0s 5<i BrETng Sa o+ the ol0 0ays. Here people pro0uce0
many sea pro0ucts that sol0 every@here there+ore the state organiê0 the Ho8ng Sa group\
+lotilla to collect the pro0ucts. Bo reach the 5ng NghIa( /rom the time Nguyn Ho8ng came to rule Bhuen 1u>ng; he change0
BE NghIa pht (larger a0ministrative province) to 1u>ng NghIa. /rom Hia :ong S ($J#J);
change0 to 1u>ng NghIa tryn (provincial area) +rom !inh !<ng $& ($J&"); *ecame 1u>ng
"S$
NghIa tnh (province) to 0ate. 3e+ore :A Bhlnh B6ng coniuere0 -hampa; it ha0 *een a part
o+ -hampa; *ut even *e+ore that it ha0 *een the area in con+lict *et@een Vitnam an0
-hampa; *elonging to; at times; either to Vitnam or -hampa 0epen0ent on @ho ha0 @on the
@ar at the time. -+. 5ng Ngi province; section XiOn
Brv DuyAn -lch.
(") -[ :ao .Z( .Z; not Br; is the common name o+ the islan0 :7 Sgn; ami0st the sea;
,ast o+ 3hnh Sgn precinct; 1u>ng Ngi. Villagers +rom the n VInh an0 n H>i areas live
there.
(&) 5<i BrETng Sa; namely; Ho8ng Sa islan0s. Vhen :A 1uv 56n @rote this *oo' ($SSQ);
the Ho8ng Sa /lotilla\ group still eìste0. Bhis strongly proves the continuity o+ the eèrtion
o+ authority o+ the Vitnamese -ourt on the islan0s through many centuries.

"S"
D9-p!,NBS ".& (a)
Pht 3iAn B<p :uc (.ecor0s o+ 0ministering Bhe /rontiers). 3oo' "; sheets J"*)
J&a

"S&
D9-p!,NBS ".& (*)
Pht 3iAn B<p :uc (.ecor0s o+ 0ministering Bhe /rontiers). 3oo' "; sheet J&*
"S%
D9-p!,NBS ".& (c)
.ecor0s o+ 0ministering Bhe /rontiers; *oo' "; sheet J%a
D9-p!,NB ".& (0)
.ecor0s o+ 0ministering Bhe /rontier; *oo' "; sheet J%*
"SC
Branslate0 into Vitnamese *y Nguyn V=n 3Rng (56ng B[ng); e0ite0 *y Hn
NguyAn ,nglish *y 1uv Ho8ng
n VInh village ($) *elongs to 3hnh Sgn precinct; 1u>ng NghIa province; lies
Northeastern @ar0; near the sea. (Not too +ar) in the sea there are many islan0s an0
mountains; roughly more than &## pea's. 3et@een the mountains is the sea they are
separate0 *y one 0ay or a +e@ ")hour perio0s o+ *oating. /resh@ater streams can *e +oun0
here an0 there in the mountains (or islan0s). mong the islan0s there is a gol0en san0 strip;
roughly &# miles in length; +lat an0 large; hol0ing crystal clear @ater. Bhe islan0s ha0 huge
num*ers o+ s@allo@ nests (yOn s8o) (") an0 thousan0s o+ *ir0s that @ere not a+rai0 o+ men at
all. Bhey stoo0; @al'e0 aroun0 @hen men @ere there. Bhe strip treasure0 many interesting
pro0ucts; +or eàmple; the +lo@er snail or the elephant)eare0 snail; *ig as a piece o+ stra@
mat; *elly having some 'in0 o+ pearl @hose siê is as *ig as the thum*s nail an0 @hose
creamier color is not compara*le to that o+ the oyster pearl. Bhe shell o+ this snail coul0 *e
separate0 in large pieces or groun0 to use as plaster (to coat houses). /urthermore; there @ere
the tur*an snails @hose shells can *e use0 to ma0e ornamental pro0ucts. nother species @as
the goo0)smell snail. Bhe meat o+ these various 'in0s o+ snails can *e salte0 an0 prepare0
as +oo0s.
Bhere @ere tortoises @hich @ere very large also the commonly calle0 tr_ng *6ng; or
trionychi0 sea turtle @hose loo' is a'in to tortoise; *ut smaller its shell is rather thin an0 can
*e use0 as ornament its eggs are tiny an0 can *e salte0 to eat.
Bhen there @ere the sea cucum*ers calle0 m]t m]t. People 0ive0 an0 caught them; too'
out the meat; then the organs insi0e @ith calcium po@0er; then 0rie0 them un0er the sun.
Bhey can *e serve0 a+ter *eing pic'le0 +or a @hile @ith Uuice ma0e +rom the cra* an0 scrape0
o++. Pt @as a 0elicious appetiêr *etter than por' or +ish.
/oreigners ship going through usually met storms an0 got 0estroye0 here; at the islan0s.
Previously the Nguyn court organiê0 the Ho8ng Sa /lotilla\group consisting o+ S# men;
ta'ing them +rom n VInh village. ,ach year they too' turn to 0epart to the sea in /e*ruary
to per+orm their 0uties. Bhey @ere supplie0 @ith si` months o+ ration; travelle0 on +ive small
+ishing *oats in three 0ays an0 three nights to reach the (Ho8ng Sa) islan0s. Bhey @ere +ree to
catch *ir0s an0 +ish to +ee0 themselves. Bhey +reiuently +oun0 lost items such as copper
horses; silvery +lo@ers; coins; silver; copper pro0ucts; tin slugs;
"SQ
($) n VInh( $ o+ " areas (n VInh; n H>i); in -[ :ao .Z or :7 Sgn islan0; 3hnh Sgn
precinct; 1u>ng Ngi.
(") NOn s8o( s@allo@ nests their saliva is e0i*le. Pn the same perio0 o+ :A 1uv 56n; a
Vestern missionary @rote a*out S@allo@ nests ) yOn s8o in a message in Vitnamese @ith
+airly goo0 0escription as +ollo@s( S@allo@ nest. /irst thing *e+ore eating is to *urn it on
+ire to 0ry; then put it in *oiling @ater to clean it tear it to small pieces; coo' meat an0 +at
an0 spices () then use that Uuice +rom them to coo' @ith the s@allo@ nest; then eat. See
:etter on $J)")$SS# o+ 3ishop () to P. Davoust; ?ournal 0e !ission 0u Bon'in.rchives 0es
!ission trangre 0e Paris; Vol. QD#; Bon'in. p. CJ# (han0)@ritten 0ocument +rom 5ng
PhEgng Nghi).

Pn a00ition to *lac' lea0; guns; ivory; yello@ *ee @a`; +ur; an0 porcelain; they also pic'e0 up
tortoise shells; sea cucum*ers; an0 so many pearls +rom the +lo@er snails.
Bhe Paracels /lotilla\group returne0 *y ugust only; at the ,o seaport ($); then came to Ph
Wudn to su*mit the collecte0 +in0s. 9++icials @oul0 @eigh; inspect an0 classi+y them; then let
the men sell the +lo@er snails; trionychi0 turtles; sea cucum*ers. Bhen they @oul0 receive
their o@n recognition certi+icates an0 return home. Bhe +in0s +rom the sea vary +rom time to
time an0 sometimes there @ere nothing.
P (:A 1uv 56n) ha0 ha0 the opportunities to revie@ the accounting *oo' o+ -hie+ BhuyAn 5Mc
Hbu *e+ore an0 +oun0(
Nhdm Ngo year o+ the Horse ($S#") the P.-,:S)Ho8ng Sa Hroup\group +oun0 &#
silver teals.
Hilp Bhdn year o+ the !on'ey ($S#%); C;$## poun0s o+ tin
t Deu year o+ the .ooster ($S#C); $"# silver teals
/rom $S#D to $S$&; in these +ive years; they coul0 +in0 some poun0s o+ tortoise
an0 sea cucum*ers only. 9ccasionally; some tin slugs; a couple o+ porcelain *o@ls; an0 t@o
copper guns
"SS
Bhe Nguyns also organiê0 the 3_c H>i /lotilla. Bhis /lotilla 0i0 not have a settle0
num*er o+ men. Bhey @ere ta'en +rom BM -hvnh village (near the sea; in 3hnh Bhuen
province); or volunteers +rom ->nh Duong village; grante0 certi+icate an0 sent to 0o 0uties.
!en +rom the 3_c H>i /lotilla @ere eèmpte0 +rom personal ta`; toll +ees through
@atch to@ers; +erries they coul0 also use small +ishing *oats to go to 3_c H>i or -6n
:6n islan0; or streame0 0o@n to the islan0s in H8 BiAn to collect trionychi0 turtles; sea
cucum*ers or mRn ngE (0olphins); luc iuv ngE (a type o+ +ish); sea cucum*ers.
Bhe state inclu0e0 the management o+ 3_c H>i /lotilla into the Ho8ng Sa /lotilla. Bhey
normally coul0 +in0 the a*ove)mentione0 items; *ut rarely +oun0 any monies; or other
treasures.
Ho8ng Sa lies near :iAm -hdu province o+ H>i Nam Pslan0. !en +rom our country @ho
travelle0 on the sea occasionally @oul0 meet +ishermen +rom the Northern state (-hina) *oth
@oul0 tal' to each other; share in+ormation etc. P ha0 ha0 an opportunity to see the
($) -Ka ,o( NAu m6n it is the Bhuen n seaport. Pt @as name0 Bhuen n only +rom Hia
:ong $& ($J$%).
(") 3_c H>i /lotilla( *ecause o+ the nee0 an0 too large area o+ operation +or the
P.-,:S)Hoang Hroup\+lotilla; the Nguyns organiê0 this /lotilla\ group; *ut place0 it
un0er the management o+ the latter; *ut they operate0 mainly in the Southern parts such as
-6n :6n; H8 BiAn an0 to0ays Spratly islan0s. Bhis /lotilla\group @as a*le to collect only the
sea pro0ucts; not lost gol0; silver; guns an0 other valua*les as @ere +oun0 in the
P.-,:S)Ho8ng Sa.
o++icial letter +rom the o++icial (man0arin) in charge o+ $xn @P_ng precinct; 1iong
zhou; sent to Bhuen Ha; in @hich he @rote( -8n :ong year $J ($SC&); ten sol0iers +rom the
gol0 search team +rom n VInh village; -hEgng NghIa province; 1u>ng Nghia o+ n Nam
"SJ
@ere sent in ?uly to Van li ^hang sha ($#)thousan0 miles Spratly Pslan0s) to loo'
+or sea pro0ucts. ,ight o+ these men @ent ashore to +in0 the pro0ucts @hile t@o remaine0 on
the *oat. strong @in0storm cut their anchor; pushing their *oat to U 1ing:an seaport.
:ocal o++icial interrogate0 these t@o an0 +oun0 out they @ere truth+ul @e then escorte0 these
t@o to their original place. ($)
:or0 Nguyn Phc -hu (") or0ere0 the -ai 3< (man0arin) in Bhuen Ha; @ho @as Bhxc
:E}ng Hbu; to o++icially reply that o++icial.
($) Bhis is a strong proo+ 0emonstrating that up to this year; the -hinese government al@ays
respecte0 the authority o+ Vitnam at Ho8ng Sa. P+ the -hinese +elt that Vitnam ha0 violate0
their sea rights; they ha0 o*Uecte0 strongly to the Vitnamese government *y this inci0ent.
During the year $SC& an0 the su*seiuent ones @e +oun0 no recor0s o+ any o*Uection. 9n the
other han0; a+ter interrogating the t@o sol0iers; they ha0 treate0 them +airly an0 returne0
them to their country.
(") Nguyn Phc -hu ($QD$)$S"C) ha0 0ie0 in $S"C. C[n 3ong $J is the year $SC&; 0uring
@hich :or0 Nguyn Phc Xhoat ($S&J)$SQC) rule0. Bhis coul0 very @ell *e an error in this
engraving.
"SD
D9-p!,NB ".& (e)
Bhis page in a version @ith the @or0 y ( ) instea0 o+ ho<i ( )
Document num*er VHV $S&S; Vin NghiAn cMu Hln N6m (H8n]i)
"J#
Bhis page in a version @ith the @or0 ho<i ( )
Document num*er HNV $SJ; li*rary o+ the Social Sciences at Hochi!inh city
"J$
D9-p!,NB ".%( Some ne@ly 0iscovere0 0ocuments in -u :ao .Z
(Nguyn 1uang Ngoc; V2 V=n 1udn; 5G t8i 3D HD #$)#$; History Department;
National pniversity o+ H8n]i)
".%.$. .eiuest o+ -[ :ao .Z area; n VInh village
Bhis reiuest; 0ate0 ?anuary $C; -anh Hung year &Q ($SSC); @ritten *y H8 :iu; Supervisor o+
-u :ao .Z area; n VInh village; as'e0 +or the regrouping)strengthening the Paracels
+lotilla\group)m]i. Bhis 0ocument is 'ept at @orshipping house o+ the V +amily in n VInh
"J"
village; @hich is the Vest hamlet)Bh6n Bdy; n (:7) VInh village; :7 Sgn precinct; 1u>ng
Ngi no@.
Private 0ocuments on the islan0s in the ,astern Sea
Branslation
?anuary $C
th
; ->nh HEng year &Q ($SSC) ($)
(Nour ,`cellency;)
!y name is H8 :iu; supervising o++icial o+ -[ :ao .Z; n VInh village; *elonging to the
Pnner Breasury; H8 3<c; 3hnh Sgn precinct; 1u>ng Ngi province ("); having the courage to
*eg the +ollo@ing in your grace+ulness an0 *esto@al(
9riginally our village ha0 t@o groups\ /lotilla) m]i( Ho8ng Sa an0 1uO HEgng in the year o+
the Hoat (&); 5nc chiOn (-hie+ sol0ier) (%) V H su*mitte0 a reiuest to +oun0 t@o more
groups)m]i( the 5i 3a an0 the 1uO HEgng H8m consisting o+ &# men. Bheir annual
ta` @as $# th<ch (roughly C# *ushels; or %J# gallons) o+ tortoises or trionychi0 turtles; C l<ng
(roughly $C#grams) +ragrant cinnamon. 3y the year o+ the -at (C); there @as or0er that
villagers in H8 3<c @ho ha0 re0 certi+icate or re0 application ha0 to pay ta` in a 0i++erent
@ay an0 ha0 to *ring in their accounts to sho@. /rom then on; @e ha0 to increase our
population an0 starte0 villager)sol0ier programs. 3y that time the num*er o+ sol0iers in our
village @as "& men @e ha0 to augment the num*er an0 pai0 some more +or the toll +ees to *e
a*le to carry out the or0ers satis+actorily to 0ate (Q). No@ @e are reiuesting to esta*lish t@o
groups)m]i Ho8ng Sa an0 1uO HEgng as previously 0one in @hich there @ill *e some
outsi0ers. Ve @ill in+orm you an0 note in *oo's to su*mit. Ve @ill travel *y *oats to the
islan0s to collect things; namely; items in copper; tin; sea cucum*ers; trionychi0 turtles all
@ill *e su*mitte0 to you. P+ @ar happens out there; @e @ill +ight the violators earnestly. +ter
+ighting is over; @e @ill see' an or0er to return to the sea to continue our @or' an0 *ring
items *ac' to su*mit. Nou have our @or0s that @e @ill +aith+ully an0 0uti+ully per+orm our
0uties @ithout any complaints. Please accept our reiuest an0 than'+ulness. (S)
(Nours +aith+ully)
"J&
Decision (J)( pprove0
Notes(
($) ->nh HEng is the perio0 name o+ Xing :A Hi4n B6ng ($S%#)$SJQ)
(") -[ :ao .Z area is the common name its o++icial name is n VInh area
(&) /rom $SSC *ac'@ar0; @e can count a +e@ years o+ Bdn ![i (the Hoat) such as $SC$
an0 $QD$. .ight a+ter that the author mentions the year o+ 1u7 !o (the -at) the nearest 1u7
!o +rom $SSC is $S"& there+ore the Bdn ![i mentione0 here can only *e either $QD$ or
$Q&$. Bhe @or0 nguyAn (originally) in the +irst sentence 0enotes a perio0 *e+ore $QD$ or
$Q&$ that means the Ho8ng Sa /lotilla\group ha0 to *e +orme0 *e+ore $QD$; or even *e+ore
$Q&$.
(%) 5nc chiOn (roughly -hie+ sol0ier) coul0 very @ell mean a military ran'.
(C) Near $S"&. See note (&)
(Q) Bhe message in this part is not very clear. Summarily it can *e un0erstoo0 as( n
VInh village originally ha0 t@o sol0ier /lotilla( Ho8ng Sa an0 1uO HEgng. /rom $QD$ they
@ere a00e0 *y t@o more /lotilla( 5i 3a an0 1uO HEgng H8m o++icially the total
the num*er shoul0 *e &# men; *ut *y that year ($S"&) the eìsting num*er @as "& men only
there+ore the village ha0 to recruit an0 augment it to &# men an0 pai0 e`tra +ees to *e a*le to
operate satis+actorily up to year $SSC.
(S) Bhe activity o+ the Ho8ng Sa /lotilla @ritten in this reiuest *asically resem*les @hat
@as recor0e0 in :A 1uv 56ns account in Pht 3iAn B<p :uc (.ecor0s o+ 0ministering Bhe
/rontiers) @ritten in $SSQ; a year later.
(J) Bhdn( Decision o+ the upper level. Pn this case it @as pprove0.
".%." Directive +rom Hran0 !arshal Heneral in charge o+ ll !ilitary an0 People ++airs
Bhis is the 0irective +rom the Hran0 !arshal o+ the Bdy Sgn 0ynasty to the -hie+ o+ Ho8ng
Sa /lotilla to 0ispatch men to Ho8ng Sa an0 other islan0s to retrieve the lost items. Bhis
proves the Ho8ng Sa /lotilla continue0 to eìst an0 operate un0er the Bdy Sgn. Bhis
"J%
0ocument is no@ at the @orshipping house o+ the V +amily; at n VInh area; @hich is no@
the Vest hamlet; :7 (n) VInh village; :7 Sgn precinct; 1u>ng Ngi
9riginal in -hinese *elo@
Branslation
Directive($)
Bhe Hran0 !arshal has this 0irective +or you; !ariuis H]i 5Mc(
9r0er -hie+ o+ Ho8ng Sa group to al@ays supervise; carry out the @or' o+ choosing men in
the naval +orce; ta'ing +our +ishing *oats to Ho8ng Sa an0 other islan0s to search +or gol0;
silver; copper; canon; gun; tortoise; trionychi0 turtle shell; valua*le stone an0 *ring them all
*ac' at one place to su*mit at the capital. P+ they 0o not report to authority; or ta'e a@ay
some o+ the +in0ings; or violate the salt ma'ers; +ishermen; they @ill *e punishe0 accor0ing to
the la@. -arry on.
/e*ruary $%
th
; year Bhli 5Mc D r$SJQs (")
"JC
Notes
($) Pt is very illegi*le here.
(") Bhli 5Mc is the perio0 name o+ Nguyn Nh<c.
".%.&. .eport +rom !ariuis Ph Nhuen
Bhis is a report on a resolution at n VInh area *y ,nvoy)Supervisor at Sa XY seaport;
@ho is also Supervisor in charge o+ 0e+ense at Ho8ng Sa. Bhis proves the Ho8ng Sa (sol0ier)
group eìste0 continuously +rom the era o+ the Nguyn :or0s through the Bdy Sgn (see
.eiuest o+ -[ :ao .Z area; n VInh village; Directive +rom Hran0 !arshal) to the Nguyn.
Bhis 0ocument is 'ept at the V +amily; at n VInh area; 1u>ng Ngi.
Branslation
,nvoy)Supervisor at Sa XY sea mouth ($); also Supervisor in charge o+ 0e+ense at Ho8ng
Sa (") Ph Nhuen Hbu (&) reports(
3o@ing to His ,`cellency; giving this resolution(
"JQ
-oming *ac' to this area (%); P have +oun0 out many o++icials @ho @ere in charge o+ the
ceremonial temples have retire0. P am a+rai0 there @ill *e no one caring +or the temples;
@orshipping an0 ceremonies; in @hich at least three +unctions @ill *e nee0e0. No@ @e have
vote0; li'e the last time; to choose !r. V V=n XhiOt; our Brustee to have things run
smoothly. !r. XhiOt is a straight+or@ar0; honest; har0)@or'ing an0 'no@le0gea*le man he
@ill; +rom no@ on; have the title an0 +unction o+ Xeeper o+ community *elve0ere (mhnh) so
that he can ta'e care o+ our *elve0ere; coor0inate services in the village. He @ill also hear
praises an0 criticisms +rom us. .esolution is no@ approve0.

9cto*er $
st
; year Hia :ong " r$J#&s (C)
Notes
($) Sa XY( sea mouth lying *et@een 3hnh Sgn an0 Sgn BLnh precincts in 1u>ng Ngi
province no@.
(") n VInh village is the *irthplace as @ell as the place @here the men o+ Ho8ng Sa
group\+lotilla)m]i @ere recruite0; traine0; eiuippe0 an0 0ispatche0. Pt lies southern o+ Sa XY.
-[ :ao .Z; @here n VInh area *elonge0; supplie0 a part o+ the team; @as "Q 'm to the
Northeast o+ Sa XY. s such the +act that !ariuis Ph Nhuen serve0 *oth as ,nvoy)
Supervisor at Sa XY sea mouth an0 Supervisor in charge o+ 0e+ense at Ho8ng Sa is
un0erstan0a*le.
(&) Bhis 0ocument 0oes not in0icate @ho Ph Nhuen Hbu is; *ut 5<i Nam Bhxc :uc
-hvnh 3iAn (5<i Nam Historical .ecor0s); +irst era; recor0s that in the utumn (?uly o+
:unar year) o+ year Hia :ong " ($J#&)( Hrante0 title Supervisor in charge o+ 0e+ense at Sa
XY sea mouth to Supervisor V V=n Ph; sent him to recruit sol0iers +rom outsi0ers (o+ the
village) to +orm Ho8ng Sa group\+lotilla)m]i. (5<i Nam Bhxc :uc -hvnh 3iAn; +irst ear; *oo'
WWPP; translation copy; SK Hoc Pu*lishing; H8n]i; collection PPP; p. $&Q). Bhis event too'
place & months *e+ore the a*ove report. Bhere+ore; @e can ascertain @ith soli0 evi0ence that
Ph Nhuen Hbu is Supervisor V V=n Ph in 5<i Nam Bhxc :uc -hvnh 3iAn. 9ne more
telling sign is that o++icials in past Vitnamese monarchies normally use their +irst name as
the +irst @or0 in their title.
(%) Pn0icating n VInh area is on -[ :ao .Z
(C) Bhis 0ocument sho@s ho@ ,nvoy)Supervisor at Sa XY sea mouth; also Supervisor in
charge o+ 0e+ense at Ho8ng Sa; Ph Nhuen Hbu came to this area; +oun0 it @as lac'ing a
Xeeper o+ the community *elve0ere; tol0 its 0@ellers to elect one an0 approve0 the process.
"JS
".%.%. pplication o+ n VInh area +or separation
Pn this application people o+ n VInh area on -[ :ao .Z islan0 reiueste0 separation
+rom the inlan0 n VInh village to +orm an in0epen0ent a0ministrative unit. Pn many @ays
this application contains in+ormation on Ho8ng Sa group an0 its activity. Bhis is 'ept at the
@orshipping house o+ Ph<m 1uang +amily; n VInh area; @hich is n (:7 VInh village; :7
Sgn precinct; 1u>ng Ngi at present.
"JJ
"JD

"D#
Branslation
(Dear Sir;)
Ve are resi0ents o+ n VInh area; -[ :ao .Z; *elonging to 3hnh Sgn precinct; 1u>ng
Ngi province; namely; -aptain Nguyn V=n Hiai; -orporals Ph<m V=n Bha; :A V=n :iAn;
Ng6 V=n Sbm; Pslan0 chie+ V V=n XA; 3elve0ere 'eeper V V=n XhiOt; -ollectors
accountant Ph<m 1uang Sam; resi0ent Ph<m 1uang -hK; area hea0 Brbn V=n Brinh an0 all
people +rom this area @ish to reiuest an0 @ish +or your great 'in0ness to approve(
9riginally our +ore+athers o+ seven ancestral lines; all +rom n VInh village; came to 0evelop
this -[ :ao .Z; out in the sea ($). Bo the ,ast it touches n H>i village (") to the @est an0
North touches the sea; the south an0 small islan0 (&). 9ur +ore+athers collecte0 the taès on
+ragrant pro0ucts; chestnut; 1uO hEgng salte0 +ish; 0rie0 +ish they also @ent to sea to get
tortoise; trionychi0 turtle shells an0 other valua*les to su*mit to receive eèmption +rom
taès on revenue ma0e +rom @or' at s@amps an0 *ays. Bheir an0 our responsi*ility no@
inclu0es regularly ma'ing roun0s o+ the sea to report suspicious activity o+ the pirates. Ve
ta'e that as our 0uty to @atch the sea territory o+ our lan0.
/rom year 1u7 B r$SS&s (C) to 0ate; our area has esta*lishe0 our o@n papers an0 recor0s
regar0ing taès; an0 no longer uses the same @orshipping places in pago0a; 3elve0ere
Bemple @ith people +rom (inlan0) n VInh village +or many years. /rom year Bdn Deu
r$J#$s; a+ter the victory o+ the present Xings rmy (Q); *rightening earth an0 s'y; our area
an0 +ormer -ap. Nguyn V=n Hiai (S) (+rom early on) have 0one this. /rom the time +ormer
-ap. Nguyn Bhu came to our area; *ase0 on regulations; @e have +oun0e0 t@o more groups(
1uO HEgng H8m an0 Phung Du to ta'e charge o+ the ta` responsi*ility.
No@ De+ense Supervisor Ph Nhuen Hbu; hum*ly; @oul0 li'e to as' your approval to
separate our t@o areas *ecause( in previous eras; men +rom our area an0 (inlan0) n VInh
village serve0 in the same Ho8ng Sa 5<i !<o group to go to the sea to search +or things o+
value to su*mit at the capital (D) *ut no@ @e are @orrie0 that @e are on islan0; they are on
lan0; there are many 0i++iculties; as you can see; in helping each other 0ue to the 0istance an0
other things @hen pro*lems arise. Bhere+ore; @e hum*ly as' +or your un0erstan0ing an0
'in0ness to consi0er our 0i++iculties an0 *ur0ens to let us separate (a0ministratively) +rom
"D$
(inlan0) n VInh village let us select our o@n men ($#) also as @ell as *e eèmpte0 +rom
levee @or' an0 +rom having to pay taès +or the ones @ho have 0isappeare0 +rom our area
since long; @hich @oul0 cost us a large amount o+ money. 3o@s on *o@s o+ gratitu0e.
Decision ($$)(
P+ these t@o areas an0 villages are rather truly 0istant to each other as they sai0; let them *e
separate0.
/e*ruary $$; year Hia :ong & ($J#%)
Decision ($")(
Bhis is a very serious a++air your area has to ensure accounta*ility. pprove0 to separate
an0 +oun0 o@n group; 0ue to goo0 previous services; an0 the presence o+ @ell)planne0
proUects.
/e*ruary $S
th
; year Hilp B7 ($J#%); the chie+s an0 o++icers o+ the area meet at the
*elve0ere an0 recor0 this 0ecision.
Notes
($) Seven ancestral lines( seven +amily origins. Bhe +irst resi0ents o+ -[ :ao .Z @ere the
-hams. t present at :7 Sgn islan0; many cultural remains an0 ruins o+ -hampa can still *e
+oun0; such as the -ham @ell at Suni Dung area; :7 n VInh village palace o+ Heavens
Ho00ess @orshipping BhiAn N Na (Ho00ess) at :7 n H>i village the ruins o+ the shrine
o+ the -o@ at :7 n H>i etc. rcheological searches have yiel0e0 a large amount o+ cultural
arti+acts o+ -hampa. t the *eginning o+ the $S
th
century (the genealogical *oo' o+ the Pham
Van +amily at :7 n VInh village; :7 Sgn has some 0etail @hich in0icates that time as year
Hong 5Lnh D r$Q#Ds) there @ere S persons +rom seven +amilies +rom the inlan0 n VInh
village (southern o+ Sa XY sea mouth; presently in Sgn BLnh precinct; 1u>ng Ngi); @ho
comman0e0 a *oat to reach there to claim an0 0evelop the islan0. +ter a @hile; the
population increase0 an0 they esta*lishe0 n VInh area; @hich (a0ministratively) *elonge0 to
the inlan0 n VInh village.
"D"
(") t the same time @ith the seven ancestral lines +rom n VInh; si` other ancestral lines
+rom the inlan0 n H>i Village also arrive0 at -[ :ao .Z an0 starte0 the n H>i area; @hich
(a0ministratively) *elonge0 to the inlan0 n VInh village.
(&) Bhis is hjn ![ p; a very small islan0 @ith no resi0ents.
(%) Pht 3iAn B<p :uc o+ :A 1u7 56n @rites( n VInh village su*mitte0 $# groups
o+ tortoise (shells); each ha0 $& sheets % *arrels o+ salte0 +ish "# 0rums o+
sesame oil $ container ( $## cdn QC'ilograms) o+ costly +ish S#C *ig Uars o+
+ish sauce. (:A 1u7 56n; Pht 3iAn B<p :uc; Xhoa Hoc Pu*lishing; H8n]i; $DQ%;
p. $D&).
(C) /rom the time o+ this reiuest *ac'@ar0; there are these 1u7 B years (Q# years apart)(
$SS& ) $S$&. Bhe possi*ility o+ this 1u7 B7 as $SS& has greater @eight *ecause only *y that
time the n VInh area on -[ :ao .Z might have the eìstence o+ its o@n *elve0ere; pago0a
an0 shrines.
(Q) Heavens rmy (or Xings rmy) 0enotes the army o+ Nguyn nh.
(S) t the start; the 0ocument @rites( -aptain Nguyn V=n Hiai. to@ar0 the en0 it
misses the mi00le name V=n. Nguyn V=n Hiai ; +or a long time; ha0 *een the captain o+
the Ho8ng Sa group an0 le0 them to the sea many times. /ol'lore has it that his chil0ren an0
0escents o+ten calle0 his name out on 0eparting 0ay ( 0eath 0ay) in ceremonies; in
connection @ith a long pole. ccor0ing to legen0s in his 0ays; !r. Hiai carrie0 on his *ac'
many; many rice ca'es; @hich ma0e them loo' li'e a long pole; to eat 0uring long 0ays out in
the islan0 to 0o @or'.
Bhis points to a concrete reality in @hich the image o+ the long pole on the captains *ac' has
le+t an engraving on the memory o+ the people o+ the area generation a+ter generation.
(J) ,nvoy)Supervisor at Sa XY sea mouth; also Supervisor in charge o+ 0e+ense at
Ho8ng Sa V V=n Ph. See .eport +rom !ariuis Ph Nhuen
(D) pn0er the Nguyn (+rom Hia :ong on) ; Ho8ng Sa group @as reesta*lishe0 as a unit
0irectly un0er the supervision o+ the government in $J#&. Bhe +irst Supervisor @as !ariuis
Ph Nhuen Hbu
($#) Bhis sentence sho@s n VInh area; even i+ separate0 +rom n VInh village; their men
@oul0 still Uoin the Ho8ng Sa group\+lotilla.
($$) Decision( pprove0.
($") Decision ( pprove0. -arry out.
"D&
($&) Names an0 titles o+ the o++icials 0elete0 +or *revity.
".%.C. Hrant 0ee0 selling a Parcel at n VInh area
Bhis is the grant 0ee0 selling a lan0 Parcel o+ n VInh area; -[ :ao .Z. Bhe sellers @ere
the people o+ n VInh village. Bhat means the lan0 @as a pu*lic)o@ne0 lan0. Bhe purpose o+
selling this lan0 @as to get the +un0 to pay +or the e`penses o+ the ceremony o+ Uoining the
Ho8ng Sa group\+lotilla at the capital as @ell to contri*ute +or the group. Bhis 0ocument is
'ept the house o+ !r. Nguyn 1uang XO; hea0 o+ the lineage o+ the Nguyn 1uang 5 nhyt
lang at Brung NAn; Vest hamlet; :7 Sgn precinct;
1u>ng Ngi
9rigin in -hinese (ne`t page)
"D%
Branslation
Bhe el0ers; scri*es an0 all people o+ n VInh village; at H8 *<c; 3hnh Sgn precinct;
1u>ng Ngi report the sale o+ lan0. 9ur +ore+athers 0evelope0 an0 o@ne0 a lan0 tract at n
VInh area; -[ :ao .Z; ne`t to the lan0 o+ ($) its length is $# s8o; @i0th is more than $#
s8o ("). No@ @e are selling the piece o+ the lan0; @hose ,astern part is near the lan0 o+ -hie+
Ngqi; @estern near the pago0a an0 lan0 o+ !aster -h[y; southern *y the lan0 o+ BhL HRi;
Northern *y that o+ 3in Xhlnh. No@ @e are or0ere0 to esta*lish the Ho8ng Sa group\team
an0 come to the capital to receive the or0er in such circumstance @e nee0 the money to pay
+or the e`penses an0 contri*ution +or our men. /or that reason; @e all met at our *elve0ere
an0 together agree0 to sell a parcel o+ our tract; @hose eàct location is pinpointe0 in the
grant 0ee0.
"DC
&$$
Bhis lan0 is no@ sol0 to Supervisor 5ng Nguyt BK o+ n H>i area an0 his @i+e at the price
o+ one hun0re0 +i+ty copper iuan rcoin Q## mRng (unit; normally calle0 piaster at present;
*ut values coul0 *e very 0i++erent). /rom the :A 0ynasty 0o@n D# mRng coul0 *uy a (*ig)
piece o+ meat ,nglish translations notes. Bransactions @ere satis+actorily complete0. Bhe
ne@ o@ner no@ can use this parcel as agricultural +iel0 an0 can trans+er o@nership to
0escents. P+ any pro*lem arises +rom the people o+ our area regar0ing rights; or claims; the
village @ill collect contri*ution to *ear the cost (o+ court). Bhe (collective) o@ners have
agree0 to sell; here recor0s the sale.

!arch $"
th
; year Hia :ong $C r$J$Qs
Sellers( ll villagers agree to grant 0ee0. (%)
Notes
($) Bhis @or0 is illegi*le.
(") pnclear units o+ measurement.
(&) Signatures o+ %% persons @ere re0uce0 +or *revity.
(%) 9ne 0etail here shoul0 have attention( ,ven though the sol0 lan0 parcel @as in n
VInh area in the islan0; *ut the sellers @ere people +rom the inlan0 n VInh village. Ve
'no@ that n VInh area ha0 *een separate0 a0ministratively +rom inlan0 n VInh village
since $J#% there+ore this coul0 very @ell mean that the people inlan0 n VInh still @ere still
the collective o@ners o+ that lan0.
D9-p!,NB ".C (a)
DE 5La -hv ( Heography 3oo') in :Lch BriGu HiOn -hEgng :o<i -hv (JKLMNO)
o+ Phan Huy -h; *oo' V; sheets Pa an0 PPa; Dalat :i*rary ; No. &#Q%. !-; in -hinese.
"DQ
D9-p!,NB ".C (*)
DE 5La -hv ( Heography 3oo') in :Lch BriGu HiOn -hEgng :o<i -hv ( JKLMNO)
o+ Phan Huy -h; *oo' V; sheets PP*; $"a.
Branslate0 into Vitnamese *y V=n V; ,nglish *y 1ui Hoang
BE NghIa larger a0ministrative province has & precincts(
"DS
NghIa Hiang precinct; consisting o+ D& villages 3hnh DEgng precinct S# villages; an0 !]
Hoa precinct C& villages.
BE NghIa lies to@ar0 the mi00le o+ Huang nan region. !ountain ranges sprea0 all
across in the upper river area; the lo@er (river) area sprea0s to the sea it is iuite large at the
center. Pn Bhli VEgng ($) era its name o+ BE NghIa appeare0. Here the resources are
plenti+ul; rice +iel0s massively a*un0ant gol0; silver; @oo0; treasures; +ragrant @oo0; tnc
hEgng (also a +ragrant @oo0) rPP*s are all very +ine. !any elephant; horses are raise0 here
there are also *ig an0 small islan0s at the sea near*y; @here many *eauti+ul trees; plants
gro@; many treasures can *e +oun0. Bhe Northeastern n VInh village is in 3hnh DEong
precinct ("). Pt lies in the sea; near a *ig islan0 on @hich various mountains can *e seen @ith
their $&# pea's. Pt ta'es one 0ay or some ")hour perio0s to travel +rom the mountains to the
sea. Bhe mountains have +resh @ater an0 the islan0 has a (*ig) Hol0en San0 strip; a*out &#
miles in length; +lat an0 hol0ing crystal clear @ater. Bhe islan0 has many s@allo@ nests;
thousan0s o+ *ir0s that are not scare0 o+ people. 9n the islan0; the men can +in0 many
@on0er+ul things; such as the elephant)eare0 snail; as *ig as a stra@ mat; *elly having pearls
as *ig as thum*s its shell can *e use0 as ornament +or (altar; ta*le; chair etc.); or cra+te0 as
memorial plaiue; or groun0 as plaster. lso +oun0 can *e the tur*an snail that can *e use0 +or
ornaments; an0 sometimes calle0 nc hEgng. Bhen there is the very large tortoise @hose egg
are aroun0 thum*s siê an0 thin shell can *e use0 +or ornament +urthermore there is the sea
cucum*er @hose s'ill+ul movement on the san0 is very interesting. People catch it; use
calcium po@0er to clean it; thro@ a@ay the insi0e; an0 then 0ry it. Vhen preparing +or +oo0;
they pic'le it +or a @hile @ith Uuice ma0e +rom the cra*; an0 then coo' @ith shrimp or por'
*oth yiel0 tasty 0ishes. !any commercial ships encountering storms stoppe0 at this islan0.
Previous Nguyn lor0s +oun0e0 the Ho8ng Sa /lotilla; consisting o+ S# men +rom n V Inh
village; @ho pass s@imming tests () to serve alternately. ,ach year the men receive or0er;
*ring +oo0s +or Q months; an0 travel on C small *oats to the islan0 in !arch. Bravel time is
normally & 0ays an0 & nights. Bhere they @oul0 +ish all they @an t an0 search +or things o+
value +rom @rec'e0 ships as @ell as catch many sea pro0ucts; then return home at ,o seaport;
then go to the capital to su*mit the items. (&)
($) Bhli VEgng( :or0 Nguyn Ho8ng ($CCJ)$Q$&)

"DJ
(") 3hnh DEong( this precinct ha0 this name +rom the *eginning o+ the :A 0ynasty; an0
later @as change0 3hnh Sgn.
(&) Bhis is only a shorter 0escription o+ @hat is in Pht 3iAn B<p :uc o+ :A 1u7 56n; @ith
some slight 0i++erences only; +or eàmple; Phan Huy -h @rote the men @ent to the islan0 in
!arch; instea0 o+ ?anuary. Hal+ a century passe0 a+ter Pht 3iAn B<p :uc ha0 *een printe0;
an0 DE 5La -hv o+ Phan Huy -h still con+irme0 the eèrcise o+ authority o+ Vitnamese
government at Ho8ng Sa through the Ho8ng Sa /lotilla\ group.
D9-p!,NB ".Q (a)
Ho8ng Vit DE 5La -hv (Ho8ng Vit Heography 3oo'); *oo' P; sheets $#*)$$a;
engraving o+ $JS" ; at Bhe rcheological Pnstitute; Saigon; No. V5S; in -hinese
"DD

D9-p!,NB ".Q (*)
Ho8ng Vit DE 5La -hv; *oo' P; sheet $$*; in -hinese
D9-p!,NB ".S (a)
-omman0 +rom !inh !nh $&)#S)
&##
D9-p!,NB ".S (*)
&#$
-omman0 +rom !inh !nh $&)#S)
Branslate0 into Vitnamese *y Nguyn -hv Vin; ,nglish *y 1uv Ho8ng
?uly $&
th
; year !inh !<ng $J ($J&S); o++icials H8 Duy Phan an0 :7 V=n PhMc; compliantly
rerea0 (this 0ocument)
previous comman0 @as given to sen0 (some o+) the capital)guar0ing naval +orce an0
military ships +rom t@o provinces 1u>ng NghIa an0 3hnh 5Lnh to Ho8ng Sa islan0s to
per+orm survey an0 map 0ra@ing; an0 they have returne0. ,`cept Nhu an0 DuyAn; @ho
*rought the ships *ac'; +our men( naval team captain Ph<m V=n 3in; gui0es V2 V=n Bh[y;
Ph<m V=n Sanh; team mem*er :Eu 5Mc Brxc are to get stic' punishment. ll other
villagers an0 sol0iers @ill *e re@ar0e0 0ue to their har0 @or' an0 e++ort. ll sol0iers @ill *e
re@ar0e0 @ith one)month o+ salary all villagers @oul0 get " (valua*le) coins. ll ship
@or'ers +rom the provinces @ill *e returne0 to their homes to continue normal eìstence.
BrEgng ViOt Sy; +ormer convict; @ho committe0 crime an0 cause0 his @or' great harm;
@hile supervising an0 pro0ucing me0icine; *ecause o+ misappropriating governmental +un0
+or personal *usiness. He @as sentence0 to 0eath an0 @aiting to *e eècute0; *ut then His
,`cellency +orgave him an0 sent him to Ho8ng Sa; then Hia 5Lnh to help *uil0 a +ort; an0
no@ help map 0ra@ing. He @ent through $$ places in the islan0; su*Uect to much har0 la*or;
0re@ the mapsnot to 0esire0 e`pectation; *ut since he has sho@n repentance; he @ill earn
his amnesty an0 *e release0 +rom Uai still he has to report to +ortress guar0 captain to receive
or0ers an0 0uties. s such; carry on.
Here also o*e0iently carrying out His ,`cellencys comman0; select "" sol0iers an0 &$
villagers to @or' together.
Nguyn V=n HEu @rites comman0
H8 Duy Phan an0 :7 V=n Phc rerea0.
&#"
D9-p!,NB ".J(a)
.eport o+ the Department o+ 3uil0ing an0 Development (-onstruction)(to Xing !inh
!<ng) on Q)"$)$J&J
&#&

&#%
D9-p!,NB ".J (*)
Branslate0 into Vitnamese *y Nguyn -hv Vin; ,nglish *y 1ui Hoang
?une "$
st
; year !inh !<ng $D ($J&J)
Department o+ 3uil0ing an0 Development.
(Nour ,`cellency;)
Ve are @elcoming *ac' o++icials; wq !eu Bho>ng; :A Brong 3a; @ho have Uust returne0
+rom P.-,:S)Ho8ng Sa. 9ur sta++ are vie@ing their @or' an0 intervie@ing them. Bhis
time the e`pe0ition team has reache0 $" islan0s in the total o+ "C $& other islan0s @ill nee0
+urther e`pe0itions. ccor0ing to gui0e V2 V=n H[ng; @e @ill nee0 to survey an0 0ra@ %
maps all together. Bhey have complete0 & maps one remaining is rather +ar a@ay the
southern @in0 an0 @eather 0o not allo@ +urther e`ploration. Bhey @ill continue their @or'
ne`t year. Pn the mean time @e are loo'ing at the +our +inishe0 maps (three in0ivi0ual maps
an0 one o+ them together in general vie@). Ve +in0 they are not o+ 0esire0 e`pectation; more
@or' shoul0 *e 0one to get clearer an0 more 0etaile0 /igures o+ the islan0s. 00itionally; one
o+ the Uournal nee0s to *e clari+ie0 an0 a *etter map 0ra@n; please let us iniuire more into the
matter an0 tell them to yiel0 *etter result.
/urthermore; they have *ought *ac' on this trip one canon; re0 coral ree+ stones; trionychi0
turtle shells; *ir0s; etc. ll @ill *e su*mitte0 everything seems to *e in goo0 or0er.
Bhang Huy Bhen @rites report
H8 Duy Phan an0 :7 V=n PhMc rerea0.
&#C
D9-p!,NB ".J (c)
.eport (to Xing !inh !<ng) No. $#

&#Q
D9-p!,NB ".J (0)
Branslate0 into Vitnamese *y Nguyn -hv Vin; ,nglish *y 1uv Ho8ng
&#S
Decem*er "J
th
; year Bhiu BrL S ($J%S)
Department o+ 3uil0ing an0 Development
Nour ,`cellency;
Here*y serving your comman0 to carry out(
Bhe Ho8ng Sa islan0s *elong to our nations sea territory. Sen0 e`pe0ition tour to e`plore it
each year.
(-ontent o+ " lines o+ 0ate an0 salute is con+using)
Nour instruction in year Bhiu Bri Q to stop e`pe0ition an0 @ait until ne`t year has *een
carrie0 out. Bhis year in ?anuary; our !inistry (Department) complie0 @ith your @ish to
report the reason o+ stopping this year; an0 gave or0er o+ your instruction. Normally @hen
Spring comes @e nee0 to *e in goo0 preparation to travel to 0o e`pe0ition at the islan0s. Ve
are *urie0 @ith too much @or' at the !inistry (Department) right no@ un0er such
circumstance; @e are hum*ly as'ing your permission to hol0 o++ the e`pe0ition until ne`t
year. Ve *o@ingly as' +or your acceptance.
!ost respect+ully yours;
Nguyn Hcu w]; Nguyn Brxc @rite letter
Nguyn V=n wi4n; BrEgng 1unc Dung; Nguyn whnh H[ng rerea0.
&#J
D9-p!,NB ".D
w<i Nam Bhxc :uc BiGn 3iAn ( ; w<i Nam Historical
.ecor0s; ,arlier Version); *oo' $#; engraving
Branslate0 into Vitnamese *y Brbn 1uang Huy; e0ite0 *y Hn NguyAn;
,nglish *y 1ui Hoang
?uly; utumn; year Hilp Buyt ($SC%); ($) villager)sol0iers in o+ the Ho8ng Sa group
encountere0 *ig @in0storm an0 @ere @ashe0 to sea territory o+ 1iong zhou; *elonging to
the Bhanh ("). Bhe Hovernor there (interrogate0); gave supplies an0 ha0 them escorte0 *ac'
to our lan0. :or0 Nguyn then comman0e0 a than'+ul letter to the Hovernor. Bhe sea near n
VInh village; 3hnh Sgn precinct; 1u>ng Ngi province is en0o@e0 @ith $&# san0 0unes; one)
0ay or a +e@ hours travel time. Pts length is un'no@n; coul0 *e a thousan0 mile or more it is
calle0 thousan0)miles P.-,:S)Ho8ng Sa region; on @hich can *e +oun0 +resh @ater
stream; sea cucum*er; tortoise; +lo@er snail; trionychi0 turtle. t the *eginning o+ our
0ynasty (the Nguyn); Ho8ng Sa /lotilla @as esta*lishe0; consisting o+ S# men (sol0iers);
ta'en +rom n VInh village to travel to the islan0s *y *oats each !arch every year. Bhey
(usually) spen0 & 0ays an0 & nights to reach there; stay on the islan0s to collect things o+
values; an0 then return in ugust to su*mit the collection. /urthermore; there is the 3_c H>i
/lotilla that ta'es men +rom BM -hvnh; 3hnh -n hamlets; or ->nh DEgng village to go
to the Northern Sea; -6n :6n to collect 0esira*le items. Bhis /lotilla is un0er the supervision
o+ Ho8ng Sa /lotilla.
($) Pht 3iAn B<p :uc recor0s the year as $SC& (-8n :ong $J)
(") 1iong zhou is a provincial area in Hainan islan0; -hina.
D9-p!,NB ".$#
5<i Nam Bhxc :uc -hvnh 3iAn ( ; 5<i Nam History .ecor0s ; !ain
Version); +irst era; *oo' C#; sheet Qa
&#D
Branslate0 into Vitnamese *y Brbn 1uang Huy; ,nglish *y 1ui Hoang
?anuary o+ year o+ the Pig ($J$C)
Sent Pham 1uang nh an0 his Ho8ng Sa group to Ho8ng Sa to inspect the eiuipment +or
the sea voyage (Sheet Qa)
D9-p!,NB ".$$
5<i Nam Bhxc :uc -hvnh 3iAn ( ; 5<i Nam History .ecor0s ; !ain
Version); +irst era; *oo' C"; sheet $Ca
Near o+ the .at ryear Hia :ong $C ($J$Q)s
Bhe Xing or0ere0 the naval +orce an0 Ho8ng Sa /lotilla to 0o surveillance an0 survey o+
Ho8ng Sa (Sheet $Ca)
&$#
D9-p!,NB ".$" (a)
5<i Nam Bhxc :uc -hvnh 3iAn (5<i Nam History .ecor0s; !ain Version);
Secon0 era; *oo' $#%; sheet $Q*
&$$
&$"
Secon0 era; *oo' $#%; sheet $Sa
utumn; ugust o+ year !inh !<ng $% ($J&&)
&$&
Bhe Xing instructe0 the Department o+ 3uil0ing an0 Development( Ho8ng Sa strip in the
sea territory o+ 1u>ng Ngi; loo'e0 +rom a+ar; can not *e recogniê0 among the vastness o+
s'y an0 the sea; that is the reason the commercial ships easily got trappe0 an0 @rec'e0. Pt is
no@ time to chec' on the *oats to get rea0y to sen0 @ith men to the islan0s to esta*lish
shrines; install (roc') sla*s ; plant many trees. Pn the +uture the trees @ill gro@ an0 people
can avoi0 ship@rec's that is something goo0 +or generations a+ter. (Sheets $Q*)$Sa)
,nglish translators note(

Sla*s( stone; or later; concrete sla*s; usually o+ various siês; roughly $+t ` $.C +t or ".C +t `
%+t; ma0e to put at grave site or others +or memorial purposes.
&$%

D9-p!,NB ".$& (a)
Secon0 era; *oo' $C%; sheet %a

&$C
D9-p!,NB ".$& (*)
Secon0 era; *oo' $C%; sheet %*
&$Q
Summer; ?une o+ year o+ the Hoat ryear o+ !inh !<ng $Q ($J&C)s
3uilt go0s shrine at Ho8ng Sa; 1u>ng Ngi. Ho8ng Sa; *elonging to the sea territory
o+ 1u>ng Ngi there appears a @hite)san0 0une; surroun0e0 *y many nice green trees. Pn the
mi00le o+ the 0une; there is a @ell in the south@est an ol0 shrine can *e +oun0 @ith an
engrave0 *oar0 saying Bhousan0)miles 3a 3hnh. Bhe san0 0une measures $#S# trE}ng
(approìmately %"Jmeters) in perimeter; aciuiring an ol0 name o+ ni Phet Bx. Pts ,ast;
@est; south si0es are surroun0e0 *y sloping coral ree+s *y the @ater its North si0e touches a
(gigantic) coral ree+ rising up to $ trE}ng & thEc (C."meters) ; having a perimeter o+ &%#
trE}ng ($&Q#meters); close to that o+ 38n Bhan Bh<ch. 9ur Xing inten0e0 to +oun0 a shrine
an0 a (memorial) sla* there last year; *ut the storm 0i0 not allo@ that. No@ he has sent naval
supervisor Ph<m V=n NguyAn @ith his sol0iers an0 guar0s as @ell as ship @or'ers +rom
1u>ng Ngi an0 3hnh 5Lnh provinces to transport materials to *uil0 the shrine (S trE}ng
a@ay +rom the ol0 shrine). memorial sla* @as +oun0e0 at the le+t o+ the shrine a *hnh
phong at the +ront. Pt too' ten 0ays to +inish the @or'; then the sol0iers returne0.
(sheets %a)%*)
,nglish translators note(

Ni Phet Bx( 3u00has Pago0a mountain
.oughly $ trE}ng $# thEc % meters
*hnh phong( literally @in0 *arrier; *ut accor0ing to /eng)shui; it is to *loc' the harm+ul
e++ects coming +rom the +ront.
D9-p!,NB ".$% (a)
Secon0 era; *oo' $QC; sheet "%*
&$S

&$J
D9-p!,NB ".$% (*)
Secon0 era; *oo' $QC; sheet "Ca

&$D
D9-p!,NB ".$% (c)
Secon0 era; *oo' $QC; sheet "C*

&"#
Near !inh !<ng $S ryear (5<o 1uang $Q (o+ the Bhanh); o+ the Horse ($J&Q)s
Bhe Department (!inistry) o+ 3uil0ing an0 Development (-onstruction) 0escri*e0 this +or
the Xing to give 0irective( P.-,:S)Ho8ng Sa *elongs to our sea territory it is situate0
at very important location (to our lan0). 9ur 0epartment has; *e+ore; commissione0 people to
0o mapping +or us; *ut *ecause it is iuite large an area; @e @ere a*le to 0ra@ one location
only; an0 0i0 not 'no@ @hat to procee0 @ith ne`t. ,ach year @e sen0 men to 0o surveillance
an0 survey to ensure @e gra0ually gain more 'no@le0ge an0 +amiliarity o+ the islan0s. /rom
this year on; starting at the latter part o+ ?anuary; @e @ill comman0 local sol0iers an0 guar0s
o+ the naval +orce to sail to 1uang Ngai in the +irst part o+ /e*ruary there they @ill tell the
people in 1u>ng Ngi an0 3hnh 5Lnh to rent % ships +rom the locals an0 as' them 0irection to
Ho8ng Sa islan0s. Survey all the islan0s; or strips @hen you reach them( length; @i0th;
height; 0epth; perimeter note the @aters aroun0 them; namely; their 0epth; their un0er@ater
surroun0ing; *an's; shape an0 all the 0angerous or sa+e points. Survey; measure an0 note
them care+ully; the 0ra@ maps. !oreover; *ase0 on your trip. /rom @hat 0irections; estimate
the 0istances to them; lso; calculate to +in0 out perpen0icular to the inlan0 shore +rom the
group o+ islan0s is @hich province or area; an0 at @hat angles some o+ provinces or areas
correspon0 to; an0 ho@ +ar. ll have to *e per+orme0 @ell an0 report them.
Bhe Xing agree0 to the 0irective 0ra+t an0 or0ere0 naval group lea0er Ph<m Hcu Nhet to go
to Ho8ng Sa islan0s; *ringing @ith them $# @oo0 rectangular stic's rroughly "m
(meter) long; .#"Cm @i0e; .##Cm thic's; on @hich scri*e0 the @or0s( year !inh !<ng $S
($J&Q); naval group lea0er Ph<m Hcu Nhet came to 0o survey an0 measurement; leaving this
stic' here to mar' our e`ploration. (Sheets "%*)"C*)
&"$
D9-p!,NB ".$C (a)
Xhdm 5Lnh 5<i Nam H]i 5i4n Sx : r; -ompen0ium o+ ,vents an0
.egulations o+ 5<i Nam (*y ,mperors 9r0er)s; *oo' "#S; sheet "C*
&""

&"&
D9-p!,NB ".$C (*)
Xhdm 5Lnh 5<i Nam H]i 5i4n Sx : r; -ompen0ium o+ ,vents an0
.egulations o+ 5<i Nam (*y ,mperors 9r0er)s; *oo' "#S; sheet "Qa
Branslate0 into Vitnamese *y Nguyn V=n 3Rng;
&"%
,nglish *y 1ui Hoang
Near !inh !<ng $Q ($J&C); ( @rites to) reiuest the *uil0ing o+ a shrine at Ho8ng Sa
in the +orm o+ a stone house; to the south@est o+ 3<ch Sa 0une; an0 a stone sla* at the le+t
(Q#cm high; C#cm @i0e). small stone @all @as situate0 in +ront o+ the shrine; at *ac' trees
@ere plante0. (Sheets "C*)"Qa)
&"C
&"Q
D9-p!,NB ".$Q (a)
5ng Ngi province
Branslate0 into Vitnamese *y V=n V; ,nglish *y 1ui Hoang
&"S
...Pn the ,ast lies a San0 islan0s (Ho8ng Sa m>o) horiôntally; touching the sea; @hich
protects it li'e trench in the @est it 0ominates the mountainous south @ith long ranges o+
roc' covering. Bo the south it has 3hnh 5Lnh province sitting ne`t to it; @ith ri0ges o+ the 3On
5l mountain as a *arring @all; an0 to the North 1u>ng Nam province @ith
promontories an0 san0y earth as its *oun0ary.
&"J
&"D
D9-p!,NB ".$Q (*)
5<i Nam Nhyt Bhnng -hv (; pni+ie0 5<i Nam Heography); *oo' Q
&&#
&&$
D9-p!,NB ".$Q (c)
5o. ($) /rom Sa XY (") sea mouth; i+
the @in0 is +avora*le; it ta'es & or % 0ays an0 nights o+ travel time. Bhere are many
mountains on the islan0; @ith more than $&# pea's; separate0 among one another *y a 0ay or
a +e@ ")hour perio0s. Pn the mi00le o+ the islan0 is the strip P.-,:S) Ho8ng Sa (Hol0en
San0); its length coul0 *e more than some thousan0s o+ miles (no*o0y really 'ne@ ho@
long) it is sometimes re+erre0 to as Bhousan0)miles long islan0. 9n it +resh @ater @ell
can *e +oun0 many types o+ *ir0s +reiuent it in massive +loc's. lso +oun0 are sea cucum*er;
tortoise; +lo@er snail; trionychi0 turtle; an0 many things o+ value +rom the @rec'e0 ships.
Pn the *eginning o+ our 0ynasty; the lor0s esta*lishe0 the Ho8ng Sa /lotilla; +orme0 +rom S#
men o+ n VInh village. (&) ,ach year they @oul0 *e in a mission to get to the islan0 to
search +or goo0s an0 sea pro0ucts; then return to su*mit them through BE HiGn sea mouth.
Bhere @as also; un0er the supervision o+ Ho8ng Sa /lotilla; the 3_c H>i * /lotilla @ho
@oul0 go to 3_c H>i * an0 the -6n :6n islan0s to search +or sea pro0ucts.
Pn the +irst part o+ Hia :ong era; +ollo@ing the steps o+ ol0 regimes; esta*lishe0 Ho8ng Sa
/lotilla; in the ,ast o+ the islan0; near 1iong zhou; H>i Nam; *elonging to the 1ing
0ynasty o+ -hina. 3ut then the government stoppe0 the program. Pn the +irst years o+ his era;
Xing !inh !<ng or0ere0 sol0iers an0 men to the islan0 to per+orm survey an0 surveillance
o+ the near*y sea. Bhere is a @hite)san0 0une; surroun0e0 *y green trees. Pn the mi00le o+ the
0une; there is a @ell in the south@est an ol0 shrine (no*o0y 'no@s @hen it @as *uilt) can *e
+oun0 @ith an engrave0 *oar0 saying Bhousan0)miles 3a 3hnh. Pt ha0 an ol0 name o+
Phet Bx son the shores on *oth si0es have sloping coral ree+s surroun0ing the @ater. Pn the
North@est appears a very high 0une; occupying a perimeter o+ &%# trE}ng ($&Q#meters); a
height o+ $ trE}ng " thEc (%.J m); as high as that o+ 38n Bhan Bh<ch. Near $Q; there @as
or0er to carry roc's an0 stones to that place to *uilt a pago0a; an0 a memorial sla* to the le+t
to mar' the e`pe0ition. Bhat time the men an0 sol0iers 0ug up the place an0 +oun0 more than
"### (Vitnamese) poun0s o+ thin)lea+ copper an0 iron copper.
($) :7 5>o( that is the :7 Sgn islan0; in the sea; to the ,ast o+ 3hnh Sgn precinct;
commonly calle0 -[ :ao .Z lan0 at +our si0es are raise0; the mi00le 0rops 0o@n. Bhere are
&&&
a +e@ tens o+ acres people o+ n VInh an0 n H>i villages live there. Pn the ol0 0ays; the
rulers o+ the South place0 a :7 Sgn military post here.
(") Sa XY( in the southeast o+ 3hnh Sgn its sea mouth is aroun0 $J#m; ".%m 0eep @hen
ti0e is high; $."m 0eep normal. Bhere are promontories; some stan0ing li'e human +orms its
southern seaport has larger promontories. Bhe south has shore @ith lines o+ roc' an0 san0;
appearing li'e a tray in maps. 1u>ng NghIa is 'no@n @ith $# *eauti+ul sceneries; in @hich
the tray o+ n H>i here is one.
(&) n VInh( n VInh an0 n H>i are t@o villages\areas o+ -[ :ao .Z.
D9-p!,NB ".$S (a)
1unc BriGu -hvnh 3iAn Bolt NOu ( ; Nations Dynasty !ain Version
Summary);
3oo' &
Branslate0 into Vitnamese *y :A Wudn Hilo; ,nglish *y 1uv Ho8ng
3uilt Ho8ng Sa go0s shrine in 1u>ng Ngi province. Ho8ng Sa *elongs to 1uang Ngais
sea territory. Pt has a @hite san0 0une @ith plenty o+ green trees an0 *ushes. Pnsi0e the 0une;
there is a @ell an ol0 shrine stan0s in a spot at the south@est @ith engraving V<n :7 3a
3hnh (thousan0 miles o+ peace+ul @aves). Bhe @hite san0 0une @as previously name0
3u00has Pago0a !ountain. Bhe shores to the ,ast; @est; an0 south all are surroun0e0 @ith
coral ree+s. hill o+ roc's rises (a*ove the sea); $&Q#m in perimeter; C."m high; compara*le
to the height o+ the san0 0une; calle0 38n Bhan Bh<ch. shrine an0 memorial sla* @ere
or0ere0 *uilt here in +ront; also a @in0 *arrier.
&&%
&&C
D9-p!,NB ".$S (*)
Summary) ; *oo' &
&&Q

&&S
D9-p!,NB ".$S (c)
Summary);
3oo' &
&&J
Branslate0 into Vitnamese *y :A Wudn Hilo; ,nglish *y 1uv Ho8ng
9r0ere0 naval group lea0er Ph<m Hcu Nhet to *ring sol0iers an0 ships to 1u>ng Ngi;
then 0irectly to P.-,:S)Ho8ng Sa; to per+orm measurement an0 survey o+ all the
islan0s; san0 0unes they +oun0( length; @i0th; height; 0epth; perimeter shapes an0 0istances
o+ surroun0ing; inclu0ing un0erneath san0; roc' aggregates. lso note care+ully @hat area the
shore *elongs to; carry @ith them stic's to mar' their e`ploration; an0 0ra@ maps +or the
Xing to rea0. (Sheet $#%a)
&&D
&%#

&%$
D9-p!,NB ".$S (c)
Summary);
3oo' &
&%"
D9-p!,NB ".$S (0)
1unc BriGu -hvnh 3iAn Bolt NOu (Nations Dynasty !ain Version Summary);
3oo' &
Near o+ the !on'ey $S ($J&Q)
Decem*er; a 3ritish commercial ship; going through Ho8ng Sa; @as trappe0. Bhe cre@ o+
more than D# persons arrive0 at the shore o+ 3hnh 5Lnh. Bhe Xing hear0 o+ the ne@s; tol0 his
su*or0inates to *ring rice an0 money to them. Bhe captain an0 lea0ers @ere very than'+ul.
Nguyn Bri PhEgng *rought them to the port at H< -hdu so that they coul0 return home.
&%&

&%%
D9-p!,NB ".$J
&%C
D9-p!,NB ".$D
9++icial 3ulletin in Vitnamese o+ the Hovernment; No. J; $D&J

&%Q
D9-p!,NB "."#
&%S
&%J
D9-p!,NB "."$
&%D
&C#
D9-p!,NB ".""
Dao Ni zhi :ue; (Short 3oo' on Bhe /oreigners on Pslan0s) *y Da *o +ang ;
Nuan 0ynasty ($"#Q)$&QJ) @rites on Van :i Shi Bang (p.D&) r$"Cs
&C$

&C"
D9-p!,NB "."&
Nan ^hou yi @u ^hi (Bhe ,`traor0inary Bhings o+ Southern :an0) *y Nang /u
o+ 56ng Hln era ("C)""#) @rites on magnets at the sea (in Bhli 3hnh Ngx :m *y :7
Ph|ng in Sung 0ynasty; *oo' DJJ; DE}c *] C on !agnetic Stones) r$"&s
&C&
D9-p!,NB "."%
Nu ?ing zong Nao -)(Summary on !ilitary !atters) *y zeng Hong :iang
o+ Sung 0ynasty (DQ#)$"SD) @rites on military matters at Huang nan 56ng :]; +irst
collection; *oo' "#
&C%

D9-p!,NB "."C
&CC
Hai Nu *y Huang zhuong ; !ing 0ynasty; @rites on the sea routes +rom
Huang^hou to Siam (earlier *oo')

Ba*le $.$ N!,S 9/ PS:NDS; SB.PPS; n0 .9-X HH.,HB,S 9N H9~NH S
D9-p!,NB "."Q
&CQ

Ba*le $." N!,S 9/ PS:NDS; SB.PPS; n0 .9-X HH.,HB,S 9N H9~NH S
&CS
D9-p!,NB "."S
&CJ

&CD
&Q#
&Q$
&Q"
&Q&

&Q%
D9-p!,NB "."J
&QC

D9-p!,NB "."D
&QQ

Ba*le $.& N!,S 9/ 3NXS .9pND BH, -9NBPN,NB: SH,:/
B -HNH 9/ VPBN!
D9-p!,NB ".&#
&QS
D,CUM+NT (><1 Table H>1 C*R,NIC3+
-ent. WWVPP
Start o+ -ent. WWVPP Ho8ng Sa /lotilla\+leets\\team\group\m]i @as +oun0e0
$QJQ 5q 3l -6ng 5<o @rote BhiAn Nam BM -hv :] 5R
BhE; or Bo>n Bep n Nam :]; recor0e0 that the
Nguyn :or0s ha0 sent $J ships each year to the
-at Vang)Hol0en San0 Strip) P.-,:S to search
+or valua*le items; mostly gol0; silver; coin; gun
an0 ammunition.
$QDC -i Da -an (PQ); a a**ot mon' o+ BrETng
Bho pago0a in 1u>ng -hdu (Huang^hou) came to
visit 5<i Vit R *y invitation +rom :or0 Nguyn Phc
-hu
$QDQ -i Da -an @rote Hai @ai Ui shi V; in @hich the
+act that the Nguyn :or0s sent sol0iers out to V<n
:7 BrETng Sa (Ben thousan0)miles Pslan0s)
P.-,:S to loo' +or sea pro0ucts @as con+irme0.
-ent. WVPPP
$S#$ Pn the letter o+ !ission trangres 0e Paris;
travelling on the ship mphitrite to -hina; there
@as a line saying; Bhe Paracels are the islan0s
*elonging to the 5aL iunc n Nam ( 5<i Vit 9 ).
$S#" Ho8ng Sa /lotilla\team\group\m]i +oun0 &# silver teals
at Ho8ng Sa Pslan0s)P.-,:S ( Pht 3iAn B<p :uc;
3oo' ")
$S#% Ho8ng Sa /lotilla\team\group\m]i +oun0 C$## poun0s
&QJ
o+ tin (Pht 3iAn B<p :uc; *oo' ")
$S#C Ho8ng Sa /lotilla\team\group\m]i +oun0 $"Q silver
teals (Pht 3iAn B<p :uc; *oo' ")
$S#D)$S$& Ho8ng Sa /lotilla\team\group\m]i collecte0 sea
pro0ucts; tortoise; tin an0 copper gun ((Pht 3iAn
B<p :uc; *oo' ")
$S$% 9cto*er( Bhree ships +rom Hollan0 got @rec'e0 at
the Paracels; people save0 the survivors there an0 *rought
them to the South to the Nguyn :or0 @here
they @ere given +oo0s an0 means to return home.
$S&$ Bhe map o+ 1u>ng 56ng (Huang0ong) province
an0 1iong zhou (H>i Nam) precinct; printe0 in
Huang0ong Bong ^hi (Heography o+ Huang0ong);
@ritten in $S&$ *y He Nulin; Hovernor o+ 1u>ng
56ng; 0oes not have any mention o+ Wisha ) 7
Paracels or Ho8ng Sa islan0s); or Nansha )
(Spratly; or BrETng Sa islan0s)
$S&D History o+ the !ing (!inh -hv) ; collection %# & %C)
no recor0 o+ Bdy Sa or Nam Sa in these volumes
on -hina an0 1iong zhou (Hainan islan0)
$SC% +ishing *oat +rom Ho8ng Sa \/lotilla\team\group\m]i
@as @ashe0 *y storm to U 1ing:an seaport. Bhe
o++icial there interrogate0 the men an0 returne0
them to Bhuen Ha. :or0 Nguyn Phc Xhoat
comman0e0 his man0arin to reply to than' him.
$SCJ)$SQJ /rench 0miral -harles Hector BhZo0at @rote in
&QD
!Zmoire pour une enterprise sur la -ochinchine
propose 8 la !angon; he ha0 seen HuO have
a*out %## canons ta'en a@ay +rom the @rec'ages
at Paracels islan0s.
$SSC .eiuest +rom H8 :iu; Supervisor at -[ :ao .Z; n
VInh village to the Bdy Sgn 0ynasty +or regrouping the
Ho8ng Sa /lotilla\team\group\m]i.
$SSQ :A 1u7 56n @rote Pht 3iAn Bng Ngi.
$SJQ Directive +rom Hran0 !arshal Heneral in charge
o+ ll !ilitary an0 People ++airs in Bdy Sgn 0ynasty
to -hie+ o+ Ho8ng Sa /lotilla\team\group\m]i to 0ispatch
t@o *oats to Ho8ng Sa to collect things o+ value
(gol0; silver; copper; canon) an0 sea pro0ucts.
$SJS)JJ Bhe surveying group Xergariou):ocmaria
0etermine0 the location Ho8ng Sa
(P.-,:S) as 0i++erent +rom that o+ BrETng Sa
(Spratly); an0 lies C##'m south o+ Spratly.
-ent. WPW
$J#" ,mperor Hia :ong ascen0e0 the throne an0
+oun0e0 the Nguyn 0ynasty.
$J#C ,mperor Hia :ong or0ere0 the @riting o+ lan0
accounting *oo's o+ the North through the South;
calle0 Hia :ong 5La 3<. Bhis @or' @as complete0
in $J&C (in the era o+ !inh !<ng).
&S#
$J$C Sent Supervisor Ph<m 1uang fnh to lea0 Ho8ng
Sa /lotilla\team\group\m]i to per+orm survey an0
measurement o+ the islan0s o+ Ho8ng Sa.
$J$Q Sent naval +orce an0 Ho8ng Sa
/lotilla\team\group\m]i to continue survey an0 measurement
$J"# ?ean 3aptist -haigneau reporte0 on South (Viet
Nam); stating that P.-,:S *elong to this nation.
$J"$ Phan Huy -h @rote his compen0ium :Lch BriGu
HiOn -hEgng :o<i -hv; stating Ho8ng Sa *elonge0
to BE NghIa (large) a0ministrative province
(Pn Huang nan provincial area)
$J&& ,mperor !inh !<ng instructe0 the Department o+
3uil0ing & Development (-onstruction) to prepare
ships to travel to Ho8ngSa; to install mar'ing stic's
(o+ 0iscovery); *uil0 shrine to commemorate an0 plant trees.
$J&% ,mperor !inh !<ng comman0e0 naval o++icial BrEgng
Phc SI to come to Ho8ng Sa P.-,:S to 0ra@ maps
$J&C ,mperor !inh !<ng sent Ph<m V=n NguyAn to Ho8ng
Sa P.-,:S to *uil0 a shrine.
$J&Q ,mperor !inh !<ng or0ere0 naval sol0iers to travel to
Ho8ng Sa ) P.-,:S to per+orm surveillance; survey
0ra@ maps an0 install Discovery mar's; Steel... /rom then;
it has *ecome an annual routine.
$J&J ,mperor !inh !<ng continue0 to sen0 naval sol0iers to
per+orm surveillance an0 0ra@ maps.
&S$
Bhe *oo' Dictionnarium :atino annamiticum; pu*lishe0
*y ?ean :ouis Ba*er0; has the map n Nam 5<i 1unc Hoa 5R;
in @hich -lt V8ng Seu P.-,:S @as note0 as *elonging to Vitnam.
$J%S Bhe report +rom the Department o+ 3uil0ing an0
Development (-onstruction) to Xing Bhiu BrL
mentione0 Ho8ng Sa P.-,:S as a part o+ our lan0 an0
as'e0 +or a 0elay in sen0ing the men to it to 0o survey.
$J%J Bhe map Huang 1ing Ni Bong Nu Di 1uan Bu in the
*oo' Ning Huan zhi :uc o+ Peng Ven^hang (-hina)
0i0 not inclu0e Wisha ) 7 an0 Nansha ) .
$J%D Pn the article Heography o+ the -ochinchinese
,mpire in ?ournal o+ the Heographical o+ :on0on;
Hut^la++ con+irme0 that the 'ing o+ the South ha0 sent
a military +leet to Ho8ng Sa an0 esta*lishe0 a small military post
in Xlt V8ng (the Hol0en San0 Strip) ) Parcels to collect ta`
+rom the people.
$JC# Bhe *oo' :univers; histoire et 0escription 0e tous
les peuples( 0e leur religions; moeurs; coutume( ?apan; Pn0ochine;
-eylan etc.o+ Du*ois 0e ?aneigny @as pu*lishe0.
Pt a++irms( Bhe P.-,:S islan0s *elong to the people o+ n Nam
@ith the name Hol0en San0 (Ho8ng Sa)) P.-,:S. Pt has *een
un0er the control o+ this country +or &% years.
$JQ" Pn Ba*leau 0e la -ochinchine; ,. -ortem*ert an0 :Zon .osny liste0
P.-,:S; or Hol0en San0 in the list o+ the islan0s o+ Vitnam.
$JJ% /rance an0 Vitnam signe0 the greement on ?une Q
th
; $JJ% to
gree on the protection o+ /rance. -hina an0 /rance signe0 the
!o0us
&S"
Viven0i on !ay $$
th
; $JJ%; at BhiAn Bdn; in @hich -hina con+irme0
the trust in the agreements signe0 *y /rance an0 Vitnam.
$JD% Huang -hao Ni Bong Nu Di zong Bu (maps o+ the 1ing Dynasty)
Bhanh); printe0 in Huang -hao Ni Bong Nu Di 1uan Bu; o+ /eng
Dunìang; !eng Shouvne an0 Wi Naiìan (-hinese) 0i0 not have
Wisha ) 7 an0 Nansha ) in them. Pn these maps; it is note0
very clearly the southernmost is the islan0 Hainan at latitu0e $J$&
North

$JDC)$JDQ Bhe ships 3ellona o+ Hermany an0 pno+i(Pmeî) !aru o+ ?apan
carrying copper @ere attac'e0 an0 ta'en *y the -hinese pirates at
Hainan. Bhe 3ritish Pnsurance -ompany +ile0 complaints @ith the
government at 1u>ng w6ng (Huang0ong); an0 these o++icials replie0
an0 con+irme0 the P.-,:S 0o not *elong to -hina.
$JDJ Bhe Spanish)pS greement o+ Decem*er $#
th
; $JDJ state0 the Vest o+
the Philippines at longitu0e $$J ,ast). Bhere+ore; the Philippines
territory 0oes not inclu0e P.-,:S) Ho8ng Sa an0 Spratlys
BrETng Sa.
$JDD proposal to Pn0ochina Hovernor Paul Doumer to *uil0 a light
house; *ut it @as not carrie0 out 0ue to lac' o+ +un0.-ent. WW
$D#C Bhe map Da 1ing Di Huo 1uan Bu o+ -hina; printe0 +or the /irst time
in $D#C; an0 the +i+th in $D$#; 0o not contain Wisha ) 7 an0 Nansha
) .
$D#Q Bhe geography *oo' zhong Huo Di :i Wue ?iao Xe Shu (o+ -hina)
@rote( Bhe southernmost o+ -hina is at $J $& North.
$D#D ?une Q
(
0miral qr :i zhun; +ollo@ing or0er +rom the government
o+ Huang0ong )1u>ng w6ng; le0 three @arships to Wisha ) 7
&S&
P.-,:S; anchore0 at some o+ P.-,:S islan0s *e+ore
returning to -hina
$D$# Pu*lication o+ wng Ngi province.
$D"# /rench port ta` authority *egan to put on supervising roun0s at
P.-,:S )Ho8ng Sa .
$D"$ !arch &#
(
the (-hinese) authority at Huang0ong ) 1u>ng w6ng
Deci0e0 to inclu0e Wisha ) 7 a0ministratively in Nahien precinct o+
Hainan. Bhis local authoritys 0ecision @as not recogniê0 *y Bhe
-hinese central government as @ell as that o+ other po@ers.
$D"C scienti+ic e`pe0ition le0 *y . Xremp+; Director o+ 9ceanography
Pnstitute (H>i Hoc Vin) at Nha Brang came to Paracels)Ho8ng Sa to
0o stu0ies in ?uly they also arrive0 at Spratlys )BrETng Sa to stu0y.
9n !arch &( Bhdn Brong HuG; !inister o+ !ilitary Department
a++irme0 Paracels) Ho8ng Sa is a part o+ Vitnam; no iuestion a*out
that.
$D"S Bhe ship De :anessan @as sent to Spratlys )BrETng Sa) to 0o stu0ies
on coral an0 phosphate (in *ir0s @aste)
!. :urosa@a; ?apanese -onsulate as'e0 the /rench government at
Pn0ochina +or the in+ormation on regulations on Spratly islan0s.
$D"J Septem*er $D( the company SociZtZ nouvelle 0es phosphates 0u
Bon'in (at H>i Phjng) propose0 to government o+ the South to 0o
@or' on an0 ma'e use+ul pro0uct out o+ *ir0s @aste at Spratlys)
BrETng Sa
$D"D Pn the report to the Hovernor o+ Pn0ochina; (/rench) ,nvoy)in)charge)
o+ -entral (Vitnam) :e+ol remin0e0 him o+ sovereignty o+ Vitnam at
&S%
Paracels)Ho8ng Sa an0 o+ the a++irmation\0eclaration o+ Vitnam at
Paracels)Ho8ng Sa.
Bhe Perrier).ouville group suggeste0 *uil0ing +our lighthouses at
+our corners o+ Paracels)Ho8ng Sa islan0s; namely; at Bri B6n; 3_c
islan0; :inh -6n islan0 an0 3om*ay *an'.
!arch "D
(
the /rench -onsulate at !anila reporte0 to the /rench
Department o+ -olonies Heneral that there @ere no islan0s o+
Spratlys)BrETng Sa recor0e0 in the maps o+ Philippines.
$D&#)&& /rom pril $&; $D&# to pril ""; $D&&( the /rench naval
+orce arrive0 at the main islan0s o+ Spratlys( Spratly)BrETng Sa;
m*oine)n 3ang; 3a 3hnh Ptu *a; :o<i Ba; BhL BM etc. an0 other
(smaller) islan0s.
$D&" pril "D( /rance sent an o++icial message to a -hinese 0elegation at
Paris to remin0 them o+ /rench rights on Paracels)Ho8ng Sa an0
suggeste0 the -hinese come to a +rien0ly resolution; or through a
re+eree.
Septem*er "D( the -hinese 0elegation 0enie0 the /renchs
proposition an0 re+use0 to *ring it to a re+eree.
?une $C( the Hovernor o+ Pn0ochina esta*lishe0 an a0ministrative
o++ice o+ Ho8ng Sa.
$D&& ?uly "%( the /rench in+orme0 ?apanese government o+ the occupying
action o+ Spratlys *y naval +orce. Bhe ?apanese 0enounce0 this action.
?uly "Q
(
/rench !inister o+ -olonies announce0 the
occupation o+ BrETng Sa *y naval +orce at these islan0s( Spartly)
BrETng Sa; m*oine; :o<i Ba; Ptu *a; BhL BM an0 the surroun0ing
smaller Pslan0s; *an's an0 roc' aggregates.
Decem*er "$
(
(/rench) Hovernor o+ the South (Vitnam) ?.
Xrautheimer anneè0 BrETng Sa islan0s to 38 .La province.
Pn zhong Huo /en Sheng Win Bu (ne@ a0ministrative maps o+
-hina); pu*lishe0 *y -ompagnie Nongìn (Shanghai); there is a
attachment on Huang0ong)1u>ng 56ng @ith a 0ra@ing o+ %
&SC
archipelagoes; in @hich Paracels)Ho8ng Sa an0 Spratlys)BrETng Sa o+
Vitnam @ere name0 Wisha ) 7 1un0ao an0 Nansha )
1un0ao
$D&S /e*ruary $J
(
the /rench !inistry o+ /oreign ++airs sent a
0iplomatic note to suggest the -hinese to come to a +rien0ly resolution;
or an international re+eree on Ho8ng Sa)P.-,:S the -hinese 0i0
not reply.
/e*ruary "J
(
@arship :amotte)Piiuet arrive0 at Ho8ng Sa.
9cto*er; lea0 civil engineer ?. Hauthier @as sent to Ho8ng Sa to
consi0er a proUect to *uil0 a (/rench) air +orce *ase at Pattle islan0.
$D&J !arch &#
(
Xing 3>o 5ng Ngi into Bha BhiAn (HuO)
?une $C
(
Hovernor o+ Pn0ochina esta*lishe0 an a0ministrative
geography
+or Ho8ng Sa.
Pnstalle0 a sovereignty sla* at Pattle islan0 that
rea0s( .Zplu*liiue /rancaise) .oyaume 0nnam)rchipel 0es
P.-,:S $J$Q) Ple 0e Pattle)$D&J
3uilt a lighthouse; a meteorological station; @ireless stations BS/ at
Ho8ng Sa islan0 an0 3a 3hnh islan0 at Spratly islan0s.
Sent Vitnamese security +orce to Ho8ng Sa.
$D&D !arch &$( ?apanese !inistry o+ /oreign ++airs announce0 the
control o+ ?apan at Ho8ng Sa)Paracels islan0s. Bhe /rench o*Uecte0 to
this occupation *y the ?apanese an0 rea++irme0 the sovereignty o+
/rance.
!ay C( Hovernor o+ Pn0ochina ?ules 3rZviZ 0ivi0e0 Ho8ng Sa)
P.-,:S into t@o a0ministrative units.
Septem*er C( Vorl0 Var PP e`plo0e0.
$D%& Novem*er "& to "S(

Summit o+ the p.S.) ,nglan0)-hina
&SQ
in -airo. /. D. .oosevelt; V. -hurchill; Bchang Xaishe'; in the -airo
0eclaration 0eclare0 that ?apan ha0 to renounce all entitlement an0
intention on all the islan0s in the Paci+ic ?apan ha0 ta'en +rom -hina
an0 other nations in the Paci+ic .im such as !an0chourie; /ormosa;
Pesca0ores. Bhere @as no mention o+ Ho8ng Sa)P.-,:S an0
BrETng Sa) Spratlys.
$D%C ?apan ouste0 /rance in Pn0ochina.
?uly $S to ugust "( t the Pots0am -on+erence (.ussia; p.S.; an0
,nglan0) supporte0 the proposition o+ the -airo 0eclaration an0
0eci0e0 to 0ivi0e Pn0ochina into " parts; @ith the $Q
th
parallel as the
0emarcation line. -hina ha0 the right to 0isarm the ?apanese the
southern part @as un0er the 3ritish control.
ugust $D( Bhe ugust .evolution in H8n]i @as success+ul.
Septem*er "( the Declaration o+ Pn0epen0ence an0 the state o+ the
Democratic .epu*lic o+ Vitnam @ere *orn.
?apanese troops @ith0re@ +rom Pn0ochina.
$D%Q /e*ruary "J( /rance an0 -hina signe0 the Br[ng Xhlnh
(-hongiing) greement /rench troops replace0 Bchangs troops to
0isarm the ?apanese.
!arch Q( !o0us Viven0i *et@een /rance an0 Vitnam @as signe0
in H8n]i; recogniîng the Democratic .epu*lic o+ Vitnam as an
in0epen0ent state having its o@n sovereignty; military; parliaments an0
*u0get in the Pn0ochina /e0eration an0 /rench pnion. /rance agree0
to the result o+ the re+eren0um on the returning o+ the South to (the
state) o+ Vitnam.
!ay "# to "C( the ship Savorgnan 0e 3ra^â regaine0 control o+
Ho8ng Sa islan0s.
?une "Q( +our @arships o+ Bchang Xaishe's government lan0e0
Ho8ng Sa)P.-,:S an0 BrETng Sa) Spratlys @ith the reason o+
0isarming the ?apanese against the agreements article at the Pots0am
-on+erence; in @hich the 3ritish ha0 control o+ the region.
9cto*er $$( Bhe ?oint !inistry o+ the /rench Provisional
&SS
Hovernment a++irme0 the sovereignty o+ /rance at Ho8ng Sa)
P.-,:S an0 0eci0e0 to provi0e materials to *uil0 a
meteorological station there.
Decem*er $D( @ar *et@een Vitnam an0 /rance *ro'e out.
$D%S ?anuary S( Nan'ing announce0 their occupation o+ Wisha ) 7)
(Ho8ng Sa); *ut in truth; they @ere present on Voo0y) +u lin
Pslan0 only.
?anuary $S( the @arship :e Bon'inois o+ /rench Navy came to
P.-,:S)Ho8ng Sa an0 0eman0e0 the -hinese troops to get o++;
*ut -hinese troops 0i0 not /rench troops staye0 at Pattle islan0.
?uly %( /rench !inistry o+ /oreign ++airs
suggeste0 the
government o+ Nan'ing to come to an agreement; or accept an
international re+eree; *ut the -hinese re+use0. +ter +ailure at mainlan0
-hina; Bchang Xaishe's government @ith0re@ to Bai@an.
$D%D !arch J( Bhe governments o+ /rench an0 3>o 5o 5<i government announce0
the sovereignty o+ Vitnam at Paracels)Ho8ng Sa in Saigon.
!ay $S( Philippines Presi0ent 1uirino proclaime0 BrETng Sa)
Spratlys *elonge0 to the Philippines; *ut ac'no@le0ge0 the /rench ha0
*uilt meteorological stations %JJCD; %JJQ# at Pattle islan0 in Ho8ng Sa
P.-,:S an0 %JD$D at Ptu *a in BrETng Sa)Spratlys.
9cto*er $( the Peoples .epu*lic o+ -hina @as *orn.

$DC# pril( Bhe -hinese troops ha0 to @ith0ra@ +rom Voo0y) /u lin
islan0.
9cto*er $%( Bhe /rench colonial government o++icially trans+erre0
the control o+ P.-,:S)Ho8ng Sa islan0s to 3>o 5<i government.
zhong hua .en !in Hong Hua /en Sheng Uing Bu (a0ministrative
maps o+ the Peoples .epu*lic o+ -hina); pu*lishe0 in Pe'ing; recor0 %
&SJ
archipelagoes in South -hina Sea in -hinese; an0 prolong -hinese
*or0er to parallel %; inclu0ing almost all o+ South -hina Sea.
$DC$ !ay $S( Philippines Presi0ent 1uirino 0eclare0 to the press that the
Spratlys)BrETng Sa archipelago *elong to the Philippines *ecause it
is a vicinity.
!ay $D( Pe'ing o*Uecte0 1uirinos 0eclaration.
ugust $C( Pn an announcement relate0 to a peace agreement
proposal @ith ?apan; -hou ,n :ai; !inister o+ /oreign ++airs
a++irme0 the sovereignty o+ -hina at the +our archipelagoes in South
-hina Sea.
Septem*er( Bhe San /rancisco Peace Breaty @as organiê0 to sign a
peace pact @ith ?apan. Prime !inister Brbn V=n Hcu o+ Vitnam
0eclare0 Paracels)Ho8ng Sa an0 Spartlys)BrETng Sa ha0 *een
*elonging to Vitnam. No o*Uection at all +rom the Breatys
0elegations. /orty)si` out o+ +i+ty one 0elegations reUecte0 the
suggestion to grant the control o+ these t@o archipelagoes to -hina.
rticle " o+ the Peace Breaty regulates that ?apan has to reliniuish all
entitlement an0 intention on these t@o groups o+ islan0s; *ut 0oes not
mention anything a*out -hina.
$DC" !arch "C( Pn the 0iscussion o+ the Parliament o+ the /rench pnion
concerning the San /rancisco Peace Breaty on Septem*er J; Vitnam
0elegates Phan Xh_c SKu; 3Ku Xvnh remin0e0 others that Ho8ng Sa
an0 BrETng Sa ha0 long *een a part o+ Vitnam /rench !inister o+
/oreign ++airs !aurice Schuman also a++irme0 these t@o *elonge0 to
the /rench pnion.
pril "%( ?apan an0 -hina signe0 a Peace ccor0; in @hich ?apan
repeate0 their honoring o+ the (San /rancisco) Peace Breaty on
P.-,:S)Ho8ng Sa an0 Spratlys)BrETng Sa; *ut 0i0 not say
anything else.
$DC% ?uly "#( Bhe Heneva ccor0 @as signe0. Vitnam @as
temporarily 0ivi0e0 into t@o parts at parallel $S( Bhe North
&SD
*elonge0 to the control o+ the Democratic .epu*lic o+ Vitnam
(DV.); the South to the Southern government.
$DCQ pril "J( Bhe .epu*lic o+ Vitnam (.PVN) receive0 P.-,:S)
Ho8ng Sa islan0s +rom the /rench; e`cept the ,ast o+ them; 0ue to the
+act that troops +rom the Peoples .epu*lic o+ -hina (P.-) ha0
occupie0 it *e+ore the arrival o+ the South Vitnamese sol0iers.
?une J( !inister o+ /oreign ++airs o+ .PVN V2 V=n !u rea++irme0
the sovereignty o+ Vitnam since long *e+ore in an announcement on
Parcels)Ho8ng Sa an0 Spratlys)BrETng Sa archipelagos.
?une D( /rench attachZ in !anila in+orme0 the /ilipino government
that the /rench government ha0 occupie0 the Spratlys) BrETng Sa
Pslan0s since $D&&.
ugust ""( naval unit +rom Saigon installe0 the +lag o+ the
.epu*lic o+ Vitnam an0 a (memorial) sla* at Spratlys)BrETng Sa
islan0; the principal islan0 o+ Spratlys)BrETng Sa archipelago; to
rea++irm the sovereignty o+ Vitnam.
9cto*er "#( Bhe government o+ .PVN anneè0 Spratlys)
BrETng Sa archipelago into PhEc Buy province.
$DCJ Septem*er %( -hinese government proclaime0 its territorial @aters o+
$" nautical miles.
Prime minister o+ DV. Pham Van Dong sent a 0iplomatic note to the
-hinese in Pe'ing to support the a++irmation o+ the $" nautical miles
territorial @aters o+ -hina.
/e*ruary "#)"$( Bhe so)calle0 -hinese arme0 +ishermen lan0e0 on
Hcu Nhet; Duy !6ng; 1uang Hja islan0s; *ut @ere capture0 an0 hel0
as prisoners *y the South Vitnamese governments guar0s
?uly $&( .PVN government anneè0 P.-,:S)Ho8ng Sa
rchipelago into guang nan province an0 esta*lishe0 5Lnh H>i
village at Hja Vang Precinct.
Decem*er "#( the South Vitnam :i*eration /ront @as +oun0e0.
&J#
$DQ" ?une "D)&#( group o+ South Vitnam naval +orce per+orme0
surveillance roun0s at Song BK 56ng an0 Song BK Bdy islan0s in
Spratlys)BrETng Sa
$DQ& !ay $D)"%( Naval +orce o+ .PVN government arrive0
an0 installe0 sla*s in0icating sovereignty on these islan0s o+ Spratlys)
BrETng Sa archipelago( Spratly)BrETng Sa; n 3ng; :oi village to Hja :ong village o+
Hja Vang precinct; 1u>ng Nam.
$DS$ /e*ruary "( !alaysian ,m*assy in Saigon as'e0 the !inister o+
/oreign ++airs (o+ Vitnam) i+ the islan0s o+ the .epu*lic o+ !aroc
Songhratt)!eàt at latitu0e D North an0 longitu0e $$J ,ast *elonge0
to !alaysia.
pril "#( .PVN government in+orme0 !alaysia the Spratlys)BrETng
Sa archipelago *elongs to Vitnam.
/ilipino naval +orce occupie0 islan0s( VInh Vin; Song BK 56ng;
:o<i Ba an0 BhL BM. Bhey name0 them as :a@a'; Parola; Xota an0
Pagasa.
?uly $C( Brbn V=n :_m; !inister o+ /oreign ++airs o+ .PVN
a++irme0 in !anila that Spratlys)BrETng Sa ha0 long *een a part o+
Vitnam.
$DS" /e*ruary "J( Presi0ent .. Niòn an0 -hina Premier zhou ,n :ai
signe0 the Shanghai -ommuniiuZ.
$DS& ?anuary "S( Bhe Paris Peace ccor0 @as signe0 to cease)+ire an0
reesta*lish peace in Vitnam
&J$
!arch "( Bhe Paris ccor0 @as signe0 *y C po@ers an0 the nations
in the Pnternational -ommission o+ -ontrol an0 Supervision (P--S) to
carry out the terms in the Paris Peace ccor0.
Septem*er C( .PVN government anneè0 Spratlys)BrETng Sa
archipelago to PhEc H>i; 5yt 5| precinct; PhEc Buy province
$DS% ?anuary $$( Pe'ing o*Uecte0 to the anneàtion o+ BrETng Sa to PhEc
H>i.
?anuary $D)"$( .PVN naval +orce 0e+iantly +ought a -hinese
invasion at the 3attle at Paracels Pslan0s; *ut lost the islan0s 0ue to
much smaller +orce *eing use0.
?anuary "#( +ter *om*ing Hcu Nhet (.o*ert); 1uang fnh (!oney);
Ho8ng Sa (Pattle) islan0s; Pe'ing troops inva0e0 these.
Bhe representative o+ .PVN government at the pN reporte0 to the
Security -ouncil an0 Heneral Secretary the invasion *y -hina on
P.-,:S)Ho8ng Sa. .PVN government in+orme0 the parties
signing Paris
Peace ccor0 an0 other countries o+ this invasion +rom P.-.
?anuary "Q( Bhe military 0elegate o+ Bhe Provisional .evolutionary
Hovernment announce0 the 0eclaration o+ three points o+ violation on
the invasion *y Pe'ing troops on the @est o+ P.-,:S)Ho8ng Sa
archipelago n0 initiate0 a peace+ul approach to resolve the con+lict.
?anuary "J( Presi0ent Nguyn V=n Bhiu in+orme0 other hea0s o+
states o+ the invasion *y -hina
!arch &#( t the -on+erence on /ar ,ast ,conomy at -olom*o; an0
on ?uly " at the -on+erence o+ Nations on Sea Sovereignty at -aracas;
the representative o+ the .PVN government o*Uecte0 to the -hinese
invasion at P.-,:S)Ho8ng Sa an0 rea++irme0 the sovereignty o+
Vitnam at *oth archipelagoes.
$DSC /e*ruary $%( Bhe Vhite Papers on P.-,:S)Ho8ng Sa an0
Spratlys)BrETng Sa @ere presente0 *y the !inister o+ /oreign ++airs
in Saigon
&J"
pril $J)"%( Bhe Navy o+ the Peoples rmy too' control o+ Spratly)
BrETng Sa islan0s.
pril &#( Saigon +ell an0 the North @on the @ar.
Septem*er D( H.P representative at the !eteorological !eeting o+
sia reiueste0 the same registration in the 9!!s Synop system +or
the meteorological station o+ Vitnam at Ho8ng Sa (Pattle) islan0
un0er num*er %JJQ# since Vitnam has sovereignty at this islan0.
Septem*er $#( P.- a++irme0 Wisha ) 7 an0 Nansha )
*elonge0 to -hina in a 0iplomatic note to the !inister o+ /oreign
++airs o+ D.V.
Septem*er "%( Vhile meeting @ith the Party an0 States
0elegates o+ Vitnam; Deng Wiaoping ac'no@le0ge0 there @ere
eìsting pro*lems *et@een t@o countries; in @hich P.-,:S)
Ho8ng Sa an0 Spratlys)BrETng Sa @ere t@o Deng sai0; the pro*lems
@ill *e resolve0 in the +uture.
Novem*er $#( Bhe !inister o+ /oreign ++airs o+ D.V sent an
o++icial message to the !inister o+ /oreign ++airs o+ P.-; remin0ing
them o+ Dengs message on Septem*er "% an0 suggeste0 the -hinese
stop all propagan0a on the con+lict on the islan0s to create a +avora*le
con0ition +or tal's. Pn a reply on Decem*er "%; -hina re+use0 this
suggestion.
Decem*er &( Bhe m*assa0or o+ D.V at Pe'ing; in a meeting @ith
-hinese !inister o+ /oreign ++airs rea++irme0 the sovereignty o+
Vitnam on *oth archipelagoes.
$DSQ ?une %( Bhe spo'esperson o+ P.-s !inister o+ /oreign ++airs
rea++irme0 the sovereignty o+ -hina on % archipelagoes in South -hina
Sea; an0 o*Uecte0 to the Philippiness natural gas program at .ee0
3an's.
?une C( Bhe spo'esperson o+ D.Vs !inister o+ /oreign ++airs
proclaime0 Vitnam @ill reserve the rights to protect P.-,:S)
Ho8ng Sa an0 Spratlys)BrETng Sa.
&J&
?uly "( Socialist .epu*lic o+ Vitnam (S.V) @as *orn to uni+y *oth
North an0 South Vitnam.
$DSS !ay $"( Bhe government o+ S.V announce0 the Declaration on sea
territory an0 continental shel+ o+ Vitnam.
9cto*er S( Pn *or0er tal's; Phan HiGn; chie+ negotiator o+ S.V
suggeste0 to register the 0iscussion to another 0ate; *ut the -hinese
counterpart Han Nianlong re+use0.
$DSJ !arch "( Philippines occupie0 another islan0 (:an -an); @hich they
call Panata. Bhis is the S
th
islan0 ta'en *y the /ilipinos a+ter Pagasa;
Parola 'ota; :a@a'; :i'as; an0 Puga0.
Pn visits to the Philippines (in Septem*er); an0 !alaysia (in 9cto*er);
Premier Ph<m V=n 5Rng agree0 to Presi0ent /. !arcos an0 Premier
Hussein 9n all parties @oul0 see' peace+ul resolutions.
$DSD /e*ruary $S( Q##;### -hinese troops inva0e0 Q cities on the +rontier
o+ Vitnam. De+eate0; they @ith0re@ in " @ee's.
!arch $C( Vitnams !inistry o+ /oreign ++airs presente0 the
Vhite Papers on the *or0er o+ Vitnam an0 -hina; in @hich there are
Paracels)Ho8ng Sa an0 Spratlys)BrETng Sa archipelagoes.
pril "Q( 3eginning o+ tal's at 0eputy minister level *et@een
Vitnam an0 -hina to normaliê relation.
?uly &( -ivil viation 0ministration o+ -hina (--) esta*lishe0 %
0angerous ônes in the Wisha ) 7 airspace an0 +orce0 international
+lights to in+orm it @hen +lying through it 0i0 so +or the intention o+
+orcing the recognition o+ sovereignty o+ -hina on others.
?uly &#( Pe'ing presente0 a 0ocument to prove Vitnam ha0
ac'no@le0ge0 -hinas sovereignty at Wisha ) 7 an0 Nansha ) .
ugust S( Bhe !inistry o+ /oreign ++airs o+ S.V re+ute0
these +alse intentions.
&J%
Septem*er J( Bhe !inister o+ /oreign ++airs o+ S.V presente0
0ocuments to clari+y an0 a++irm the sovereignty o+ Vitnam at the t@o
archipelagoes.
Septem*er "J( Bhe !inistry o+ /oreign ++airs o+ S.V
o*Uecte0 the anneàtion o+ BrETng Sa into Philippines territory.
Decem*er "$( !alaysia presente0 maps o+ its sea territory an0
continental shel+; @hich overlap that o+ Vitnam at BrETng Sa
$DJ# ?anuary &#( Bhe !inistry o+ /oreign ++airs o+ P.- presente0 a
0ocument to prove its sovereignty on Wisha ) 7 an0 Nansha ) .
/e*ruary C( Bhe !inistry o+ /oreign ++airs o+ S.Vs
spo'esperson re+ute0 the +a'e 0ocuments; mentione0 on ?anuary&#th
+rom -hina.
!arch $Q( Bhe !inistry o+ /oreign ++airs o+ S.V rea++irme0
Vitnams sovereignty on n 3ng islan0 an0 all o+ BrETng Sa
archipelago; an0 sent a 0iplomatic note to Bhe !inistry o+ /oreign
++airs o+ !alaysia.
pril "D( Bhe !inistry o+ /oreign ++airs o+ S.V ma0e
o*Uection to !alaysia a*out the ne@ map o+ !alaysia in @hich it
claims part o+ Spratlys)BrETng Sa as its sea territory.
?une $&( Vitnamese 0elegate at the 9!! !eteorological
-on+erence reiueste0 registration into 9!! net@or' +or the
Vitnams meteorological station at Spratly)BrETng Sa Pslan0.
?uly "Q( Bhe !inistry o+ /oreign ++airs o+ Bai@an announce0 their
position on Paracels)Ho8ng Sa an0 Spratly BrETng Sa archipelagoes.
?uly "J( Philippines occupie0 -on0or 3an'.
$DJ$ Decem*er( S.Vs Postal an0 Belecommunication Heneral 9++ice
noti+ie0 P/.3 presi0ent that Vitnam cannot accept the transmittal o+
the +reiuencies reserve0 +or the QH ône; @hich inclu0e airspace o+
P.-,:S)Ho8ng Sa an0 Spratlys)BrETng Sa.
$DJ" ?anuary( Bhe !inistry o+ /oreign ++airs o+ S.V presente0 the Vhite
Papers Bhe P.-,:S)Ho8ng Sa an0 Spratlys)BrETng Sa
&JC
archipelagoes; territory o+ Vitnam
/e*ruary D( Bai@an +or@ar0e0 its legal claim on Wisha ) 7 an0
Nansha ) Vitnam o*Uecte0 this claim on /e*ruary "$.
9cto*er( t the Plenipotentiaries -on+erence o+ pPB at Nairo*i; the
0elegates +rom Vitnam ma0e o*Uection to the transmittal o+
+reiuencies in $DSJ in the ,ast Sea (South-hina Sea)o+ Vitnam
(South -hina Sea) +rom P.-.
Novem*er $"( S.V government presente0 the sea *aseline to
calculate the @i0th o+ Vitnams sea territory.
Decem*er D( nneàtion o+ BrETng Sa to Ph Xhlnh province
$DJ& !arch( Bhe Vorl0 0ministrative -on+erence on Vireless
Bransmittal agree0 to consi0er Vitnams suggestion on transmittal o+
+reiuencies on the ,ast Sea (South-hina Sea)(o+ Vitnam).
pril "C( -ommittee on Heographic Names o+ P.- name0 ne@
names to the islan0s; roc' aggregates; strips in the ,ast Sea
(South-hina Sea)(o+ Vitnam) in @hich there are P.-,:S)Ho8ng
Sa an0 Spratlys)BrETng Sa. Vitnam o*Uecte0 this on !ay D.
!ay "$( !utual De+ense agreement *et@een the p.S. an0
Philippines; not inclu0ing the Xalayaan archipelago (Spratlys) BrETng
Sa as a part o+ Philippines.
!arch "C an0 Septem*er S( Bhe !inistry o+ /oreign ++airs o+ S.V
o*Uecte0 the action o+ !alaysia o+ lan0ing troops on Hoa :au
(S@allo@) islan0; violating Vitnams sovereignty on Spratlys)BrETng
Sa archipelago.
$DJ% P.- State -ouncil announce0 the a0ministrative regions in Hainan;
inclu0ing Wisha ) 7 an0 Nansha ) islan0s o*Uection *y S.V
@as ma0e.
$DJC Heneral V=n BiOn D2ng; De+ense Secretary o+ Vitnam visite0
Spratlys) BrETng Sa.
&JQ
$DJQ Decem*er( !alaysia occupie0 XY Vdn (!ariveles .ee+) an0 Xiu
Ngxa (r0rasier .ee+)
$DJS !ay $Q to ?une Q( -hinese practice0 naval 0rills in Spratlys)BrETng
Sa .egion.
Novem*er $#( -hinese naval +orce lan0e0 on :uisa coral ree+
$DJJ !arch $%( -hinese Navy provo'e0 @ar Vitnam ha0 three sea
transportation ships *urne0; S% missing sailors an0 -hina occupie0
these( /iery -ross .ee+; -uarteron .ee+; Haven .ee+; ?ohnson .ee+;
5l BE NghIa; an0 Su*i .ee+. S.V government in+orme0 the pN an0
sent 0iplomatic note to o*Uect this action o+ P.- an0 suggeste0 tal's to
resolve the con+lict; *ut P.- continue0 to occupy these ree+s an0 roc'
aggregates as @ell as re+use0 tal's.
pril $&( P.- esta*lishe0 Hainan province @hich inclu0e Wisha ) 7
an0
Nansha ) archipelagoes. Bhe !inistry o+ /oreign ++airs o+ S.V
sent an o*Uection message on pril $%.
pril "C( Bhe !inistry o+ /oreign ++airs o+ S.V presente0
0ocuments on P.-,:S)Ho8ng Sa an0 Spratlys)BrETng Sa an0
repeate0 the proposal to resolve peace+ully.
$DJD P.- place0 sovereignty mar'ings on the roc' aggregates an0 *an's
they occupie0 in $DJJ.
ugust $%( S.V 0eci0e0 to esta*lish an area calle0 the ?oint
,conomic; Scienti+ic an0 Services area in BE -hvnh; HuyGn Brdn; 1uO
5ETng; Phc Bbn; Phc NguyAn 3an's in the -ontinental shel+ o+
Vitnam at coor0inates( S)J&# North an0 $#D)$$""# ,ast.
$DD# pril "J( Bhe !inistry o+ /oreign ++airs o+ S.V o*Uecte0 the P.-s
installing (sovereignty) sla*s on ,l0a0 .ee+ in BrETng Sa islan0s.
$DD$ !ay "C( 3eiUing announce0 a result o+ J years o+ scienti+ic e`pe0ition
&JS
(since $DJ%) in Nansha ) .
Novem*er $#( :ea0ers o+ Vitnam an0 -hina signe0 a communiiuZ
regar0ing the normaliâtion o+ relations *et@een t@o countries.
$DD" /e*ruary "C( P.- State -ouncil announce0 -hinas Sea :a@s; its
vicinity; an0 the $" nautical miles territorial @ater. Pt asserte0 -hinese
territory inclu0es the +our archipelagoes( DhongSa (Pratas Pslan0s);
Wisha ) 7 (Paracels Pslan0s); Nansha ) (Spratly Pslan0s) an0
zhoung Sa (!accles+iel0 3an')
!ay J( Pn a contract @ith a pS oil company to e`plore an0 ,`ploit a
"C."CC siuare 'm parcel in a region calle0 Van npei "$ *y the
-hinese; P.- again violate the continental shel+ o+ Vitnam.
!ay $Q( Bhe !inistry o+ /oreign ++airs o+ S.V 0eclare0 the a*ove
contract invali0 an0 it violate0 the sovereignty as @ell as e`clusive
economic ône o+ Vitnam.
!ay "$( Bai@an accepte0 its la@s on sovereignty an0 sea territory
inclu0ing Nansha ) (BrETng Sa) islan0s on !ay "%; the !inistry
o+ /oreign ++airs o+ S.V ma0e o*Uection to this acceptance an0
rea++irme0 its sovereignty on Ho8ng Sa an0 BrETng Sa
?uly Q( P.- place0 sovereignty mar'ing on 5l :<c (" nautical miles
south o+ Haven .ee+) o*Uection *y S.V @as ma0e on ?uly $D.
9cto*er $( -hinas Premier :i Peng 0eclare0( P hope the sovereignty
o+ the Nansha ) archipelago can *e put asi0e; so that @e can;
together @ith other countries; utiliê them.
9cto*er $"( Vitnam an0 -hina tal'e0 on *or0er an0 territory;
starting in 3eiUing. B@o si0es e`change0 vie@points.
Decem*er "%( Premiers V V=n Xit an0 :i Peng agree0 to 0iscuss to
a0Uust 0i++erences on *or0er an0 territory on lan0 an0 at sea.

&JJ
APP+NDI@ :
After the "reentat!on of The .octoral the!
Ne@ evi0ences a*out Vitnams Sovereignty over Paracels & Spratlys @as translate0 into
,nglish *y 1u7Ho8ng
P:3S.$..eport o+ the chie+ o+ sta++; Ph<m 1uYnh; to ,mperor 3>o 5ng Ngi in the $D
th
century
&D#
&D$
&D"
&D&
&D%
Page +rom Hai @ai Ui shi V ($QDC) @hose the author; -i Da -an ; @as a -hinese mon' un0er the perio0 o+ Xhang Hy;
to 0escri*e his trip in -o)-hinchina an0 accept 5<iVits sovereignty over Paracels an0 Spratlys.

&DC
Docu&ent
.oyally Vie@e0 Documents (chdu *>n) o+ Nguyn Dynasty in the $Dth century
(*iengioilanhtho.go.n!)
Bhe +ollo@ing translation is the summary in 0etails o+ the original .VD (.oyally
Vie@e0 Documents (chau *an) o+ Nguyn Dynasty in the $D
th
century; @ritten in
Vitnamese 9l0 -haracters an0 trans+erre0 into mo0ern latin Vitnamese language).
Bhese historical 0ocuments are in evi0ence +or the authority o+ the nation o+ Viet)
Nam ; @hich ha0 really governe0 H9NH)S (Paracels islan0s) in early 0eca0es o+ the
$D
th
century. No country can prove that ; once upon a time ; they ha0 the true action in
governing Paracels islan0s. Bhese precious proo+s o+ .oyally Vie@e0 Documents (chau
&DQ
*an) o+ Nguyn Dynasty ; create0 in Hue; @ere supporte0 *y pN,S-9 to *e
categoriê0 in co0ing an0 num*ering systems; an0 to *e store0 in the National Storage
-enter o+ Viet)Nam.
Bhere are many other evi0ences +or the government o+ Viet)Nam Xing0om on
Paracels islan0s; @e Uust represent several num*ers o+ .VD @hich @ere promulgate0
on the @e*)site( @@@.*iengioilanhtho.gov.vn o+ the -ommittee o+ 3or0ers *elonge0 to
the Department o+ /oreign ++airs in Viet)Nam.
Pn years o+ $J&#; $J&&; $J&C an0 $J&S; a series o+ a0ministrative actions @ere
continuously operate0 in H9NH)S islan0s. /irst; an o++icer o+ the 'ing0om; the goal)
'eeper o+ Da)Nang har*or; reporte0 to his !aUesty ho@ he rescue0 an0 save0 lives o+
the /rench *usiness man an0 the cre@ on his ship; to get ri0 o+ the inci0ent o+ their
*oat agroun0 on a san0 *an'. Secon0ly; in $J&&; -a*inet o+ Hue -ourt reporte0 to the
Xing; the Uu0gment o+ case Ph<m)v=n)Sanh; @ho @as the *oat lea0er an0 he ma0e a
mista'e o+ miscounting the num*er o+ @or'ers ; serving their mission on Hoang)Sa
islan0s an0 *eing iuali+ie0 to get the recompense. :ater on; in $J&C; $J&S;0i++erent
0epartments o+ the Vitnamese government; such as Department o+ Pnterior; Department
o+ De+ense; Department o+ ?ustice ; all @or'ing together an0 reporting to the Xing a
lot o+ Uu0gment an0 proposal +or the troop per+orming the operation in 0uties at
Paracels islan0s.
Bhose are the case o+( Ph<m)v=n)NguyAn; lea0er group o+ @or'ers; all @ere assigne0
to achieve mission 0uties on Paracels islan0s; ho@ever; they 0elaye0 the timing +or
return trip; an0 the men @hose 0uties @ere 0ra@ing maps accomplishe0 their Uo*s
improperly they @ere suggeste0 to *e punishe0 *y @hipping J# stic's per each
person; *ut +inally their physical punishment @as @aive0 @ith the mercy o+ the
government the other o++icers an0 @or'ers @ho complete0 their Uo* 0uty in
operation o+ Paracels islan0s very @ell @ere meritorious to receive the re@ar0.
Pn conclusion; a chain o+ events; in the operations on Paracels islan0s; @ere minor;
they @ere not the top level o+ important actions o+ the government at that moment;
some ho@; many 0i++erent 0epartments (Department o+ Pnterior; Department o+ De+ense;
Department o+ ?ustice) must *e involve0 in 0i++erent investigation; Uu0gment an0
suggestion +or the right solution. Bhe reports they ma0e to their Xing sho@e0 that
there @as very important concern an0 reason to 0o research operation on Paracels
islan0s; also the e++ects o+ more than several 0epartments an0 the -a*inet o+
Xing0om put their serious services in action; ho@ important in0ee0 as it @as.
5dy c2ng l8 *ng chMng lLch sK cu th4 mang tvnh nh8 nEc r r8ng nhyt m8 'h6ng c *dt cM
nEc n8o c mE}c vG sx chiOm hcu thet sx & thxc thi cht iuyGn tn iui gil n8y cta
triGu mhnh nh8 Nguyn HuO m mE}c pnesco hq tr} sn ha v8 lEu trc tn hin m mE}c
c6ng *n trAn trang @e*site.@@@.*iengioilanhtho.gov.vn cta 3an 3iAn Hii thu]c 3] Ngo<i
Hiao Vit Nam.
Brong nhcng n=m $J&#; $J&&;$J&C; $J&S t vic viAn iuan tht ngx cKa *i4n 58 Nng tdu
lAn Vua vG vic cMu n<n 0oanh nhdn ngETi Phlp m_c n<n Ho8ng Sa n=m $J&# mOn n=m
$J&& vic cg iuan N]i -lc triGu mhnh HuO tdu trhnh vic ph<t viAn lli thuyGn Ph<m V=n SAnh
'hai man sn ngETi mi c6ng tlc Ho8ng Sa rRi mOn n=m $J&C; $J&S clc *] H];*] 3inh; 3]
Hhnh v8o cu]c tdu lAn Vua vG vu cai m]i Ho8ng Sa Ph<m V=n NguyAn mi c6ng tlc nhE v *>n
mR Ho8ng Sa vG tr n<i; *L ph<t v8 thEng nhcng ngETi 'hlc c6ng 'h nhoc mi c6ng tlc
&DS
Ho8ng Sa.Vic tuy nh| m8 t *] H]; *] 3inh;3] Hhnh ph>i tdu trinh lAn Vua mt cho ta thyy
Ho8ng Sa iuan trong v8 mE}c BriGu mhnh nh8 Nguyn iuan tdm v8 phZp nEc nghiAm mOn
nhE thO n8o( nhT 0Lch thAm mo<n v=n n8y)
9n the 0ay "S o+ the Q
th
month in the $$
th
year o+ !inh !ang Xings
monarchy ($J&#); man0arin (mayor) Nguyn)v=n)Ngc; the goal)'eeper o+ Har*or Da)
Nang; reporte0 to the Xing the +act that a group o+ merchants; inclu0e0 a /rench
merchant D9)9)-HP):N an0 his Vitnamese partner () :A)1uang)1u7nh; saile0 to
Philippines +or tra0ing; +ace0 an acci0ent on their commercial cargo ship at H9NH)
S (Paracels islan0s). Nguyn)van)Ngu; lea0er o+ Da)Nang har*or; once @as in+orme0
the inci0ent; sent the coast)guar0 patrol ship to rescue them on scene.
-hdu *>n triGu Nguyn ng8y "S thlng Q n=m !inh !nh thM $$ ($J&#)
Ng8y "S thlng Q n=m !inh !nh thM $$ ($J&#); 1uan Bht ngx cKa *i4n 58 Nng l8
Nguyn V=n Ngc tdu trhnh vic cht thuyGn *u6n ngETi Phlp 56))-hi):y c[ng phli viAn
ngETi Vit :A 1uang 1uYnh mi *u6n *ln :c Bnng (Phi)lip)pin) gp n<n t<i Ho8ng Sa. Bht
ngx Nguyn V=n Ngc mE}c *lo m sai thuyGn tubn tiu cMu ho.
&DJ
Page "\
Branslation o+ the content o+ Nguyn)van)Ngus report.
P; the o++icer o+ the 'ing0om; the goal)'eeper o+ the har*or o+ Da)Nang;
respect+ully reporte0 !aUesty (
t the hour o+ Biger (a*out &)C !);on the 0ay "#
th
o+ this month; the /rench
o@ner o+ a commercial ship; D9)9)-HP):N; an0 his co)pilot N)D9 an0 the other
partners such as :e)1uang)1uynh; saile0 to Philippines +or tra0ing merchan0ise; as
@as reporte0 previously.
t the hour o+ Biger (&)C !); 0ay "S
th
; the co)pilot an0 $$ sailors @ere
appeare0 on a light *oat; lan0ing on the har*or. Bhey sai0 that a*out the same time
(Biger hour &)C !) on 0ate0 "$
st
o+ this month; their *ig ship @as agroun0 on a
san0 *an'; at the @est si0e o+ H9NH)S (Paracels islan0s) the ship @as +loo0e0
over J +eet (). Ship cre@ 0iscusse0 an0 0eci0e0 to gathering all valua*le items
(money; eiuipments an0 +oo0) storage in t@o *oès; an0 0ivi0e0 all men an0
materials getting into t@o small light *oats; an0 +inally trie0 to get *ac' lan0 shore
*y the *lo@ing @in0. Ho@ever; the light *oat ; @ith the /rench o@ner D9)9)-HP):N
an0 his partner (assistant ) an0 money; 0eparte0 later ; 0i0 not sho@ o++.
P hurrie0 sen0ing the coast)guar0 ship at the har*or; carrie0 0rin'ing @ater;
sailing +or searching the victims on sea)acci0ent.
/ortunately; at noon time (hour o+ Horse$$ !) $ P!); @e +oun0 D9)9)-HP)
:N; his partner (assistant ) an0 $C sailors; an0 *rought them *ac' to the har*or all
men an0 money are sa+e. /ello@ men o+\an0 :e)1uang)1uynh iuote0 they @ere
totally e`hauste0; an0 as'e0 +or several 0ays o+ leave)a*sent to rest; an0 @hen they
@ere recovere0 +rom the 0angerous inci0ent they came *ac' to the capital right a
@ay +or the 0uties.
P; o++icer o+ !aUesty; care+ully sent this complete0 report @ith responsi*ility.
&DD
Date( "S
th
0ay; Q
th
month; !inh)!ang s $$
th
year ($J&#).
(signature( Nguyn)van)Ngu
Vith proo+ o+ sealing printe0)
Storage location o+ this 0ocument National Storage (rchives) -enter
-o0e /ol0er %&; page CJ.
DLch nghIa(
Bhbn l8 Nguyn V=n Ngc chMc Bht ngx cKa *i4n 58 Nng ch_p tay 0ep mbu tr=m l<y 'vnh
cn tdu vic(
HiT Dbn ng8y "# thlng n8y; cht thuyGn *u6n Ph :ng Sa ($) l8 56)6)chi)ly c[ng B8i
ph N)ma v8 *on phli viAn :A 1uang 1uYnh mi thuyGn iua :c Bnng (") *u6n *ln; vic m
tdu *lo. HiT Dbn ng8y "S ch}t thyy B8i ph N)ma v8 $$ thty tht mi m]t chiOc thuyGn nh
v8o cKa tyn (&); ni canh hai ng8y "$ thlng n8y; thuyGn iua phva tdy Ho8ng Sa *L m_c c<n;
nEc ngep v8o thuyGn hgn tlm thEc. BhEgng thuyGn m *8n *<c 0on gyp hai rEgng (%) tiGn
*<c c6ng c[ng m]t sn 0ung cu; lEgng =n; chia nhau lAn hai chiOc thuyGn nh| theo gi tr vG
*T. NhEng thuyGn cta 56)6)chi)ly c[ng phli viAn; tiGn *<c mi sau chEa thyy vG. Bhbn lep tMc
sMc cho thuyGn tubn tiu tyn mang nEc ngot ra *i4n thm 'iOm. Nay ìn tdu *lo l8 mOn giT
Ngo thh gp 56)6)chi)ly c[ng phli viAn; thty tht $C ngETi; hin m mEa vG tyn; ngETi v8 tiGn
*<c mGu an to8n. -jn clc phli viAn l8 *on :A 1uang 1uYnh mGu ni *L mt; 'it sMc; ìn ngh
nggi v8i h6m; sau 'hi *hnh phuc s lep tMc vG 'inh m4 thi h8nh c6ng vu. Bhbn ìn so<n tep
tdu; 'vnh cn tdu trhnh mby mt. Bhbn 'h6n ìOt run s}. Xvnh tdu.
Ng8y "S thlng Q n=m !inh !nh thM $$ ($J&#)
Bhbn Nguyn V=n Ngc '7
rv=n *>ns c yn cta Bht ngx cKa *i4n 58 Nng v8 Ngx tiGn chi *>o
-h thvch(
$) BMc nEc Phlp
") BMc nEc Phi)lip)pin
&) Bhuet ngc ch cKa *i4n
%) .Egng( hjm
Ngi lEu trc( Brung tdm :Eu trc iunc gia P.
X7 hiu( Bep %&; tT CJ.
Page &\
.oyal Vie@e0 Document (+rom -a*inet o+ the Nguyn Xing0om; 0ate0 ( 0ay ""
n0
;
month $$
th
; !inh)!ang monarchy s $%
th
year. ($J&&)).
Bhe -a*inet (Prime !inister) reporte0 that !r.Pham)van)Senh @ho @as assigne0
to achieve his mission in H9NH)S (Paracels islan0s); a+ter coming *ac';
sho@e0 the @rong num*er o+ men @ho @ere involve0 in per+orming their
0uties; so that the re@ar0s given to those people remaine0 some e`tra money
(not match in true actions). Bhis e`tra money @ere stll hol0; an0 @ere
%##
consi0ere0 very little; that @the reason the ca*inet as'e0 the mercy o+ !aUesty
to avoi0 trial the miscounting mista'e create0 *y !r. Senh.
-hdu *>n triGu Nguyn ng8y "")$$ n=m !inh !nh thM $% ($J&&)
N]i clc tdu trhnh 6ng Ph<m V=n SAnh mi thxc hin c6ng vu Ho8ng Sa; 'hi tr vG m 'A
'hai sai sn ngETi mi thxc hin c6ng vu nAn vic *an thEng c sn tha. Sn tiGn *<c tha chEa
lInh; m8 l<i iul vt; nAn N]i clc ìn gia dn cho min `Zt t]i cho 6ng SAnh.
%#$
Page %\
.eport o+ -a*inet
Prince Vinh)Buong su*mitte0 the 0eman0 o+ nominate0 name. Bhe -a*inet +ollo@e0 the
.oyal :a@ to eàmine the particular title names; use0 +or the .oyal +amily Bree; then
respect+ully reiuest the !aUesty to en0o@ the title name0 Hong.
reporter o+ Department o+ De+ense ma0e claim that Bhree groun0)
siua0s o+ the province 3inh)Bhuan @ere com*ine0 an0 re)0ivi0e0 in t@o ne@
siua0s. Ho@ever; that 0epartment still suggeste0 nominating Phan)van)3inh as
title0 as the +oreman (or chie+ o+ canton or !anager or Sergeant or
-orporal) +or the &
r0
siua0. Bhis proposal @as a mista'e hence; the -a*inet
suggeste0 to *ring the mem*er o+ sta++ @ho involve0 in this a++air to a trial.
nother +ile o+ Department o+ De+ense presente0( 3ase on the +alse
0eclaration o+ the personnel name0 Pham)van)Senh @ho @as assigne0 to e`plore
H9NH)S (Paracels islan0s); an0 he saile0 @ith a group o+ $D sailors totally.
Bhe recognition +or Pham)van)Senh @as $# mai ( mai @as one currency unit
at that ancient time ($J&#)); an0 each ro@ing sailor receive0 one mai. :ater;
the agent @ho revie@e0 accounting +oun0 out one e`tra person counte0 (not
eìst at @or'). Bhis invali0 amount o+ one mai remaine0 un) e`pense0. Bhe
Department o+ De+ense reiueste0 the Department o+ Pnterior (Home 9++ice) to
issue re@ar0s on real eìste0 names. Bhe mista'e counting o+ Pham)van)Senh;
@as misse0)veri+ie0 *y the Department o+ De+ense; @oul0 *e reporte0 to *e
Uu0ge0.
%#"
Bhe -a*inet as'e0 +or a comman0 to ma'e clear that the mista'e o+
Pham)van)Senh ; @as not eàmine0 properly *y the 0epartments responsi*ility;
*rought up the e`tra re@ar0 not use0; that @as unreasona*le. Ho@ever; +inally;
the un)use0 money still remaine0 in the *u0get; an0 it @as consi0ere0 as a
little money value; then; @e propose0 to eèmpt Ph<m)v=n)Sanh +rom his +alse
0eclare0 num*er o+ personnel re@ar0s.
9ther suggestions shoul0 *e grante0 an0 rati+ie0.
P; Nguyn)DMc)Ho<t accomplishe0 the report on my 0uty.
Page C\
"; H8)B6ng)1uyGn ; o*eye0 the or0er o+ !aUesty; in+orme0 this
announcement.

Directe0 *y !aUesty; P; Bhdn)v=n)1uyGn; revie@e0 this report an0
signe0.
&; BrEgng 5=ng 1uO veri+ie0 an0 signe0.
9rigin( -a*inet
Storage location( National Storage -enter
-o0ing( /ol0er %D; page "&&)"&%
DLch nghIa(
N]i clc tdu(
Ho8ng tK VInh BETng 0dng s ìn mt tAn. 3G t6i N]i clc vdng mnh èm `Zt clc m tx
thO h nh8 vua; 'vnh ìn ch ($) *an chc HRng ().
) :<i tep tdu cta *] 3inh trhnh *by( 5]i & cg 3hnh Bhuen m chia l8m " m]i; nhEng *] yy
vn mG nghL * chMc -ai m]i m]i & cta cg yy cho Phan V=n 3hnh. Nay `Zt thyy sai `t; ìn
mem viAn chuyAn *in ty :u
viAn mE}c sai phli mi 'h>o slt Ho8ng Sa l8 Ph<m V=n SAnh; lli thuyGn c[ng thty tht cta suyt
yy l8 $D ngETi m4 mOn nqi *] yy m l8m tT phiOu nghI (&) ìn *an thEng cho viAn yy tiGn *<c
$# mai; clc viAn lli thuyGn gRm $D tAn; mqi tAn tiGn *<c m]t mai. Nay viAn yy nghI l<i thyy
%#&
tha ra $ tAn; 'h6ng gilm l8m mgn lInh sn tiGn *<c n8y. 3] m m gKi tE cho N]i vu chiOu
phlt theo thxc sn; cjn viAn iuan *] yy 'h6ng 'i4m tra; phlt hin ra chq sai; r*] yys m gKi tT
trhnh mvnh 'm ìn ph<t t]i rviAn ms.
Xvnh ìn *an (%) ch( Ph<m V=n SAnh 'hai *lo h8m hR; *] yy c2ng 'h6ng 'i4m tra l<i cho
r r8ng; m4 sg suyt l8m phiOu nghI; mOn nqi vic *an thEng tha ra m]t sn; thxc l8 'h6ng
h}p. NhEng `Zt nghI sn tiGn *<c n8y tha lInh; m8 lo.
Bhbn H8 B6ng 1uyGn vdng mnh moc 0uyt.
Vdng mnh 0uyt ln trong chdu *>n.
&) PhiOu nghI( m]t lon h8nh chvnh trong chdu *>n.
Wuyt `M( N]i clc
X7 hiu( Bep %D; tT "&& ) "&%
%#%
.oyal Vie@e0 Documents (-hdu *>n) o+ Nguyn Dynasty in the $D
th
century
(Day $&r0; month S
th
; !inh !nh monarchy s year $Q
th
($J&C)).
-a*inet reporte0 case o+ 9++icer Ph<m)v=n)NguyAn; assigne0 mission on
H9NH)S (Paracels islan0s); an0 @as sent to *e Uu0ge0 *y the -a*inet
@hen he came *ac'.
Bhe -a*inet ha0 eàmine0 this case; an0 suggeste0 as +ollo@s(
9++icer (-orporal) Ph<m)v=n)NguyAn @as repeale0 the punishment o+
@hipping; an0 @as reinstate0 to his ol0 position.
- Bhe personnel @ith 0uties o+ 0ra@ing maps 0i0 not accomplish their Uo*s
properly they @ere Supervisor () Brbn)v=n)Vdn; Nguyn)v=n)Bin;
Nguyn)v=n)Hong. ,ach o+ them @as to receive the punishment o+ J#
stic's +logging ho@ever; this punishment @as 0ismisse0 on 0eman0.
- Steering committee; consisting o+ V2)V=n)H[ng an0 Ph<m)v=n)SAnh
con0ucte0 lea0ing 0irection. Bhey got the recompense o+ three mai;
small +lying 0ragon currency;
- Sol0ers; elephants ; serve0 in this operation ; ha0 re@ar0s one iuan
(another currency unit in the ancient time) per each .Sen0ing them *ac'
to their unit; their post.
- -ivic la*orers recruite0 *y the province; e`cept t@o gui0e)@ay lea0ers;
mentione0 a*ove; @as re@ar0e0 one iuan to sho@ the solicitu0e o+
the government.
- !oreover; the civic @or'ers @ho serve0 0uring this trip; @ere not
eèmpte0 +rom their poll)ta`; an0 +urthermore; these people @ho @ere sent
to an0 returne0 home a+ter the mission last year; also receive0 a re@ar0
o+ one iuan each.
%#C
-hdu *>n triGu Nguyn ng8y $& ) S n=m !inh !nh thM $Q ($J&C)
N]i clc tdu trhnh vic cai m]i Ph<m V=n NguyAn mE}c phli mi Ho8ng sa; 'hi tr vG m c
ch giao cho 3] trL t]i. N]i clc m tra `Zt; mG nghL(
) ViAn 1u>n viAn Ph<m V=n NguyAn mE}c tha mlnh mjn v8 mE}c 'h6i phuc ln mR nhEng chEa r r8ng l8 Hilm th8nh Brbn V=n Vdn;
Nguyn V=n Bin; Nguyn V=n Hong c2ng *L ph<t J# trE}ng nhEng mGu chun cho tha.
) ViAn 0n mETng V2 V=n H[ng; Ph<m V=n SAnh thh mE}c *an thEng tiGn phi long lo<i
nh| & mai.
) -lc viAn *inh; tE}ng mi m}t n8y mE}c thEng tiGn $ iuan; cho vG mgn vL c2; cuc c2.
) -lc 0dn phu 0o tnh phli mi; tr " viAn m mE}c thEng tiGn; sn cjn l<i mGu mE}c thEng
tiGn mqi ngETi $ iuan m4 t| r sx Eu li.
) :<i chiOu `Zt; clc 0dn phu mi trong m}t n8y chEa mE}c min tr thuO thdn; l<i tra `Zt n=m
trEc 'hi mE}c phli mi rRi tr vG; nhcng 0dn phu n8y c2ng mE}c thEng tiGn m]t iuan.
%#Q
%#S
Page D\ an0 $#\
-a*inets report(
Bhe Department o+ Pnterior su*mitte0 a +ile listing the 0amage +rom the crop
harvest in this summer; an0 they suggeste0 eèmpting a part o+ taès +or t@o
provinces; H>i)DEgng an0 Bhli)NguyAn.
Bhe -a*inet eàmine0 the la@ applie0 in this case; an0 +oun0 out it @as
accepta*le. Ve entreat the !aUestys +avor on approving this proposal.
Bhree investigate0 recor0s relate0 to provinces Hia)Dinh an0 1uang)Nam
iniuire0 sen0ing those 0ocuments to ta'e legal procee0ing; +or the magistrates
@oul0 eàmine; revie@ an0 report completely.
%#J
. . . .
Previous 0ays; ,unuch Nguyn)n trans+erre0 0eman0 to as' -a*inet
e`plaining the 0elaye0 return o+ 0elegation ; inclu0ing sol0ers an0 elephant)0river;
assigne0 mission on H9NH)S. Bhe iuestiona*le su*Uect @as @hether the
lea0er Ph<m)V=n)NguyAn an0 his men 0i0 illegal sel+)interests Bhat +act must
*e prove0. P+ they 0i0 *a0 actions +or personal)interest; sen0ing them to the
Department o+ ?ustice eàmining their case i+ the truth sho@e0 their innocence;
release Ph<m)v=n)NguyAn imme0iately; 0ispense him +rom J# cane @hipping
an0 reinstate him *ac' to his ol0 position. Bhe Supervisor (Hi8m th8nh )
0ra@ing maps improperly; also receive0 the eèmption o+ J# stic's +logging.
.eal lea0ers o+ gui0ing @ay; each one got re@ar0s three mai s; small silver
currency; in0ivi0ual o++icer (@or'er ) got one iuan per each. -ivic la*orers;
( serving in this operation); i+ they 0i0 not receive eèmption +rom paying poll)
ta`; also got recompense o+ one iuan each.
-a*inet; o*eying !aUestys 0eman0; eàmine0 this case( Department o+
-onstruction an0 Department o+ ?ustice interrogate0 o++icers; sol0ers; an0 @or'ers;
all men serving in the operation at H9NH)S. 3oth Departments in+orme0 that
they accomplishe0 the investigation an0 0i0 not +in0 out anything @rong such
as sel+)interests +or these people. Bhe -a*inet also sent the o++icer Dq)3l)HRng
to Department o+ ?ustice; to co)operate in au0iting an0 Uu0ging @hose activities
@ere in the @rong. Bhe people involve0 in the intervie@e0 au0it reporte0 truly
the same; they assure0 there @ere not any @rong personal)interest in their
actions in 0uty. Bhe -a*inet gathere0 all +acts an0 +ull in+ormation to ma'e
reports to !aUesty; an0 prepare0 the suggeste0 resolve as the +ollo@ing(
Bhe corporal (military \or +oremancai iuan 0am nhan vien ) Pham)van)
Nguyn; in his mission at H9NH)S; returne0 late an0 @as sent to the
Uustice to *e interrogate0. /inally; the result o+ survey 0i0 not +in0 any proo+
to con0emn him. lso; a+ter the e`cellent achievement o+ his mission in0icate0
on the sea an0 islan0s; the success o+ his per+ormance o+ 0uty @as meritorious.
9nly he @as Uu0ge0 on his appearance @hen he came *ac' @as not
appropriate he sho@e0 haughtiness an0 @as 0eprive0 o+ o++ice an0 place0 in
Uail. He @as sent to the Uustice to *e punishe0 J# stic's @hipping later on;
a+ter the investigation @as complete0; he @as +oun0 not guilty; an0 @as restore0
to his post. 9ther o++icers; Supervisor Bran)van)Van; Nguyn)van)Bien an0
Nguyn)van)Hoang 0i0 not accomplish 0ra@ing maps properly as their assigne0
%#D
0uties; shoul0 *e punishe0 *y +logging J# cane (stic's); +inally they receive0
mercy to *e release0 +rom physical +ines.
Hui0e)@ay lea0ers Vu)van)Hung an0 Pham)van)Senh @ere re@ar0e0 three mais
each ; the small +lying 0ragon currency. Sol0ers an0 elephant)0rivers; serving
in this operation ; @ere re@ar0e0 one iuan each; an0 returne0 to their units;
their post. Bhe civic @or'ers; la*orers recruite0 *y province; e`cept t@o
persons alrea0y receiving recompense; each receive0 one iuan as a re@ar0
+rom the government.
!oreover; the civic @or'ers ; @ho serve0 in the mission o+ this year; have not
pai0 their poll)ta` yet; shoul0 have this payment @aive0. lso; they @ere sent
a@ay +or the mission last year; no@; they have returne0 an0 receive0
recompense o+ one iuan each.
Pt @as the -a*inets report.
(+ront si0e o+ previous page; erase0 J letters on line J
th
; ne`t page t@o @or0s
erase0 on line &r0; on line % t@o @or0s erase0; erase0 one @or0 on line J. /ront
si0e o+ ne`t page one @or0 erase0 on line "n0; % @or0s erase0 on line &
r0
ne`t
page; & @or0s erase0 on $
st
line totally there @ere "$ @or0s erase0.)
P; Nguyn)5Mc)Ho<t; o*eye0 !aUestys comman0; prepare0 this .VD.
P; H8)B6ng)1uyGn ; +ollo@e0 !aUestys 0eman0; revie@e0 this 0ocument.
Nguyn)Vdn ; carrie0 out maUestys or0er; revie@e0 this announcement an0
signe0.
Ha)Duy)Phien veri+ie0 all 0ocument an0 in+ormation re+erence an0 signe0.

9rigin( -a*inet
Storage location ( National Storage -enter
%$#
-o0e( /ol0er C%; page D%
DLch nghIa(
N]i clc tdu(
3] H] 0dng m]t tep ($) trhnh *by vG sx thit hm m]t
phbn cho " tnh H>i DEgng Bhli NguyAn. 3] thbn vdng mnh chiOu `Zt theo l l8 ph[ h}p.
Xvnh ìn ch *an cho chun y lTi tdu.
) :n slch (") thm tra cta Hia 5Lnh; # guang nan. Xvnh ìn *an ch giao cho
tam phlp ty c[ng nhau èm `Zt; rRi tyu trhnh l<i mby mt.
)
) :<i h6m trEc; N]i gilm Nguyn n chuy4n truyGn cet vyn *G t6i rN]is clc vG vic lbn
n8y clc viAn *inh tE}ng mE}c sai phli mi Ho8ng Sa tr vG iul h<n. ViAn cai m]i Ph<m V=n
NguyAn c[ng nhcng ngETi n8o c hay 'h6ng nhcng tE t; cbn ph>i ni thxc. NOu c tE t gh
ph>i giao cho *] Hhnh nghL t]i; nOu 'h6ng c tE t gh thh lep tMc tha cho Ph<m V=n NguyAn
'h6ng ph<t mjn J# trE}ng v8 'h6i phuc ln mR
'h6ng r r8ng *L ph<t mjn J# trE}ng nhEng mGu cho tha. 5vch 0anh clc viAn 0n mETng mqi
viAn mE}c thEng tiGn *<c lon vdng theo mnh lnh cta
nh8 vEa; *] -6ng c[ng *] Hhnh m vn h|i clc viAn *inh minh mi c6ng cln Ho8ng Sa. NhEng
h|i " *] n8y; hai *] m tr> lTi rng *] m tra h|i nhEng ho 'h6ng c tE t gh. 3G t6i rN]is clc
l<i sai thu]c viAn 5q 3l HRng c[ng *] Hhnh l<i vn h|i mi; h|i l<i clc viAn *inh tE}ng n8y;
thh vn 'hai thxc nhE trEc; rhos l<i mEa ra cam 'Ot mby mt; 'h6ng c ngETi n8o c tE t gh.
Vey *G t6i rN]is clc cM thxc phc trhnh mby mt; ìn theo lTi nghL *8n. r3G t6i N]i clcs vdng
mnh truyGn 0u(
-ai m]i Ph<m V=n NguyAn mE}c phli mi Ho8ng Sa; 'hi tr vG 0Gnh 08ng iul h<n; m c
ch giao cho 3] trL t]i. NhEng iua tra `Zt; chEa thyy c *i4u hin tE t. V> l<i; lbn n8y mE}c
phli mi ra *i4n thxc hin c6ng vu chu mlo; ryt mlng mE}c 0x thEng. Duy 1u>n viAn Ph<m
V=n NguyAn 'hi tr vG; c sx tx mn; mi ln mR nhEng chEa r r8ng l8 Hilm th8nh Brbn V=n Vdn;
%$$
Nguyn V=n Bin; Nguyn V=n Hong c2ng *L ph<t J# trE}ng nhEng mGu chun cho tha.
ViAn 0n mETng l8 V2 V=n H[ng; Ph<m V=n SAnh thh mE}c *an thEng tiGn phi long lo<i nh|
& mai. -lc viAn *inh; tE}ng mi m}t n8y mE}c thEng tiGn $ iuan; cho vG mgn vL c2; cuc c2.
-lc 0dn phu 0o tnh phli mi; tr " viAn m mE}c thEng tiGn; sn cjn l<i mGu mE}c thEng tiGn
mqi ngETi $ iuan m4 t| r sx Eu li.
) :<i chiOu `Zt; clc 0dn phu mi trong m}t n8y chEa mE}c min tr thuO thdn; l<i tra `Zt n=m
trEc; nhcng 0dn phu n8y mE}c phli mi; 'hi tr vG; c2ng mE}c thEng tiGn m]t iuan. Vey ìn
tyu trhnh.
(mt trEc cta trang trEc; 0jng thM J ty J chc; trang sau 0jng thM & ty " chc; 0jng thM
% ty " chc 0jng thM J ty $ chc. !t trEc cta trang sau 0jng thM hai ty $ chc 0jng thM &
ty % chc trang sau 0jng thM nhyt ty & chc gRm "$ chc.
Bhbn Nguyn 5Mc Ho<t vdng mnh so<n th>o
Bhbn H8 B6ng 1uyGn vdng mnh moc 0uyt.
Vdng mnh moc 0uyt Nguyn V=n '7
5Egng trxc mni chiOu H8 Duy PhiAn '7.
Wuyt `M( N]i clc
X7 hiu( Bep C%; tT D%
Pages $#\
.oyal Vie@e0 Documents o+ Nguyn Dynasty
Date0( 0ay $$
th
; month S
th
; !inh !enh monarchys year $J
th
($J&S)
Bhe Department o+ Pnteriors (-ivil Status) reiuest +or +ive 0ays to investigate
the +act that the mayor o+ province 1uang)Ngai as'e0 +or hiring local
resi0ents to *e civic la*orers @or'ing +or missions in H9NH)S as pu*lic
service. Bhe Department @as @aiting +or this reiuest to *e approve0.
-hdu *>n triGu Nguyn ng8y $$)S n=m !inh !nh thM $J ($J&S)
3] H] tdu ìn cho *] C ng8y m4 'A cMu thm tra vic iuan tnh 1u>ng Ngi trhnh *8y thuA
0dn phu mOn `M Ho8ng Sa thxc hin c6ng vu; ìn cho mE}c iuyOt toln.
%$"

%$&
Page $%\
%$%
.eport o+ Department o+ Pnterior (Home 9++ice\ -ivil Status) (
. Provinces 3_c)Ninh; H>i)DEgng; Bhli)NguyAn su*mitte0 reiuest
presenting the price o+ rice in the month; an0 inclu0e0 reports a*out the
@eather an0 the situation o+ agriculture on +arming. Bhe Department reverently
as'e0 +or !aUestys or0er.
.VD( ac'no@le0gment o*ey the comman0.
. list o+ Sgn)Bdy s report as'ing the 0ecision o+ rice e`penses to cover
+or the pro0uction la*els o+ 5ng *8i (@hipping ropes); 38i 0ao ('nives);
Phlc 0ao (lance; spear).
. nother roll report +rom province 1uang)Nam represente0 the payment
+or rice e`penses to hiring civic @or'ers going to H9NH)S to per+orm
their pu*lic mission 0uties; Department 0e+erentially reiueste0 !aUestys
0ecision. Bo carry out this operation; Department respect+ully as'e0 +or the
permit o+ +ive 0ays to 0o research then creating the report to !aUesty.
P; Nguyn 3>o; o*eye0 the or0er; prepare0 this report.
Ve; 58o)-hi)Phu; Nguyn)5_c)Bri; o*eye0 the comman0; revie@e0 this
announcement.
9rigin( Department o+ Pnterior
Storage :ocation ( National Storage -enter
-o0e( /ol0er CS; page "$#
Page $C\
%$C
9ther in+ormation(
.oyal Vie@e0 Documents o+ Nguyn Dynasty
Date0( 0ay $&
th
; month S
th
; !inh !enh monarchys year $Q
th
; ($J&C)
-a*inet; o*eye0 !aUestys or0er; announce0 these comman0s(
!aUesty re@ar0e0 the people @ho accomplishe0 their mission 0uties in
H9NH)S islan0s;
inclu0ing the +ollo@ing men(
- !anager (+oreman ) Ph<m)v=n)NguyAn @as 0eprive0 o+ o++ice; hel0 in
stoc's. He came *ac' late; *ehin0 the sche0ule0 time. -a*inet
eàmine0 the punishment reserve0 +or him to *e @hippe0 J# stic's
a+ter@ar0; he receive0 mercy to *e release0 +rom punishment; an0
allo@e0 reinstatement to his ol0 position.
- Bhe o++icers @ith responsi*ilities to 0ra@ing maps; an0 @ho 0i0 not
per+orm their Uo*s properly; @ere Uu0ge0 to *e @hippe0 J# stic's each
person they @ere Supervisor Brbn)v=n)Vdn; Nguyn)v=n)Bin an0
Nguyn v=n Hong. /inally; they @ere @aive0 the punishment *y the
mercy o+ !aUesty.

- Hui0e)@ay lea0ers V2)v=n)H[ng an0 Ph<m)v=n)SAnh receive0
recompense three mais each; 'in0 o+ small +lying 0ragon currency.
- ,lephant)0rivers an0 troops serving in this operation @ere re@ar0e0 one
iuan each; an0 returne0 to their ol0 unit; ol0 post.
- -ivic @or'ers (la*orers) recruite0 *y province; e`cept t@o persons @ho
alrea0y receive0 their re@ar0s; each receive0 recompense o+ one iuan
as the +avor o+ the government.
%$Q
DLch nghIa(
3] H] tdu(
-lc tnh 3_c Ninh; H>i DEgng; Bhli NguyAn mGu 0dng s trhnh *by gil g<o trong thlng v8
'm theo *>n tETng trhnh vG thnh hhnh thTi tiOt n_ng mEa; c2ng nhE c6ng vic nh8 n6ng. 3]
thbn cung 'vnh ìn *an ch.
r-hdu phAs *iOt rRi. Hy tudn mnh
) :ng Ngi trhnh *by vic vdng mnh chi tiGn g<o thuA 0dn phu
mOn `M Ho8ng Sa thxc hin c6ng vu; ìn cho mE}c iuyOt toln. Vic n8y 3] thbn ìn trong C
ng8y m4 'A cMu; rRi tyu trhnh l<i.
Bhbn Nguyn 3>o vdng mnh so<n th>o.
Bhbn 58o -hv Pht Bhbn Nguyn 5_c Brv vdng mnh moc 0uyt.

Wuyt `M( 3] H]
Ngi lEu trc( Brung tdm :Eu trc iunc gia P
X7 hiu( tep sn CS; tT "$#
-lc tin 'hlc(
-hdu *>n triGu Nguyn ng8y $&)S n=m !inh !nh thM $Q ($J&C)
N]i clc vdng mnh truyGn 0u(
Nhcng ngETi mi thxc hin c6ng vu Ho8ng Sa mE}c Nh8 vua *an thEng.
) 1u>n viAn Ph<m V=n NguyAn m *L clch chMc; *L *_t g6ng. Nay vG iul h<n; 3] `Zt ph<t
mlnh mjn J# trE}ng nhEng gia dn; ln mR l8 Hilm th8nh Brbn V=n Vdn; Nguyn V=n Bin;
Nguyn V=n Hong v *>n mR chEa r r8ng c2ng *L ph<t J# trE}ng nhEng mGu chun cho tha.
) ViAn 0n mETng V2 V=n H[ng; Ph<m V=n SAnh thh mE}c *an thEng tiGn phi long lo<i
nh| & mai.
) -lc viAn lvnh trong tE}ng; cuc mi m}t n8y mE}c thEng tiGn $ iuan; cho vG mgn vL c2; cuc
c2.
) -lc 0dn phu 0o tnh phli mi; tr " viAn m mE}c thEng tiGn; sn cjn l<i mGu mE}c thEng
tiGn mqi ngETi $ iuan m4 t| r sx Eu li.
%$S
Page $S\
%$J
!em*ers o+ -a*inet @ere Ha)Bong)1uyen an0 Hoang)1uynh; o*eye0
!aUestys or0er;
announce0 the comman0s o+ !aUesty(
Bhe +oreman Ph<m)V=n)NguyAn; assigne0 going to H9NH)S ;
ho@ever; a+ter mission @as complete0; he 0elaye0 the return trip *ehin0 the
sche0ule0 time; hence he @as sent to the Uustice to *e eàmine0. +ter the
investigation @as 0one; Department o+ ?ustice 0i0 not +in0 any proo+ o+ illegal
personal)interest 0one. lso; 0uring the operation on the sea an0 islan0s; he
achieve0 the mission 0uties very @ell. He @as Uu0ge0 on his appearance in
coming *ac'; he sho@e0 o++ very haughty; then he @as 0eprive0 o+ o++ice an0
hel0 in stoc's (con+ine0 in Uail ). He reserve0 to *e punishe0 +or @hipping J#
stic's. :ater on; the complete0 investigation sho@e0 he @as not guilty. Bhe
+inal Uu0gment allo@e0 him *e restore0 his position. 9ther o++icers; supervisor
Bryn)v=n)Vdn; Nguyn)v=n)Bin an0 Nguyn)v=n)Hong 0i0 not accomplish their
0uties in 0ra@ing maps properly they shoul0 *e punishe0 *y +logging J#
cane(s) +ter@ar0; they receive0 mercy to *e release0 +rom physical +ine.
Hui0e)@ay lea0ers V2)v=n)H[ng an0 Ph<m)v=n)SAnh @ere re@ar0e0 three
mais (small +lying 0ragon currency) each. Sol0ers an0 elephant)0rivers;
serving in this operation; ha0 re@ar0 o+ one iuan each; an0 returne0 to their
ol0 unit; their ol0 post. Bhe civic @or'ers (la*orers) recruite0 *y province;
e`cept t@o persons alrea0y receiving recompenses; each receive0 one iuan
as a re@ar0 +rom the government.
Discipline to o*ey (apply ) this comman0.
Bhe Department o+ ?ustice 'ept the re0 original paper an0 the copie0
0ocument has *een sent to the -a*inet to carry out; accor0ing to 0eman0s.
9rigin( H8 B6ng 1uyGn;
Ho8ng 1u7nh
Storage location( National
Storage -enter
DLch nghIa(
3G t6i N]i clc l8 H8 B6ng 1uyGn; Ho8ng 1u7nh vdng mnh truyGn 0u(
%$D
-ai m]i Ph<m V=n NguyAn mE}c phli mi Ho8ng Sa; 'hi tr vG 0Gnh 08ng iul h<n; m c
ch giao cho 3] trL t]i. NhEng iua tra `Zt; chEa thyy c *i4u hin l8m vic riAng tE. V> l<i;
lbn n8y mE}c phli mi ra *i4n thxc hin c6ng vu chu mlo; ryt mlng mE}c 0x thEng. Duy 1u>n
viAn Ph<m V=n NguyAn 'hi tr vG; c sx tx mn; mi ln mR chEa r r8ng l8 Hilm th8nh Brbn
V=n Vdn; Nguyn V=n Bin; Nguyn V=n Hong c2ng *L ph<t J# trE}ng nhEng mGu chun
cho tha. ViAn 0n mETng l8 V2 V=n H[ng; Ph<m V=n SAnh thh mE}c *an thEng tiGn phi long
lo<i nh| & mai. -lc viAn lvnh trong tE}ng; cuc mi m}t n8y mE}c thEng tiGn $ iuan; cho vG
mgn vL c2; cuc c2. -lc 0dn phu 0o tnh phli mi; tr " viAn m mE}c thEng tiGn; sn cjn ln giyy m| v8 sao chZp gKi N]i clc m4 ch4u theo thi h8nh.

Wuyt `M( H8 B6ng 1uyGn;Ho8ng 1u7nh
Ngi lEu trc( Brung tdm :Eu trc 1unc gia P
X7 hiu( tep( C%; tT D"

%"#
Part II
So&e "a"er by Dr Nguyn Nh at c!ent!f!c conference !n
$!%tna& an. o#erea>
(>1> *IST,RICA3 :ACG2R,UND T, T*+ DISPUT+ ,4 $I%TNAMrS
S,$+R+I2NTY ,$+R T*+ PARAC+3 AND SPRAT3Y IS3ANDSM CAUS+S
AND S,3UTI,NS
Hn NguyAn Nguyn Nh ($)
($) Ph.D. in History; Vitnamese ssociation o+ Historical Sciences
HPSB9.P-: 3-XH.9pND :,DPNH pP B9 BH, P::,H:
,WP:9.BP9N 9/ BH, P.-,: PS:NDS 3N BH, H9V,.N!,NB 9/
HpNHD9NH P.9VPN-, (-HPN) PN $D#D ND BH, -9NBPNpPNH VP9:BP9NS
9/ VPBN!S S9V,.,PHNBN 9V,. BH, P.-,: PS:NDS pNBP: $D&# VH,N
BH, /.,N-H -9:9NP: H9V,.N!,NB -HNH,D PBS VP,V
s a result o+ the /rench invasion in $JCJ; Vitnam lost its 0iplomatic autonomy. Pt
lost its sovereignty un0er the last treaty signe0 @ith /rance in $JJ% an0 @as po@erless to
protect its sovereignty over the Paracel Pslan0s against +oreign invasion.
Pt @as 0uring the perio0 o+ /rench 0omination that; accor0ing to Huang^hou press o+
the time; the Hovernment o+ Huang0ong Province (-hina) le0 *y Hovernor zhang .en ?un
sent; +or the +irst time; a small +leet o+ the 1ing Dynasty to e`plore the Paracel Pslan0s
in ?une $D#D. Bhis e`ploration @as illegal *ecause the Paracel Pslan0s ha0 *elonge0 to
Vitnam +or centuries. Bhe islan0s @ere collectively 'no@n in Vitnam as Ho8ng Sa; @hich
is SinoVitnamese +or -lt V8ng (Hol0en San0) or -Rn V8ng (Hol0en Dune).
%"$
Bhe name Wisha ( ) (Vest San0) +or the Paracel Pslan0s @as a0opte0 *y the
Hovernment o+ Huang0ong only a+ter the event o+ 9cto*er $D#S 0uring @hich the 1ing
Hovernment ha0 succee0e0 in 0riving a@ay a ?apanese tra0ers group name0 Nishiâ@a
Noshi'sugu; @hich occupie0 Pratas Pslan0 +or three months (+rom the "
n0
o+ ?uly $D#S). +ter
that; the government o+ Huang0ong rename0 Pratas Dongsha (,ast San0); originally the
name o+ an islan0 o++ the coast o+ Huang0ong; @hich ha0 *een unam*iguously recor0e0 in
the map -oastal tlas +oun0 in the *oo' :an0 an0 Sea -hirograph (Hai Huo Ven ?ian :u
VA) @ritten *y -hen :un ?un (a -hinese author) in $S&#.
Bhere @as no 0ou*t that the /rench colonial government @as a@are o+ that illegal
survey. Pn +act; the letter sent *y the /rench -onsul Heneral 3eauvais in Huang^hou to the
/rench !inister +or /oreign ++airs on the %
th
o+ !ay $D#D clearly reveale0 the -hinese
intention to violate Vitnams sovereignty over Paracel Pslan0s @hen he @rote(
s P 0i0 mention to you @hen conclu0ing my last report (No. JQ; the $
st
o+ !ay
$D#D) concerning the issues on Dongsha (Pratas); the -hinese Hovernment *egan to pay
attention to other groups o+ islan0s lying along the coast o+ the Heavenly Dynasty an0; to
some e`tent; consi0er them as part o+ the sai0 Heavenly Dynasty; inclu0ing the Paracel
Pslan0s. r!oniiue; -hemillier)Hen0reau; :a SouverainetZ sur les rchipels Paracels et
Spratleys; Paris; :Harmattan; $DDQ; p. "#Qs.
Pt is @orth noticing that the letter @as @ritten @hile the government o+ Huang^hou
@as still preparing +or the survey. Bhe e`pe0ition; @hich occurre0 later; @ith the presence o+
the Hermans; le+t Hong Xong on the "$
st
o+ !ay $D#D an0 returne0 to Huang^hou on the D
th
o+ ?une $D#D.
Pn the same letter 0ate0 the %
th
o+ !ay $D#D +rom the /rench -onsul Heneral in
Huang^hou to the /rench !inister o+ /oreign ++airs; there @ere some important points as
+ollo@s(
s a result o+ the ?apanese invasion o+ Pratas (Dongsha); the -hinese @ante0
to occupy the Paracel Pslan0s locate0 near Hainan Pslan0.
Bhe +irst illegal survey; con0ucte0 *y Vu ?ing .ong ) lS; sho@e0 that
on every islan0 o+ the Paracel Pslan0s; there @as a small shrine *uilt in stonemasonry style
(all the @alls an0 roo+s @ere *uilt @ith coral an0 sea shells) r-+. !oniiue; -hemillier)
Hen0reau; Paris; :Harmattan; $DDQ; p."#Ss.
%""
Bhe Vitnamese +ishermen at the time @ho *rought their +amilies to settle in
Paracel Pslan0s @ere cruelly persecute0. Bheir @ives an0 chil0ren @ere capture0 an0 *rought
to Hainan r-+. !oniiue; -hemillier)Hen0reau; Paris; :Harmattan; $DDQ; p. "$#s.
Bhus the /rench government @as @ell a@are o+ -hinese intent; even though it @as
only the local -hinese Hovernment that violate0 the Vitnams sovereignty over the Paracel
Pslan0s. Bhe /rench 0i0 not try to prevent the sai0 survey +or a variety o+ reasons(
/irst; the /rench at that time @as not su++iciently concerne0 @ith protecting
the sovereignty o+ nnam; a /rench protectorate un0er $JJ% Paten6tre Breaty; over those
islan0s. Bhe /rench Hovernment; as reporte0 *y 3eauvais; the /rench -onsul Heneral in
Huang^hou; neglecte0 the @arning a*out -hinese initial intentions in $D#D. Pt is o*vious that
i+ those islan0s *elonge0 to /rance or -ochinchina; a concession or colony *ut not a
protectorate; the /rench Hovernment @oul0 have ta'en imme0iate measures to avoi0 long)
term 0isputes later on. 9ther@ise; the /rench Hovernment @oul0 have *een charge0 @ith or
accuse0 o+ 0ereliction o+ 0uty *y the /rench people themselves; or *y politicians or patriots.
Secon0ly; the /rench Hovernment @as a+rai0 that such @arnings might cause
a chauvinistic movement among the -hinese; @hich coul0 0amage /rench interests in -hina.
Bhis @as in +act mentione0 *y 3eauvais in his report 0ate0 %
th
!ay $D#D sent to the /rench
!inister o+ /oreign ++airs an0 care+ully consi0ere0 *y the /rench Hovernment(
Bhere+ore; Dear !inister; i+ @e still have some *ene+its in preventing the -hinese
Hovernment +rom seiîng these groups o+ ree+s; perhaps @e might easily con0uct research
an0 esta*lish arguments that clearly prove our sovereignty an0 un0enia*le evi0ence o+ such
sovereignty. Ho@ever; i+ such a prevention is not @orth@hile; a+ter a care+ully consi0eration;
@e are perhaps *etter o++ ignoring it. 9ur intervention may generate a ne@ movement o+
chauvinism that @oul0 cause more 0amage to us than the *ene+its *rought a*out *y claiming
our sovereignty over those Paracel islan0s. r-+. !oniiue -hemillier)Hen0reau; :a
SouverainetZ sur les rchipels Paracels et Spratleys; Paris; :Harmattan; $DDQ; pp. "$$"$"s.
Pn a letter 0ate0 $%
th
?anuary $D"$ +rom the -hairman o+ the 0visory 3oar0 o+ the
/rench !inistry o+ /oreign ++airs (:e PrZsi0ent 0u -onseil; !inistre 0es ++aires
trangres) to the !inister o+ Navy; it @as also con+irme0 that the /rench Hovernment ha0
a0opte0 3eauvais recommen0ations r-+. !oniiue -hemillier)Hen0reau; p. "#Cs.
Bhir0ly; /rench colonial o++icials +rom the Hovernor Henerals Palace to the
/rench !inistry o+ -olonies an0 !inistry o+ /oreign ++airs @ere only vaguely a@are o+
Vitnams long)stan0ing sovereignty over the concerne0 islan0s. Bhere @as plenty o+
%"&
evi0ence o+ /rances limite0 a@areness. /or eàmple; 3eauvais in his o@n report 0i0 not
appear to *e certain a*out the matter *ut only state0; perhaps @e might easily con0uct
research
9n &#
th
!arch $D"$; 9r0inance no. J&$ o+ the ,ècutive 3oar0 o+ the Southern
-hinese !ilitary Hovernment; +ollo@ing a meeting on $$
th
!arch $D"$; 0eclare0 the
a0ministrative anneàtion o+ the Paracel Pslan0s to Nai Hien District o+ Hainan. 9n the Q
th
o+
!ay $D"$; i.e.; more than one month a+ter the issuance o+ this or0inance; the gency +or
Political an0 Native ++airs o+ the Hovernment Heneral o+ /rench Pn0ochina issue0 a note
ma'ing many points a*out the Paracel Pslan0s; *ase0 on eìsting 0ossiers o+ the colonial
government. Bhis note claime0 that a search o+ the archives o+ the Saigon Naval
Hea0iuarters; -ochinchina Hovernment an0 the Hovernment Heneral ha0 not locate0 any
0ocument esta*lishing e`plicitly the nationality o+ the Paracel Pslan0s. Pt @as at the moment
Pn0ochinas governor general gave instructions to investigate the nationality o+ the Paracel
Pslan0s that he receive0 a letter +rom 3eauvais; -onsul Heneral in Huang^hou; in+orming him
o+ the 0ecision o+ the Southern -hinese !ilitary Hovernment to anne` the Paracel Pslan0s to
Huang0ong Province.
Pt is clear that the Southern -hinese !ilitary Hovernments 0eclaration o+ the
anneàtion o+ Wisha ( ) (i.e. Paracel Pslan0s o+ Vitnam) to Nai Hien District; Hainan
Pslan0 o+ Huang0ong Province on &#
th
?anuary $D"$ too' place 0uring the era o+ /rench
0omination; at a time @hen Vitnam ha0 lost all its sovereignty.
Due to /rances vague a@areness o+ Vitnams sovereignty; it @as natural that the
/rench; @ho possesse0 all actual governmental po@er in Vitnam; 0i0 not actively intervene
to prevent the Huang0ong Hovernments violation o+ Vitnams sovereignty over the Paracel
Pslan0s. Pt is also clear that ha0 Vitnam ha0 its sovereignty; *eing an in0epen0ent country; or
i+ the Paracel Pslan0s ha0 actually *elonge0 to /rance; either government @oul0 consi0er the
protection o+ its territorial integrity a supreme responsi*ility. Bhus; in summary; there @as no
timely prevention o+ the Southern -hinese !ilitary Hovernments violation in $D"$ as @ell
as that o+ Huang0ong Hovernment in $D#D simply *ecause Vitnam @as 0ominate0 *y
/rance; *eing 0eprive0 o+ its sovereignty to protect the integrity o+ its territory.
Bhus; +rom Vitnams perspective; the most pro+oun0 an0 o*Uective cause lea0ing to
this unnecessary 0ispute @as the +act that Vitnam @as 0ominate0 *y /rance; an0 lost all its
sovereignty an0 a*ility to protect its o@n territory against +oreign invasion.
%"%
/rom -hinas perspective; the o*Uective cause @as the e++ect o+ the ?apanese
occupation o+ Pratas (Dongsha). -hina @ante0 to ta'e over the Paracel Pslan0s near Hainan
so as to prevent any other countries; especially the po@er+ul countries at the time; +rom ta'ing
over any islan0s in the South -hina Sea that -hina consi0ere0 as *eing terra nullius.
/rom the /rench colonial governments perspective; the su*Uective cause @as that its
o@n interests prevente0 /rance +rom intervening in a timely +ashion. Pts +ailure allo@e0
-hina to consi0er those islan0s as terra nullius an0 procee0 +urther in violating Vitnams
sovereignty over the Paracel Pslan0s.
Ho@ever; the /rench colonial government soon a+ter@ar0 *ecame intereste0 in the
illegal act o+ the Huang0ong Hovernment @ith respect to the Paracel Pslan0s. So; @hat @as
the primary reason +or @hich the /rench colonialists *egan to *e intereste0 in protecting
Vitnams sovereignty over Paracel Pslan0s *et@een $D"$ an0 $D&# Bhe /renchs policy
change @as 0ue to the importance o+ the Paracel Pslan0s strategic location in ensuring the
security o+ the po@er o+ the /rench colonial government.
/irst o+ all; o@ing to the important strategic location o+ the Paracel an0 Spratly Pslan0s
as @ell as the South -hina Sea (,ast Sea +or Vitnamese) in relation to the territories then
rule0 *y them; the /rench colonialists in Pn0ochina ha0 to @eigh the pros an0 cons; an0 they
0eci0e0 to con+ront the sovereignty claims *y other countries; inclu0ing -hina.
Pn his report 0ate0 %
th
!ay $D#D; the /rench -onsul Heneral 3eauvais in Huang^hou
initially mentione0 the importance o+ the location o+ the Paracel Pslan0s. Ho@ever; he then
+aile0 to +ollo@ closely the /rench colonial governments interests; 0espite the importance to
maritime transportation or the threats to Vitnamese +ishermen; as he @rote(
-oncerning this issue our o++icials o*serve0 that Paracel Pslan0s have some 0egrees
o+ importance to us( lying along the @ay +rom Saigon to Hong Xong; those islan0s may
constitute great 0anger to maritime transportation an0 the lighting on those islan0s may *e
necessary. Pn a00ition; +ishermen +rom nnam an0 -hina +reiuently travel to these
Pn the current situation; no*o0y can 0eny the great strategic importance o+ Paracel
Pslan0s. Pn the event o+ con+lict; their occupation *y a +oreign po@er @ill *e one o+ the most
serious threats to the 0e+ence an0 territorial integrity o+ the /e0eration ro+ Pn0ochinas.
Pn +act; those islan0s are the natural e`tension o+ Hainan Pslan0. n opponent may
see them as a po@er+ul navy *ase than's to the many *ays an0 @on0er+ul shelters +or vessels;
an0 0ue to the +act that the place is invinci*le in practice. su*marine +leet launche0 +rom
that *ase; can not only be!ege 58 Nng Port; the most important port o+ nnam; *ut also
isolate Bon'in *y *loc'ing maritime travel to Bon'in. Pn that case; i+ @e @ant to
%"C
communicate *et@een -ochinchina an0 Bon'in; @e have to use the eìsting rail@ay; an
e`tremely vulnera*le rail@ay along the coast; easily 0estroye0 *y heavy artillery +rom
@arships o++ the coast.
t the same time; every communication means *et@een Pn0ochina; the /ar ,ast an0
the Paci+ic shall *e cut o++( the maritime @ay *et@een Saigon an0 Hong Xong @hich passes
in the proìmity o+ the Paracel Pslan0s; there+ore; shall *e un0er the 0irect control o+ the
military *ases on those islan0s (-+. !oniiue -hemillier)Hen0reau; :a SouverainetZ sur les
rchipels Paracels et Spratleys; Paris; :Harmattan; $DDQ; p.$S%).
Despite 0etaile0 reports on the importance o+ the Paracel Pslan0s to the 0e+ence o+
/rances colonial territories in Pn0ochina; the /rench colonial government 0i0 not ta'e action
until the /rench press in Pn0ochina put pressure on it to procee0 @ith concrete plans to protect
the sovereignty over the Paracel Pslan0s o+ a country currently un0er /rench protection.
/irst; in the issues num*ers Q#Q; Q""; Q"& an0 Q"S 0e lveil Zconomiiue 0e
lPn0ochine (?anuary; !ay an0 ?une $D"D); the Uournalist Henri -ucherousset summariê0
Vitnams sovereignty over the Paracel Pslan0s @ith very speci+ic evi0ence as +ollo@s(
$. ?ean 3aptiste -haigneau @rote an article in $J"# entitle0 Notice on -ochinchina
(Notice sur la -ochinchine) that mentione0 ,mperor Hia :ongs actual occupation o+ Paracel
Pslan0s in $J$Q.
". 3ishop ?ean :ouis Ba*er0 @rote in the ?ournal o+ the siatic Society o+ 3engal
(vol. Q; pu*lishe0 in $J&S; p. S&S an0 su*seiuent pages; an0 vol. S; pu*lishe0 in $J&J; page
&$S an0 su*seiuent pages) mentioning the Paracel Pslan0s in a section a*out the Heography
o+ -ochinchina.
&. Du*ois 0e ?aucigny @rote in Bhe pniverse History an0 Description o+ ll
Peoples o+ their .eligions; -ustoms; Ha*its ?apan; Pn0ochina; -eylon (pu*lishe0 in $JC# in
Paris *y /. Di0ot)( &% years ago; Paracel Pslan0s; @hich the nnam people calle0 Hol0en
San0; @ere inha*ite0 *y the people +rom -ochinchina.
%. -ucherousset also mentione0 many 0etails a*out the Paracel Pslan0s in Heography
o+ Southern Vitnam (Nam Vit 5La DE) ror Heography o+ Pmperial Vitnam (Ho8ng Vit
mLa 0E ) 9 : ;)s; in the $%
th
year o+ !inh !<ngs reign 3oo' o+ pnite0 Hreat Vitnam
(5<i Nam nhyt thnng chv ) 678); pu*lishe0 0uring Duy Bans reign (vol. Q; pp. $J*
an0 $Da) as @ell as the inspection o+ Paracel Pslan0s *y the ship De :anessan in $D"C.
ccor0ing -ucherousset; the Paracel Pslan0s @ere important +or the +ollo@ing
reasons(
%"Q
$. s a transit station +or seaplanes +lying +rom Saigon to Hong Xong an0 +rom
Bourane (58 Nng) to the Philippines.
". s a strategic supporting *ase +or su*marines in time o+ @ar.
&. s a station +or meteorology.
%. s a shelter +or +ishing *oats +rom storms an0
C. s a source o+ phosphate.
Bhe reasons @hy -ucherousset @rote these articles @ere as +ollo@s. /irst; the author
@ante0 to protest against an ,nglish captains intention to impose 3ritish sovereignty over
Sein Pslan0. Secon0ly; an0 at the same time; the author strongly o*Uecte0 to (i) Navy
-omman0er .Zmy in Saigon replying to a ?apanese maritime transportation company that
sovereignty over the Paracel Pslan0s @as un'no@n; an0 (ii) !r. !onguillot; in @riting to !r.
Hravereau0; stating that the Paracel Pslan0s *elonge0 to -hina.
ccor0ing to -ucherousset; the /rench Protectorate Hovernment shoul0 have claime0
sovereignty over the Paracel Pslan0s *y(
$. Dra@ing up an overvie@ map o+ the Paracel Pslan0s to the scale o+ $\"##;###; a
more 0etaile0 map to the scale o+ $\"C;###; a navy map an0 a geological map
". 3uil0ing a lighthouse
&. Setting up a meteorological o*servatory an0 @eather +orecasting station an0
%. Stationing 0e+ence troops on the Paracel Pslan0s.
Bhe author also *lame0 the /rench Hovernment +or its negligence in a++irming an0
protecting Vitnams sovereignty over Paracel Pslan0s.
/inally; it @as the letter o+ Hovernor Heneral Pasiuier sent to the !inister +or
-olonies 0ate0 $J
th
9cto*er $D&# that put an en0 to the hesitant attitu0e o+ the /rench
Hovernment to@ar0s the -hinese Hovernments violation o+ Vitnams sovereignty over the
Paracel Pslan0s.
Pn his letter; Pasiuier enclose0 a 0ossier a*out the Paracel Pslan0s consisting o+(
$. n e`tract @ritten in -hinese together @ith a /rench
translation +rom the 3oo' o+ pnite0 Hreat Vitnam (5<i Nam nhyt thnng chv ) 678);
vol. Q or -hronicles o+ nnam.
". n e`tract @ritten in -hinese together @ith a /rench
translation +rom Heography o+ Southern Vitnam (Nam Vit mLa 0E ) 9 : ; ); vol. " or
Heography in Xing !inh !<ng .eign (5La DE thTi Vua !inh !<ng) rNote +rom the author(
%"S
the latter *oo' @as also 'no@n as Heography o+ Pmperial Vitnam (Ho8ng Vit mLa 0E -hv )
9 : ;8)s.
&. n e`tract @ritten in -hinese together @ith a /rench
translation +rom 3oo' o+ pnite0 Hreat Vitnam (5<i Nam nhyt thnng chv ) 678) or
Heography 0uring Xing Duy Bdns .eign.
ttaching +our appen0ices an0 +our maps; Hovernor Heneral Pasiuier @rote(
P *elieve that you @oul0 share my assessment that @e are a*le to 0etermine *eyon0
0ou*t that nnam alrea0y hel0 the o@nership o+ those islan0s an0 ha0 0one so long *e+ore
$D#D (-+. !oniiue -hemillier)Hen0reau; :a SouverainetZ sur les rchipels Paracels et
Spratleys; Paris; :Harmattan; $DDQ; p."&&).

HPSB9.P-: 3-XH.9pND :,DPNH B9 BH, S9V,.,PHNBN DPSPpB,
3,BV,,N -HPN ND /.N-, 9V,. BH, P.-,: ND SP.B:N PS:NDS
9/ VPBN! 3,BV,,N $D&# ND $D%C; Dp.PNH BH, BP!, VH,N /.N-,
D9!PNB,D VPBN!
3et@een $D&$ an0 $D&&; -ucherousset carrie0 on @ith seven more articles in :veil
conomiiue 0e :Pn0ochine (Bhe @a'ening o+ the Pn0ochinese ,conomy) (,,P); Pssues
num*ere0 QJC ($# !ay $D&$); QJJ (&$ !ay $D&$); S%& ("Q ?une $D&"); S%% (#& ?uly
$D&"); S%Q ($S ?uly $D&"); SSS ("Q /e*ruary $D&&) an0 SD# ("J !ay $D&&). Bhis series o+
articles no longer mentione0 the 0etermination o+ Vitnams sovereignty *ut +ocusse0 on the
attitu0e o+ Hovernor Heneral Pasiuier in seeing to protection o+ that sovereignty. Bhe author
iuote0 a letter @ritten *y Hovernor Heneral Pasiuier( Bhe sovereignty o+ nnam on the
Paracel Pslan0s is un0enia*le; though it is not the right time to claim such sovereignty. Bhe
author strongly iuestione0 the Hovernor Henerals attitu0e( Vhy is it not the right time
Vhat o*stacles prevent nnam +rom claiming sovereignty over the Paracel Pslan0s that
*elonge0 to them hun0re0s o+ years *e+ore re @e going to @ait +or the ?apanese to e`ploit
the last ton o+ phosphate re the ?apanese paying o++ some*o0y
Due to soli0 arguments an0 severe criticisms o+ Hovernor Heneral Pasiuier in these
articles; the ,,Ps o++ice @as searche0 at night *y the or0er o+ police o++icial 3artet an0 the
Uournalist @as +orce0 to han0 over all 0ocuments relating to the Paracel Pslan0s. Pn issue no.
S%&; -ucherousset strongly proteste0 an0 re+use0 to han0 over those 0ocuments. He state0
that the 0ocuments @oul0 only *e availa*le +or rea0ing on site i+ the police @ante0 to stu0y
%"J
them. Pn issue no. S%Q; -ucherousset claime0 +urther that ha0 it not *een +or those articles in
the ,,P; the /rench government @oul0 have ignore0 the invasion o+ Paracel Pslan0s *y the
-hinese.
Pn issue no. SSS; -ucherousset e`plaine0 @hy he proteste0 the attitu0e o+ Hovernor
Heneral Pasiuier in response to the action o+ the Viceroy o+ Huang0ong(
$. Bhe Huang0ong Hovernment ha0 never *een ac'no@le0ge0 *y /rance as an
autonomous government.
". Bhe government o+ -hina; previously in 3eiUing an0 then in Nan'ing; has never
voice0 its claim o+ sovereignty over those islan0s.
&. 9n the other han0; more than $## years ago; Vitnam ha0 claime0 sovereignty over
the Paracel Pslan0s; @hich @as recor0e0 e`plicitly in the archives o+ the Hue Pmperial -ourt.
!oreover; the Huang^hou Hovernment cannot rely on the +act that -hinese +ishermen
regularly visit those islan0s to catch tortoises or 0ry their +ishing nets to claim that the
Paracels *elong to -hina. /rench +ishermen 0i0 the same in Ne@+oun0lan0 *ut
Ne@+oun0lan0 still *elongs to the pnite0 Xing0om.
!ean@hile; in a meeting o+ the 0visory -ouncil o+ Pn0ochina; in response to !r.
Pigua`; representative o+ nnam; Hovernor Heneral Pasiuier replie0 that the Paracel Pslan0s
a++air ha0 ha0 some repercussions in /rance an0 that the !inister +or -olonies ha0 0eci0e0 to
*ring the case to the Pnternational -ourt at Bhe Hague.
Pn a00ition to the ,,P; there @ere many other /rench ne@spapers in Pn0ochina as @ell
as in /rance that pu*lishe0 articles concerning Vitnams sovereignty over the Paracel
Pslan0s such as(
.evue Pn0ochinoise PllustrZe (Pllustrate0 Pn0ochinese .evie@) Pssue no. &J;
$D"D (Saigon); pp. Q#CQ$Q( P.. :a Piciue cite0 many 0ocuments a*out the sovereignty o+
Vitnam state0 the +act that the Huang0ong Hovernment argue0 that it @as not responsi*le
+or the ro**ery o+ the sun'en ships :e 3ellona in $JDC an0 Pmeî !aru in $JDQ *y the people
o+ Hainan *ecause the Paracels @ere not un0er -hinas sovereignty an0 translate0 the article
in a Huang^hou ne@spaper 0ate0 $#
th
?uly $D#D a*out the survey o+ the Paracel Pslan0s *y the
naval +orces o+ Huang0ong.
!Zmoire no & 0u Service 9cZanographiiue 0e :Pn0ochine (Saigon; $D&#; "%
pages) *y ?. 0e :acour an0 ?a*ouillZ 0escri*e0 their survey o+ the Paracel Pslan0s on "$
st
?uly
$D"Q +ollo@ing the invitation o+ !.. Xremp+.
%"D
venir 0u Bon'in (no. $#%DC; $Sth pril $D&$; p. ") a++irme0 that; in $J$Q;
,mperor Hia :ong ha0 or0ere0 a solemn ceremony to raise the Vitnam +lag on the islan0s.
Bhat is @hy in $D#D the /rench government ha0 to raise its voice to protect Vitnams
sovereignty over those islan0s in vie@ o+ -hinas illegal claim. Pn these situations; no*o0y
@oul0 0eny the strategic importance o+ Paracel Pslan0s.
Nature (Paris; Pssue no. "D$Q; 0ate0 $
st
Novem*er $D&&; pp. &JC&JS) cite0 an
article @ritten *y Sauvaire)?our0an in Haêtte on $D
th
?uly $D&&. Bhis article pu*lishe0 a
communiiuZ concerning the /rench Navys occupation o+ some islan0s in the South -hina
Sea; revie@e0 the history o+ occupation (,mperor Hia :ong or0ere0 his navy to lan0 on the
islan0s an0 put up +lags in $J$Q; then the $D#D inci0ent pu*lishe0 in a Huang^hou ne@spaper
on "#
th
?une $D#D; @hich @as regar0e0 as ri0iculous *y the author) an0 suggeste0 that
sovereignty over those islan0s shoul0 not *e surren0ere0.
:a HZographie (vol. Q#; Novem*er an0 Decem*er $D&&; pp. "&""%&)( .
9livier Sai` presente0 arguments accor0ing to @hich the /rench Protectorate Hovernment o+
Vitnam must protect an0 maintain Vitnams sovereignty +or the +ollo@ing reasons(
$. Bhe Paracel Pslan0s are a use+ul location to erect a lighthouse
". Bhe location o+ Paracels is appropriate +or *uil0ing a meteorological o*servatory
an0 ra0io station to provi0e timely @arnings o+ stormy @eather con0itions to ships an0 *oats
&. Bhe Paracel Pslan0s have many economic resources such as phosphate; +ish;
tortoises; etc
%. Bhere are many military *ene+its +rom Paracel Pslan0s such as in 0e+en0ing the
Bon'in Hul+; 58 Nng port; an0 international sea lanes an0
C. Vitnams history a++irms its sovereignty( Xing Hia :ong or0ere0 a +leet to lan0 on
the islan0s to put up +lags an0 set up 0e+ense *ases; !inister +or De+ense Bhdn Brong Hue
0eclare0 on &
r0
!arch $D"C( Bhose islan0s have al@ays *elonge0 to nnam there is no
0ispute a*out it.
Pt @as o*vious that un0er such pu*licity pressure; the /rench colonial Hovernment
@as *oun0 to ta'e action. /irst; *et@een $D&# an0 $D&& /rance esta*lishe0 a sym*olic
sovereignty in the Spratly as @ell as the Paracel Pslan0s.
s the Paracel Pslan0s *elonge0 to nnam; a protectorate o+ /rance; there @as no
nee0 to claim sovereignty *ut Uust to eècute it; +ollo@ing the +irst surveys o+ the Paracel
Pslan0s in $D"C con0ucte0 *y the Nha Brang 9ceanography Pnstitute in response to me0ia
%&#
pu*licity at the time. 9n $C
th
?une $D&"; the /rench Hovernment promulgate0 Decree no.
$CQ)S- esta*lishing an a0ministrative unit calle0 Paracel District on the Paracel Pslan0s.
Pn $D&S; -hie+ -ivil ,ngineer Hauthier stu0ie0 the possi*ility o+ constructing a
lighthouse on Pattle Pslan0 in the Paracel group. Pn $D&J /rance starte0 to sen0 security
troops an0 to construct a lighthouse; a meteorological station (9!! registere0 no. %JJQ#) on
Pattle Pslan0; another; no. %JJCD; on +u lin Pslan0 (Ple 3oisZe); an0 ra0io station BS/ on
Pattle Pslan0. Pn !arch $D&J; Xing 3ao Dai signe0 9r0inance no. $# anneìng Paracel
Pslan0s to Bha BhiAn Province instea0 o+ Nam Ngi( 1u>ng Nam 1u>ng Ngi) as in
previous reigns. Pn ?une $D&J; a Vitnamese military unit @as sent to the Paracel Pslan0s.
stone sovereignty mar'er @as erecte0 on Pattle Pslan0 stating .epu*lic o+ /rance
Xing0om o+ nnam Paracels Pslan0s $J$Q Pattle Pslan0 $D&J.
s +or the Spratly Pslan0s to the south *elonging to -ochinchina an0 thus part o+ the
colonial territory o+ /rance; the /rench Hovernment claime0 sovereignty. Ho@ever; in or0er
to prevent a thir0 country +rom intervening into the issue as @ell as to 0eal @ith international
la@; the legal a0visor o+ the /rench !inistry o+ /oreign ++airs @rote in a memo to the
gency +or sia an0 9ceania in !ay $DC#( Bhe occupation o+ the Spratly Pslan0s @as
con0ucte0 *y /rench +orces in $D&$$D&" on *ehal+ o+ the nnam Xing. 9n $&
th
pril
$D&&; a small navy +leet inclu0ing the communication vessel :a !alicieuse; the gun *oat
lerte; an0 the hy0rographic vessels strola*e an0 De :anessan; un0er the comman0 o+
Navy -omman0er De :attre le+t Saigon +or the Spratly Pslan0s. Bhe occupation @as
con0ucte0 accor0ing to @estern tra0itional protocols. n o++icial 0ocument @as compose0
an0 the captain signe0 $$ copies o+ it. ,ach islan0 receive0 a copy; seale0 in a *ottle an0
+iè0 on a cement pole *uilt on each islan0 at a pre)0etermine0 an0 +iè0 location on the lan0.
Bhe /rench +lag @as raise0 an0 trumpets @ere playe0 on each islan0.
9n "Q
th
?uly $D&&; the /rench !inistry o+ /oreign ++airs pu*lishe0 a communiiuZ in
the /rench Haêtte; stating e`plicitly that the si` groups o+ islan0s an0 islets @ere un0er
/rench sovereignty; inclu0ing the Spratly group (J
#
&D N$$$
o
CC ,) an0 the surroun0ing
islets (+rom the earliest occupie0 islet on $&
th
pril $D&# to the last occupie0 Bhi Bu Pslan0 on
$"
th
pril $D&&). 9n "$
st
Decem*er $D&&; Hovernor o+ -ochinchina; !.?. Xrautheimer
signe0 Decree no. %SQ" anneìng the Spratly Pslan0s to 3a .ia Province.
Pn $D&J /rance set up a stone sovereignty mar'er; a lighthouse; a meteorology station
an0 a ra0io station on Ptu*a Pslan0 (3a 3hnh ) g).
%&$
ll steps to eèrcise the sovereignty o+ /rance on *ehal+ o+ nnam over the Paracel
an0 Spratly Pslan0s @ere carrie0 out smoothly; though tar0ily; @ithout encountering any
o*stacles; *ecause; although the Huang0ong Provincial Hovernment ha0 the intent to e`ploit
Wisha () (i.e.; the Paracel Pslan0s) an0 @ante0 to occupy the Paracels @hen consi0ering
them as terra nullius; the local governments proUects only eìste0 on paper as the central
government o+ -hina @as not yet 'een on them. Net; ?apan; so +ar hi0ing its intention to
occupy the Paracels an0 Spratlys; 0i0 protest the /rench occupation in an o++icial
communiiuZ to the /rench government 0ate0 "%th ?uly $D&&. 9n &$
st
!arch $D&D; the
?apanese !inistry o+ /oreign ++airs sent a 0eclaration to the /rench m*assa0or in ?apan
asserting that ?apan @as the +irst to 0iscover the Spratly Pslan0s in $D$S an0 claime0 control
over them. lthough ?apan acte0 s@i+tly *y occupying /u lin Pslan0 (Ple 3oisZe) o+ the
Paracel Pslan0s an0 Ptu)*a Pslan0 (3a 3hnh ) g) o+ the Spratly Pslan0s in $D&J; it @as
not until Dth !arch $D%C that ?apan too' prisoner the /renchmen *ase0 in Paracel Pslan0s as
@ell as on the mainlan0.
Bhe +act that /rance claime0 sovereignty on *ehal+ o+ nnam as @ell as the +act that
?apan claime0 to *e the +irst to 0iscover the Spratly Pslan0s @ere merely +alse e`cuses to
occupy the Paracels an0 Spratlys +or strategic purposes an0 to protect their interests or
e`pan0 their po@ers. Vhenever it no longer +it their strategies; it @oul0 *e @orthless to
occupy those islan0s
Pn the en0; ?apan @as 0e+eate0. Pt ha0 to surren0er uncon0itionally to the llie0
/orces on $Q
th
ugust $D%C an0 @ith0re@ +rom the Paracel an0 Spratly Pslan0s.
HPSB9.P-: 3-XH.9pND :,DPNH B9 BH, SPN9/.,N-H DPSPpB,
9/ VPBN!S S9V,.,PHNBN 9V,. BH, P.-,: ND SP.B:N PS:NDS
3,BV,,N pHpSB $D%C ND P.P: $D%Q; VH,N /.N-, PNVD,D VPBN!
/9. BH, S,-9ND BP!,.
9n $D
th
ugust $D%C; the ugust .evolution in Vitnam too' place. 9n "
n0
Septem*er $D%C; the Democratic .epu*lic o+ Vitnam @as *orn. Presi0ent HR -hv !inh
0eclare0 in0epen0ence in 3a 5hnh Siuare; putting an en0 to /rench 0omination o+ Vitnam.
+ter the 0e+eat o+ ?apan; /rance inva0e0 Vitnam +or the secon0 time. Bhe army o+
-hiang Xai She' too' over areas previously occupie0 *y the ?apanese north o+ the $Q
th
%&"
Parallel. 3oth /rance an0 -hina continue0 to 0ispute the Paracel an0 Spratly Pslan0s o+
Vitnam; as *oth countries un0erstoo0 the strategic importance o+ those islan0s.
Vitnam @as involve0 in the resistance @ar against /rance on lan0 @hile /rance too'
control o+ the -hina Sea.
?apanese +orces ha0 @ith0ra@n +rom the Paracel an0 Spratly Pslan0s in $D%Q. /rance
returne0 to Vitnam an0 too' control o+ the -hina Sea; sen0ing troops @ith the vessel
Savorgnan 0e 3ra^â to replace ?apanese +orces in !ay $D%Q. Ho@ever; these sol0iers only
staye0 +or a +e@ months. 3et@een "#
th
an0 "S
th
!ay $D%Q; 0miral Drgenlieu; /rench
High -ommissioner +or Pn0ochina; also sent the vessel :,scarmouche to inspect the
situation on Pattle Pslan0 in the Paracels.
/rench legionnaires an0 the arme0 +orces o+ the Democratic .epu*lic o+ Vitnam le0
*y Presi0ent HR -hi !inh *usily prepare0 +or a +ull)scale @ar. Ba'ing a0vantage o+ the
situation; a special navy +leet o+ the .epu*lic o+ -hina; inclu0ing +our arme0 vessels; each o+
@hich carrie0 representatives o+ various organiâtions an0 CD sol0iers o+ in0epen0ent
platoons o+ navy guar0s (pre0ecessors o+ the marine +orces) set o++ +rom Ngo Bung Port on
D
th
9cto*er $D%Q. 9n "D
th
Novem*er $D%Q; the vessels name0 Nong Wing ) Q an0 zhong
?ian ) arrive0 an0 lan0e0 on Paracel Pslan0s. Bhe Baiping ) g an0 zhong Ne )
arrive0 in the Spratly Pslan0s (then still calle0 Doansha *y the -hinese; not yet name0
Nansha; authors emphasis).
Pn a meeting on $$
th
9cto*er $D%Q; the Pnterministerial -ommittee on Pn0ochina o+ the
/rench Provisional Hovernment 0eci0e0 to a++irm /rench sovereignty over the Paracel
Pslan0s an0 0emonstrate their re)occupation *y constructing a meteorological station.
ccor0ing to Heneral ?uin; the greatest *ene+it to /rance @as to prevent any other po@er+ul
countries +rom re)occupying those islan0s *ecause they controlle0 access to the +uture naval
*ase at -am .anh an0 the -am .anhHuang^houShanghai sea lane (:etter no.
$DD\DN\S.col 0ate0 Sth 9cto*er $D%Q *y Heneral ?uin; -omman0er)in)-hie+ o+ the /rench
rmy.)
Bhe /rench government then o++icially 0enounce0 the illegal occupation *y the
.epu*lic o+ -hina an0; on $S
th
9cto*er $D%S; the /rench communication vessel Bon'inois
@as sent to the Paracel Pslan0s to 0eman0 that the arme0 +orces o+ -hiang Xai)she' @ith0ra@
+rom /u :in Pslan0; *ut the -hinese re+use0 to 0o so. /rance 0ispatche0 troops;
inclu0ing sol0iers +rom the Vitnam nation; to *ase in a +ort on Pattle Pslan0. Bhe
Hovernment o+ the .epu*lic o+ -hina proteste0; an0 negotiations @ere carrie0 on *et@een
%&&
"C
th
/e*ruary an0 %
th
?uly $D%S in Paris. Pn these negotiations; the Hovernment o+ the
.epu*lic o+ -hina re+use0 to call +or international ar*itration as recommen0e0 *y /rance. 9n
$
st
Decem*er $D%S; the Pnterior !inistry o+ the -hiang Xai)she' Hovernment announce0
-hinese names +or the t@o groups o+ islan0s an0 claime0 them as -hinese territory. 9+
course; /rance ha0 not inherite0 the sovereignty o+ Vitnam in the Paracel an0 Spratly
Pslan0s to protest against -hina; @hich @as also an inva0er; an0 this @orsene0 the con+lict.
During the historic environment in late $D%Q an0 early $D%S; Vitnam regaine0
in0epen0ence +rom $D%C an0 @as no longer *oun0 to the Paten6tre Breaty ($JJ%) *ut /rance
still insiste0 on the Preliminary Breaty 0ate0 Q
th
!arch $D%Q that the Democratic .epu*lic o+
Vitnam *elonge0 to the /rench pnion; an0 so 0iplomatically *elonge0 to /rance; @hich
ena*le0 /rance to act as a representative o+ Vitnam in the 0ispute concerning Vitnams
sovereignty over the Paracel an0 Spratly Pslan0s. Vhen the resistance @ar commence0
nationally; /rance @as no longer a*le to give any accepta*le reasons to claim sovereignty
over the Paracel an0 Spratly Pslan0s. +ter@ar0s; /rance manage0 to set up a pro)/rench
puppet government; Uust to ta'e a0vantage o+ the status @ithout any real su*stance. Bhis @as
thus not convincing enough +or /rance to assume Vitnams sovereignty over the Paracel an0
Spratly Pslan0s; causing the 0ispute to remain unresolve0.
3ecause o+ the Hovernment o+ the Democratic .epu*lic o+ Vitnams resistance @ar
against /rance an0 the /rench Navys control o+ the -hina Sea; *ase0 on the Breaty 0ate0 J
th
!arch $D%D; /rance succee0e0 in setting up a pro)/rench government calle0 the ssociate0
State o+ Vitnam le0 *y e`),mperor 3>o 5<i; in opposition to the revolutionary government
le0 *y Presi0ent HR -hv !inh. Bhis @as 0one *y /rance in or0er to strengthen certain legal
+oun0ations @ithout *eing the true representative o+ Vitnam; especially 0uring Vitnams
resistance @ar against /rance; so the /rench Navy @as in control o+ the South -hina Sea;
inclu0ing the Paracel an0 Spratly Pslan0s.
Pn pril $D%D; -hie+ o+ Sta++ o+ -hie+ o+ State (1unc BrEng) 3>o 5<is; Prince 3Ku
:]c; in a press con+erence in Saigon; o++icially rea++irme0 the sovereignty o+ Vitnam over
the Paracel Pslan0s.
9n the $
st
o+ 9cto*er $D%D; the Peoples .epu*lic o+ -hina @as esta*lishe0 on
!ainlan0 -hina an0 the .epu*lic o+ -hina le0 *y -hiang Xai She' ha0 to @ith0ra@ to
Bai@an. Pn pril $DC#; the troops o+ the .epu*lic o+ -hina @ho ha0 illegally occupie0
/u :in Pslan0 (Ple 3oisZe) in the Paracel Pslan0s ha0 to @ith0ra@. Bhe /rench troops on
Pattle Pslan0 remaine0. Bhe -hinese revolutionaries then *ecame allies o+ the Democratic
%&%
.epu*lic o+ Vitnam; so every resistance against /rance inclu0ing the occupation o+ Paracel
Pslan0s in the South -hina Sea @as o*viously supporte0 *y the Hovernment o+ the
Democratic .epu*lic o+ Vitnam in the alliance against the common /rench inva0ing enemy.
9n $%
th
9cto*er $DC#; the /rench government o++icially trans+erre0 the a0ministration
o+ the Paracel Pslan0s to the Hovernment o+ 3>o 5<i. Bhe Hovernor o+ -entral Vitnam;
Phan V=n Hilo; presi0e0 over the trans+er o+ governing po@er o+ the Paracels. Bhis event
@as in +act no more than a +alse action to legaliê the Paracel Pslan0s occupation *y the
/rench. Pt lac'e0 persuasiveness; as /rance @as still occupying Vitnam.
Bhe San /rancisco -on+erence atten0e0 *y C$ nations *et@een C
th
Septem*er an0 J
th
Septem*er $DC$ en0e0 in a peace treaty @ith ?apan. 9n C
th
Septem*er $DC$; in a general
session; the .ussian !inister +or /oreign ++airs Hromy'o propose0 $& amen0ments. Bhe
amen0ment concerning ?apans ac'no@le0gement o+ the sovereignty o+ the Peoples
.epu*lic o+ -hina over the Paracel Pslan0s an0 other islan0s +urther a@ay to the South; @as
reUecte0 @ith %J votes against an0 & +or.
9n S
th
Septem*er $DC$ at the con+erence; Prime !inister an0 !inister +or /oreign
++airs Brbn V=n Hcu o+ the 3>o 5<i Hovernment solemnly 0eclare0 that the t@o groups o+
the Paracel an0 Spratly Pslan0s @ere territories o+ Vitnam( ,t comme il +aut +ranchement
pro+iter 0e toutes occasions pour Ztou++er les germes 0e 0iscor0e; nous a++irmons nos 0roits
sur les iles Spratly et Paracels iui 0e tout temps ont +ait partie 0u Viet Nam (/ran'ly; it is
necessary to ma'e use o+ all occasions to sti+le the see0s o+ 0isor0er; @e here*y claim our
rights an0 interests over the Spratly an0 Paracel Pslan0s; @hich ha0 al@ays *een a part o+
Vitnam.)
No representative at the con+erence commente0 on this statement.
Bhe con+erence en0e0 @ith a treaty signe0 @ith ?apan on J
th
Septem*er $DC$. Pn that
treaty; rt. "; s. S clearly speci+ie0(
?apan a*an0ons all rights; titles an0 am*itions over Paracel an0 Spratly Pslan0s.
Ho@ever; the @orl0 political situation *egan to change. Bhe -ol0 Var *et@een the
capitalist @orl0 le0 *y the pnite0 States an0 the socialist @orl0 le0 *y the Soviet pnion ha0
starte0 to a++ect Vitnam; inclu0ing the 0ispute o+ Vitnams sovereignty over the Paracel an0
Spratly Pslan0s. Bhe @orl0 political situation @orsene0 an0 +urther complicate0 the 0ispute;
so that Vitnams protection o+ its territorial sovereignty has *ecome +ar more 0i++icult 0ue to
many con+licting interests an0 interventions *y 0i++erent +oreign po@ers.
%&C
9n "%
th
ugust $DC$; +or the +irst time; Ne@ -hina Press *urst out against /rances
rights an0 interests an0 the pro)pS Philippines am*itions; an0 resolutely asserte0 the rights
o+ -hina.
Vhen giving a noti+ication on the 0ra+t o+ the San /rancisco Breaty @ith ?apan on
$Cth ugust $DC$; the !inister +or /oreign ++airs o+ the Peoples .epu*lic o+ -hina -hou
,n):ai issue0 an o++icial 0eclaration asserting the so)calle0 ancientness o+ -hinese rights
over the 0ispute0 islan0s; @hile neither the Peoples .epu*lic o+ -hina nor the .epu*lic o+
-hina atten0e0 the con+erence.
Pn the conte`t o+ the -ol0 Var an0 the scram*le +or po@er in places inclu0ing the
South -hina Sea; the proposal ma0e *y the Soviet pnions 0elegation to trans+er the
a0ministration o+ the Paracel an0 Spratly Pslan0s to the Peoples .epu*lic o+ -hina @as not
approve0 *y the con+erence; though it constitute0 a cause +or the Peoples .epu*lic o+ -hina
to spea' out on. +ter $DC#; the Paracel an0 Spratly Pslan0s @ere no longer occupie0 *y
+oreign +orces e`cept the 0e+ense troops o+ the 3>o 5<i government.
Bhe Heneva Breaty; signe0 on "#th ?uly $DC%; put an en0 to the Pn0ochina Var; an0
ac'no@le0ge0 the in0epen0ence; sovereignty; territorial integrity an0 uni+ication o+ Vitnam.
rticle $ state0 that the temporary military +rontier @oul0 *e mar'e0 *y the 3en Hai .iver
(on the $Sth Parallel). Bhis temporary +rontier @as also e`ten0e0 in t@o si0es *y a straight
line +rom the coast to the sea un0er rt. % o+ the Breaty. ccor0ing to rt. $% o+ the sai0
treaty; @hile a@aiting the general election to reuni+y Vitnam; each party an0 its o@n army
currently *ase0 on each part shall ta'e charge o+ the a0ministration o+ that part. Bhe Paracel
an0 Spratly Pslan0s in the South o+ -hina Sea @ere locate0 *elo@ the $Sth Parallel an0;
there+ore; shall *e un0er the a0ministration o+ the government ruling the part *elo@ the $Sth
Parallel.
Bhus; the Paracel an0 Spratly Pslan0s @ere put un0er the a0ministration o+ the
Hovernment o+ Bhe State o+ Vitnam an0 ha0 not *een so +ar occupie0 *y any other +oreign
+orces e`cept the /rench. Bhe government in the South o+ the $Sth Parallel @as responsi*le
+or the a0ministration o+ the t@o islan0s groups lying *elo@ the $Sth Parallel. Pn pril $DCQ;
@hen /rench troops @ith0re@ +rom South Vitnam; the Philippines raise0 the issue o+
sovereignty over those islan0s.
HPSB9.P-: 3-XH.9pND :,DPNH B9 BH, DPSPpB, 9/ VPBN!S
S9V,.,PHNBN 9V,. BH, P.-,: ND SP.B:N PS:NDS 3N -HPN;
%&Q
/.N-,; BH, .,Pp3:P- 9/ VPBN! ND 9BH,. NBP9NS PN BH, .,HP9N
3,BV,,N $DCQ ND $DSC
Bhe 0e+eat o+ /rance at 5in 3iAn Pht an0 the Heneva Breaty on "#
th
?uly $DC% +orce0
the /rench to leave Vitnam in pril $DCQ an0 le+t a vacuum o+ po@er in the -hina Sea.
num*er o+ countries in the region inclu0ing the Peoples .epu*lic o+ -hina; the .epu*lic o+
-hina (Bai@an) an0 the Philippines consi0ere0 this as a goo0 opportunity to illegally occupy
the Paracel an0 Spratly Pslan0s o+ Vitnam.
t that time; the national army o+ South Vitnam (rename0 later as the .epu*lic o+
Vitnam) ha0 alrea0y occupie0 the islan0s in the @est o+ Paracel Pslan0s; inclu0ing Pattle
Pslan0. 9n $
st
?une $DCQ; the !inister +or /oreign ++airs o+ the .epu*lic o+ Vitnam ma0e a
0eclaration to rea++irm Vitnams sovereignty over Paracel an0 Spratly Pslan0s. +e@ 0ays
later; /rance also remin0e0 the Philippines o+ /rances rights @ith respect to those t@o
groups o+ islan0s since $D&&.
+ter occupying the islan0s in the @est o+ Paracel Pslan0s; on ""
n0
ugust $DCQ; the
in+antry an0 naval +orces o+ the .epu*lic o+ Vitnam lan0e0 on the main islan0s o+ the
Spratly group to erect mar'er stones an0 put up national +lags. .s
Pn 9cto*er $DCQ; Bai@ans navy inva0e0 Ptu*a Pslan0 (Bhli 3hnh Baiping calle0
*y the -hinese; $D%S). 9n ""
n0
9cto*er $DCQ; Decree no. $%&NV promulgate0 *y the
Presi0ent o+ the .epu*lic o+ Vitnam altere0 the *or0ers o+ provinces in the South o+
Vitnam (Nam Vit or Nam 3]). Pn the list o+ a0ministrative units in the South o+ Vitnam
attache0 to the 0ecree; there @ere some changes in the naming o+ provinces; in @hich 38
.LaV2ng B8u *ecame PhEc Buy an0 the Spratly Pslan0s *elonging to PhEc Buy @ere
rename0 Ho8ng Sa; @hich @as the same name as the Paracel Pslan0s to the north.
!ean@hile; the Peoples .epu*lic o+ -hina rushe0 to occupy $% /u :in Pslan0 (Ple
3oisZe); the largest islan0 in the group o+ Paracel Pslan0s; simultaneously @ith the Bai@anese
occupation o+ the largest islan0 in the group o+ Spratly Pslan0s. Bhis @as an e`tremely
complicate0 an0 0i++icult situation +or Vitnams sovereignty over the Paracel an0 Spratly
Pslan0s; *ecause *oth the governments o+ the Democratic .epu*lic o+ Vitnam an0 the
.epu*lic o+ Vitnam either 0i0 not sho@ support +or or ignore0 the illegal occupation o+ the
Peoples .epu*lic o+ -hina an0 Bai@an in the Paracel an0 Spratly Pslan0s o+ Vitnam.
Ho@ever; a+ter the Heneva Breaty to @hich -hina itsel+ @as a signatory; the
government in South Vitnam ha0 the responsi*ility to manage or to a*an0on the sovereignty
%&S
o+ the Paracel an0 Spratly Pslan0s as these t@o groups o+ islan0s lay *elo@ the $Sth Parallel.
Bhe o++icial letter issue0 *y Prime !inister Pham Van Dong in $DCJ; sho@ing support +or
-hinas 0eclaration o+ $" 'nots rNpBP-: !P:,Ss o+ territorial @aters as @ell as any
other vie@s o+ the Hovernment o+ the Democratic .epu*lic o+ Vitnam @ith respect to the
Paracel an0 Spratly Pslan0s; 0i0 not have any international legal vali0ity. Bhus; -hinas
claim o+ Vitnams a*an0onment o+ its sovereignty an0 -hinas accusation o+ Vitnams
0eceit+ul policy @ere untrue an0 ha0 no legal *asis @hatsoever. Pn the conte`t o+ the -ol0
Var an0 the con+lict *et@een t@o opposing political entities; the Peoples .epu*lic o+ -hina
@as a close ally o+ the Democratic .epu*lic o+ Vitnam on one si0e against the common
enemy that @as the pnite0 States; an ally o+ Bai@an an0 the .epu*lic o+ Vitnam; on the
other. Bhere+ore; any con+licts at the time @ere Uust short)term; spontaneous con+rontational
political policies.
9n $&
th
?uly $DQ$; Decree No. $S%NV promulgate0 *y the Presi0ent o+ the .epu*lic
o+ Vitnam ma0e the Paracel Pslan0s part o+ 1u8ng Nam Province an0 esta*lishe0 a village
on this islan0 name0 5Lnh H>i *elonging to Ho8 Vang District.
Pn the sai0 0ecree; it @as state0 that(
Bhe Paracel Pslan0s ha0 *elonge0 to Bha BhiAn Province; *ut @ere no@
anneè0 to 1u>ng Nam Province (rt. $).
Bhe @hole group o+ islan0s @as no@ a single a0ministrative unit calle0 5Lnh
H>i Village. Pn Ho8 Vang District. 5Lnh H>i Village @as put un0er the control o+ an
a0ministrative o++icer (rt. ").
Pn /e*ruary $DCD; a num*er o+ -hinese +ishermen attempte0 to lan0 on the @est si0e
o+ Paracel Pslan0s; *ut +aile0. Bhey @ere arreste0 *y the Navy o+ the .epu*lic o+ Vitnam
an0 sent *ac' to -hina.
9n $&
th
?uly $DS$; Bhe !inister +or /oreign ++airs o+ the .epu*lic o+ Vitnam; Brbn
V=n :_m; in !anila reiterate0 Vitnams claims an0 presente0 the *asis o+ such claims over
the Spratly Pslan0s.
9n Q
th
Septem*er $DS&; Bhe !inister o+ the Pnterior o+ the Hovernment o+ the
.epu*lic o+ Vitnam amen0e0 the a0ministrative management o+ the Spratly Pslan0s *y
incorporating it into PhEc H>i -ommune; 5yt 5| District; PhEc Buy Province (recalling
that 0uring the previous regime o+ Ng6 5hnh Dim in $DCQ there @as a 0ecree renaming the
Spratly Pslan0s the Paracel Pslan0s.)
%&J
/ollo@ing the -ommon -ommuniiuZ o+ Shanghai in $DS" *et@een the pnite0 States
an0 -hina; @hich cause0 an irrepara*le *rea'up in the relationship *et@een the Soviet pnion
an0 the Peoples .epu*lic o+ -hina; the Vitnam Var came to an en0 an0 the change in the
@orl0 political scenario a++ecte0 Vitnam; inclu0ing the protection o+ Vitnams sovereignty
over the Paracel an0 Spratly Pslan0s. 9n $$
th
?anuary $DS%; the Peoples .epu*lic o+ -hina
state0 that the anneàtion o+ Spratly Pslan0s to Phuoc Buy Province o+ the .epu*lic o+
Vitnam @as a violation o+ -hinas territorial integrity an0 reiterate0 -hinas claims over the
Paracel an0 Spratly Pslan0s.
9n $"
th
?anuary $DS%; the Hovernment o+ the .epu*lic o+ Vitnam reUecte0 -hinas
claims. 9n $C
th
?anuary $DS%; the Peoples .epu*lic o+ -hina *egan to 0eploy a po@er+ul
+leet in @hich many arme0 vessels @ere 0isguise0 as +ishing *oats an0 supporte0 *y
airplanes. 9n the other si0e; the Navy Hea0iuarters o+ the .epu*lic o+ Vitnam sent its naval
ship :7 BhETng Xit to the Paracel Pslan0s +or patrol an0 surveillance.
+ter 0etecting the presence o+ the arme0 +orces o+ the Peoples .epu*lic o+ -hina in
the region o+ Paracel Pslan0s @ith -hinese +lags raise0 on !oney Pslan0 (1uang fnh) an0
.o*ert Pslan0 (Hcu Nhet); the arme0 +orces o+ the .epu*lic o+ Vitnam @ere rein+orce0 *y
the @arships Brbn Xhlnh DE an0 Br8n 3hnh Brong an0 convoy vessel Nhet B>o. Bhe
augmente0 +orces o+ the .epu*lic o+ Vitnam also inclu0e0 a num*er o+ marine comman0os
@ho @ere or0ere0 to lan0 on the islan0s to pull 0o@n +lags o+ the Peoples .epu*lic o+ -hina.
Some *attles too' place an0 gun+ire @as hear0 on Duncan Pslan0 (1uang Ho8) an0 another
islan0.
Ne`t; on $Q
th
?anuary $DS%; the Hovernment o+ the .epu*lic o+ Vitnam o++icially
reUecte0 the arguments o+ the Peoples .epu*lic o+ -hina an0 presente0 clear legal; historical
an0 geographical evi0ence to prove the sovereignty o+ the .epu*lic o+ Vitnam over these
t@o groups o+ islan0s. 3oth nations starte0 to 0eploy troops an0; at one stage; @ar vessels o+
*oth si0es @ere only a*out "## m +rom one another. +ter@ar0s; *oth si0es separate0 to
prepare an0 the sea *attle *ro'e out at $#("C on $D
th
?anuary $DS%. 9ne ship o+ the Peoples
.epu*lic o+ -hina @as set a+ire. Vessels num*ers "J$ an0 $J" o+ the Peoples .epu*lic o+
-hina com*ine0 their +orces in the assault an0 hit the Nhat Bao in the *ri0ge an0 engine
room. -aptain Ngu V=n Bh8 0ie0 in action. +ter an hour o+ *attle; t@o vessels o+ the
Peoples .epu*lic o+ -hina san' an0 t@o other @ere a+ire. 9n the si0e o+ the .epu*lic o+
Vitnam; apart +rom convoy vessel Nhet B>o; @hich san'; several other vessels @ere
0amage0 an0 a num*er o+ sol0iers @ere capture0 or missing. n merican name0 Heral0
Xosh; a civilian @ith the De+ense ttachZ 9++ice o+ the merican ,m*assy in Saigon an0
%&D
special envoy to the Navy Hea0iuarters o+ the /irst !ilitary zone o+ the .epu*lic o+
Vitnam @as also capture0 (accor0ing to -hvnh :uen ne@spaper; Pssue no. "DJ"; 0ate0 &$
st
?anuary $DS%). Xosh @as release0 at $"(## noon on &$
st
?anuary $DS%. 9n $S
th
/e*ruary
$DS%; the 3eiUing Hovernment release0 %& sol0iers an0 o++icials o+ the .epu*lic o+ Vitnam
in Bdn Hii (Hong Xong).
Bhe .epu*lic o+ Vitnam Hovernment reiueste0 intervention +rom the pS *ut the
pS 0eci0e0 to stay a@ay +rom the con+lict. n ssistant to the p.S. Secretary o+ State;
rthur Hummel; in+orme0 the .epu*lic o+ Vitnam Hovernment that the pnite0 States @oul0
not get involve0 in the Paracels 0ispute.
Via a 0iplomatic message sent to all signatories o+ the Paris Breaty ($DS&); the
Hovernment o+ the .epu*lic o+ Vitnam reiterate0 the guarantee o+ Vitnams territorial
integrity an0 reiueste0 a special meeting o+ the pN Security -ouncil.
9n $
st
/e*ruary $DS%; the .epu*lic o+ Vitnam Hovernment 0eci0e0 to intensi+y the
0e+ense o+ the Spratly Pslan0s *y sen0ing army +orces to settle on +ive islan0s in the Spratly
group. Via its m*assa0or in !anila; the .epu*lic o+ Vitnam Hovernment a++irme0
Vitnams sovereignty over the Paracel an0 Spratly Pslan0s.
9n $ /e*ruary $DS%; a 0elegation o+ the .epu*lic o+ Vitnam at the pN -on+erence
on the -onvention o+ the la@ o+ the sea hel0 at -aracas; rea++irme0 Vitnams sovereignty
over the concerne0 islan0s an0 accuse0 3eiUing o+ inva0ing the Paracel Pslan0s. 9n &#
th
!arch $DS%; a representative o+ the .epu*lic o+ Vitnam Hovernment asserte0 Vitnams
sovereignty over the Paracels an0 Spratlys at the sia an0 /ar ,ast -ouncil o+ ,conomy an0
/inance meeting in -olom*o. 9n $%
th
/e*ruary $DSC; the !inistry o+ /oreign ++airs o+ the
.epu*lic o+ Vitnam issue0 a Vhite Paper concerning the Paracel an0 Spratly Pslan0s.
Pn summary; @hen /rance inva0e0 Vitnam +or the secon0 time; lea0ing to the
resistance @ar against /rance ($D%C)$DC%); /rance still ha0 a signi+icant naval presence in
Bhe South -hina Sea (,ast Sea) an0 implemente0 Vitnams sovereignty over the Paracel
an0 Spratly Pslan0s. Bhe Heneva Breaty in $DC% stipulate0 that the territory lying *elo@ the
$Sth Parallel @oul0 *e un0er the control o+ the Hovernment o+ South Vitnam. Vhen /rench
arme0 +orces le+t in pril $DCQ; the 0e+ense o+ the Paracel an0 Spratly Pslan0s @as le+t vacant.
!ean@hile the -ol0 Var *et@een the capitalist @orl0 le0 *y the pnite0 States an0 the
socialist @orl0 le0 *y the Soviet pnion @as un0er @ay. Vitnam @as 0ivi0e0; resulting in the
con+lict *et@een the t@o governments an0 the +ailure to protect its territorial sovereignty;
thus ena*ling -hina to occupy part o+ an0 gra0ually the @hole o+ the Paracel Pslan0s. Bhe
.epu*lic o+ Vitnam manage0 to protect some o+ the Spratly Pslan0s *ut un+ortunately @as
%%#
una*le to prevent Bai@an +rom occupying 3a 3hnh ) g islan0 (the largest islan0 in the
Spratly group) an0 the Philippines +rom occupying some islan0s inclu0ing Song BK 56ng )
in the Spratly group.
Bhat is @hy @e can state that the main reason lea0ing to the 0ispute *et@een 0i++erent
nations in the region concerning Vitnams territorial sovereignty as @ell as -hinas illegal
occupation o+ the @hole o+ Paracel an0 Spratly Pslan0s 0uring this perio0 @as simply the
political upheavals in Vitnam an0 the @orl0; the pnite0 States @ith0ra@al +rom an0
un@illingness to protect its ally the .epu*lic o+ Vitnam; letting -hina inva0e the Paracel
Pslan0s *y +orce.
3et@een $DSC an0 $DD#; Vitnam entere0 into close cooperation @ith the Soviet
pnion; @hereas -hina ha0 signe0 a -ommon -ommuniiuZ @ith the pnite0 States in
Shanghai in $DS". Bhe con+lict *et@een the Soviet pnion an0 -hina 0i0 not su*si0e
Vitnam an0 -hina ha0 a *rie+ *or0er @ar in $DSD; causing the 0ispute *et@een the t@o
countries over the Paracel an0 Spratly Pslan0s to @orsen.
Bhe Hovernment o+ uni+ie0 Vitnam continue0 to a++irm Vitnams claim to the
Paracel an0 Spratly Pslan0s; still su++ering +rom the a+ter shoc's o+ the ongoing con+lict
*et@een international po@ers an0 +in0ing itsel+ una*le to en0 the 0ispute over the Paracel an0
Spratly Pslan0s. +ter the 3u6n !A Bhu]t victory; the strategic opportunity to li*erate the
South o+ Vitnam +inally came. Bhe Polit*uro 0eci0e0 to completely li*erate the South o+
Vitnam 0uring the 0ry season o+ $DSC; inclu0ing the Spratly Pslan0s; -6n :6n; Ph 1unc;
etc.
9n C
th
pril $DSC; the Navy Hea0iuarters 0eci0e0 to prepare +or the *attle to li*erate
the Spratly Pslan0s. Bhe li*erating +orces consiste0 o+ vessels o+ the rmy Bransport -onvoy
no. $"C; -omman0o 3riga0e no. $"Q; 3attalion num*ers %#S an0 %S$; -omman0o Siua0 o+
!ilitary zone C an0 -omman0o +orces o+ Xhanh Hoa Province. Bhe Navy Hea0iuarters
inten0e0 to s@i+tly ta'e over Song BK Bdy Pslan0 +irst as a spring*oar0 an0 e`perience +or
continuing assaults on Nam NOt; Sgn -a; Sinh BRn; n 3ang; Spratly an0 the remaining
islan0s in the group.
9n D
th
Septem*er $DSC; the representative o+ the Provisional .evolutionary
Hovernment o+ South Vitnam at the Vorl0 -on+erence o+ !eteorology registere0 Vitnams
meteorology station in Paracel Pslan0s.
%%$
9n $#
th
Septem*er $DSC; 3eiUing sent an o++icial memo to the Democratic .epu*lic o+
Vitnam claiming sovereignty over the Paracel an0 Spratly Pslan0s (@hich -hina calle0 Wisha
(&) an0 Nansha; respectively).
9n "%
th
Septem*er $DSC; in a meeting @ith the 0elegation o+ the Party an0
Hovernment o+ the Democratic .epu*lic o+ Vitnam le0 *y Secretary Heneral :A Dun;
-hinese lea0er Deng Wiao Ping 0eclare0 that the t@o nations shoul0 0iscuss the issues o+
Wisha (&) an0 Nansha later.
9n $"
th
!ay $DSS; the Hovernment o+ Vitnam ma0e a 0eclaration on the territorial
@aters an0 continental shel+ o+ Vitnam.
Pn Septem*er $DSS; on his visit to the Philippines an0 in 9cto*er $DSS on his visit to
!alaysia; Prime !inister Ph<m V=n 5Rng agree0 @ith Presi0ent /er0inan0 !arcos an0
Prime !inister Hussein 9n that *oth si0es shoul0 settle every con+lict an0 0ispute through
peace+ul means.
Pn !arch $DSJ; the Vorl0 0ministrative .a0io -on+erence rati+ie0 a resolution
allo@ing -hina to use a num*er o+ ra0io +reiuencies over the airspace o+ Paracel Pslan0s.
9n &#
th
Decem*er $DSJ; the spo'esperson o+ the !inistry o+ /oreign ++airs o+ the
Socialist .epu*lic o+ Vitnam reUecte0 the allegation o+ the -hinese +oreign a++airs
spo'esperson 0ate0 "D
th
/e*ruary $DSJ on the issues o+ the Spratly Pslan0s; an0 rea++irme0
Vitnams sovereignty over the Paracel an0 Spratly Pslan0s; repeating the policy o+ Vitnam
to settle all con+licts an0 0isputes *y peace+ul negotiations.
9n &#
th
?uly $DSD; -hina presente0 in 3eiUing some 0ocuments to sho@ that Vitnam
ha0 ac'no@le0ge0 -hinas sovereignty over Paracel an0 Spratly Pslan0s.
9n S
th
ugust $DSD; the !inistry o+ /oreign ++airs o+ the Socialist .epu*lic o+
Vitnam ma0e an o++icial announcement on the matter o+ Paracel an0 Spratly Pslan0s;
reUecting the 0istortions *y -hina in presenting some Vitnamese 0ocuments concerning the
Paracel an0 Spratly Pslan0s; rea++irming Vitnams sovereignty over these t@o groups o+
islan0s; reiterating Vitnams stan0point on the settlement o+ the 0ispute *et@een the t@o
countries through peace+ul negotiations.
9n "Jth Septem*er $DSD; the !inistry o+ /oreign ++airs o+ Vitnam presente0 a
num*er o+ 0ocuments concerning Vitnams sovereignty over the Paracel an0 Spratly Pslan0s.
9n "J
th
Septem*er $DSD; the !inistry o+ /oreign ++airs o+ Vitnam reUecte0 the
anneàtion o+ almost all o+ the Spratly Pslan0s to the territory o+ the Philippines.
%%"
9n &#
th
?anuary $DJ#; the !inistry o+ /oreign ++airs o+ -hina announce0 some
0ocuments on Wisha ( &) an0 Nansha. 9n C
th
/e*ruary $DJ#; the !inistry o+ /oreign
++airs o+ Vitnam issue0 an announcement to 0enounce the 0istortions *y -hina in their
statement 0ate0 &#
th
?anuary $DJ#.
9n "D
th
pril $DJ#; the !inistry o+ /oreign ++airs o+ Vitnam sent an o++icial memo
to !alaysia to protest against !alaysias announcement o+ a map o+ !alaysia in+ringing
upon the territorial @ater an0 continental shel+ o+ Vitnam aroun0 the region o+ the Spratly
Pslan0s.
9n J
th
!ay $DJ#; 0uring his visit to an0 meeting in !alaysia; !inister +or /oreign
++airs Nguyn -g Bh<ch a++irme0 that n 3ang Pslan0 *elonge0 to Vitnam.
Pn ?une $DJ#; at the Secon0 Vorl0 -on+erence o+ sian !eteorology hel0 in Heneva;
the representative o+ Vitnam 0eclare0 that -hinas meteorology station on Sanhu0ao
(*elonging to Paracel Pslan0s o+ Vitnam) @as illegal. s a result; Vitnams meteorology
station on the Paracel Pslan0s @as retaine0 in the list o+ sian meteorology stations.
9n $&
th
?une $DJ#; Vitnam reiueste0 9!! to register its Spratly meteorology
station to the 9!! net@or'.
Pn Decem*er $DJ$; the Heneral 3ureau o+ Post 9++ice o+ Vitnam telephone0 the
-hairperson o+ the /reiuency .egistration -ommittee to protest the +act that -hina @as
allo@e0 to *roa0cast on a num*er o+ +reiuencies over airspace o+ Vitnams Paracel an0
Spratly Pslan0s.
Pn Decem*er $DJ$; Bhe !inistry o+ /oreign ++airs o+ Vitnam announce0 its Vhite
Paper Paracel an0 Spratly Pslan0s; Berritories o+ Vitnam.
Pn ?une $DJ"; Ne@ -hina Press *roa0cast that a large har*or @as *eing constructe0 in
Pn 9cto*er; at the pPB Hovernance -on+erence; the representative o+ Vitnam
reUecte0 the change o+ air@ave *roa0casting as allocate0 in $DSJ in Heneva.
9n $"
th
Novem*er $DJ"; the Hovernment o+ Vitnam announce0 the *ase line use0
+or calculating the @i0th o+ its territorial @aters.
9n %
th
/e*ruary $DJ"; the Hovernment o+ Vitnam esta*lishe0 the Paracel District as
part o+ 1u>ng Nam)58 Nng Province.
9n D
th
Decem*er $DJ"; the Hovernment o+ Vitnam esta*lishe0 the Spratly District.
:ater; on "J
th
Decem*er $DJ"; the Hovernment o+ Vitnam 0eci0e0 to anne` the Spratly
District to Ph Xhlnh (no@ Xhlnh Ho8) Province.
%%&
Pn ?anuary $DJ&; the Vorl0 .a0io -ommunication -on+erence agree0 to consi0er
Vitnams proposal on the air@ave *roa0casting over the airspace o+ Paracel an0 Spratly
Pslan0s at its ne`t con+erence.
lso in ?anuary $DJ&; in the siaPaci+ic ir Bransport -on+erence in Singapore;
-hina @ante0 to @i0en the /light Pn+ormation .egion (/P.) o+ Huang^hou in+ringing upon
the /P.s o+ H8n]i an0 HR -hv !inh -ity; *ut the con+erence 0eci0e0 to maintain the eìsting
situation.
/rom %th to $Q
th
pril $DJ%; the 0elegation o+ the National ssem*ly o+ the Socialist
.epu*lic o+ Vitnam an0 the 0elegation +rom Ph Xhlnh Province visite0 Spratly District.
Deputy !inister +or iua Pro0ucts o+ Vitnam V2 V=n Brlc pai0 an inspection visit to the
+ishery in Spratly Pslan0s.
9n "C
th
pril $DJ%; the -hinese -ommittee +or Naming :an0mar's announce0 ne@
names +or islan0s; islets; ree+s; etc in the South -hina Sea; inclu0ing some islan0s in the
Paracel an0 Spratly Pslan0s o+ Vitnam.
9n Q
th
!ay $DJ%; the spo'esperson o+ the !inistry o+ /oreign ++airs o+ Vitnam
proteste0 against the a*ove naming *y -hina.
t the $&
th
-on+erence o+ the Pnternational -ommunication ssociation in 3ang'o';
the representative o+ Vitnam proteste0 against -hinas use o+ maps 0enoting Paracel an0
Spratly Pslan0s (@hich -hina calle0 Wisha ( 7) an0 Nansha; respectively) as *elonging to
-hina.
Bhe !inistry o+ /oreign ++airs o+ Vitnam proteste0 against !alaysia +or illegally
occupying Hoa :au Pslan0 in the group o+ Spratly Pslan0s. Vitnam also proteste0 against the
-hinese National ssem*lys announcement on $
st
?une $DJ% o+ the esta*lishment the Hainan
a0ministrative region comprising Wisha (7) an0 Nansha.
Pn early $DJC; Heneral V=n BiOn D2ng; !inister +or De+ense o+ Vitnam; visite0 the
Spratly Pslan0s.
Pn $DJQ; Hu Nao*ang; Secretary Heneral o+ the -hinese -ommunist Party;
accompanie0 *y :iu Hua 1ing)T( an0 zhang zhong ?in ) U; pai0 an inspection
visit to Paracel Pslan0s.
Pn !ay $DJS; 0miral Hilp V=n -Egng; Navy -omman0er)in)-hie+ o+ Vitnam;
pai0 a visit to Spratly Pslan0s.
3et@een $Q
th
!ay an0 Q
th
?une $DJS; the -hinese navy con0ucte0 a military eèrcise
in the region o+ Spratly Pslan0s.
%%%
Pn 9cto*er $DJS; the -hinese navy con0ucte0 a military eèrcise in the Vest Paci+ic
an0 the South -hina Sea.
9n $#
th
Novem*er $DJS; the -hinese navy lan0e0 on :ouisa Pslan0 (Q
o
J; $$&
o)
Pn ?anuary $DJJ; a large +leet o+ naval vessels; inclu0ing many 0estroyers an0 roc'et)
+iring ships; le+t Hainan an0 hea0e0 south. /our vessels @ere sent to the Spratly Pslan0s to
provo'e an0 o*struct t@o Vitnamese cargo ships in the region o+ -hc Bhep an0 -hdu ViAn
.ee+s; @hich are coral ree+s on the @ater sur+ace. -hinese troops put up +lags on these t@o
ree+s an0; at the same time; or0ere0 their vessels to o*struct an0 provo'e Vitnamese cargo
ships 0oing normal supply activities *et@een islan0s protecte0 *y the Vitnamese army.
During this operation; -hina set up a special hea0iuarters an0 mo*iliê0 the Nanhai navy
+leet; augmente0 *y part o+ the Donghai +leet; +reiuently using "# vessels o+ 0i++erent 'in0s in
the region o+ the Spratly Pslan0s.
-oncerning the event on $%
th
!arch $DJJ; -hina state0 that( -hina @as +orce0 to
respon0 +or sel+)0e+ense. ccor0ing to that allegation; it @oul0 mean that the Vitnamese
Navy @as the attac'er (@ith t@o cargo vessels); @hereas the -hinese Navy @as 0e+en0ing
itsel+. -hina mo*iliê0 a +leet o+ si` @ar vessels; inclu0ing three convoy ships; num*ers C#";
C#D an0 C&$; eiuippe0 @ith roc'ets an0 $##mm artillery; attac'e0 @ithout provocation; an0
san' three cargo vessels o+ Vitnam 0oing supply tas's on :an Dao; -o lin an0 Hac !a
.ee+s in the group o+ Sinh BRn Pslan0s o+ Vitnam.
9n $%
th
!arch $DJJ; a sea *attle *ro'e out *et@een -hina an0 Vitnam in the South
-hina Sea. lthough the *attle laste0 only "J minutes; it attracte0 attention o+ the @hole
@orl0. Bransportation Vessel no. Q% o+ the Vitnamese Navy; +ull o+ sol0iers; @as +ire0 upon
an0 san' at the site; amphi*ious Vessel no. C#C an0 another transport Vessel; no. Q#C; @ere
*a0ly 0amage0 *y +lames an0 *lac') smo'e columns. Bransportation Vessel no. C#C san' on
the @ay home; @hile transportation Vessel no. Q#C ran agroun0. Bhe uneven *attle *et@een
transportation vessels o+ Vitnam @ith naval vessels o+ -hina; lasting Uust "J minutes; en0e0
@ith one vessel o+ Vitnam *eing sun' at the site; t@o others 0amage0; "# people inUure0 an0
0ea0 an0 S% people missing. 9n the si0e o+ -hina; only some survey o++icials an0 sta++ on
the islan0s @ere inUure0 @ithout any other 0amage. Bhat @as a sea *attle that -hina
consi0ere0 a neat an0 *eauti+ul stri'e (sic) +ter this *attle; the -hinese navy has
continue0 to o*struct the supply activities o+ Vitnamese ships.
3y Q
th
pril $DJJ; -hina ha0 occupie0 the ree+s o+ -hc Bhep; -hdu ViAn; Ha Ven; BE
NghIa; Hac !a an0 Su*i.
%%C
9n &
r0
?anuary $DJD; -hina erecte0 sovereignty mar'er stones on the *eaches they
ha0 occupie0 in $DJJ o+ -hc Bhep; -hdu ViAn; Ha Ven; BE NghIa; Hac !a an0 Su*i. .ee+s.
Pn $DJJ; the government o+ the Socialist .epu*lic o+ Vitnam sent noti+ication to the
pnite0 Nations an0 many protest memos to 3eiUing; particularly those on $Q
th
; $Sth an0 "&
r0
!arch $DJJ proposing *oth si0es negotiate an0 settle the issue. -hina continue0 to occupy
the ree+s they ha0 inva0e0 an0 re+use0 to negotiate. 9n $%
th
pril $DJJ; the !inistry o+
/oreign ++airs o+ the Socialist .epu*lic o+ Vitnam proteste0 the anneàtion o+ the Paracel
an0 Spratly Pslan0s to Hainan Province *y the -hinese National ssem*ly (un0er .esolution
0ate0 $&nth pril $DJJ esta*lishing Hainan Province).
Pn pril $DJJ; the !inistry o+ /oreign ++airs o+ the Socialist .epu*lic o+ Vitnam
announce0 its Vhite Paper entitle0 Paracel an0 Spratly Pslan0s an0 Pnternational :a@.
9n $%
th
ugust $DJD; the Vitnamese Hovernment 0eci0e0 to esta*lish the Service
Scienti+ic ,conomic -omple` on BE -hvnh; HuyGn Brdn; 1uO DEgng; Phc Bbn an0 Phc
NguyAn .ee+s aroun0 Vitnams continental shel+ at coor0inates SJ
o
& N; $#D$$"
o
"# ,.
9n "
n0
9cto*er $DJD; the /oreign ++airs spo'esperson o+ Vitnam reUecte0 the
arguments in the 0eclaration o+ -hina on "J
th
pril $DJD. Bhe spo'esperson o+ the !inistry
o+ /oreign ++airs o+ -hina accuse0 Vitnam o+ trespassing a num*er o+ islan0s an0 isles in
V<n n an0 $an Nha *eaches in Nansha.
Pn !ay $DJD; -hina inva0e0 a num*er o+ small islan0s. 9n D
th
!arch $DD#; -hina
complete0 a scienti+ic survey in the Spratly Pslan0s commence0 three years *e+ore.
9n $J
th
!arch $DD#; many +ishing *oats +rom Huang^hou con0ucte0 +ishing activities
in the Spratly Pslan0s. 9n $Q
th
pril $DD#; the !inistry o+ /oreign ++airs o+ Vitnam sent a
memo to the m*assa0or o+ -hina in H8n]i protesting against the +act that -hina allo@e0
many @ar vessels; surveying *oats an0 +ishing *oats to con0uct activities in the territorial
@aters o+ Vitnam in the Spratly Pslan0s.
9n "J
th
pril $DD#; the !inistry o+ /oreign ++airs o+ Vitnam sent a 0iplomatic note
to the -hinese ,m*assy in H8n]i; protesting against the +act that -hina ha0 mo*iliê0 troops
to occupy n 5yt 3each in the Spratly Pslan0s.
Since $DD#; a+ter the collapse o+ the Soviet pnion an0 the ,astern ,uropean regimes;
Vitnam has renovate0 itsel+ an0 ma0e +rien0s @ith all nations in the @orl0; inclu0ing -hina
an0 the pnite0 States. Bhe 0ispute a*out the Paracel an0 Spratly Pslan0s *et@een -hina an0
Vitnam is no longer as severe as it @as *e+ore. Ho@ever; potential rich oil reserves in the
South -hina Sea prevent -hina +rom returning the Paracel Pslan0s to Vitnam; an0 -hina an0
%%Q
many other nations in the region still continue 0isputing Vitnams sovereignty over the
Spratly Pslan0s.
Pn ugust $DD#; -hinas Prime !inister :i Peng propose0 a Uoint e`ploitation in the
region o+ the Spratly Pslan0s.
9n $
st
Decem*er $DD#; 0uring his visit to the Philippines; Prime !inister :i Peng sai0
Ve coul0 +in0 an appropriate solution to the issue o+ Spratly Pslan0s +or concerne0
parties at a suita*le time; i+ it is not this moment; P thin' @e shoul0 postpone this issue an0 0o
not let it o*struct the relationship *et@een -hina an0 other concerne0 nations in the region.
9n $
st
/e*ruary $DD$; -hina procee0e0 @ith the construction o+ many lighthouses on
the recently occupie0 ree+s in Spratly Pslan0s.
9n "C
th
!ay $DD$; -hina announce0 the results o+ its eight)year scienti+ic survey in
the Spratly Pslan0s starting in $DJ%.
9n %
th
?uly $DD$; an uno++icial seminar @as hel0 in Xuala :umpur to settle con+licts in
the South -hina Sea; to @hich -hina sent a 0elegation. Bhe spo'esman o+ 3eiUing 0eclare0
that the atten0ance o+ -hina 0i0 not mean -hina ha0 change0 its policy an0 state0 -hina
al@ays stic's to the policy o+ settling con+licts @ith peace+ul means; -hina is @illing to
0iscuss any possi*le @ays an0 metho0s o+ Uoint e`ploitation.
3et@een $C
th
an0 $J
th
?uly $DD$; +ollo@ing an initiative propose0 *y Pn0onesia; an
international con+erence @as hel0 in 3om*ay @ith the atten0ance o+ concerne0 nations in the
region aroun0 the Spratly Pslan0s. Bhe +inal communiiuZ encourage0 0iscussions an0
negotiations.
9n $#
th
Novem*er $DD$; lea0ers o+ Vitnam an0 -hina signe0 a Uoint communiiuZ in
3eiUing on the normaliâtion o+ 0iplomatic relationship *et@een the t@o countries.
9n "C
th
/e*ruary $DD"; the -hinese National ssem*ly approve0 a la@ on territorial
@aters an0 a0Uacent regions to -hina; stipulating the @i0th o+ its territorial @aters to *e $"
'nots or nautical miles an0 the territory o+ -hina among +our groups o+ islan0s (,ast; Vest;
!i00le an0 South) an0 5iOu NgE Pslan0.
Pn $DD%; Vitnam proteste0 to -hina +or violating Vitnams territorial @aters an0
special economic ônes @hen -hina signe0 @ith -restones -orp. (pS) an agreement on the
e`ploration an0 e`ploitation o+ petroleum that -hina calle0 the Van n 3ac "$ greement.
9n $J
th
pril $DD%; ..-. Bhompson; -hairman o+ -restones ,nergy (pS); 0eclare0 in a
press release that they @ere con0ucting a seismological survey an0 got rea0y to visit the
islan0s to assess the oil an0 gas potential in the region; 'no@n as the V<n n 3ac "$
greement. Bhe me0ia release sai0(
%%S
Bhe scienti+ic research an0 *usiness activities in the +uture @ill *e the latest
0evelopment in the history o+ scienti+ic research an0 e`ploration in the South -hina Sea an0
in the region o+ Van n 3ac o+ -hina; 0ate0 *ac' to "## 3- 0uring ,mperor Vu o+ the Han
Dynasty.
3e+ore $DCS; many +oreign corporations ha0 con0ucte0 geophysical surveys an0
e`ploratory *orings in South Vitnams continental shel+ t@o oil @ells @ith commercial
potential @ere 0etecte0. Pn the late $DS#s; a num*er o+ corporations such as HPP (Ptaly);
DP!PN,W (Vest Hermany); an0 3o@ Valley (-ana0a) e`plore0 +ive oil lots aroun0 the
sea+loor o+ South Vitnam. Bhese corporations cease0 their operations in $DSD. Pn
Septem*er $DSC; Vitnam 9il an0 Has Hroup (Petrol Vitnam) @as esta*lishe0 to promote
the e`ploration an0 e`ploitation o+ oil an0 gas. Bhe continental shel+ o+ Vitnam has an
approìmate area o+ $.& million 'm
"
; 0ivi0e0 into $S$ lots o+ an average area o+ J;### 'm
"
each. Bhere are &$ lots @ith an average 0epth o+ C# m; &C lots *et@een C#$## m 0eep; $#
lots *et@een $##"C# m 0eep; &J lots *et@een "##";### m 0eep an0 CS lots @ith a 0epth o+
over ";### m. Vithin the continental shel+ o+ Vitnam; there are many !esoôic era
se0imentary *asins li'ely to contain petroleum. 3y the late $DJ#s; over the entire continental
shel+ o+ Vitnam; especially in the South; more than $##;### 'm o+ geophysical lines ha0
*een e`plore0; @ith hun0re0s o+ e`ploratory *orings; an0 three oil an0 gas @ells (Vhite Biger
(3<ch H); Dragon (.Rng) an0 3ig 3ear (5<i H[ng)) @ere 0etecte0. Since $DJQ; Vhite
Biger oil @ell has *een e`ploite0. Bhe output in $DJQ; $DJJ; $DJD; $DD# an0 $DD$ @as #.#%
million tons; #.QJ million tons; $.C million tons; ".S million tons an0 &.DQ million metric tons;
respectively (accor0ing to Nguyn Hip; Vice Director Heneral o+ Petrol Vitnam;
,`ploration an0 e`ploitation o+ petroleum in Vitnam; Science an0 Homelan0; Pssue no.
D&; $DD"; p. C).
Bhe a*ove)mentione0 oil e`ploration an0 e`ploitation in Vitnams continental shel+
proves the potential o+ the South -hina Sea @ith respect to oil an0 gas prospects. Documents
o*taine0 +rom the Peoples .epu*lic o+ -hina suggest a total oil reserve *et@een "& an0 &#
*illion tons in the South -hina Sea. Pt is such rich reserves in oil that ma'e the 0ispute on
Vitnams sovereignty over the Paracel an0 Spratly Pslan0s 0i++icult to en0; although the era
@hen Vitnam lost its autonomy is over.
BH, B.pBH 39pB VPBN!S S9V,.,PHNBN 9V,. BH, P.-,: ND
SP.B:N PS:NDS ND SpSBPN3:, S9:pBP9NS B9 BH, P.93:,! 9/ BH,
P.-,: PS:NDS; SP.B:N PS:NDS ND BH, S9pBH -HPN S,
%%J
s 0iscusse0 previously; -hina; @hen starting its survey on Wisha () (i.e.; Paracel
Pslan0s) in $D#D; consi0ere0 it as terra nullius. 3ac' to $JDJ; the Huang^hou Hovernment o+
-hina in reply to a complaint *y an ,nglish ,nvoy in 3eiUing relating to the insurance *y an
,nglish insurance company o+ the Herman ship 3ellona (sun' in $JDC) an0 ?apanese ship
Unof!!aru (sun' in $JDQ) ro**e0 *y -hinese people in Hainan state0 that(
Bhose islan0s are 0eserte0 islan0s they *elong to neither -hina nor nnam; not
a0ministratively anneè0 to any 0istricts o+ Hainan an0 no government shall *ear
responsi*ility +or policing them (-+. !oniiue -hemillier)Hen0reau; p. $CJ).
Ho@ever; @hen /rance *egan to present historical evi0ence o+ Vitnams presence on
those islan0s; -hina; no@ an0 then; 'ept insisting that Wisha () (i.e.; Paracel) Pslan0s an0
the Nansha (i.e.; Spratly) Pslan0s ha0 *elonge0 un0ispute0ly to -hina long ago; sometimes
claiming to 0ate *ac' +rom the !ing Dynasty; at other times claiming to 0ate *ac' +rom the
Song Dynasty. Vhat is the truth
Bhe truth is that Paracel Pslan0s ha0 never *een terra nullius as the -hinese
Hovernment concocte0 in $D#D. Documents proving Vitnams sovereignty ha0 appeare0
continuously throughout 0i++erent eras( +rom the reign o+ the Nguyn :or0s (i.e.; early $S
th
century); to the Bdy Sgn Dynasty an0 +inally the Nguyn Dynasty (+rom ,mperor Hia :ong
on@ar0s). Vitnam no@ possesses nearly &# 0ocuments o+ various types; not the +e@ as
attache0 to the letter o+ Hovernor Heneral Pasiuier to the !inister +or -olonies on $J
th
9cto*er $D&#. Bhey clearly an0 e`plicitly a++irm Vitnams sovereignty over the concerne0
islan0s.
During the 5<i Vit 9 era; +rom the perio0 o+ the NorthSouth civil @ar to the
perio0 o+ the Bdy Sgn Dynasty; 0ocuments a*out Paracel Pslan0s that still eìst to0ay are
mainly those +rom the Hovernment o+ the BrLnh :or0s in North Vitnam; most importantly
BhiAn Nam tM chv l] mR thE ) (*+,- ($QJQ); HRng 5Mc !ap; Bo>n tep n Nam l]
) & ' ) , in BhiAn H< !ap; an0 Pht *iAn tn tep n Nam l] ) & ' )
, in $QJQ there @as a map; @hich is regar0e0 the ol0est 0ocument availa*le; that state0
clearly that annually the Nguyn :or0s sent $J @ar vessels to e`ploit -at Vang 3each
(Paracel Pslan0s). Pht *iAn t<p luc ) . / 0 1 ; @ritten *y :A 1u7 56n in $SSQ; @as an
%%D
ancient 0ocument in @hich the author 0escri*e0 the Paracel Pslan0s very care+ully. -hapter "
o+ this *oo' containe0 t@o passages a*out the Nguyn :or0s claim o+ 5i (Northern Sea) /lotilla\ +leets \team .
During the Nguyn Dynasty +rom $J#" to $D#D; there @ere many historical
0ocuments a*out Vitnams sovereignty over Paracel an0 Spratly Pslan0s (
DE mLa chv ) ;:8 in the series :Lch triGu hiOn chEgng lo
? @ @ritten *y Phan Huy -h ($J"$) an0 the *oo' Ho8ng Vit 5La DE -hv ($J&&)( Bhe
contents a*out the Paracel Pslan0s in these t@o *oo's have many 0etails similar to those in
Pht *iAn t<p luc ) . / 0 1 @ritten *y :A 1u7 56n in $SSQ.
5i (Northern Sea) /lotilla\ +leets \team .
5<i Nam thxc luc chvnh *iAn m nhyt ' )VW (etche0 an0
printe0 in $J%J) m nhL ' (etche0 an0 printe0 in $JQ%) m tam ' (etche0 an0 printe0 in
$JSD) containe0 $$ passages a*out Paracel an0 Spratly Pslan0s @ith many ne@; rich an0 very
speci+ic 0etails a*out the continuation o+ a++irmation o+ Vitnams sovereignty over Paracel
an0 Spratly Pslan0s.
very valua*le source is the -hdu *>n o+ the Nguyn Dynasty ($Dth
century); currently store0 in -entral rchives no. $ in H8n]i; +rom @hich @e can +in0 memos
an0 reports +rom government o++icials o+ various !inistries (such as !inistry o+ Pu*lic
Vor's\-onstruction.) an0 imperial 0ecrees esta*lishing Vitnams sovereignty over the
Paracel Pslan0s 0uring the Nguyn 0ynasty regar0ing such activities as inspection; survey;
0ra@ing up maps o+ the Paracel Pslan0s; erecting lan0mar's; etc. Pn the +i+th year o+ ,mperor
Bhiu BrL ($J%C); there @as a 0ecree or0ering the temporary cessation an0 later on the
resumption o+ the survey.
Bhe *oo' 5ng Ngai
Province an0 continue0 to assert the operations o+ the Ho8ng Sa (Hol0en San0) an0 3_c H>i
(Northern Sea) /lotilla\ +leets \team comman0e0 *y Ho8ng Sa (Hol0en San0)
/lotilla\ +leet \team .
%C#
Pn a00ition; ancient maps o+ Vitnam *et@een the $S
th
an0 $D
th
centuries all
0re@ -lt V8ng (Hol0en San0) 3each (i.e.; Paracel Pslan0s) an0 Spratly Pslan0s @ithin the
geographical *oun0ary o+ Vitnam.
!ost particularly; in $J&Q; ,mperor !inh !ang or0ere0 naval o++icer Ph<m HEu
Nhdt; a native o+ :y Sgn Pslan0; to comman0 a +leet to erect lan0mar's an0 mar'er stones in
the Paracel an0 Spratly Pslan0s\ :ater on such activities *ecame an annual event. 5<i Nam
thxc luc chvnh *iAn m nhL ' )VX W ; -hapter $QC; clearly mentione0 that in
the $S
th
year o+ ,mperor !inh !angs reign ($J&Q) the !inistry o+ Pu*lic Vor's propose0 to
the ,mperor the sen0ing o+ o++icials to the Paracel Pslan0s not only to measure ti0es an0 0ra@
maps *ut also to erect lan0mar's an0 mar'er stones. Pn the -hdu 3>n)Haêttes; the .eport
o+ the !inistry o+ Pu*lic Vor's 0ate0 $"
th
/e*ruary in the $S
th
year o+ Xing !inh !ang reign
($J&Q) together @ith ,mperor !inh !angs comments state0 very clearly(
,ach ship going to survey Paracel Pslan0s must *ring $# @oo0en plaiues (use0 as
lan0mar's) %.C thEc long an0 #.C thEc @i0e.
5<i Nam thxc luc chvnh *iAn m nhL ' )VX W ; chapter Q also state0
early(
,mperor !inh !ang accepte0 the recommen0ations o+ the !inistry o+ Pu*lic
Vor's\-onstruction an0 or0ere0 naval o++icer Pham HEu Nhdt to comman0 military vessels;
*ringing $# @oo0en plaiues use0 as lan0mar's. ,ach plaiue @as C NthPlcO long;
#.Q NthPlcO @i0e an0 #.$ NthPlcO thic'; each plaiue *earing the phrase Pn the $S
th
year o+
Xing !inh !angs reign; navy captain Pham HEu Nhdt; o*eying or0er +rom the Xing;
inspecte0 the Paracel Pslan0s; surveye0 the islan0s an0 put up lan0mar's as memorial (p.
"C*).
s those activities *ecame an annual event; in the series Xhdm 5Lnh 5<i Nam h]i
mi4n sx l ) FGHIJK ($JC$); chapter "#S; p. "C*"Qa an0 chapter ""$; there @ere
mentions o+ the construction o+ temples; putting up o+ hea0stones; erecting o+ lan0mar's in
$J&Q an0 the annual reiuirement o+ sen0ing navy troops to inspect an0 to 0ra@ maps.
-oncerning the -hinese 0ocuments proving Vi"tnam#s soereignty oer Paracel and
Spratly $slands, %e can o&sere that
.ecor0s o+ 9verseas ,vents (Hai @ai Ui shi ) V) @ritten *y Bhvch
5<i Sln ) XY (a -hinese 3onê) in $QDQ; -hapter & mentions the Spratly Pslan0s an0
asserts that the Nguyn :or0s sent ships to recover commo0ities on *oar0 sun'en ships in the
region o+ the Spratly Pslan0s.
%C$
9l0 maps 0ra@n *y the -hinese themselves *e+ore $D#D all prove that Wisha ( ) an0
Nansha 0i0 not *elong to -hina. Stu0ying all the -hinese maps *e+ore $D#D; it is impossi*le
to +in0 any maps mentioning Wisha ( ) or Nansha as territory o+ -hina. ll those maps
a++irm that Hainan Pslan0 is the southernmost point o+ -hina. +ter -hinas occupation o+
Paracel Pslan0s *y +orce in ?anuary $DS%; -hinese archaeological teams arriving in those
islan0s claime0 to 0iscover many ancient arti+acts such as ol0 coins; ceramics an0 carve0
stones on those islan0s. Ho@ever; none o+ these provi0e vali0 evi0ence o+ -hinas
sovereignty. 9n the contrary; they 0iscovere0 Ho8ng Sa tx )YZ (Hol0en San0 Bemple)
in the North o+ zongìng QR Pslan0; i.e.; /u lin Pslan0 (Ple 3oisZe). Bhis is in0ee0
clear evi0ence o+ Vitnams sovereignty over those islan0s.
Vestern 0ocuments have also prove0 Vitnams sovereignty over Paracel an0
Spratly Pslan0s(
:og*oo' on the ship mphitrite ($S#$1 "ub!h!ng 18C< con+irme0 the Paracel
Pslan0s *elonge0 to nnam.
:e !emoire sur la -ochinchine @ritten *y ?ean 3aptiste -haigneau ($SQD
$J"C) to@ar0s the en0 o+ ,mperor Hia :ongs reign (complete0 in $J"#) asserts that in $J$Q
,mperor Hia :ong o++icially claime0 sovereignty over the Paracel Pslan0s.
pnivers; Histoire et Description 0e tous :es Peuples; 0e leurs .eligions;
!oeurs et -outumes @ritten *y .everen0 Ba*er0 an0 pu*lishe0 in $J&& con+irms that
,mperor Hia :ong ha0 o++icially claime0 sovereignty over the Paracel Pslan0s in $J$Q.
n Nam m<i iunc hoa mR ) )", (Pllustrate0 !ap o+ the Hreat Nation
o+ nnam) *y .everen0 Ba*er0 pu*lishe0 in $J&J; appen0i` o+ the :atinnnam Dictionary;
states clearly Paracels seu -at Vang @ith eàct coor0inates as at present; not li'e -hinas
claim as along the coast (seu in :atin means or; -at Vang( Vitnamese; an0 Hoang Sa(
Sino)Vitnamese).
Bhe ?ournal o+ the siatic Society o+ 3engal; vol. Q pu*lishe0 an article
@ritten *y .everen0 Ba*er0 asserting that ,mperor Hia :ong o++icially hel0 sovereignty over
Pn the ?ournal o+ the Heography Society o+ :on0on ($J%D); Hut^la++ notice0
that the Hovernment o+ nnam ha0 set up a customs +leet an0 a small military *ase to collect
taès in the Paracel Pslan0s.
%C"
:ater on; -hina presente0 +alse evi0ence; contra0icting their initial statement (@hich
argue0 that the Paracel Pslan0s @ere terra nullius in $D#D) an0 claiming that Wisha ( )
ha0 *elonge0 to -hina +or a long time. 3ut in +act the names Wisha () an0 Nansha only
appeare0 a+ter $D#S @hereas the name Nansha @as inconsistent; sometimes it re+ers to
zhongsha (!accles+iel0 3an'); other times it re+ers to Nansha in the current location (i.e.; the
Spratly Pslan0s). Vhat is true is simply that 0uring the Han an0 the !ing Dynasties the
@hole o+ Vitnam @as 0ominate0 *y -hina; an0 0uring the Song Dynasty; 9 5<i Vit @as
also inva0e0; *ut Vitnam has no@ gaine0 its in0epen0ence.
Bhe truth a*out Vitnams sovereignty over the Paracel Pslan0s is clear as presente0
a*ove. Pt @as only *ecause Vitnam lost its autonomy @hen 0ominate0 *y /rance; an0 @hen
con+ronte0 @ith -hinas violation the /rench colonial government +aile0 to respon0
promptly. Vhen /rance change0 its policy an0 trie0 to protect Vitnams sovereignty over
the Paracel Pslan0s; it @as too late an0 unconvincing; since /rance @as itsel+ an inva0er.
Bhe truth is that no Vitnamese government; inclu0ing the colonial government that
@as responsi*le +or the a0ministration o+ the Paracel an0 Spratly Pslan0s; has ever a*an0one0
Vitnams sovereignty over the Paracel an0 Spratly Pslan0s.
Bhe primary reason @hy -hina 0ispute0 Vitnams sovereignty over the Paracel an0
Spratly Pslan0s @as that Vitnam @as coloniê0 *y /rance an0 a++ecte0 *y international an0
0omestic political upheavals; especially 0uring the -ol0 Var perio0 an0 a+ter@ar0s.
Bhe historical truth a*out Vitnams sovereignty; historical *ac'groun0 lea0ing to the
0ispute; an0 the causes o+ the violation o+ Vitnams sovereignty are a*un0antly clear. Bhus;
@ith Vitnam no longer 0ominate0 *y /rance an0 @ith the situations o+ Vitnam in the @orl0
change0; then the solution must *e ren0er unto -aesar that @hich *elongs to -aesar.
Bhere is no Vitnamese government an0 no Vitnamese; regar0less o+ his or her
political persuasion; that 0oes not regar0 as paramount the return o+ the Paracel Pslan0s to
Vitnam an0 the protection o+ the integrity o+ Spratly Pslan0s. History sho@s that even
though a country has *een coloniê0 +or thousan0s o+ years; i+ it is resilient an0 unyiel0ing
the struggle @ill one 0ay *e success+ul; @henever a goo0 opportunity arises. Vith respect to
S,N countries; on the *asis o+ the $DJ" -onvention on the :a@ o+ the Sea; they shoul0
ma'e concessions in the spirit o+ closer co)operation among mem*er countries +or the mutual
*ene+its o+ all parties concerne0.
Vitnam an0 -hina have a0Uacent mountains; rivers; an0 share many @orthy historical
lessons. Vitnam has a thousan0)year)ol0 tra0ition o+ resolutely 0e+en0ing its in0epen0ence
%C&
an0 autonomy; *ut it also al@ays consi0ers -hina its el0er *rother; +ollo@ing the tra0ition o+
*eing a +ence o+ -hina an0 never having the intention o+ harming -hinas interests.
ny solutions *ase0 on +orce such as the ?apanese invasion o+ the Paracel an0 Spratly
Pslan0s in $D&J an0 $D&D or the /rench colonialists 0omination o+ Vitnam +rom the $D"#s
to the $DC#s through their military a0vantages; or -hinas violent invasion in $DS% an0 $DJJ;
coul0 only *e merely temporary. Po@er+ul empires such as the .oman ,mpire in ancient
times; or the !ongolian ,mpire in the !i00le ges; or the /rench an0 3ritish ,mpires in
more recent times; @oul0 one 0ay *ecome @ea'ene0 an0 have to a*an0on the territories they
ha0 occupie0 *y +orce.
ny sustaina*le solutions must *e *ase0 on the historical truth that the government o+
Vitnam +irst occupie0 the Paracel an0 Spratly Pslan0s; @ithout 0ispute; an0 in accor0 @ith
@orl0 or0er accor0ing to the $D%C pnite0 Nations -harter; its su*seiuent resolutions; an0 the
$DJ" Pnternational :a@ o+ the Sea.
,very*o0y; inclu0ing the -hinese people; must *e @ell a@are o+ the a*ove)mentione0
historical truth
Vitnam must al@ays reiterate to the @orl0 that the -hinese occupation o+ the Paracel
Pslan0s in $DS% is completely illegal; contra0icting the charter an0 resolutions o+ the pnite0
Nations. Pt is not right to let the -hinese consi0er their illegal occupation o+ the Paracel
Pslan0s as 0one. ,ven i+ Vitnams po@er is ina0eiuate; @e shoul0 never sign any treaties
that may cause 0amage to our country.
Vhat nee0s to *e 0one imme0iately is to clari+y an0 pu*liciê the history o+
Vitnams governments that have ha0 sovereignty over the Paracel an0 Spratly Pslan0s +rom
long ago; an0 to *uil0 a sta*le; unite0; an0 po@er+ul Vitnam.
Bhe struggle to reclaim the Paracel Pslan0s +or Vitnam as @ell as the 0e+ense o+ the
integrity o+ Spratly Pslan0s @ill *e a long an0 ar0uous one; *ut it shall surely en0 in success
as Vitnam; @hich use0 to *e 0ominate0 *y the +eu0al po@er +rom the North; has al@ays
regaine0 in0epen0ence an0 autonomy @henever the opportunity arises.
%C%
(>(> T*+ *IST,RICA3 AND SCI+NTI4IC +$ID+NC+ ASS+RTS
S,$+R+I2NTY ,4 $I%TNAM ' R+4UT+S N,N6SCI+NTI4IC AR2UM+NTS ,4
C*INA 4,R T*+ PARAC+3 AND SPRAT3Y ARC*IP+3A2,S >
Hn NguyAn Nguyn Nh; Ph.D. in History
P. BH, HPSB9.P-: ,VPD,N-, D,!9NSB.B,S VPBN!S
S9V,.,PHNBN 9V,. BH, P.-,: & SP.B:N .-HPP,:H9S.
Bhe esta*lishment o+ the sovereignty o+ Vitnam in the Paracel an0 Spratly
rchipelagos is evi0ence0 *y historical 0ocuments; not only Vitnams *ut also -hinas as
@ell as those in the Vest; at the same time in possession o+ reality; peace an0 en+orcing
continuously o+ the Vitnamese states through the historical perio0s +rom the *eginning o+
the century WVPP to the century WPW. Pt is 0i++erent +rom the 0ocuments that -hina cite0 to try
0e0ucing to prove its sovereignty.
$.$. Bhe evi0ence +rom Vitnams history proves its sovereignty over Bhe Paracel
an0 Spratly rchipelagos
Pn Vitnam most 0ocuments *elong to the state; especially H]i 5i4n ([\); a 'in0 o+
*oo' recor0ing processing into the rules o+ -ourt or recor0s o+ .oyal; that is to say the
0ocuments e`change0 *et@een the Xing an0 -ourtiers or provinces 9++icials; are 0irect
evi0ence o+ the sovereignty o+ Vitnam over the Paracel an0 Spratly rchipelagos .
%CC
Vitnams 0ocuments mentione0 the geographic name Ho8ng Sa; 'no@n as -lt V8ng
or -Rn V8ng in the N6m (0emotic script); again very consistent +rom the *eginning o+ the
century WVPP; +rom the Nguyn :or0s perio0 to the century WW. pntil no@ the place)name
Paracels has remaine0. Ho8ng Sa; or in the N6m calle0 -lt V8ng; has *een con+irme0 *y
Vesterners as Paracel in the century WPW.
Bhe 0ocuments that 0emonstrate the sovereignty o+ Vitnam have appeare0
continuously through perio0s +rom the *eginning o+ the Nguyn :or0s perio0 (early the $S
th
century); to the Bdy Sgn Dynasty an0 the Nguyn Dynasty in early (+rom emperor Hia :ong)
through activities Ho8ng Sas team)/lotilla as @ell as a++irmation; the a0ministrative
management o+ Vitnams government; an0 then to the reign o+ emperor !inh !<ng; Bhiu
BrL via the naval operation. 5<i Nam nhyt thnng chv ) 678 (starte0 composing in
$JQC; complete0 in $JJ"; pu*lishe0 in $D$#); continuously asserte0 Paracels as *elonging to
the territory at sea o+ Vitnam.
,`clu0ing the materials is sort o+ li'e -hinas are o+ten cite0; that is to say the people
going through Paracels an0 +elt; or @rote a*out this archipelago as :7 V=n PhMc @rote
Vong 'iOn v<n l7 Br8ng Sa tlc or 5Rng h8nh thi thuyOt th>o saile0 on a ship to the
Philippines in $J&". Vitnam has nearly &# 0ocuments; continuity o+ through generation
+rom the early century WVPP until the +oreign countries impinge0;(Bhe /rench
0omination) has a++irme0 Vitnams sovereignty clearly.
$.$.$ Bhe a++irmation o+ sovereignty over Paracel an0 Spratly rchipelagos *y
Nguyn Dynasty Xings
Pn -hina; there arent any 0ocuments +rom the Xing an0 -hinese court that con+irms
its sovereignty over Paracels) Wisha ( ))Ho8ng Sa an0 Spratlys)NanSha)BrETng Sa
archipelagos; @hile the history o+ 0ocuments +rom Vitnam @ritten *y the emperors court
has sho@n that the Vitnamese court con+irme0 Paracels an0 Spratlys Sa as *elonging to
territorial @aters o+ Vitnam many times. Pt @as in those 0ays that Vitnam ha0 a protectorate
o+ the -hinese Xings; ought to 'no@ *etter than to claim such sovereignty *elonge0 to -hina.
Bhe +act came @hen the Huang0ong government sai0 that Paracels is an un)o@ne0 (res
nulltilus) lan0 in $D#D; hel0 possession in the Vestern @ay *rought in a *attleship; +ire0 "$
gunshots; an0 place0 the +lag o+ sovereignty.
9++icial 0ocuments o+ State o+ Vitnam; Vitnamese -ourts li'e the 5n BriGu Nguyn; an0 5<i Nam
%CQ
nhyt thnng chv ) 678 have recogniê0 very clearly that the ,mperor o+ Viet Nam an0
the Vitnamese -ourt al@ays con+irme0 Paracels as *elonging to *or0er o+ sea area o+
Vitnam.
Ba'e +or eàmple ugust utumn 1ui By year (the year o+ the Sna'e) $%
th
!inh
!<ng ($J&&); ,mperor !inh !<ng tol0 !inistry o+ Pu*lic Vor's (-onstruction))3] -6ng
that NRange Paracel !n 9uFng Nghar terr!tor!al Dater... (5<i Nam thxc luc chvnh
*iAn ) 2154); Bhe "n0 3oo'; volume $#%). 3vnh Bhdn Near (the year o+ the
mon'ey); $S
th
0ate !inh !<ng ($J&Q) (year o+ $Q
th
/Xo 9uang; 1ing Dynasties) Bhe
!inistry o+ Pu*lic Vor's)3] -6ng report to the ,mperor( The *o[ng Sa6Paracel area
belong!ng to our terr!tor!al Dater ! trateg!c "o!ntO (5 In the "r!ng= uually a""o!nte. &an of Dar
to "y Paracel belong!ng to terr!tor!al Dater of our country (.oyal Vie@e0
Documents o+ Nguyn Dynasty )ChEu :Fn Th!%u TrL volume C$; page "&C). Bhe *oo'
5O
Vith state +eatures; Paracels /lotilla\team; a paramilitary organiâtion inclu0es S#
men)ta`payers( minh) calle0 sol0iers; @ho @ere provi0e0 +oo0 +or si` months *y the State; le0
*y captain or team lea0er) m]i trEng assigne0 *y the -ourt to hol0 t@o +unctions guar0ing
Sa XY seaport (1u>ng NghIa); un0ertoo' 3_c H>i /lotilla\ team in the south; every year
has *een assigne0 the tas'; their o@n control an0 e`ploit recurrently; continuously an0
peace+ully rare sea+oo0 an0 other pro0uces inclu0ing +irearms o+ @rec'e0 ships in the
Paracel)Ho8ng Saarchipelago throughout 5<i Vit9 perio0 (the Hreat Viet). During the
Nguyn :or0s an0 the Bdy Sgn 0ynasty; that is to say +rom the *eginning o+ the century WVPP
to $J#$ an0 then is the early Nguyn Dynasty +rom $J#" to *e+ore $J$C; every year; Paracels
/lotilla\team (m]i Ho8ng Sa)operating in si` months +rom !arch to ugust lunar calen0ar
(pril to Septem*er o+ the solar calen0ar) to match the @eather con0ition; avoi0 too much
time in the storm in territorial @aters o+ Paracels archipelago.
During over t@o centuries +rom the latter century WVPP to the century WPW @ere
organiê0 3_c H>i /lotilla\teams to search sea pro0ucts in the 3_c H>i area (the
%CS
North Sea) that is to say area o+ Spratlys archipelago an0 -6n :6n; H8 BiAn also locate0 in
the south o+ 5<i Vit 9 (name o+ Vitnam). Pht *iAn ti /lotilla\ team; manage0 *y Paracels /lotilla\ team; to 3_c H>i ;
the -6n :6n islan0s +in0 out sea pro0ucts .
Pht *iAn ti *ecause
they mere o*taine0 the sea pro0ucts mentione0 a*ove i.e. turtles; sea tortoise; 5Rn NgE (as
0olphins as pigs); marine leeches; @hile they sel0om loo'e0 +or the gol0; silver an0 other
precious possessions. So; 0ue to the 3_c H>i /lotilla\ team rarely searche0 precious
o*Uects; inclu0ing gol0 an0 guns; shoul0 the Nguyn :or0s or0ere0 the Paracels /lotilla\team
(m]i Ho8ng Sa)managing o+ it. Pt is easy to un0erstan0; *ecause the precious pro0ucts
inclu0ing gol0 an0 ne@ @eapons is a concern o+ the Nguyn :or0s; @hich the pro0uces is
only o*taine0 cause0 *y the @rec'e0 ships. 3ecause in the Hreat Spratlys)5i /lotilla\ team @as not consi0ere0 as important as Paracels)
Ho8ng Sa Beam\team *y Nguyn :or0; @ithout assigning or getting volunteers; *ut the 3_c
H>i /lotilla\ team is manage0 *y the state. Pht *iAn ti @ent to @or' an0 a00e0 people to the 3_c H>i /lotilla\ team
are eèmpt +rom personal taàtions an0 petty e`penses li'e cash to pass through military
post; +erry. Bhis is evi0ence o+ the clear state nature o+ the 3_c H>i /lotilla\Beam.
Paracels /lotilla\team (m]i Ho8ng Sa) manage0 3_c H>i ; that Paracels /lotilla\ teams
mission not only e`ploits natural resources *ut also is responsi*le +or controlling islan0s o+
Vitnams territorial @aters.
Bhe perio0 o+ 3_c H>i /lotilla\teams operation starte0 a long time; *e+ore Pht
*iAn t<p luc ) . / 0 1 pu*lishe0 ($SSQ) as @ell as a+ter 3hnh Bhuen area *elonging to
5<i Vit 9 ($QDS) to the earlier the Nguyn 0ynasty. During the Nguyn 0ynasty;
*eginning $J$Q; the navy assigne0 heavy responsi*ility continuously +rom $J&Q to *ecome
%CJ
annual customs +or placing lan0mar'; erect the monument; 0ig a @ell; *uil0 temple; plant
trees at Paracels an0 Spratlys !ilitia @ith steer ships; logistics; supporte0 the navy.
Bhere is not any islan0s @hich inclu0ing a lot o+ o++icial 0ocuments o+ the state; +rom
o++icial geographic history @ritten *y Nguyn Dynastys National history compiling
0epartment such as 5<i Nam thxc luc tiGn *iAn ( 2134); 5<i Nam thxc luc chvnh
*iAn ) 2154; or geography as Ho8ng Vit DE mLa chv (9:;8); 5<i Nam nhyt
thnng chv ) 678); or classical re+erence *oo'; a 'in0 o+ legislation to @rite 0o@n
classical la@ chapters o+ the court such as Xhdm mLnh 5 ?
@); DE mLa chv (;:8); or Nguyn Bh6ng @ith Vit sK cEgng gilm 'h>o lE}c (9ABCD
E) mentione0 as Ho8ng Sa)Spratlys. ,specially; the a++irmation sovereignty o+ Vitnam over
Paracels archipelago @as @ritten *y -hinese as Hai @ai Ui shi ( VA) *y -i Da -an)
Bhvch 5<i Sln ) XY ) XY@ritten in $QDQ. Pt is not inclu0ing a lot o+ occi0ental
authors @ritten as :e Poivre ($S%D); ? -haigneau ($J$Q)$J$D); Ba*er0 ($J&&); Hut^la++
($J%D)also a++irme0 o*viously that Paracels *elonging to sovereignty o+ Vitnam.
Bypically is the map o+ n Nam m<i iunc hoa mR ) )", *y 3ishop Ba*er0
in the 0ictionary :aBinh) nnam; title :atino namiticum pu*lishe0 in $J&J sai0 that(
Paracel eu Cat $[ngO locate0 in the position o+ Paracels at the ,ast Sea (South -hina
Sea) no@a0ays. Vhile this n Nam map only have Paracel seu -lt V8ng image; not have
image o+ Hainan o+ -hina at the ,ast Sea. 9*viously the map o+ n Nam m<i iunc hoa mR )
)", prove0 -lt V8ng that is to say Paracels is Paracel locate0 in the territorial
@aters o+ Vitnam.
$.$." Bhe a0ministrative management o+ Vitnams Hovernment at Paracel an0
Spratly rchipelagos .
During the Nguyn :or0s; Paracel an0 Spratly rchipelagos @ere one; al@ays @ere
a0ministrative manage0 *y Bha BuyAn 1u>ng Nam un0er title :A 0ynasty or 1uang
NghIa or 1u>ng Ngi sometimes is county sometimes is to@n @ith sel+)governing actually o+
-ochin -hina WM)58ng Brong (un0er governance o+ Nguyn :or0s); accor0ing to history
perio0. 3ecause o+ since Nguyn Ho8ng came *ac' protect Bhuen 1u8ng ($Q##) until
%CD
Nguyn Phc Xholt :or0 ($S&J)$SQC) proclaime0 himsel+ to *e an emperor in $S%%; un0er
title Nguyn :or0 is only a manager o+ protecting 5ng
Nam; is reine0 *y :A ,mperor.
Pn that @ay all activities o+ a++irmation o+ sovereignty @ere *y the Nguyn :or0s
un0er 5ng Nam;
governe0 1uang Nghia county (or 1uang Ngi) +ormerly is BE NghIa 0istrict). s @ell as
+rom $Q#"; 1u>ng NghIa District has ha0 the title o+ chie+ an0 'hlnh l7 reigne0.
Pn that @ay; in the +act o+ the sel+)governing mentione0 a*ove; 1u>ng NghIa county
has 3hnh Sgn 0istrict (in the past @as 3inh DEgng 0istrict) manage0 n VInh village. Bo>n
tep thiAn Nam tM chv l] mR thE (_ 1( * + , F) hay Bo>n tep n Nam l] ) _ 1
`,) @ritten that 3i -lt V8ng (Ho8ng Sa) in 1u>ng NghIa Palace. Pht *iAn tng NghIa county (*elong to
Province 1u>ng Nam); 3hnh Sgn 0istrict; n VInh village. DE mLa chv ( ;:8) *y Phan
Huy -h @ritten Paracels is in 1u>ng Nghia to@n. pntil Bdy Sgn 0ynasty since $SS&;
1u>ng NghIa @as name0 Ho8 NghIa Province.
Pn $J#$; Ho8 NghIa is rename0 1u>ng NghIa; (the same meaning Ngi slante0
pronunciation). Pn 1u>ng NghIa Province *esi0es the Province chie+; 'hlnh l7 inclu0e0
chlnh h] l7; mG lnh( a cler'; a palace guar0 an0 a secretary). +ter that 1u>ng NghIa
*ecame to@n; then province. Pn $J"D; continue0 to manage n VInh village. Hra0ually n
H>i village in the North o+ Sa XY seaport also supporte0 army +or Paracels /lotilla\team.
Bhe resi0ents o+ commune or village n VInh; n H>i @ho emigrate0 to -[ :ao .Z;
are +oun0 in " @ar0s) PhETng n VInh an0 n H>i @here Nguyn Bh6ng calle0 t@o areas
n VInh; an0 n H>i. .e+erencing the earlier Nguyn Dynasty; @hen the resi0ents o+ "
@ar0s; -[ :ao .Z 0evelope0; resi0ents reiueste0 separation +rom t@o ol0 villages in
mainlan0. Bhis *ecame a main place +or supplying militia +or Paracels /lotilla\team.
Ph<m 1uang fnh @as appointe0 lea0er o+ Paracels /lotilla\ team in $J$C. !r. fnh
@as a man o+ n VInh village; -[ :ao .Z islan0; 56ng Hamlet no@ name0 n (:7) VInh
village :7 Sgn 0istrict. !any 0ocuments such as Vit sK cEgng gilm 'h>o lE}c ) 9ABC
DE) *y Nguyn Bh6ng an0 5ng NghIa Province.
%Q#
Ho8ng Sa)Paracels; a large strategic point; *ecame a county then to@n then province.
1u>ng NghIa a0ministrative unit al@ays interrupte0 the annual activities o+ Ho8ng Sas
militia team\ /lotilla to get goo0 means an0 assure reiuests o+ the central government in Ph
Wudn. Ph Wudn @as the main palace; capital to@n o+ Bhe -ochin)-hina)Wu 58ng Brong
an0 @as a+ter@ar0 the capital o+ Nguyn Dynasty.
pn0er /rench 0omination; Paracels *elonge0 to Brung XY (nnam)-entral Vitnam).
Bhe /rench tenure0 lan0; so 0i0 not ta'e any action setting up sovereignty. Bhey only too'
activities en+orcing sovereignty. the Pnstitute o+ 9ceanography o+ Nha Brang as reiueste0 *y
pu*lic opinion; too' the +irst survey activities a*out Ho8ng Sa)Paracels; in $D"C. Date $C
?une $D&"; /rench government proclaime0 the 0ecree No. $CQ S- esta*lishing an
a0ministrative unit calle0 Paracels 0istrict; at Paracels archipelagos.
Pn !arch ) $D&J; ,mperor 3>o 5<i signe0 Pmperial Decree No $# to merge Paracels
*elonging to Bha BhiAn HuO instea0 o+ Nam Ngi li'e the 0ynasties *e+ore. Pn ?une $D&J; a
security unit o+ Vitnams army came to Paracels to manage an0 protect. lan0mar' o+
sovereignty @as set up on Pattle islan0 @ith the @or0s( .Zpu*liiue /rancaise ) .oyaume
0nnam ) rchipels 0es Paracels $J$Q ) Ple 0e Pattle $D&J.
Vith BrETng Sa)Spratly archipelago in the south *elonging to the +rontier o+ Nam XY
(-ochin-hina)the south o+ Vitnam) also /rench colonial lan0; so /rench ha0 the activities to
esta*lish the sovereignty to /rance. Pn parallel; to prevent the thir0 country as @ell as to 0eal
@ith international la@s; the solicitor o+ /rench !inistry o+ /oreign ++airs @ritten in the note
to the sia Paci+ic Department (PD) in !ay $DC# that( the possession o+ archipelago
Spratlys *y /rance carrie0 out in $D&$)$D&" is +or the sa'e o+ ,mperor)Ho8ng mO n Nam
(n Nam ,mperor).
Date pril $&
th
$D&&; a small +leet *y the navy lieutenant ) colonel De :attre
con0ucte0 +rom Saigon to Spratlys inclu0ing in+ormation +leet :a !alicieuse; gun*oat lerte;
to@ *oats stro*ale an0 De :anessan. Bhe possession con0ucte0 un0er the tra0itional @ay o+
the 9cci0ent. 0ocument @as compose0 an0 the captains signe0 $$ copies. ,very isle
receive0 one; enclose0 in a *ottle then +astene0 to a cement post *uilt on every isle at a +iè0
location. Bhey hoiste0 the tricolor (/rench +lag) an0 *le@ trumpets on every isle.
Date "$)$")$D&&; Hovernor o+ South !.?. Xrautheimer signe0 Decree No. %SQ" to
merge islan0s *elonging to Pratlys (BrETng Sa) archipelago into 38 .La province. Bhe other
in+ormation in ?ournal o++iciel 0e la .Zpu*liiue /rancaise; "Q ?uillet $D&&; out on ?uly $#
$D&&; ta'en ?uly "Qth $DD& (see original post in notices ?ournal 0e la .Zpu*liiue /rancaise
"C ?uillet $D&&; part vis ) -ommunication ou !inistres 0es ++aires trangres; p.SSD%).
%Q$
Pn $D&J; /rance erecte0 a lan0mar' o+ sovereignty; a lighthouse; a @eather station an0
a ra0io station in the islan0 o+ Ptu ) *a (3a 3hnh ) g).
?apan hi0 their intention o+ occupying Paracels an0 Spratlys; an0 spo'e out against the
occupation o+ /rance +or the /rench government announce0 on "% ) S ) $D&&.
!arch &$st $D&D; the ?apanese !inistry o+ /oreign ++airs sent a statement to the
/rench m*assa0or in ?apan that con+irme0 ?apan @as the +irst to e`plore Spratlys in $D$S
an0 claime0 Spratlys @ill *e control *y ?apan.
?apan iuic'ly capture0 the islan0 o+ /u lin (Ple 3oisZe) o+ Paracels an0 islan0
o+ Ptu ) *a (3a 3hnh ) g) o+ Spratlys in $D&J; *ut until D !arch $D%C; ?apan +orce0
the /rench sol0iers as prisoners occupie0 as @ell as the mainlan0 o+ Vitnam.
?apanese +orces ha0 @ith0ra@n +rom Paracels as @ell as Spratlys in $D%Q. /rench
returne0 to Vitnam o@ne0 the ,ast Sea; imme0iately sent a 0etachment o+ /rench troops
lan0e0 +rom ships Savorgnan 0e 3ra^â to replace the ?apanese military +rom !ay $D%Q; *ut
this unit only staye0 in it +or a +e@ months.
During the perio0 +rom "# to "S !ay $D%Q; 0miral Drgenlieu; High
-ommissioner +or Pn0ochina also ha0 to travel on :,scarmouche to Ho8ng Sa(Pattle);
*elonging to Paracels archipelago; to control the situation.
t the time o+ Vit !inh troops are *usy 0ealing @ith the general @ar @as coming on
mi0)month Decem*er; then 9cto*er "Q; $D%Q ta'e a0vantage o+ opportunities; the .epu*lic
o+ -hinas particular /leets; inclu0ing +our *attleships; each carrying a num*er o+ o++ices
representatives an0 CD sol0iers o+ a platoon @ho guar0 the in0epen0ence o+ the Navy (the
+orerunner o+ the !arines) starte0 +rom the port Ng6 B[ng on 9cto*er D an0 lan0e0 on here
on Novem*er "D; $D%Q.
Bhe ships as zongìng QR an0 zhong ?ian came to Paracels)Ho8ng Sa.
Baiping)Bhai 3inh Ship an0 Brung Nghiep came to Spratlys (@hich at that time -hinese
calle0 DoanSha not *e calle0 NanSha ) the author emphasiê0).
Date $% 9cto*er $DC#; the /rench government +ormally trans+erre0 to the 3>o 5<i
government manage0 Paracels archipelago. Hovernor o+ -entral Vitnam is Phan V=n Hilo
hoste0 the trans+er o+ po@er in Paracels archipelago.
Bhe San /rancisco -on+erence atten0e0 *y C$ nations *et@een C
th
Septem*er an0 J
th
Septem*er $DC$; en0e0 in a peace treaty @ith ?apan. 9n C
th
Septem*er $DC$; in a general
assem*ly; the .ussian !inister +or /oreign ++airs Hromy'o propose0 $& amen0ments. Bhe
amen0ment concerning ?apans ac'no@le0gement o+ the sovereignty o+ the Peoples
%Q"
.epu*lic o+ -hina over Paracel Pslan0s an0 other islan0s +urther a@ay to the South; @as
reUecte0 @ith %J votes against an0 & votes +or. Bhus; the so)calle0 nominal -hinese
sovereignty over the Pslan0s o++shore the ,ast Sea (South -hina Sea)@as reUecte0 *y the
international community clearly in the +rame@or' o+ an international con+erence.
9n S
th
Septem*er $DC$ at the con+erence; Prime !inister an0 !inister +or /oreign
++airs Brbn V=n Hcu o+ the 3>o 5<i Hovernment solemnly 0eclare0 that the t@o groups o+
Paracel an0 Spratly Pslan0s are territories o+ Vitnam( ,t comme il +aut +ranchement pro+iter
0e toutes occasions pour Ztou++er les germes 0e 0iscor0e; nous a++irmons nos 0roits sur les
iles Spratly et Paracels iui 0e tout temps ont +ait partie 0u Viet Nam
Bhis statement 0i0 not meet any o*Uections an0\or reserves o+ opinion. Bhis @as the
+oun0ation o+ the international legislation a*out the inherent sovereignty o+ Vitnam over
Paracels an0 Spratlys .
Bhe con+erence en0e0 @ith a treaty signe0 @ith ?apan on J
th
Septem*er $DC$. Pn that
treaty; rt. "; s. S clearly speci+ie0( ?apan renounces all right; title am*itions over Paracel
an0 Spratly archipelagos. pp to here; Ho@ever; the @orl0 political situation *egan to
change. Bhe -ol0 Var *et@een the capitalist @orl0 le0 *y the pnite0 States an0 the socialist
@orl0 le0 *y the Soviet pnion has starte0 to a++ect Vitnam; inclu0ing the 0ispute o+
Vitnams sovereignty over Paracel an0 Spratly Pslan0s. Bhe @orl0 political situation
@orsene0 the 0ispute an0 ma0e it more complicate0; so that Vitnams protection o+ its
territorial sovereignty has *ecome +ar more 0i++icult 0ue to many con+licting interest an0
interventions *y 0i++erent +oreign po@ers.
Pn 9cto*er $DCQ; the Bai@an Navy occupie0 the 3a 3hnh ) g islan0 (Ptu *a).
9n "" 9cto*er $DCQ; 0ecree No. $%& ) NV o+ .epu*lic o+ Vitnams Presi0ent to change the
*oun0aries o+ provinces in the South Viet (the South). Pn the list o+ a0ministrative units;
South Vit (the South) attache0 un0er or0inance is the ne@ name change; inclu0ing the
province o+ 38 .La ) V2ng B8u 'no@n as PhEc Buy province an0 the Spratly Pslan0s
*elonging to PhEc Buy province @as rename0 as Ho8ng Sa; @hich @as the same name as
Paracel Pslan0s to the North.
!ean@hile; the Peoples .epu*lic o+ -hina rushe0 to occupy /u lin Pslan0 (Ple
3oisZe); the largest islan0 in the group o+ Paracel Pslan0s; simultaneously @ith the Bai@anese
occupation o+ the largest islan0 in the group o+ Spratly Pslan0s. Bhis @as an e`tremely
complicate0 an0 0ar' situation +or the Vitnams sovereignty over Paracel an0 Spratly
Pslan0s. Since a+ter the Heneva greement to @hich -hina @as a signatory; Paracel an0
%Q&
Spratly Pslan0s locate0 to the south o+ the $Sth parallel @ere to *e un0er the control o+ the
Southern government o+ Vitnam.
Bhe o++icial letter issue0 *y Prime !inister Ph<m V=n 5Rng in $DCJ sho@ing support
+or -hinas 0eclaration o+ $" 'nots territorial @aters as @ell as any other vie@s o+ the
Hovernment o+ the Democratic .epu*lic o+ Vitnam @ith respect to Paracel an0 Spratly
Pslan0s 0i0 not have any international legal vali0ity o+ giving up sovereignty. -hinas claim
o+ Vitnams a*an0onment o+ its sovereignty an0 -hinas accusation o+ Vitnams 0eceit+ul
policy @ere untrue an0 ha0 no legal *asis @hatsoever. Pn the conte`t o+ the -ol0 Var an0 the
con+lict *et@een t@o opposing political entities; the Peoples .epu*lic o+ -hina @as a close
ally o+ the Democratic .epu*lic o+ Vitnam on one si0e against the common enemy that @as
the pnite0 States; an ally o+ Bai@an an0 the .epu*lic o+ Vitnam on the other. Bhere+ore;
any con+licts at the time @ere Uust short)term; spontaneous con+rontational political policies.
9n $&th ?uly $DQ$; Decree No. $S%NV promulgate0 *y the Presi0ent o+ the .epu*lic
o+ Vitnam put Paracel Pslan0s as a part o+ 1u>ng Nam Province an0 esta*lishe0 a village on
this islan0 name0 5Lnh H>i -ommune *elonging to Ho8 Vang District.
Pn the sai0 0ecree; it @as state0 that( Paracel Pslan0s in +ormer time *elong to Bha
BhiAn Province; *ut +rom no@ on it shall *e anneè0 to 1u>ng Nam Province (rt. $). Bhe
@hole group o+ islan0s shall *ecome a single a0ministrative unit calle0 5Lnh H>i -ommune
in the Ho8 Vang District. Bhe sai0 5Lnh H>i -ommune shall *e put un0er the control o+ an
a0ministrative o++icer (rt. "). Pn /e*ruary $DCD; a num*er o+ -hinese +ishermen inten0e0 to
lan0 on the @est o+ Paracel Pslan0s; *ut +aile0 to 0o so. Bhey @ere arreste0 *y the Navy
+orces o+ the .epu*lic o+ Vitnam an0 sent *ac' to -hina.
9n Qth Septem*er $DS&; Bhe !inister o+ the Pnterior o+ the Hovernment o+ the
.epu*lic o+ Vitnam amen0e0 the a0ministrative management o+ Spratly Pslan0s *y
incorporating it into PhEc H>i -ommune; 5yt 5| District; PhEc Buy Province (recalling
that 0uring the previous regime o+ Ng6 5hnh Dim in $DCQ there @as a 0ecree to name
Spratly Pslan0s as Paracel Pslan0s.
Bhe sea *attle *ro'e out at $#("C on $D
th
?anuary $DS%. 9ne @ar vessel o+ the
Peoples .epu*lic o+ -hina @as *urnt 0o@n. Var vessels num*ers "J$ an0 $J" o+ the
Peoples .epu*lic o+ -hina com*ine0 their +orces in the assault; causing vessel Nhet B>o to
*e hit in the control 0ec' an0 in the main engine compartment. -aptain Nguy V=n Bh8 0ie0
in the action. +ter an hour o+ *attle; t@o @ar vessels o+ the Peoples .epu*lic o+ -hina san'
an0 t@o other @ere a+lame. 9n the si0e o+ the .epu*lic o+ Vitnam; apart +rom convoy
vessel Nhet B>o that san'; several other vessels @ere 0amage0 an0 a num*er o+ sol0iers @ere
%Q%
capture0 or missing. n merican name0 Heral0 Xosh; a civil o++icial o+ the 9++ice o+
De+ence ttachZ o+ the merican ,m*assy in Saigon; special envoy to the Navy
Hea0iuarters o+ the /irst !ilitary zone o+ the .epu*lic o+ Vitnam @as also capture0. Since
0ate0 "#
th
?anuary $DS% -hina has occupie0 the @hole Paracel *y +orce.
Bhe Hovernment o+ uni+ie0 Vitnam continue0 to a++irm Vitnams Vitnam over
Paracel an0 Spratly Pslan0s; still su++ering +rom the a+ter shoc's o+ the ongoing con+lict
*et@een international po@ers con+licts an0 +in0ing itsel+ una*le to en0 the 0ispute on Paracel
an0 Spratly Pslan0s.
+ter the 3u6n !A Bhu]t victory; the strategic opportunity to li*erate the South o+
Vitnam +inally came. Bhe Polit*uro 0eci0e0 to completely li*erate the South o+ Vitnam
0uring the 0ry season o+ $DSC; inclu0ing Spratly Pslan0s; -6n :6n; Ph 1unc; etc.
9n Cth pril $DSC; the Navy Hea0iuarters 0eci0e0 to prepare +or the *attle to li*erate
Spratlys Pslan0s. Bhe li*erating +orces consiste0 o+ vessels o+ the rmy Bransport -onvoy
No. $"C; -omman0o 3riga0e No. $"Q; 3attalion No. %#S an0 %S$; -omman0o Siua0 o+
!ilitary zone C an0 -omman0o +orces o+ Xhlnh Ho8 Province. Bhe Navy Hea0iuarters
inten0e0 to s@i+tly ta'e over Song BK Bdy Pslan0 +irst as a spring*oar0 an0 e`perience +or
continuing assaults on Nam NOt; Sgn -a; Sinh BRn; n 3ang; BrETng Sa)Spratly an0 the
remaining islan0s in the group.
9n Dth Septem*er $DSC; the representative o+ the Bemporary .evolutionary
Hovernment o+ South Vitnam at the Vorl0 -on+erence o+ !eteorology registere0 Vitnams
meteorology station in Paracel Pslan0s.
9n $"th Novem*er $DJ"; the Hovernment o+ Vitnam announce0 the *asic line use0
+or calculating the @i0th o+ its territorial @aters.
9n %th /e*ruary $DJ"; the Hovernment o+ Vitnam esta*lishe0 the Paracels District
*elonging to 1u>ng Nam58 Nng Province.
9n D
th
Decem*er $DJ"; the Hovernment o+ Vitnam esta*lishe0 the Spratly District.
:ater; on "J
th
Decem*er $DJ"; the Hovernment o+ Vitnam 0eci0e0 to anne` the Spratly
District to Ph Xhlnh (no@ Xhlnh Ho8) Province.
$.$." Bhe -hinese 0ocuments proving Vi"tnam#s soereignty not that 'hina#s in the
esta&lishing and enforcing oer Paracel and Spratly (rchipelagos
During the time there @as not the con+licting sovereignty; $D#D; Bhe Huang0ong
Hovernment to *e hel0 0erelict lan0 survey; possession o+ Vitnams Ho8ng Sa)Paracels;
there @ere many -hinese 0ocuments in0irectly or 0irectly con+irme0 or secure0 the custo0y
o+ Vitnam at Paracel an0 Spratly archipelagos.
%QC
Hai @ai Ui shi ) VA (.ecor0s o+ 9verseas ,vents) @as @ritten *y -i Da -an)
Bhvch 5<i Sln ) XY (a -hinese) in $QDQ. Pn the &r0 volume o+ this *oo' he mentione0
1ian li zhang Sha ST @as also calle0 Paracels an0 asserte0 that Nguyn :or0s
eèrcise0 their sovereignty over this archipelago that(
3ecause there are san0)0unes lying straight @ith the coast; long run +rom North ,ast
through the South Vest high caverns as @alls; *eaches are also as lo@ as the +ace o+
sea@ater san0 sur+ace as 0ry as iron; must *e *ro'e i+ any ships touching it hun0re0 miles o+
san0*an'; length very 0eep there is not any @or0s to say; calle0 Van li ^hang sha
(56a); not see any trees an0 houses in there; i+ ships @ere not *ro'en; *ecame hungry
ghosts only @hen ships @as against to the @in0; @ater.
Pt too' seven 0ays +rom the Hreat Viet ( 5<i Vit 9 ) to there; approìmately seven
hun0re0 miles. Bhe previous ,mperor perio0; he as'e0 the +ishing *oats @ent along the san0
0unes to pic' up treasures an0 ships +ighting tools o+ the @rec'e0 ships 0ri+te0 ashore. Pn the
autumn the @ater level is lo@; run to the ,ast orientation; a @ave crest can push the *oat +ar
a@ay hun0re0 miles; the @in0 @as not strong; *ut a+rai0 o+ 0anger +rom Spartlys)BrETng Sa
only.
Bhe ancient -hinese !aps @ere 0ra@n *y the -hinese *e+ore $D#D proven that
Wisha ( ) an0 Nansha 0i0 not *elong to -hina.
.esearching o+ Bhe ancient -hinese maps 0ra@n *y the -hinese themselves *e+ore
$D#D; it is impossi*le to +in0 any maps mentioning Wisha ( ) or Nansha any maps @hich
china 0e0ucing @as Wisha ( ) or Nansha in those maps.
Bhe ancient maps 0etermine0 all Hainan islan0 @as the southernmost o+ the -hinese souths
*or0er. Such as Nu 0i tu) *y zhu Wi 3an v- in Bhe Nuan Dynasty ()
@as ôome0 out in the *oo' Huang Nu Bu ) bc *y :uo Hong Wian) d e volume
$; per+orme0 in $CQ$; the southernmost o+ chinas territorial @as Hainan islan0. Bian ìan yi
tong ^hi tu ) f !ing 0ynasty in g)5<i !inh Nhyt Bhnng -hv;
in $%Q%; the +irst volume; 0ra@n the southernmost o+ -hina @as Hainan islan0.
Huang !ing Da Bong Ni zong Bu ) the !ing Dynasty; in
m huang ming ^hu +ang tu *y ) Tran To Thu; $Q&C; the +irst volume 0ra@n the
southernmost o+ -hina @as Hainan islan0. Eh; i ):] Pht; -hdu Huyn 5R ) Bhe
%QQ
Nuan Dynasty 0ra@n again ?in gu Nu tu ) # j k *y l m) Nguyn 1unc Pht ); the
!ing Dynasty; in $Q&J; volume 0ra@n the southernmost -hina is Hainan islan0.
@ang chao +u;ting;^hou;ìan the 1ing 0ynasty;
anonymous; $JQ"; 0ra@n *ase0 on Nei +u 0i tu) @ ! inclu0ing "Q pieces name0 Da
iing ^hi sheng iuan tu )n 0ra@n the south pole o+ -hina @as Hainan.
Vang chao yi tong Nu 0i ông tu) o Kp in the volume Vang chao
yi tong Nu 0i ông tu o Kp (anonymous); $JD%; 0ra@n the southernmost
-hina @as Hainan; _ HuangDong Sheng Bu in Hiang0ong Ni 0i iuan
tu) p @as compose0 *y the o++icials o+ the Province Huang0ong; $JDS; @ith the
+ore@or0 o+ province chie+ ) TrP_ng NhEn Tu]n all 0i0nt see any archipelago in the
south sea o+ -hina.
Da 1ing De 1uoc )ql; in volume Da 1ing De 1uoc Boan Do )
ql *y r s Shang Hia Shang Vu Nin Shu Huan ; $D#C; reprinte0 the
%th time in $D$#; 0ra@n the southernmost o+ -hina territorial a*ove @as Hainan. (!"
$% Da 1ing Di Huo Vei zhi gui hua tu ($D#D); li'e the same map 0ra@n the
southernmost o+ -hinas territorial @as Hainan islan0.
Bhe ancient -hinese maps 0ra@n *y the -hinese themselves a+ter $D#D all prove that
Wisha () an0 Nansha 0i0 not *elong to -hina inclu0ing Trung 9uoc Cuong 2!o! :en
Th!en DoO in $D&D; 0ra@n the *or0er o+ 1ing 0ynasty nearly Pn0onesia; inclu0ing North
Xorea.
Pn a00ition to; some o+ ancient 0ocuments that -hina 0isplaye0 to 0emonstrate the
early 0iscovery o+ the -hinese (in the +act only 0e0ucing there @as not any stea0y
+oun0ations prove -hinas sovereignty) are all the 0ocuments that tal'e0 a*out +oreign
country li'e ) t u = )Hiao -hau Vat Di -hi *y !Nang /u .
` ?iao ^hou is Vitnam in the +iè0 perio0 (-hinese 0omination). Bhe same the
authors mentione0 a*ove citing zhu /an zhi vw8 ) v w *y zhao .u 1u abc (not
zhao .u Shi ) abX ) x y P); Song Dynasty ($""C) mentione0 Bian li chang sha (
) z6a; Van :i Shi Bang ) 56{2 in de /anHuo ) w l; it meant the
other country not -hina. Bhe ancient -hinese 0ocuments cite0 /u nan shi J )! |
%QS
*y f 'ang tai; j8 Nan ^hou Ni Vu ^hi ) = u *y /an chen k (Vu
0ynasty).
v w ) -hu Phien Do ; Song Dynasty a++irme0 again the *or0er o+ -hina @ith
the others in NP ?iao yang that @as to say NOP ?iao ^hi yang ) N O 2. NOP ?iao ^hi
yang ) N O 2 or ?iao ^hi N8 Sea @as Northern 3ay @hile Paracels Spartlys)Ho8ng Sa;
BrETng Sa is +ar a@ay +rom Northern 3ayPn that @ay the ancient 0ocuments mentione0
a*ove 0emonstrate0 in0irectly Paracels an0 Spratlys @here -hina calle0 Wisha ( ) an0
Nansha are not *elonging to -hina; *ut *elonging to others li'e de /anHuo; or `?iao
^hou; Nan^hou .
+ter -hinas occupation o+ Paracel Pslan0s *y +orce in ?anuary $DS%; many -hinese
archaeological teams arriving in those islan0s claime0 to 0iscover many ancient arti+acts
such as ol0 coins; ceramics an0 crave0 stones on those islan0s ho@ever none o+ these
provi0es a vali0 evi0ence o+ -hinas sovereignty. 3ecause o+ .oman coin 0iscoverie0 at 9c
,o (n Hiang); at the South o+ Vitnam *ut coul0 prove that 9c ,o (n Hiang) *elonging to
.omans sovereignty.
Discovere0 $% temples an0 sai0 that they appeare0 since 1ing) !ing Dynasty.
mongst o+ the temples there @ere " temples at QR ôngìng ) } ~ islan0; that is to say
/u lin (Ple 3oisZe)Voo0y) Vas @ritten 0o@n *y Han zhen Hua) Han -han Hoa Hroup
+rom article .eturning +rom Wisha () on u;Wiang gang 0a gong *ao )
(Hreat Haêtte o+ Hong Xong); on !arch &$st $DCS; sai0 that(
Pn the QR zongìng ) } ~ islan0 r /u lins; at the present there are " temples
*uilt *y +ishermen. Bhe shrine in the South calle0 Hu Hun !iao (+or +orsa'en
spirits); the temple in the North calle0 Z) Ho8ng Sa Bx (temple) (Han zhen Hua)
Han -han Hoa; :am Xim -hi :an ?in zhi; Ngo Phuong 3an Vu /ang 3an; Vo Huo Nan
Hai zhu Dao shi liao hui *ian) > l < v [ 4; the $
st
section; page $$C).
Z)Ho8ng Sa Bx is in0ee0 a clear evi0ence o+ Vitnams sovereignty over those
islan0s that Vitnam Xings; inclu0ing !inh !<ng reign comman0e0 the navy came to
Paracels to *uil0 the Z)Ho8ng Sa Bx (temple).
$.$.& Bhe historic an0 geographic evi0ences o+ the 9cci0ent prove Vitnam *ut not
-hina in the esta*lishing an0 en+orcing Sovereignty over Paracels an0 Spratlys.
%QJ
/ernao !en0es Pinto ) Bhe Portuguese navigator; a mullah ?esus -hrist) Djng BAn
@rote the ?ourney *oo' title Peragrinacao (translate0 into /rench language is
Pe[re[grination) tal' a*out the Uourney in $C%C; pu*lishe0 at :is*on in $Q$%. /!. Pinto
0escri*e0 a*out Paracels archipelago calle0 Pulo Pracela (Pracela in Portuguese language
means coral; Pulo means islan0; isle).
:i'e a sea route Uournal; the sea maps o+ the Portuguese navigator at the secon0 hal+
o+ century WVP re+lecte0 one o+ the concepts; general 'no@le0ge a*out a archipelago @here
they calle0 Pracel li'e long ri**ons as a long *en0 'ni+e; not *ro'en; stretch throughout the
shoreline @ith -ochinchina)58ng Brong coast (the south Vitnam) at that time.
Bhese rare maps ha0 *een +oun0 recogniê0 Paracels (Parcel) o+ the Portuguese also
maps in *et@een are the WVP -entury. Bhe Vestern people in general inclu0ing Portuguese
people; ha0 no clear un0erstan0ing a*out @hich country o@ne0 these islan0s .
Bhe shape o+ Paracels @hich the Portuguese @rote ? Do Pracel is locate0 at the North
a long range @ith small 0ots run +rom -[ :ao -h8m o++shore H]i n; calle0 Pulo -ampello
to -[ :ao Bhu (Ph 1uv islan0) @ritten 0o@n *y Pulo Sissir; o++shore Phan BhiOt the present
0ay. Bhe *an0 ru*an Pracel in :ivro 0a !arinharia *y /! Pinto 0ra@n more than 0ots;
0ar'er than in the North; more than narro@ at the *ottom.
t the en0 o+ WVP; the Portuguese *egan to start high activities in this area @ith
proo+s is the maps o+ Van :angren in $DCD very a*un0ant; a lot o+ 0etails especially in the
central. Pn the North; there @ere a lot o+ 0etails; especially S6ng HRng (.e0 .iver) 0ra@n
@ith the 0eparture point is $En Na& @ritten ia Suinam. Pn the North@est Paracel; Hainan is
calle0 inam.
Pn the North ,ast an0 the ,ast; there @as not any place)name; *ut @as 0ra@n @ith
0ar' 0ots an0 a0Uoining each other. ,specially; in the Van ) :angren map ($CDC) on the
continent; *esi0es important place name @as Varella cap; there @as the coast @ritten -osta 0a
Pracel in +ront o+ opposite Pulo -anton (-[ :ao .Z) *elonging to 1uang Nghia province.
Pn the century WVPP; 0ue to many reasons; the Portuguese lost proprietary rights in
Sea ,ast. Di++erent +rom the *usiness mo0e o+ the Portuguese in the previous century; the
activities o+ marine o+ Netherlan0s; pX an0 /rench in this -entury primarily *ase0 on those
international tra0e companies; @as authoriê0 an0 sponsore0 *y those governments; typically
are Dutch ,ast Pn0ia -ompany; (V9-) esta*lishe0 in $Q#" an0 the 3ritish ,ast Pn0ia
-ompany esta*lishe0 in $Q##. Paracels lies on the international *usiness routes at the time it
has *een consi0ere0 a strategic important position *y the 9cci0ents.
%QD
pntil century WVPPP; the ,ast Seas surveys o+ the ,ast Pn0ia -ompanies are very
0etaile0. Since the e`ploration o+ 0elegation Xergariou :ocmacria in years $SSJ $SJS in
the ,ast Sea (South-hina Sea)helpe0 the occi0ent to *e more un0erstan0ing; honest; clear
an0 not a+rai0 li'e the previous legen0s a*out the ,ast Sea. Bhe sea routes @ere sa+er;
although they never 0enie0 the 0anger an0 the @orry o+ @rec'e0 ships in the Paracels.
Bhrough the activities o+ clergymen; *usinessmen; an0 especially since 3ishop
Pigneau 0e 3e[haine help Nguyn nh a*out military; the /rench *egan intereste0 in
Vitnam an0 inherite0 the 'no@le0ge o+ Portuguese; Dutch; an0 got in+ormation a*out the
political situation in 58ng Brong (South o+ Vitnam) as @ell as Bon'in)58ng Ngo8i (North o+
Vitnam) in the 0ivi0e0 perio0 as @ell as the uni+ying perio0. Since then; the occi0ental
un0erstoo0 clearly the sovereignty o+ Vitnam over Ho8ng Sa.
So; Bhe /rench *egan supplying the real 0ocuments o+ the esta*lishing Vitnams
sovereignty over Paracel an0 Spratly rchipelagos ; the +ollo@ing 0ocuments are signi+icant(
Bhe Uournal on mphitrite ship ($S#$) "ubl!h!ng !n 18C<; a++irms Paracels is an
archipelago *elonging to n Nam.
:ettres ,0i+iantes et -urieuses *y rchives 0es !issions trangres 0e Paris;
Paris; $J&J; % vols.
Bhe Uournal o+ mphitrite ship carrie0 the /rench clergymen to Paracels in $S#$
"ubl!h!ng !n 18C< sai0 Paracels is an archipelago *elonging to n Nam. Pt is a 0angerous
ree+ @ith hun0re0s o+ miles; the @rec'e0 ships occurre0 in there a lot o+ times.
:e !Zmoire sur la -ochinchine *y ?ean 3aptiste -haigneau ($SQD ) $J"C); page.
$SS . Salles; an colonial inspector pu*lishe0 on 3ulletin 0es mis 0u Vieu` Hue; n
#
"; vril
) ?uin $D"&; @rote that (
Bhe country -ochinchine @here the Xing at that time proclaime0 himsel+ emperor
(Ho8ng mO) inclu0e0 58ng Brong (-ochinchine proprement 0ite); 56ng Xinh (Boniuin); a
part o+ -am*o0ia; some o+ islan0s @ith resi0ents not +ar a@ay +rom the coast an0 Paracel
archipelago is uni+ie0 *y isles; ree+s an0 roc' pea's @ithout resi0ents. pntil $J$Q the
emperor o*taine0 the sovereignty over the archipelago.
pnivers; histoire et 0escription 0e tous les peuples; 0e leurs religions; moeurs et
coutumes *y 3ishop Ba*er0 pu*lishe0 in $J&&( Ve note0 that +rom more than &% years to
no@; Paracels; Vhere the Vitnamese calle0 -lt Vang or Paracels)Ho8ng Sa(that is to say
-lt V8ng) inclu0ing a lot o+ tangle0 isles; rough roc's in san0 0unes; is occupie0 *y the
Vitnamese in 58ng Brong (South o+ Vitnam).
%S#
Pt is not clear @hether they have set any +acilities in there or not; *ut there are things
@e 'no@ +or sure that ,mperor Hia :ong ta'es care o+ the strange +lo@er on his cro@n; so he
consi0ers it is on time to come +or receiving Paracel archipelago; an0 He solemnly erects the
+lag o+ -ochin-hina)58ng Brong in $J$Q.
n Nam m<i iunc hoa mR ) `l *y 3ishop Ba*er0 pu*lishe0 in $J&J
a++irme0 -lt V8ng (Ho8ng Sa) is Paracels an0 locate0 in territorial @aters o+ Vitnam. r"Ss
(photo ".C#)
Bhis map is attache0 at the *ac' o+ the Viet :atin Dictionary title :atino )
namiticum *y 3ishop Ba*er0 ) use0 to *e a ,mperor !inh !<ngs translator since
Novem*er $J"Q; pu*lishe0 in $J&J. Bhis map is J#cm length; %%cm @i0th printe0 @ith
normal paper. Bhe title o+ the map @as @ritten in three languages( -hinese; Vitnamese an0
:atin.
n Nam m<i iunc hoa mR ) `l is a 0ocument that re+lects the summary
a*out the 0eep an0 eàct 'no@le0ge o+ the occi0ent +rom the century WVP to the century WPW
a*out the relationship *et@een Paracel archipelago an0 5<i Vit 9 that the author calle0
n Nam m<i iunc hoa mR ) `l. n Nam m<i iunc hoa mR ) `l is a +orce+ul
evi0ence a++irming clearly(
$. Paracels is place)name @here the occi0ental calle0 the archipelago in the ,ast Sea
(South-hina Sea)0uring the century WVP to the early century WPW is -lt V8ng or Paracels
o+ Vitnam. Pn this map; there is a note Paracels seu -lt V8ng. Pn the ,ast Sea; there is
not Hainan islan0 o+ -hina; only Vitnams islan0s. Bhe islan0 is locate0 at a*out $S
o
North
latitu0e an0 more than $$$
o
,ast longitu0e; some o+ islan0s @ere 0ra@n (*y some 0ots) an0
sai0 that Paracel seu -lt V8ng. Bhe @or0 seu (:atin language) -lt V8ng Ho8ng Sa; is
the clear an0 consistent a++irmation not li'e the 0e0ucing o+ -hina a*out Wisha ().
". Pn the map n Nam m<i iunc hoa mR ) `l there are not any islan0s
calle0 Hainan or any islan0s o+ the neigh*oring countries an0 only Paracel seu -lt V8ng is
mentione0; this proves Paracel seu -lt v8ng is locate0 in territorial o+ n Nam 5<i 1unc or
5<i Vit 9 .
&. Bhe place)name Paracel @as @ritten near*y the posts that mar'e0 the islan0s at
a*out $Q 0egrees North latitu0e (the same latitu0e cKa (estuary) BE Dung; Bha BhiAn) up to
$Q 0egrees North latitu0e -Ka B[ng (1u>ng BrL) an0 $$$;
#
$J 0egrees ,ast longitu0e. Bhis
re+lecte0 the 'no@le0ge a*out Paracels o+ the occi0ental @as eàct.
%S$
Pn the continent; @ritten the long line n Nam 5ng 3hnh) seu !urus magnus separans 9lim ptrumiue regne an0
-ocincina e`terior; Bon'in)58ng Ngo8i seu Buniuinum; @hich 0emonstrates the content
o+ the map @as 0ra@n not in $J&J; *ut it @as 0ra@n *e+ore. 3ut the map @as @ritten @ith
some o+ place)names +oun0 a+ter@ar0s such as 3hnh 5Lnh cita0el)Bh8nh; 5Lnh BETng cita0el)
Bh8nh. so mapn Nam 5<i 1unc Ho< 5R must have *een 0ra@n a+ter Nguyn nh
occupie0 1ui Nhgn cita0el.
Bhe seashore o+ the South -entral -oast @as eàctly 0ra@n in the map; in the North;
especially *or0ering to :aos @as not eàct. Bhe 'no@le0ge o+ the occi0ental people a*out
Vitnam @as very a*un0ant. Pn general; until the early century WPW; the occi0ental people
un0erstoo0 clearly a*out Vitnam an0 Ho8ng Sa.
Bhe ?ournal o+ the siatic Society o+ 3engal; Vol. VP pu*lishe0 the article o+ 3ishop
Ba*er0 con+irme0 that ,mperor Hia :ong ha0 o++icially claime0 sovereignty over Paracel
Pslan0s.
Bhe ?ournal o+ the siatic Society o+ 3engal is the paper o+ the sian ssociation in
3engal o+ Bhe 3ritish. Pn the e0ition Q an0 S o+ this paper pu*lishe0 the article a*out
Vitnams Paracels in ,nglish *y .everen0 Ba*er0 @ith title( Pracel or Paracels (-Rn V8ng).
lthough in this archipelago there is nothing e`clu0ing roc's an0 huge 0unes; more
0isa0vantage than a0vantage; ,mperor Hia :ong thought o+ increasing his territorial
sovereignty *y occupying this *lue lan0. Pn $J$Q He came an0 erecte0 solemnly the +lag an0
o++icially 'ept signs o+ sovereignty on these roc'. Pt seeme0 no*o0y +ought over him (in the
+act once again Vitnam continue0 to a++irm their sovereignty over Paracels archipelago).
Bhe ?ournal o+ the Heography Society o+ :on0on in volume the $D
th
$J%D; page DS;
Hut^:a++ @rote an article Heography o+ the -ochinchine ,mpire( @e ought to tell a*out
-at Vang archipelago; it is near the coast o+ n)nam $C miles to "# miles an0 stretch *et@een
the$C
th
an0 $S
th
parallels.
Degree North latitu0e; an0 $$$ an0 $$& 0egrees ,ast longitu0e; i+ the Xing
-ochinchine 0i0nt as' the archipelago +or him; @ith a lot o+ 0angerous islan0s an0 @ater+all
to the shipman.
Van0ering 0ue to coral or the others that the roc's gra0ually rose; *ut it @as easy to
recogniê that the small islan0s *ecame higher an0 higher; an0 in one o+ them there @as the
presence o+ people; so in the past years the @ave slappe0 against it.
%S"
Bhe islan0 ought to *e o+ value i+ the +ishing tra0e @as thriving in there an0 0i0nt
compensate the 0angers to a0venturous people. Since long)stan0ing; the ships; almost came
+rom Hainan; visite0 these lan0s an0 carrie0 out the long trip to the coast 3orneo.
lthough over $# percents o+ @rec'e0 ship annually; *ut they caught a lot o+
+ishes; not only coul0 compensate their loss also gave great pro+its. Bhe n Nam Hovernment
'ne@ that the pro+it coul0 create taàtion; so they set up the 0isplaye0 *oats an0 small army
camp in there to collect taès that outsi0ers ha0 pay taès @hen they came there to support
the insi0e +ishermen.
So; a *ig transaction @as set up step *y step an0 e`pan0ing 0ue to a lot o+ +ishes
move0 here to lay eggs. Bhere @ere a +e@ ol0 trees in some islan0s; *ut lac'ing +resh @ater;
an0 it @as tough 0i++icult situation i+ the +ishermen +orgot to *ring reserve0 +resh @ater.
Bhe author also sai0 P+ the Xing -ochinchina 0i0nt as' the archipelago +or him; @ith
a lot o+ 0angerous islan0s an0 @ater+alls to the !arine; he 0i0nt pay attention to Paracel
archipelago (-lt V8ng).
No@a0ays on Hoogle; there are many 'in0s o+ maps; geographic *oo's o+ the
occi0ental people in many languages such as ,nglish; /rench; Ptalian; Herman@ritten
Paracels *elonging to Xing WM 58ng Brong o+ 5<i Vit 9 (see the Paracels Data
-enter; @@@.hoangsa.org).
PP. BH, S-P,NBP/P- ,VPD,N-,S .,/pB, N9N)S-P,NBP/P- .Hp!,NBS
9/ -HPN 39pB BH, S9V,.,PHNBN 9V,. P.-,:S ND SP.B:NS
".$ Bhe scienti+ic evi0ences re+ute non)scienti+ic arguments o+ -hina since $D#D sai0
that Wisha ( ) calle0 Vitnams Paracels @as un'no@ne0 lan0 an0 the sovereignty in
Wisha ( ) an0 Nansha *elonging to -hina @as in0isputa*le.
Since $D#D up to no@; -hina has change0 a lot o+ theoretical points; arguments; an0
0ata to 0e0uce +or violating the sovereignty o+ Vitnam over Paracel an0 Spratly
rchipelagos .
Pn comparison @ith the early age; the inconsistence o+ theoretical points; arguments;
an0 0ata as @ell as the name sometimes calle0 Nansha @ith the meaning @as !accles+iel0;
sometimes calle0 Spratlys; it e`poses the untruth in history.
Bhe 0iplomatic 0ocuments o+ the .epu*lic o+ -hina a+ter the success+ul revolution in
$D%D up to no@ has al@ays 0e0uce0( Bhe sovereignty o+ -hina over Wisha ( )
(Vitnams Ho8ng Sa) an0 the Nansha (Vitnams BrETng Sa) @as in0isputa*le.
%S&
pntil on ?anuary &#
th
$DJ#; the +irst time the .epu*lic o+ -hina has *rought out the
+ull systematic 0ocument o+ !inistry o+ /oreign ++airs( Bhe sovereignty o+ -hina over
Wisha () an0 Nansha @as in0isputa*le..
Bhe +ollo@ing; a lot o+ voluminous 0ocuments such as Voguo Nanhai zhu0ao Shi0ai
Hui*ian)*y Han zhen Hua)*[n Ch]n *oa grou"= 3E& G!& Ch!= Ng0 PhPbng :En (SDC
pages) @ere starte0 composing since $DJC; +inishe0 in $DJJ an0 @as pu*lishe0 *y PhP_ng
/0ng (3eiUing) pu*lishing house; to illustrate +or the content o+ the !inistry o+ /oreign
++airs 0ocument.
Bo rea0 an0 analyse care+ully the 0iplomatic 0ocuments an0 the 0ocument mentione0
a*ove; it is very easy to recogniê tric's o+ gar*le or su*Uective 0e0ucing; lac'ing scienti+ic
+oun0ation to prove the sovereignty o+ -hina or @ith the non)historic concept to re+ute
Vitnams 0ocuments.
".$.$ /irst o+ all is the Wisha () (the Vitnams Ho8ng Sa)
Bhe scienti+ic evi0ences re+ute non)scienti+ic arguments that Wisha ( ) @as an
un'no@ne0 lan0 (res.nullius) so Huang0ong government o+ -hina since $D#D esta*lishe0 the
sovereignty in Wisha ( ).
Bhe +irst theoretical point o+ Huang0ong government @as surveye0 pu*licly Paracels
that -hina calle0 Wisha () in $D#D; sai0 that Wisha () @as an un'no@ne0 lan0 (res
nullius). Bhe action o+ the Huang0ongs navy erecting +lag on the islan0 an0 ma0e "$
shotguns at some o+ islan0s in Paracels in $D#D; spo'e up the primary intention o+ -hina at
this time sai0 that Paracels @as an un'no@ne0 lan0 (res.nullius).
+ter that; to re+ute the evi0ences that the colonial /rench government in Vitnam put
+or@ar0; once again -hina *rought out the theoretical points li'e that(
$. Pn $D#D; Bhe 1ing 0ynastys government appointe0 a naval unit to come here to
stu0y the con0itions o+ the islan0s an0 carry out acts o+ actual possession +or other countries
in the @orl0; -hinas +lag @as pulle0 up an0 @as greete0 *y the cannona0e on the QR
ôngìng ) } ~ islan0 ( /u :in) Bhe /rench government on the same perio0 0i0 not
respon0
". Hun0re0 years ago Pn0ochina @as still un0er the auspices o+ -hina; so the Paracels
islan0s @ere territory o+ -hina; Pn0ochina has not any rights to ma'e the lan0 occupation o+
their respect+ul o@ner (re+erring -hina)
%S%
&. ccor0ing to rticle & o+ the -hinas -onvention signe0 the @ith /rance on
"Q\Q\$JJS planne0 the *or0er *et@een -hina an0 the North o+ Vitnam; Paracels in $#J
o
" D
,ast longitu0e as a mater o+ course *elongs to -hina
Bhe +act that Bhe /rench government at that time 0i0 not have any imme0iate reaction
against the violations o+ the Huang0ongs local governments o+; accor0ing to international
la@ that @as not the reason @hich Vitnam lost sovereignty at that time. Vitnam cannot *e
regar0e0 as a vassal state as the +eu0al perio0 in ,urope that sai0 Vitnams territory or
Paracels islan0s as a mater o+ course *elonging to -hina.
Bhe more you cannot say( Vitnam has as'e0 to su*mit to -hina Heaven Dynasty;
0are to violate -hinas territory 0uring three centuries. Never the occurring @hen the
Paracels @as -hinese territory @hose Paracels /lotilla\teams mem*ers on 0uty; met storm;
0ri+ting in U 1ing:an port in $SC%; *e +oun0 out *y the Hainan government; again
supporting to return to Vitnam easily an0 :or0 Nguyn Phc Xholt sent a letter o+ than's as
in Pht *iAn t<p luc ) . / 0 1 as @ell as 5<i Nam thxc luc tiGn *iAn ) @as
sai0 so o*viously
-hina /rance -onvention in $JJS @as only 0e+ine0 the *or0er in the Hul+ o+
Bon'in @hich Paracels outsi0e Hul+ o+ Bon'in; +rom the $S
th
latitu0e 0o@n so citing the
-onvention in $JJS @as incorrect.
Bhe scienti+ic evi0ences re+ute arguments a*out sovereignty en+orcing activities
since $D#D the government o+ Huang0ong; -hina in Wisha ( ) (Ho8ng Sa) an0 the
0ocuments o+ the Song; Nuan; !ing 0ynasty sai0 that -hina ha0 0iscovere0; through the ,ast
Sea (South -hina Sea)0emonstrate0 the sovereignty *elonging to -hina can not *e argue0
@hile Vitnam @as 0ominate0 *y the /rench colonial; lost the 0iplomacy rights.
3y the late the %#th 0eca0e o+ century WW; a+ter Vorl0 Var PP; the e`cerpt o+ the
report on research issues o+ Wisha ( ) collecte0 *y the -ommission compile0 the Wisha
() an0 Nansha o+ Huang0ong government in $D%S propose0 the +ollo@ing points(
) zhang .en ?un)the province chie+ o+ Huang0ong in 9uang Tu No. &&; @ho
@as 0ispatche0 to investigate *oth Dongsha an0 Wisha (). Pn the +irst years o+ WuanBong
s ; vice comman0er o+ the navy @as qr :i zhun con0ucte0 t@o *attleships /u san ;
The& *ang 0eparting +rom Du 3E&O Port has passe0 over $% Wisha () islan0s; @hich
also *e name0; stone carvings; erecting +lags; an0 artillery shelling; @as pu*lishe0 in the cost
%SC
over %## thousan0 ounces o+ national currency; there @as a *oo' @hich is recor0e0 o+ sea)
patrol; as @ell as measuring; 0ra@ing maps also @as store0. P+ this archipelago @as *elonging
to /rance; @hy there @ere not any o*Uections at that time.
) Pn the +irst year o+ WuanBong s ) 7; zhang .en ?un ) Huang0ongs
province chie+ propose0 the e`pansion o+ Wisha ( ); sent people to investigate; collect
0roppings an0 coral manure in the islan0s an0 the Dongsha phosphate ore 0isplaye0 in
NanNang P NanUing.
) Bhe .epu*lic o+ -hina (.9-); in Wisha () islan0s tra0ers in guano; through the
approval C times *y the authorities o+ Huang0ong *e+ore an0 a+ter.
) zhongshan pniversity an0 the Bian Hou (t) agency o+ the South Huang0ong to
investigate the phosphate mines in Wisha ()..
) Bhe /rench naval comman0er in Saigon ha0 to ans@er +or Nam Huong /oo0
-ompany u o+ ?apan on Septem*er "#; $D"# reiuires that must Wisha () *e
the territory o+ the /rench Bhis o++icer ha0 replie0 the archives o+ the /rench navy are
a*solute no 0ocuments relate0 to Wisha ().
3y the "Sth year o+ the .9-; /rance in+orme0 Bhe pX the occupying Wisha ( );
e`cuse0 Uust *ecause ?apan occupie0 Hainan Pslan0; over@helme0 nnam to occupy; not
*ecause o+ the sovereignty o+ these archipelagos.
) 3asing on the petition o+ the hea0 o+ nnam meteorological o*servatory.
) Bhe -hinese o+ the Song; Nuan Dynasty; 0iscovere0 Bian li chang sha ( ;
Van :i Shi Bang ; *ase0 on the *oo' zhu /an zhi vw8 *y zhao .u Shi ) ab
X (1uat) the Namsong 0ynasty is @ritten that Pn the +i+th year o+ -heng zuan ; chose
1iong zhou *ecame the governor. Den Sha yang P is the en0ing place along to *y
roa0; perhaps calle0 9u li LM ; T0 Cat 3ang; the opposite o+ @ith -hampa; the Vest
loo'e0 to -henla; ,ast @as NTh!nn 3dO Spratlys Van :i Shi Bang +ar an0 @i0e;
o*scure; in+inite; the s'y an0 @ater @as the same color. 3oats pass *y Uust get the magnetic
nee0le is stan0ar0; to 'eep care+ully at 0ay an0 night; the 0ea0 is even remotely relevant to i+
there is any @rongs.
+ter that; -hina also cite0 comments o+ Da *o +ang the Nuan 0ynasty in the
*oo' Dao Ni zhi :ue; ( a+rai0 o+ the x 1i zhou at the top; a+rai0 o+ the
%SQ
Xunlun)-6n :6n at the *ottom (ThPbng "hX 9! hou= *X PhX Con 3uan) an0 the +act that
TrVnh *o[ came 0o@n Wi Nang P seven times; so certainly must go through Wisha (
) as @ell as the +act that /ei ìn * ; !a 'uan @riting route +rom /uUian to the
south)@est then to -hampa $# 0ays *e+ore @in0; certainly must go through the Wvsha. -hina
also cite0 +in0ings $nh 3Xc Th0ng :FoO coin in Wisha () the D
th
year o+ .9-.
Since then the -hinese 0iplomats al@ays insists that the sovereignty o+ -hina +or
Wisha () is in0isputa*le.
!ost o+ the arguments mentione0 a*ove are no longer vali0 an0 the -hinese shoul0
not mention again; *ecause the historical evi0ence to esta*lish the sovereignty o+ Vitnam is
in0isputa*le @ith +orce+ul reUection o+ all -hinas arguments. -hina liste0 hun0re0s o+ actions
since $D#D is also not use+ul *ecause it @as +or violations o+ the sovereignty o+ Vitnam.
Vitnam cannot lose sovereignty 0ue to the 0elay o+ the /rench in raising their voice as
0escri*e0 a*ove un0er international la@ at that time.
n0 the +act that as'ing the /rench Navy comman0er in Saigon; that is not as'ing the
right a00ress; i+ they as'e0 the /rench m*assa0or in Brung XY (the central o+ Vitnam) as
m*assa0or :e/ol or as'e0 the Nam BriGu (Bhe Vitnam Dynasty) a*out the sovereignty o+
the Paracels surely @ill have the clear ans@ers; as the authenticity as the a++irmation
Vitnams sovereignty has nothing to *e 0ispute0 in Ho8ng Sa *y !inister Bhan Brong Hue
in $D"C.
Bhe +act that *asing on the *oo' zhu /an zhi vw8 ) *y zhao .u Shi ) ab
X (1uat) in the Namsong 0ynasty @rite a*out +oreign @hich -hina calle0 Phien as @ell as
*ase0 on the *oo' Dao Ni zhi :ue; ; sai0 pointlessly that the -hinese 0etecte0 a
pointless place not to have value on international legal to the esta*lishment o+ islan0
sovereignty.
Bhe scienti+ic evi0ences reUect arguments +rom the -hinese .evolution succee0e0 in
$D%D; that the Nanhai islan0s +rom the antiiuity to the present @ere territory o+ -hina; *y
the -hinese people the earliest 0etection; the earliest *usiness ; 0ue to the government o+
-hinese 0ynasties; the earliest Uuris0iction
-ompare0 to *e+ore $D%D; -hina *egan to pay more attention to the argument sai0
that the -hinas sovereignty o+ Paracels ha0 a long time; @ith many +oun0ations; arguments;
0espite o+ only 0e0uction; an0 the +act that possession o+ the Vestern @ay; such as erecting
+lags; "$cannons +ire0 in $D#D is only secon0ary.
%SS
So -hina has *asically change0 the arguments; instea0 o+ thin'ing that at the time in
$D#D; Wisha ( ) is a 0erelict islan0 an0 -hina ha0 possession action; no@ says that
Wisha () *elongs to -hina +or a long time. (Notes on the Nam@ei an0 Sisha Pslan0s (no
sign) poste0 in semi)monthly magaîne Peoples -hina pu*lishe0 *y /oreign :anguage
Press on $)D)$DC$ in 3eiUing.
+ter using +orce to occupy Paracels unla@+ully in mi0)?anuary $DS%; -hina trie0 to
search 0ocuments *y attri*uting; Uoining; an0 gar*ling to 0istort the truths @ith the
contri*ution o+ scholars such as Shi :i zu y+ or Han zhen Hua "group.
Date0 ?anuary &#; $DJ#; the !inistry o+ /oreign ++airs o+ the Peoples .epu*lic o+
-hina pu*lishe0 0iplomatic 0ocuments; +ormaliîng the arguments set +orth in the article
a*ove an0 in $DJJ; has pu*lishe0 voluminous 0ata *y Han zhen Hua "group.
/inally the arguments are consi0ere0 strongest o+ -hina as +ollo@s(
) /irst; -hina con+irme0 that the Hai Nan Pslan0s @ere un0er the Uuris0iction o+ -hina
+rom the Cth year o+ -heng zuan the Bang 0ynasty in SJD.
Bhrough the *oo's Nang Shu ; Bai Ping huan Nu ?i g; Nu ti tu
($""$); 3Huang Dong Bong zhi ($J%"); in the Cth year o+ -heng zuan the Bang
0ynasty in Hainan Pslan0; there @as only a story saying that :y Phuc ) the comman0er o+
Bang 0ynasty *rought his army to Hainan Pslan0 to ta'e *ac' a+ter $## years the native
people re*elle0 to *e the master o+ the islan0 an0 as'e0 Xing Bang place the a0miral palace
in 1uynh Son 0istrict; there @as not the +act that ?oining any islan0s in the South -hina
(Nam Brung Hoa) in to Hainan.
Secon0; the +act that -hina as'e0 the navy to have patrol; -hina cite0 the events to
0emonstrate.
Bhat @as the +act that the Northern Song 0ynasty appointe0 the patrol naval in
Huang^hou; @ritten in Nu ?ing zong Nao - *y zeng gong liang o+ the Song
Dynasty (DQ# ) $"SD; the +act that the general o+ the Nuan 0ynasty @ent *y 1i ^hou yang x
h ; Van :i Shi Bang on the @ay to *eat ?ava in $"D&; recor0e0 in Nuan shi
A ; or the Huang0ong authorities sent troops to the sea +or 0e+ense; recor0e0 in Huang 0ong
tong ^hi *y Vang zuo ; the !ing 0ynasty ($&QJ)$Q%%) the +act that Vu sheng
l vice general o+ Huang^hou patrolle0 +rom 1iong Na . to * Si Heng Sha a*out
%SJ
*et@een $S##)$S$"; @ritten in 1uan zhou /u zhi 8 o+ *o[ng Nh!%& ; the 1ing
0ynasty ($Q$Q)$D$$).
Bhese paragraphs are only *ase0 on a passage in the *oo' Nu ?ing zong Nao
-) $} G!nh T^ng Ymu a*solutely cannot prove the argument -hina sent the naval patrol to
Wisha ( ) islan0 +rom the *eginning o+ the Song Dynasty. Bhis is not true @ith the
original o+ Nu ?ing zong Nao -)$} G!nh T^ng Ymu *y zeng gong liang >
Bhis is Uust trying to attri*ute; to try 0emonstrating the +act that the naval patrol o+ the
Song Dynasty @ent *y; CTu Nh} 3oa ChEu; @hich this group calle0 Wisha ( ). 3ut
even the place name CTu Nh} 3oa 0i0nt have any evi0ences to ensure that @as Wisha (
); !ean@hile there @as a lot o+ evi0ences as presente0 is the islan0s group along the coast
o+ -hina.
/urthermore; not only the C|u Nh} 3oa ChEu *ut also other places are also
mentione0 in the roa0map to the Da Shu ; Bian ^hu ( ... there is no reason @hy
*elong to -hinese territory Bhis is unreasona*le +act.
No nee0 to say in the +act that the generals o+ the Nuan +ought ?ava in $"D& *ecause
o*viously this is the invasion !oreover it is also so o*scure; @hat can *e sure that inva0ing
armies have to go through Wisha ( ) an0 Nansha Bhe ,ast Sea (South-hina Sea)is
natural vast
9n the government o+ Huang0ong 0ispatche0 @arships to the sea to 0e+en0; Han zhen
Hua " group cite0 the *oo' 3 Huang Dong Bong zhi *y Hoang Ba; the !ing
0ynasty. Hoang Ba has @ritten that the the governor 0ispatche0 @arships to the sea to 0e+en0
/rom the Nan 0ing G (*elonging to Dongguan 0istrict) to o++shore to & seas 9
-hu; Du chu ; x 1i zhou ta'en *ac' compass nee0le (0irection) -ong mei 0 to
Vo Vai :uo. Since then it sai0 +rom the 1ing; !ing 0ynasty an0 later; the territorial
@aters o+ Wisha (); Nansha islan0s @ere place0 on the scope o+ the naval patrol (-hina)
Bhrough recor0e0 in t@o *oo's 3 Huang Dong Bong zhi an0 H>i Ngc *y
Huang ^hong ($CQ&); it sa@ that clearly the sea patrols o+ the -hinese navy only
0e+ense at that time against pirates coming +rom ?apan (py); there @ere not any patrols in
Wisha () an0 Nansha.
%SD
n0 the +act that Ng0 Thxngs patrol; +irst lets +in0 out the location o+ places as @e
'no@ 1iong Na . @as the capital o+ 1iong zhou in the North o+ Hainan Pslan0; Dong
-o @as &&D m high mountain in the North ,ast o+ Hainan Pslan0; 1i ^hou yang xh @as
the ,ast o+ Hainan Pslan0; * Si Heng Sha is a san0 0une to the @est o+ Hainan Pslan0.
Bhis is Uust Vu sheng l s patrol aroun0 the islan0 o+ Hainan; not to Wisha ( );
to remem*er that 1i ^hou yang xh is in the ,ast o+ Hainan Pslan0 so it coul0 not *e Wisha
( ); that is to say Paracels in Vitnam; +ar more than &C# nautical miles +rom the
Southeast.
Bhir0 is the astronomical measurement o+ 1uo 1iu ?ing in $"SD. Nuan shi A
@ritten that 1uo 1iu ?ing con0ucte0 astronomical measurements /our Sea in $"SD
*y reiuest o+ ,mperor Nuan (volume %J; sheet Sa)S*) to +in0 out the movement o+ the
universe (sun; moon; stars) to ma'e a ne@ calen0ar (volume $Q%; sheet %* ) Ca) an0
measurements carrie0 out in "S places inclu0ing Xorea) 9u li LM ; Bhiet :ac (un0er
Si*ia); 3_c H>i (North Sea) an0 nan hai (South Sea). Pn nan hai; 1uo
1iu ?ing measure at $C
#
in polar (eiuivalent to $%
#
%S 3 latitu0e).
Ve nee0 only a00itional iuotes o+ the o++icial history o+ Vitnam as Xhdm 5Lnh Vit
SK Bh6ng Hilm -Egng !uc o+ the National History Department o+ Nguyn Dynasty
e`tracte0 NghiAu 5i4n in Ne ìn * @hich -on+ucius)Xh6ng BK revise0; recor0e0( Bhe
Xing Nghieu or0ere0 Hui ^hi to Nan Uiao N (?iao zhi NO in the South); placement o+
gro@ing rice un0er the @eather o+ the south; sho@ing 0eep respect recor0e0 the sha0o@ o+
sun on the solstice 0ay is the longest 0ay an0 see the star Da! *oa in the South +or setting
right section o+ the secon0 month o+ summer; scattere0 population at that time. (National
History Department o+ Nguyn 0ynasty (translation); Xhdm 5Lnh Viet SK Bh6ng Hilm
-Egng !uc; BiGn 3iAn; the +irst volume; Saigjn; the !inistry o+ -ulture an0 ,0ucation;
$DQC; p. "S)
,vents a*ove i+ accor0ing to the theory @ay o+ -hinese researchers there is no reason
@hy help -hina con+irme0 the *or0er o+ -hina inclu0ing ?iao zhi NO; Nang Nao
0ynasty (inclu0ing Wisha () *ut is not only later 1ing Dynasty; Han Dynasty Bhus; the
astronomical measurements cannot *e ta'en as a *asis +or esta*lishing sovereignty. Pt is
important to many 0ocuments; inclu0ing maps o+ -hina pu*lishe0 *e+ore $D#D @ere
i0enti+ie0 in southern o+ -hina in Hainan Pslan0.
%J#
/ourth is the nan hai Pslan0s @ere 0ra@n on the map o+ -hina. Bhe uthors o+
collection @as e0ite0 *y Han zhen Hua) Han zhen Hua "also o++ers $& meticulously map
an0 0ivi0e0 into t@o types. 9ne is the nan hai islan0s 0ra@n *y the -hinese maps in the
!ing 1ing Dynasty. nother type is a map o+ -hina in the !ing 1ing an0 the vassal States;
also 0re@ the Hainan Pslan0s.
.esearch care+ully the -hinese maps cite0; Pt is very easy to recogniê that the maps
'in0 $ a*ove that is to say the maps o+ Nuan; !ing; 1ing 0ynasty 0ra@n islan0s such as maps
o+ Bruc tinh hai 0uong tong 0o in Nang +eng yang ruo / not only the presence o+ Van
li ^hang sha ; *ut also 0ra@ing even other places such as @!a ,u li LM p ìu l
; Da liu ìu l (no@ the .yu ) Xyu islan0s o+ ?apan); Du! Ma (Bsuma islan0 o+
?apan)...
Bhere is no reason @hy the islan0s o+ ?apan mentione0 a*ove are on map zhi hai yang
sheng ông tu _ *elonging to territory o+ -hina as 1ian li zhang Sha ST
that -hina has attri*ute0 9r as Huang 0ong yang tu in Nang +eng yang ruo /
also name0 C|u Nh} 3oa ChEu @ith the high mountain (& cones) an0 is locate0 ne`t to 3n
/iu S_n= Nan :an ; these t@o places people see on the sea 0e+ense map in 9uFng
/0ng ThQng Nh]t Ch! Yu yuan 4 ($J"") Uust is the names o+ the coastal islan0s. -Ku
Nh2 :oa -hdu Uust is place)name o+ the coastal islan0 o+ -hina; not the name Wisha ( )
that -hina Uust name0 in $D#S.
/or the secon0 type o+ map maps o+ -hina the !ing; 1ing 0ynasty an0 their vassal
states the more 0i++icult to prove @hich maps; @hich islan0s *elonging to -hina
!ean@hile all the maps an0 geography *oo's compile0 *y the state +rom the Song
Dynasty (DQ# ) $"SD) to the 1ing 0ynasty ($Q$Q ) $D$$) 0i0 not 0ra@ an0 @rite the islan0s in
the nan hai Sea. -onversely there are many o++icial maps o+ -hina +rom Nuan; !ing
0ynasty; to Da 1ing 0ynasty in @hich there @as the map pu*lishe0 near the time o+ 0isputing
such as the map Da 1ing in 5<i Bhanh /m 9uQc To[n /W; pu*lishe0 in $D#C; the %th
e0ition in $D$# 0re@ the southernmost o+ territory o+ -hina @as Hainan Pslan0; 0i0 not 0ra@
any other islan0 in the ,ast Sea (South -hina Sea)an0 the map Vang -hao Bong Ni Nu Bi Bu
in the *oo' Huang cheng yi tong ìe 0i iuan tu ) 6:# pu*lishe0
in 9uang Tu "# ($JD%) @ritten speci+ically the southernmost o+ territory o+ -hina is ~Na
zhou; 1iong zhou Hovernment; Huang0ong in $J 0egrees &# minutes North; @hile
%J$
Wisha () or Paracels @as name0 *y the -hinese; @ith the islan0 in the highest position
is $S 0egrees C minutes. Pn a00ition to; there are also lots o+ other -hinese maps; 0ra@n
*e+ore $D#D to 0etermine the southernmost o+ -hina @as nan hai Pslan0. Bhis proves
that Wisha () or Paracels is never the territory o+ -hina.
/i+th is in $JJ&; the Hermans surveye0 Wisha () islan0. Bhe -hinese government
proteste0 an0 the Hermans stoppe0 this @or'.
Bhis is also very typical argument a*out the am*iguity o+ -hina; there is no concrete
evi0ence o+ this event at all. !ean@hile there @ere a lot o+ evi0ences sai0 that the Herman
surveye0 the measurements +rom $JJ$ to $JJ% in most territorial @aters +rom the Hainan to
3_c H>i ; Vei ^hou to Wia !en; /u ^hou @ithout o*stacles; ha0 goo0
results that the Department o+ Navy Survey (/rance) @as use0 to map !er 0e -hine
!Zri0ionale ) rchipel 0es Paracels; pu*lishe0 in $JJC; @ith No %$#%; state0 very clearly
that 0aprs les levZs lleman0s ($JJ$)$JJ&).
".$." Secon0 o+ all is the Nansha (the Vitnams BrETng Sa)
Bhe sovereignty in Wisha () that -hina calle0 theirs has no scienti+ic +oun0ation;
@on0ering ho@ the Nansha Pslan0s have. /ull interpretation is ar*itrary; inconsistent
pnli'e Paracels archipelago is only in+ringe0 *y -hina; the Spratlys archipelagos
sovereignty is violate0 *y many countries( -hina (inclu0ing Bai@an); Philippines; !alaysia;
an0 3runei. Bhe -hinese invasion o+ Vitnams sovereignty on Paracels actually occurre0
more slo@ly; Uust starte0 +rom the Vorl0 Var PP *ut a+ter ?apan. Bhis country *ecause o+ @ar
nee0s to account +or the strategic military position to control the ,ast Sea. Pn $D&D; ?apan
occupie0 the largest Ptu *a Pslan0 o+ @hich Vitnam calle0 3a 3hnh () g); *ut the San
/rancisco -on+erence in $DC$; ?apan gave up the con+lict.
-urrently Bai@an has occupie0 the largest islan0 3a 3hnh ) g (Ptu *a); @hile
-hina only accounte0 +or nine ree+s *y +orce in $DJJ; the Philippines occupie0 D islan0s an0
ree+s (% islan0s) in the ,astern o+ the archipelago !alaysia occupie0 C ree+s in the southern.
3runei claime0 the territorial @aters sovereignty near their country. Pn0onesia an0 Vitnam
have negotiate0 several times a*out the 0elimitation o+ the continental shel+ an0 the e`clusive
economic ône un0er the Sea -onvention $DJ". Pn0onesia 0oes not have an am*ition +or
territorial sovereignty over the Paracels archipelago +rom Vitnam. !ean@hile Vitnam is
0e+en0ing "" islan0s an0 ree+s (Q islan0s).
%J"
Pn $D#D; -hina @as only iuestione0 an0 *reache0 the sovereignty o+ Vitnam on
Wisha () that is to say Ho8ng Sa; not to mention the Nansha that is to say Spratlys o+
Vitnam. Since $D&C; to response to actions o+ the /rench colonial government in Vitnam;
-hina starte0 to translate most o+ names o+ islan0 at the ,ast Sea (South-hina Sea)an0 calle0
Nansha Pslan0s @as !accless+iel0 archipelago. 3y $D%S; -hina calle0 Nansha Pslan0 to re+er
to Vitnams Spratlys archipelago that is to say Spratly archipelago.
/rom the $D&#s to the $DS#s; at +irst -hina only *rought out the argument the
Nansha *elongs to the -hinese territory +rom long)stan0ing @as in0isputa*le; +rom the
$DJ#s on@ar0s; in the 0ocument o+ !inistry o+ /oreign ++airs 0ate0 &#\$\$DJ# as @ell as the
Paracels archipelago; -hina only e`pose0 the argument -hina is the earliest 0iscovere0; the
earliest *usiness country an0 the earliest Uuris0iction; *usiness as soon as possi*le an0
Uuris0iction soon Bhe time @as inconsistent. Vhen is in the Song Dynasty; @hen it in the
Han Dynasty.
Bhe Diplomatic 0ocuments 0ate0 &#\#$\$DJ# have cite0 the *oo' Nan ^hou Ni Vu
^hi j8 o+ Vu chao lan0 the *oo' /u Nan -huan o+ Xang tai f;
Bhe Bhree Xing0oms perio0. 3ut the content stu0ying o+ Nan ^hou Ni Vu ^hi j8
*y Vu chao lan0 /u Nan -huan *y Xang tai f o+ the Bhree Xing0oms; @e
0o not see any evi0ences o+ the 0iscovery o+ the Nansha Pslan0s as @ell as Wisha ().
lthough the searching o+ places li'e ?u shi ; -hang shi; Bian li chang sha (
; Van :i Shi Bang ; BrETng Sa; Shi 0u in historic *oo's; ... is the san0 or
coral islan0s or the coastal area to comment; to attri*ute into Nansha that the place)name also
has Uust put out an0 re)move0 +rom the !accles+iel0 islan0 ($D&C) to the Spratly ($D%S); a
0istance o+ more than C## 'ilometers to@ar0s the south. Bhe ar*itrary attri*uting o+ the
-hinese researchers is sho@n very clearly @hen Van :i Shi Bang re+ers to Wisha
(); zhongsha; sometimes calle0 Nansha.
Bhe 0iplomatic 0ocuments on &#\$\$DJ# also cite0 +rom *oo's such as !ong :uong
:uc the Song Dynasty; Dao Ni zhi :ue; ; Bhe Naun 0ynasty; Dong Wi Nang P
Thao an0 Thuan Phong Tuong Tong; the !ing 0ynasty; zhi na ^heng +a 85 an0
Hai Huo Ven ?ian :u e the 1ing 0ynasty sai0 not only the *oo's have not *een name0
to t@o the Wisha () an0 Nansha in turn the names fC|u Nh} 3oa ChEu; Shi 0u ;
%J&
Bian li (Th!nn 3d1 Shi 0u Van :i Shi Bang ; Bian li chang sha (
; Van li ^hang sha ... *ut also name0 to the ree+s islan0s an0 san0 0unes
*elonging to t@o archipelagos @ith the resource+ul image0 names.
P+ @e try to open page *y page through the *oo's mentione0 a*ove or seen the
e`cerpts that the group o+ Han zhen Hua " researchers as cite0 to 0emonstrate -hinas
sovereignty; there are no recor0s o+ the events @hich 0emonstrate the -hinese government
has sent military +orces or the navies li'e Vitnams to e`ploit; plug milestones; erect a
sovereignty monument such as the Vitnamese has 0one. ?ust *e 0e0ucing; insinuating
9nly that it sa@ that the *oo' Hai Ven ?ian :u *y & -hen :un ?un (1ing
Dynasty) starte0 to @rite clearly a*out Van :i Shang Sha *ut there @as no *asis to
say that Van :i Shang Sha re+er to Nam Sa an0 is the evi0ence o+ the esta*lishment
o+ the sovereignty o+ -hina Ho@ it is miè0 an0 ar*itrary Vhen the scholars o+ -hina sai0
that Van :i Shi Bang re+er to zhongsha Pslan0s; sometimes calle0 Van :i Shi
Bang @as Wisha () (Pslan0 .e0 .oc' *ong Thach Du); sometimes calle0
Thach islan0 (roc' islan0) in the *ranch o+ islan0s x chang ii 0ao *elonging to the
Nansha Pslan0s; @hen Shi 0u re+ers to Dongsha archipelago. DongSha has move0 +rom
+irst *eing place0 near the coast o+ Huang0ong to its current location. Th!en 3y Shi 0u
re+ers to Nansha Pslan0. Notes o+ Hai Huo Ven ?ian :u e; 1ian li ^hang sha S
T an0 Van :i Shi Bang re+er generally to the nan hai Pslan0s. Notes in the
history *oo's o+ the 1ing 0ynasty cite Tong Do 0ra@n palace; a0ministrative 0ivision 0istrict
in the 1ing 0ynasty $J## Thanh *o! Phu Chau *uyen Sach Tong Do *y *!en Phong
0ra@n in $J##; re+ers to 1i ^hou yang xh again.
Some @ritings o+ Van :i Shi Bang re+er to Dongsha)Dong Sa an0 Nansha)
BrETng Sa Pslan0s as in the note Da 1ing Brung Ngoai Bhien Ha Boan Do in $S#D or
_ 1ing ^hi sheng +en tu in $S"%. _ Vang cheng ge ^hi sheng +en tu
*e+ore $SCC or Spratlys re+er to Wisha)Bdy Sa; Nansha in the note Dong Nan ha! D! Do o+
the *oo' 8Vu *i ^hi *y !ao Nuan Ni in $Q"$ an0 in many other maps.
s @e 'no@; @ith the so am*itious an0 miè0 evi0ences; -hinas authors trie0
Uoining ar*itrarily to Wisha () or Nansha. P+ @e stu0y care+ully; the events happene0 Uust
%J%
aroun0 territorial @aters near Phc G!mn; Huang0ong; not +ar +rom the south. Bhen gra0ually
a+ter $D#S the places as Wisha (); Dongsha)DongSa an0 Nansha *egin to appear. Nansha
also change0; moving +rom zhongsha)BrungSa at that time to Nansha no@; a 0istance over
C##; Q## 'm
Bhe ar*itrary attri*uting; Uoining the places Wisha () as @ell as Nansha mentione0
a*ove *ecome more an0 more o*vious @hen @e 0iscover the -hinese 0ocuments collecte0 *y
Han zhen Hua "group has clearly i0enti+ie0 the position o+ Van :i Shang Sha in
the *oo' Huang 0ong tu ^hi *y !ao Hong Ban. Pt is @ritten 1ian li zhang Sha S
T *elongs to Nue hai 9 (at sea there @as 1iong zhou 0istrict) split into isles;
the large an0 small islan0s heaving; there are many un0er@ater roc's; the more 0angerous is
Van li ^hang sha . Bhis is the name o+ the Viet seaport (Huang0ong) +rom Dong $an
Chau to en0ing L Nan ao ( the *oo' 9uang Dong Do Ch!; carving the Bong ^hi C
($JQ#); volume QS; the 1iong^hou; p.&).
Bhe *oo' 1iong zhou Phu -hi *y !ing yi ; the *oo' ~Na zhou -hi *y
Chung Nguyn De the *oo' -heng an iu ^hi )8 *y Chu $an *a! also @ritten
Th!en 3y Shi 0u ; 1ian li zhang Sha ST *elonging to 9uynh Duong; Nue
hai 9 is the ,ast Sea (South-hina Sea)o+ Huang0ong; that is to say 3ai yue z9;
9uynh Duong is the ,ast Sea (South-hina Sea)o+ 1iong zhou *elonging to Hainan
islan0 *elonging to the position near Huang0ong province; can not go 0o@n Nansha.
!any o+ -hinas *oo's 0escri*e the route to go out to sea an0 all sai0 in 0etail a*out
Van li ^hang sha ; Th!en 3y Shi 0u ; impossi*ly +ar +rom the position o+
Nansha at the present. Bhe *oo' Hai Huo Ven ?ian :u e *y & -hen :un ?un
0escri*e0 the route +rom *[ Na& to 9uFng Na& @hen seeing VoVai :uo Son ( -u :ao
.Z) o+ the 9uhnh area. P+ the 0eviation is to the ,ast it means violating Van li ^hang sha
; Th!en 3y Shi 0u i+ the 0eviation is to the Vest he +eare0 that the *oat @oul0 run
into the 9uang Na& 3ay.
So until the mi0 $D
th
century an0 until $D%S; Van :i Shang Sha @as never
re+erre0 to Nansha or BrETng Sa o+ Vitnam *y -hina. Bhis is in line @ith reality; until in
$D#D; the -hinas governments ha0 never *een intereste0 in possession o+ the islan0s in the
,ast Sea.
%JC
Particularly; the Nansha Pslan0s; @hich -hina calle0 DoanSha in $D&C an0 rename0
Nansha in $D%S; also *e Wisha ( ) +or nearly three 0eca0es. Vhen the /rench colonial
government in Vitnam ma0e proce0ures o+ possession in the Vestern tra0ition in the years
$D&# to $D&&; -hina really care0 an0 ha0 violate0 intention o+ sovereignty in the archipelago
@hile the /rench @ere protecting Vitnam in the 0iplomatic aspect.
Bhere @as not also much evi0ence +or the name Nansha although +a'e0 0ocuments
li'e Wisha () @hich -hina cite0 o+ 0iscovery. Bhere @as not any value *ecause o+ the
similarity iuotes o+ Wisha () that @e 'ne@ a*ove.
Bhe 0iplomatic 0ocument o+ -hina in $DJ# as @ell as -ollection o+ 0ocuments *y
Han zhen Hua group,Voguo Nanhai zhu0ao Shi0ai Hui*ian $%%&'
() also *rought up archaeological 0ocuments or the material Canh 3o :a *y
+ishermen in Hainan. Pts @aste0 e++ort; *ecause 0espite +in0ing many -hinese antiiues or
ancient coin (li'e the VInh :ac coin) the same as the /rench archaeologists +in0ing the
.oman coin an0 antiiues o+ the .oman perio0 in the archaeological site 9c ,o (the South
Viet Nam).
9ne cannot conclu0e the .omans 0iscovere0 or ha0 the sovereignty o+ Vitnam.
Bhe +atal matter in the archaeological 0ocuments @hich -hina cites in +u lin
islan0s (Ple 3oisZe) it is @ritten clearly that Ho8ng SaBx) Paracel Bemple is evi0ence o+
Vitnams sovereignty as presente0. Bhe same Canh lo ba *y +ishermen o+ Hainan islan0s
@rote( Dong *a! (,ast sea) means sea in the ,ast. Bhe ,ast o+ Hainan Pslan0s or -hinas then
@herever every*o0y 'no@s. :ocation o+ Paracels an0 DoanSha are all in the Southern o+
Hainan Pslan0 or -hinas
Vith these unreasona*le; am*iguous arguments lac'ing authenticity mentione0
a*ove; the 0ocument o+ the -hinese !inistry o+ /oreign an0 ++airs in $DJ# again criticiê0
the argument the @hite 3oo' o+ Vitnam in $DSD that the +irst part o+ the 0ocument sai0 that
a +inger re+ers to 0eer Uust say @as the horse; @hile the *ac' is completely stan0 stea0y an0
also has no legal value.
Bhat 0ocument sai0 that the Paracel an0 Spratly rchipelagos o+ Vitnam naturally
they are not Wisha (); Nansha Pslan0s o+ -hina completely; @hich Uust might *e coastal
islan0s an0 san0 0unes in the -entral Vitnam; Han zhen Hua " group also spo'e
thoughtlessly that Paracels Uust is -[ :ao .Z or -[ :ao -h8m Pslan0. Vhile in Pht 3iAn
B<p :uc ) . / 0 1 *y :A 1u7 56n; the 0ocuments that -hina cite0 has more clearly
%JQ
state0 the *each Paracels locate0 near the region PhT 3!n& ChEu un0er PhT Hainan or the
+act that t@o Ho8ng Sas sol0iers @ent a@ay on a mission 0ri+ting into the har*or U
1ing:an (Hainan) in the $J
th
year o+ 1ianlong ($SC%).
Pn $DJ# -hina also claime0 that the government o+ Vitnam s@in0le0(
/inally is the theoretical point o+ the -hinese 0iplomatic 0ocument in $DJ# @rote that
the @hite *oo' o+ Vitnam in $DSD 0i0 not +in0 any valua*le historical 0ocumentation to
recogniê Spratlys (-hinas Nansha). Bhis is as a matter o+ course *ecause -hinas Nansha
@as unreal; inconsistent( in $D&C in Nansha in the !accles+iel0 ree+s; until in $D%S Nansha
move0 0o@n the south once again as mentione0 many times. Pn the +uture @ill Nansha stay in
the position % 0egrees North or move more Bhe *oo' Pht 3iAn Bi
that 3_c H>i @as in the South o+ the ,ast Sea; ne`t to the Xunlun) -6n :6n islan0. Bhat
@ill *e all.
/irst o+ all; i+ re+er to international la@; vali0 +or all countries (inclu0ing -hina) have
signe0 the Heneva -onvention in $DC%; then the South o+ Vitnam +rom latitu0e $S 0o@n
inclu0ing the Paracel an0 Spratly rchipelagos 0ue to the /rench e`pe0itionary army turne0
over to the South o+ Vitnams government to manage a+ter $DCQ.
Bhe .epu*lic o+ Viet Nams government an0 then the Provisional .evolutionary
Hovernment o+ the .epu*lic o+ South Vitnam have the responsi*ility to manage an0 protect
the sovereignty over Paracels an0 Spatleys. B@o governments o+ the Provisional
.evolutionary .epu*lic o+ South Vitnam an0 the .epu*lic o+ Viet Nam never 0eclare0
giving up the sovereignty at all. ny governments; inclu0ing the Democratic .epu*lic o+
Vitnam government; not the government o+ South Vitnam un0er the Heneva -onvention at
that time; 0i0 not 0irectly manage the territory +rom latitu0e $S to the South; in spite o+ ho@
claims @ere vali0 only in politics at that time; 0i0 not a++ect the sovereignty o+ Vitnam in
Paracels an0 Spratlys
Vhile the -hinese capture0 Paracels in ?anuary $DS%; the Provisional .evolutionary
.epu*lic o+ South Vitnam ha0 0eclare0 that this @as a historical pro*lem; nee0ing to *e
solve0 *y peace+ul means.
Bhere+ore; any statements o+ any governments inclu0ing the government o+
Democratic .epu*lic o+ Vitnam ha0 no international legal vali0ity o+ sovereignty in the t@o
archipelagos.
%JS
Vie@ point o+ the Provisional .evolutionary Hovernment o+ the .epu*lic o+ South
Vitnam against the +act that the -hinese occupation in Paracels in ?anuary $DS% @as
actually re+lecte0 the .evolutionary @ay o+ .evolutionary @as le0 *y the Vitnam
-ommunist Party; anything else only re+lecte0 the activities together struggle against
common enemies. Pn a00ition to -hina has 0istorte0 the statement o+ Prime !inister Pham
Van Dong. Bhe Prime !inister only supporte0 the announcement o+ the 0ecision on -hinas
territorial @aters; o+ the Peoples .epu*lic o+ -hina government only.
Pn +act; the -hinas Wisha ( ) an0 Nansha is not the Vitnams Paracels an0
Spratlys Sa; only the attri*uting; Uoining; 0e0ucing; there is no history in possession o+ -hina
*e+ore $D#D +or Wisha () an0 *e+ore $D&C +or Nansha.
Bhe 0ocuments o+ the -hinese ministry o+ tra0e an0 a++airs as @ell as -ollection o+
0ocuments *y Han zhen Hua "group ha0 too much to ta'e the evi0ences in many countries
aroun0 the @orl0 recogniê the sovereignty o+ -hina in Wisha ( ) an0 Nansha. t
anytime; in any countries there are llies; any time; @illing to support the +oreign policy o+ a
country. :i'e San /rancisco -on+erence in $DC$; -hina @as propose0 *y the Soviet pnion in
accepting that -hina o@ne0 the Wisha () an0 Nansha. 3ut the San /rancisco -on+erence
in $DC$ as @ell as later never ha0 any international con+erences that recogniê -hinas
sovereignty in the t@o islan0s. Bhere is only the clearest thing( -hina has +orcing actions in
$DS% over Paracels an0 in $DJJ +or a num*er o+ islan0s in Spratlys)BrETng Sa; violating the
pN -harter
+ter 0iplomatic 0ocument on ?anuary &$; $DJ#; -hina announce0 the 0iplomatic
memoran0um in $DJJ an0 at the same time there @ere many researche0 proUects such as
-ollection o+ History 0ocuments *y Han zhen Hua "group has 0ocumente0.
lthough there are more collection *ut there is not ne@; signi+icant @ith the
arguments; also suggeste0 that the earliest 0etection; *usiness; pro0ucing an0 managing o+
the -hinese. 3ut *ecause there is no truth there+ore no matter ho@ meticulous also *e the
castles are *uilt on the san0 an0 @aste o+ e++ort li'e the i0iom Pts Uust a grain o+ @heat in a
*ushel o+ cha++.
n0 so in the 0iplomatic 0ocuments o+ -hina has given much evi0ences o+ protection
as @ell as the countries supporte0 -hinas sovereignty +or the Vitnams Paracels an0
Spratlys Sa are not all @orth to concern *ecause the arguments an0 the theoretical points
a*out the actual possessor o+ -hina 0i0 not stan0 stea0ily; no scienti+ic *asis; is not
convincing.
%JJ
".&. .e+ute the theoretical points o+ -hina to Uusti+y the registration to the
-ommission on the :imits o+ the -ontinental Shel+ o+ the pnite0 Nations
!ap o+ p)shape0 line 0ra@n *y -hina at the ,ast Sea (South -hina Sea)@ith the
-hinas claims sent o++icially to the -ommission on the :imits o+ the -ontinental Shel+ o+ the
pnite0 Nations in accor0ance @ith the $DJ" pnite0 Nations -onvention on the :a@ o+ the
Sea; has surprise0; cause0 horror to the Vitnamese.
!ap o+ p)shape0 line
0ra@n *y Bai@an
in $DJJ
!ap o+ p)shape0 line
0ra@n
*y -hina $DDD
Source( http)!!%%%.southchinasea.org
So surprising not that it is ne@; *ut surprising *ecause its ol0; +rom century ago; o+ a
+eu0al Hreat 1ing 0ynasty an0 then the perio0 o+ *ourgeois 0eveloping the 0octrine o+
-hauvin Bhe .epu*lic o+ -hina (.9-); Nationalist Party.
P+ in $D#D; the Huang0ong government; @ith the hegemony spirit Dai Han o+ the
1ing 0ynasty Hreat Han; *e+ore the threat o+ the colonial empires; ha0 thought the islan0
outsi0e Pratas Paracels (Paracels) @as o@nerless; organiê0 surveillance an0 esta*lishe0
sovereignty in Vestern @ays; such as +iring "$)shots; erecting +lags...
Pt is easy to un0erstan0 @hat happene0 a*ove. Due to the colonial imperialism the
Vest @as 0eveloping at that time; -hina an0 Vitnam @ere the victims o+ the hegemony o+
aggression o+ the Vestern colonial countries. So @hen the ?apanese occupie0 the Pratas
islan0 trie0 to recall in $D#S an0 name0 Dongsha; too' the name o+ an islan0 in the coastal
%JD
/uUian that name0; the Huang0ong authorities +eare0 the imperialist po@ers o+ the Vest as
the ?apanese 0i0 in Pratas Pslan0 ho@ to o*Uect against an0 e`pose the +lan' in the south is
very 0angerous in the si0e o+ territory 0e+ense.
!ay*e the Huang0ong authorities o+ the Hreat 1ing 0ynasty thought that that lan0
@as not o@ne0. Due to +ar +rom more than $# years; in $JDJ the 3ritish insurance company
procee0e0 against the Huang0ong authorities *ecause o+ in or0er to the Hainan people ro**e0
on the @rec'e0 ships in the Paracel( :e 3ellona in $JDC an0 the ship pN9/P (Pmeî) !aru in
$JDQ the -hinese government ha0 0e+initively sai0 that Paracels 0i0 not *elong to -hina an0
also 0i0 not *elonging to nnam.
!ay*e the -hinese government in Hainan 'ne@ the people o+ Hreat Viet ( 5<i Vit
R ) @ere sent *y the state to e`ploit (as Pht *iAn t<p luc ) G H I ; :A 1uv 56n has
state0 very clearly in $SC&). Venchang; the District o++icer un0er 1iong^hou; Hainan
authorities; @rote to :or0 Nguyn sai0 very clearly @hen investigating the truth t@o sol0iers
o+ the Paracels team on 0uty in the e`ploitation o+ sea pro0ucts in Van li ^hang sha 6;
that @as to say Ho8ng Sa; 0ri+te0 into the port 1ing:an an0 gave +oo0 +or the t@o
sol0iers came *ac' Ph Wudn peace+ully an0 0i0 not protest.
Vhy the 0istrict o++icer o+ the +eu0al perio0 @as so 'in0 at that time Ps iuite contrary
to0ay @hen caught +ishermen in the territorial @aters o+ Vitnams sovereignty an0 caught
+ishermen 1u>ng NghIa +ishermen more than three centuries still 0i0 so; no@ have to pay a
ransom li'e toll; treate0 li'e gangsters rules an0 also use the strange ship 'noc'e0 a@ay to
0ie Ho@ so
!ay*e 0ue to the Huang0ong government 'no@ing Vitnam @as 0ominate0 *y the
/rench. Vitnam ha0 lost its autonomy; no 0iplomatic rights *ecause the /rench inva0e0
un0er the Paten6tre -onvention in $JJ%. So the Huang0ong authorities possesse0 Paracels
than to the /rench occupie0; it is also un0erstan0a*le
n0 the /rench colonial government; accor0ing to the letter @as reporte0 0ate0
%.C.$D#D *y the /rench -onsulate Heneral 3eauvais in Huang^hou recommen0e0; @as
largely ignore0; *ecause the opposition @oul0 +lare up the 0octrine o+ -hauvin in -hina
@as *a0 +or /rench interests in the country. Bhis is easy to un0erstan0 Bhe /rench al@ays
insiste0 on the interests o+ /rance a*ove all; no interest in protecting the sovereignty o+
nnam in Paracels.
%D#
ccor0ing to the international legal @hen the Huang0ong government *egan
occupying Paracels in $D#D i+ the /rench government o*Uecte0 later; not +or this reason that
nnam lost its sovereignty.
+ter more than "# years o+ ignoring; @ith the /rench pu*lic opinion in the
protectorate nnam as @ell as in the mother country strongly oppose0.
lthough; the Hovernor)Heneral Pasiuier has allo@e0 to hol0 an iniuiry into 3artet
to comman0 eàmine the ne@spaper o++ice ,veil ,conomiiue; +orcing the ne@spaper han0e0
in 0ocuments o+ the con+i0ential letter a*out the e`change involving Paracels; *ut this
ne@spaper o++ice 0i0 not ta'e.
/inally in $D&#; the Hovernor ) Heneral Pasiuier ha0 no hesitation; change o+ attitu0e;
not a+rai0 to lose the interests o+ /rance in -hina; so 0eci0e0 to use the po@er to occupy
Paracels (Ho8ng Sa) an0 Pratlys (BrETng Sa).
Bhen Vorl0 Var happene0; Bhe .epu*lic o+ -hina @as inva0e0 *y ?apan an0
resistance @as organiê0. . ?apan lost; the .epu*lic o+ -hina o+ course is one o+ the countries
carrying out a @ar o+ resistance success+ully; Bhe victorious llie0 lea0ers recogniê0 the
ne@ @orl0 or0er an0 the main o*Uective @as in 0isarming the army o+ +ascist *loc'. Bhe +act
that the -hiang Xai)she' government care0 a*out 0isarming; an0 occupying the mainlan0
an0 islan0s +rom latitu0es $& up as Paracels in accor0ance @ith llie0 agreement is also
un0erstan0a*le. n0 even agreement concerning the islan0s in the south o+ Spratlys is
un0erstan0a*le *ecause the /rench @oul0 o@n an0 occupy the ,ast Sea (South-hina
Sea)again as *e+ore.
Bhe +act that Bhe /rench colonial government o@ns the ,ast Sea; occupie0 Paracels
an0 Spratlys even +or the sa'e o+ n nam; is naturally occupie0 *y the colonial at all ; thus
0i0 not convince the -hinese government protecte0; n nam a long time; is also
un0erstan0a*le.
pntil the /rench @ere 0e+eate0 at 5in 3iAn Pht; pril $DCQ an0 +orce0 to @ith0ra@
troops +rom Vitnam an0 the ,ast Sea (South-hina Sea)@ithout po@er in the conte`t o+ the
-ol0 Var; the @orl0 @as 0ivi0e0. Bhe t@o teams go hea0)to)hea0 against each other. -hina
occupie0 the islan0 o+ m /u lin; the largest islan0 o+ Paracels an0 Bai@an occupie0 3a
3hnh ) Pslan0 ) the largest o+ Spratlys)BrETng Sa.. Bhe +act that the parties occupie0
the islan0 an0 that the governments o+ South an0 North Vitnam sa@ that their allies ha0
occupie0 the islan0s +or them gave support an0 peace o+ min0.
%D$
lso no surprise @hen -hina occupie0 Paracels *y +orce @hen the Democratic
.epu*lic o+ Vitnam @as in silence; only the Provisional Hovernment o+ the .epu*lic o+
South Vitnam proteste0 in a gentle voice. Pt is also un0erstan0a*le in the circumstances o+
con+ronting each other li'e that pntil the .evolution o+ Vitnam ha0 0eci0e0 to li*erate the
South; Saigon; that the +irst mission @as to li*erate the Spratlys is also un0erstan0a*le.
pp to this time; Vitnam ha0 *een uni+ie0; entirely in0epen0ent; not un0er
colonialism; no longer the col0 @ar con+ronting the t@o parties; the historic circumstances are
entirely 0i++erent; Vitnam sovereignty shoul0 have *een respecte0.. Vhy -hina is not 0oing
as in the case that 3<ch :ong V @as returne0 to Vitnam *y -hina. Surprisingly; -hina use0
to help our country in our national li*eration; competing in0epen0ence; an0 protection o+
territorial integrity. pntil no@ -hina is not respecting Vitnams territorial integrity; ho@ is
the meaning o+ help Vitnam has Uumpe0 out o+ the +rying pan an0 into the +ire
mi`ture o+ more surprise an0 horror in the current @orl0 or0er; no state o+ *ig +ish
s@allo@ing small +ish; P+ there is any miscalculations li'e merica in Prai; causing many
0isasters; imme0iately a0Uust to +it @ith current international la@.
p)shape0 line @ith the too ri0iculous claims there is no international legal *asis nor
has any historical *asis; @hy let it happen
Pn $DJ"; along @ith $$J nations; -hina an0 Vitnam signe0 the pN -onvention on
the :a@ o+ the Sea. -onvention on the :a@ o+ the Sea in $DJ" clearly stipulates that all
internal @aters are @aters @ithin the *aseline use0 to calculate the @i0th o+ territorial @aters
along the coast. Pt consists o+ la'es; estuaries; seaports; the har*ors.
ll @aters insi0e this *aseline are 0esignate0 rchipelagic Vaters @as setting *y the
national archipelagos. Bhe territorial sea +rom *aselines e`ten0s to a +iè0 0istance.
-onvention in $DJ" 0e+ine0 $" nautical miles ($ nautical mile $JC"m) as the maìmum
@i0th o+ the territorial sea. -ontiguous areas e`ten0ing to a maìmum 0istance o+ "% nautical
miles +rom *aselines. Bhe ,`clusive economic ône e`ten0s to a maìmum 0istance o+ "##
nautical miles +rom *aselines. Bhe continental shel+ inclu0ing sea*e0 an0 sea*e0 un0er@ater
outsi0e the territorial sea o+ a country; across the e`ten0e0 nature o+ the lan0 territory o+ that
country e`ten0s to "## nautical miles 0istance +rom *aselines; or the outsi0e e0ge o+ the
continental margin e`ten0s that limit can *e e`ten0e0 to the outsi0e e0ge o+ the continental
margin 0etermine0 un0er the provisions o+ the -onvention. n0 the common heritage o+
human'in0; inclu0es the sea*e0 an0 su*soil *eyon0 the sea outsi0e the *oun0aries o+ the
continental shel+. Bhe -ommission on the :imits o+ the -ontinental Shel+; Bhe Pnternational
Bri*unal +or the :a@ o+ the Sea (PB:9S); Bhe Pnternational -ourt o+ r*itration an0 the
%D"
Pnternational -ourt o+ :a Haye has propose0 $# stan0ar0s to solve the pro*lem o+ continental
shel+ *oun0aries an0 0e+ining the sovereignty o+ the islan0s.
Bhe territorial @aters o+ Ho8ng Sa) the Paracels archipelago are only $Q# nautical
miles +rom the mainlan0 o+ Vitnam an0 "S# nautical miles +rom mainlan0 -hina. Bhe
territorial @aters o+ Spratlys are $D# nautical miles +rom the mainlan0 o+ Vitnam; Spratlys
archipelago is ""# nautical miles +rom the mainlan0 o+ Vitnam an0 SC# nautical miles +rom
the mainlan0 o+ -hina. Paracels an0 Spratlys are locate0 along the coast o+ Vitnam +rom the
$Sth latitu0e 0o@n to the J
th
latitu0e.
Bhe p)shape0 line is not in any rticles +rom any internal @aters; rchipelagic
Vaters; Berritorial @aters inclu0ing the e`ten0e0 territorial @aters; the continental shel+ an0
e`clusive economic ône o+ the -onvention; nor un0er any legal criteria o+ pN rules So then
@hat
.egar0less o+ the current international la@; the -hinese researchers *rought out the
argument o+ the historic territorial @aters; o++ering thousan0s o+ pages to historic 0ata +rom
the *an $u De 0ynasty; the Song Dynasty to the !ing 0ynasty saying that TrVnh *o[ has
resulte0 +rom the naval reconnaissance o+ Nan Hai. Not to mention things are true or
Uust in+erre0; +a*ricate0; or +rom mutilation.. Bhe !ing 0ynasty inva0e0 5<i Vit that
-hina calle0 n Nam an0 has ha0 nearly &# years o+ 0omination. So not only the Nan
Hai islan0s *ut also the @hole 5ng -hdu 3oan *elonging to
/rance; Hong Xong un0er the 3ritish; an0 !acao un0er the Portuguese. Bhe Vestern
countries no@ say that Hong Xong is the pXs lan0; !acao is un0er the Portuguese. -ertainly
one can only say that the lan0 @as ever manage0 *y the Vestern -ountries; the Hreat 1ing
government only ce0e0 to them. lso a+ter !ing 0omination (the perio0 @hich n Nam @as
inva0e0 an0 governe0 *y !ing Dynasty); :am Sgn uprising success+ully re)esta*lishe0 the
in0epen0ence o+ 5<i Vit ; the @hole mainlan0 an0 islan0s o+ 5<i Vit 0i0 not
*elong to -hina. Pt is evi0ent. Vhy coul0 they say other@ise
s in the past; the /rench gave up the right o+ rule over Vitnam an0 no@ have to
recogniê that as a historical +act.
Bhe -hinese researchers sai0 that the authorities o+ the Democratic .epu*lic o+
Vitnam have recogniê0 Wisha (&) an0 Nansha as *elonging to -hina then at the present
not 0ou*le)tongue0 P+ sai0 so @on0ering @ho @as 0ou*le)tongue0 +irst in $DS".
%D&
P+ as 0iscusse0 a*ove in the conte`t o+ the con+rontation in the col0 @ar; hot @ar as
@ell as the Hovernment o+ .epu*lic o+ Vitnam to the occupation o+ Bai@an; the Philippines
to the Spratlys)BrETng Sas islan0s is not 0i++erent 3ut i+ @e re+er to the international la@
un0er the Heneva -onvention; @hich -hina has +orce0 upon Vitnam an0 has *een signe0 *y
*oth countries; Paracels & Spratlys *elong to the south *y the $S
th
latitu0e an0 is manage0
*y the Souths government that the t@o governments; .epu*lic o+ Vitnam an0 .epu*lic o+
South Vitnam never give up sovereignty. ll that @as claime0 @as not that the t@o
governments have no international legal value; rather it @as political policy in the historical
conte`t o+ the col0 @ar; hot @ar.
Bhe historical circumstances @ere; completely 0i++erent
P challenge -hinas researchers given the evi0ences o+ the speci+ic 0ata in o++icial
history @ritten *y emperor -ourt or in the States 0ocuments *e+ore $D#D +or esta*lishing
sovereignty o+ the -hinese state in the Paracels an0 Spratlys in accor0ance @ith international
legal at that time; such as history @ritten *y emperor -ourt; 5i4n l *oo' (a 'in0 o+ *oo'
recor0e0 o+ regulations; la@s at the +eu0al perio0) an0 national 0ocuments +rom the o++icial
0ocuments to the private papers; iuali+ications o+ local governments as the 0ocuments @hich
Vitnam has hel0.
P also challenge -hinas researchers to *ring out the historical materials o+ the Vest
re+erring to the possession sovereignty o+ -hinas governments in @estern @ays *e+ore $D#D;
@hen -hina sai0 that Paracels @as not o@ne0.
P challenge that -hina presents evi0ence o+ a map @ith the current precise coor0inates
0ra@n *y the 9cci0ental *e+ore $D#D as `'() ) n Nam 5<i 1unc Hoa 5R !ap o+
the Hreat ,mpire o+ n Nam @rote clearly Paracel seu -lt V8ng. ,ven the maps o+ -hina
0ra@n *e+ore $D#D sai0 that the Wisha (&) an0 Nansha *elonge0 to -hina; not that -hinas
southernmost @as Hainan as the maps @ere 0ra@n *y the Hreat 1ing 0ynasty.
P respect the tra0itional history o+ -hina as @ritten *y the great historian Sima 1ian or
Bhli 3l SK . Bhey certainly use0 historical +acts
P 0ont un0erstan0 @hy -hinese history researchers are no@ trying to 0istort history;
especially given the historic 0ocuments o+ zhu /an zhi vw8 ) v w . Ph!en ) w
country historic 0ocuments o+ w Ph!en country @ere 0istri*ute0; Uoine0 into that as their
Wisha () an0 Nansha.
%D%
Bhose @ho stu0y history; stu0y history to get the truth; the truth is the @ay. P am
totally 0isappointe0 @ith the *ehaviour o+ these -hinese researchers no@.
Bhe /rench; merican @oul0 have also regrette0 not getting much 'no@le0ge a*out
the history o+ the country o+ Vitnam that is very small *ut @ith in0omita*le resilience.
Bhousan0s o+ years un0er +oreign 0omination o+ the Northern +eu0als as the Han an0 the
Bang; once again has spent many times struggling against the aggressive Song; Nuan; !ing
1ing; the country @as +loo0e0 @ith inva0ers. -apture is very easy; *ut not easy to 'eep
Vitnam has millions o+ Vitnamese @ho are resi0ing throughout the @orl0 an0 @ith
0i++ering opinions; *ut most are patriots. Vhen country gets ris'; it @ill not *e missing those
@illing to em*race 3om :a C[ng (a 'in0 o+ *om* o+ ?apan) or ,`plosive *ags thro@ into
targets every@here as in the recent @ar. No one e`pecte0 the 0rama @oul0 occur. 3ut the
historical lessons are the common lessons o+ every*o0y @e al@ays nee0 to remin0 everyone
to remem*er.
Vitnam ) -hinese mountains *y mountains; rivers *y rivers; the resi0ents o+ the t@o
countries al@ays *elieve that their lea0ers must al@ays *e @ise; 0ont have any
miscalculations cause0 incalcula*le conseiuences; must have a +ar vision; then the -hinese
@ill not 0ispute the historical +act; 0ispute international la@; 0ispute the pN -harter an0
resolutions @hich prohi*it using o+ +orce an0 the clear regulations in the -onvention on the
:a@ o+ the Sea in $DJ". 3ecause i+ they 0ispute all; ho@ can they live @ith it Bhat the
mental champion strength o+ t@o countriess people an0 progressive nations in the @orl0
shoul0 have to 0o that Bhat is also eternal truth.
%DC
(>< 4,UNDATI,NS AND 4ACTS ,4 T*+ +STA:3IS*M+NT AND
PR,T+CTI,N ,4 $I%TNAMrS S,$+R+I2NTY AS T, T*+ PARAC+3 IS3ANDS
AND T*+ SPRAT3Y IS3ANDS
Nguyn Nha; Ph.D. in History;
Vitnamese ssociation o+ Historical Sciences
P. /9pNDBP9NS 9/ BH, ,SB3:PSH!,NB ND P.9B,-BP9N 9/
VPBN!S S9V,.,PHNBN S B9 BH, P.-,: PS:NDS ND BH, SP.B:N
PS:NDS
$.$ Pnternational legal +oun0ations in the early "#
th
-entury @hen the Hovernment o+
Huang0ong province; 1ing Dynasty consi0ere0 the Paracel Pslan0s as terra nullius; a 0ispute
over the possession o+ the Paracel Pslan0s @hich must *e real possession arose.
Bhe esta*lishment o+ sovereignty o+ Vitnam as to the Paracel Pslan0s an0 Spratly
Pslan0s ha0 *een a real possession; peace; an0 continuity +rom the WVPP century until
Vitnam @as inva0e0 *y -hina in !anchu 0ynasty +rom $D#D this accor0e0 @ith the
international legality populariê0 at that time; the 0eclaration o+ :ausanne Pnstitute +or
Pnternational :a@ in $JJJ.
Bhe 0eclaration o+ the :ausanne Pnstitute +or Pnternational :a@ in $JJJ has
emphasiê0 all occupations creating the title o+ sole possession ... must *e real; i.e. not
nominal.
Bhe a+oresai0 0eclaration o+ :ausanne Pnstitute o+ Pnternational :a@ has provi0e0 the
principle o+ real possession o+ the Breaty o+ 3erlin @ith popular values in international la@;
not Uust values *ene+iting signatories thereto.
!ain contents o+ the principle o+ real possession are(
/irstly; the esta*lishment o+ sovereign territory must *e su*Uect to the State.
Pn0ivi0uals are not entitle0 to the esta*lishment o+ sovereign territory *ecause in0ivi0uals
have no international legal personality an0 international relations are relations *et@een
countries.
Secon0ly; possession must *e con0ucte0 peace+ully in a territory that is actually
a*an0one0 (res nullius) or a*an0one0 voluntarily *y a country (0erelicto). psing martial
+orces to occupy a possesse0 territory is an illegal action.
Bhir0ly; the real possessor must implement sovereign actions at the minimum level
consistent @ith natural con0itions an0 population in such territory.
%DQ
/ourthly; the implementation o+ sovereignty as to such territory must *e continual.
Septem*er $#
th
; $D$D; in the -onvention o+ Saint)Hermain po@er+ul signatories
announce0 to a*rogate the 3erlin ct $JJC the reason @as such that there @as no longer
0erelict territory in the @orl0 an0 as a result; the principle o+ real possession is invali0.
Nevertheless; *ecause o+ the reasona*leness o+ this principle; the @orl0 la@yers still use it
@hen settling the sovereign 0ispute over islan0s such as the ruling o+ the stan0ing
international ar*itrator o+ :a Haye in pril $D"J as to the 0ispute over the islan0 o+ Palmas
*et@een the p.S. an0 the Netherlan0s an0 the Uu0gment o+ international courts o+ the pnite0
Nations in Novem*er $DC& as to the 0ispute over !iniuiers an0 ,crehous Pslan0s *et@een
the Hreat 3ritain an0 /rance.
$.". Bhe -harter o+ the pnite0 Nations concerning pN resolutions serves as an
international legal +oun0ation a+ter Vorl0 Var PP +or settling 0isputes over territory.
+ter Vorl0 Var PP; the pnite0 Nations @as +oun0e0 +ollo@ing the :eague o+
Nations. 9n the *asis o+ @ars o+ aggression; the pN -harter propose0 principles (rticle ";
-lause $%) as vali0 principles applica*le to all countries. No)+orce)ta'en principles @ere
0evelope0 in $DS# an0 strengthene0 in the pN .esolution the territory o+ a country can not
*e the su*Uect o+ a military invasion as a result o+ the use o+ +orce @hich goes against
provisions o+ the -harter.
Bhe territory o+ a country can not *e the su*Uect o+ a possession o+ another country
a+ter threats or +orce use. ny possession o+ territory aciuire0 *y any threat or use o+ +orce
shall not *e recogniê0 as legitimate.
Bhe resolution a*ove also state0( -ountries have o*ligations not to use threats or
+orces to in+ringe upon eìsting international *or0ers o+ another country or solutions +or
international 0isputes; inclu0ing territorial 0isputes an0 other matters relate0 to *or0ers o+
countries.
$.&. pnite0 Nations -onvention on :a@ o+ Sea is the *asis o+ international legal
+oun0ation +or current 0isputes over these islan0s.
Pn $DJ"; the pnite0 Nations -onvention on :a@ o+ Sea; a**reviate0 to pN-:9S
-onvention; announce0 /e*ruary $#
th
; $DJ" in !ontego 3ay o+ ?amaica ha0 $CD signatories.
+ter *eing rati+ie0 *y Q# countries; since Novem*er $Q
th
; $DD% :9S -onvention ha0 *ecame
the international la@ applica*le to approving nations; @hich @as applie0 an0 en+orce0; an0
use0 to 0e+ine maritime sovereignty o+ each country...
-hina; Vitnam; an0 other regional countries are signatories to the pnite0 Nations
-onvention on :a@ o+ Sea. Bhe $DJ" -onvention on :a@ o+ Sea 0e+ine0 clearly @ater@ays
%DS
as @ater areas locate0 @ithin the *ase line use0 to calculate the @i0th o+ coast)length@ise
territorial @aters. Pt consists o+ la'es; estuaries; sea ports; ship areas ....
$.%. During the perio0 o+ sovereignty esta*lishment +rom the *eginning o+ the $Sth
century an0 later on; Vitnam has al@ays assume0 that the Paracel Pslan0s an0 the Spratly
Pslan0s are one group.
lthough a North Sea +leet @as create0 to e`ploit the ,ast Sea; the Paracel +leet
retaine0 control over this area. Sea maps o+ Vesterners ha0 a long line along the coast o+
Vitnam; state0 as the Paracel or Parcel or Pracel. 9nly in the /rench 0omination perio0;
accor0ing to the ne@ concept o+ Vesterners at the en0 o+ the $Jth century; @ere the Spratly
Pslan0s in the South 0istinguishe0.
/or more than t@o centuries ($Sth century ) early "#th century); accor0ing to the
Vitnam peoples perspective; Paracel Pslan0s an0 Spratly Pslan0s are one group( the length
o+ the islan0 strip stretches thousan0s o+ miles in the ,ast Sea; so)calle0 1ian li zhang Sha S
T(the Ben)thousan0)league :ong San0*an') also 'no@n as 5<i BrETng Sa(Hreat
:ong San0*an') or Hol0en San0s (Xlt V8ng) (Hol0en San0*an') 3i clt V8ngt) or Paracel
Pslan0s (Ho8ng means Hol0; Sa means San0). Bhere+ore; the Ng6 5hnh Dim a0ministration
in $DCQ calle0 islan0s incorporate0 38 .La) V2ng B8u province in the South Vitnam as
Paracel Pslan0s; the same name @ith that o+ islan0s incorporate0 into Bha BhiAn Province in
the -entral -oast o+ Vitnam.
Pn the +irst hal+ o+ the $Dth century; 5<i Nam Bhnng Nhyt Bo8n 5R
$Q
note0 that the
Paracel Pslan0s @ere locate0 in the North an0 the Ben)thousan0)league :ong San0*an' @as
locate0 in the south o+ the ,ast Sea; *ut the t@o archipelagoes @ere still 0ra@n in shape o+ an
uninterrupte0 strip e`ten0ing +rom the North to the south.
Bhe sai0 concept @as similar to that o+ Vestern navigators *ecause accor0ing to maps
0ra@n *y them; Parcel or Pracel or Paracels @as the name o+ a long strip o+ islan0s in the ,ast
Sea (South-hina Sea)along the -entral -oast o+ 5<i Vit 9
$S
; +rom latitu0e $S
#
to
latitu0e $#
#
; 0uring the si`teenth century to the eighteenth century
.

00itionally; Pht 3iAn B<p :uc ) . / 0 1
$J
; the *oo' " *y :A 1uv 56n also
clearly 0e+ine0 the location o+ a 5<i BrETng Sa)Hreat :ong San0*an' in proìmity to the
$Q
map o+ Vietnam 0ra@n in $J&J in Nguyen Dynasty.
$S
5<i Vit (literally Hreat Nue) is the o++icial name re+erring to Vietnamese 0ynasties *eginning @ith
the rule o+ :7 Bhlnh B6ng (r. $#C%)$#S"); the thir0 'ing o+ the :y Dynasty.
$J
*oo' that @as compile0 in $SSQ *y :A 1u7 56n ($S"Q)$SJ%); a Vietnamese scientist; provi0e0 0etaile0
0escriptions a*out geography an0 natural resources o+ Paracel an0 Spratly Pslan0s. ,`ploitation o+ Nguyen
:or0s over these t@o islan0s @as also pu*liciê0 in this *oo'.
%DJ
North Sea. Xunlun) -6n :6n an0 H8 Bien @ere also su*Uect to the control o+ the North Sea
+leet.
Bhus; the 5<i BrETng Sa) Hreat :ong San0*an' or the Paracel Pslan0s o+ the late
eighteenth century @as e`ten0e0 to the south o+ the ,ast Sea; the location o+ the present)0ay
Spratly Pslan0s.
Bhe *oo' Wisha () Ven@u compile0 *y the Huang0ong ca0emy o+ !useum
an0 :o Iu Pu*lishing House in 3eiUing; pu*lishe0 in $DSC; also 0etermine0 that in the
North Sea is the Nansha archipelago; a -hinese name @hich 0enotes the Spratly Pslan0s o+
Vitnam.
". /-BS 9/ BH, ,SB3:PSH!,NB ND P.9B,-BP9N 9/ VPBN!S
S9V,.,PHNBN S B9 BH, P.-,: PS:NDS ND BH, SP.B:N PS:NDS
".$. /irstly; *ase0 on the governmentalism; +rom the $Sth century to the early $Dth
century; the Paracel)Ho8ng Sa +leet\/lotilla; the North Sea) 3_c H>i +leet\ /lotilla;; a
paramilitary *o0y; ha0 *een assigne0 perio0ic; continuous; an0 peace+ul control over an0
e`ploitation o+ precious sea+oo0 an0 natural pro0ucts; inclu0ing +irearms +rom @rec's on the
Paracel Pslan0s an0 the Spratly Pslan0s.
During the time o+ 5<i Vit)Hreat Nue; i.e. the Nguyn 0ynasty an0 the Bdy Sgn
0ynasty; +rom the $Sth century to $J#$; an0 a+ter@ar0s; early Nguyn Dynasty +rom $J#")
prior to $J$C. Since $J$Q; the Paracel)Ho8ng Sa +leet\ /lotilla ha0 to coor0inate @ith the
naval +orces. ,very year; the Paracel) Ho8ng Sa +leet\ /lotilla patrolle0 +or Q months; +rom
the lunar !arch to lunar ugust (solar pril to solar Septem*er); in accor0ance @ith @eather
con0itions in the sea o+ the Paracel Pslan0s.
".$.$. ,sta*lishment an0 activities o+ the Paracel) Ho8ng Sa +leet\ /lotilla\ !ilitia
s state0 in *oth Vitnamese an0 -hinese *oo's o+ history an0 legen0s; the Paracel
+leet @as launche0 in the early Nguyn Dynasty. Bhe Paracel Ho8ng Sa +leet\ /lotillas
activities @ere note0 in Hai @ai Ui shi V
$D
)VA(-hinese) @ritten in $QDQ since the
+ormer monarchs 0ynasty; in Pht 3iAn B<p :uc ) . / 0 1
"#
). / 0 1 @ritten in $SSQ
(BiGn Nguyn thL); in 5<i Nam Bhxc :uc BiGn 3iAn )214 (1unc sg trv Ho8ng Sa).
pparently; the Paracel +leet must have *een esta*lishe0 *e+ore or in the :or0 Nguyn Phc
$D
chronicle *y -i Da -an; a -hinese 3u00hist priest in 1ing Dynasty @rote o+ Vietnamese country an0
people inclu0ing sovereign as +or the Paracels an0 Spratly Pslan0s in that time
"#
0escriptions a*out geography an0 natural resources o+ Paracel an0 Spratly Pslan0s. ,`ploitation o+ Nguyn
%DD
Bbns 0ynasty ($Q%J)$QJS); @hich meant *e+ore or @ithin the compilation time o+ BhiAn Nam
BM -hv :] 5R BhE
"$
)( * + , F ($QJQ) ) the *oo' recor0ing all initial activities on
the Paracel Pslan0s. 3esi0es; as @e ac'no@le0ge0 a*ove; Pht 3iAn B<p :uc ) . / 0 1; as
@ell as other 0ocuments asserte0 that @hen the Paracel +leet returne0 to the mainlan0 in the
lunar ugust; they came to cKa ,o (BE HiGn); then han0e0 sea pro0ucts at the o++icial palace
in Ph Wudn. Since Nguyn Phc NguyAns age; although the o++icial palace @as no longer in
i BK; 1uang BrL *ut in PhEc NAn; 1u>ng 5iGn; on the *an' o+ 3R .iver (one *ranch o+
HEgng .iver); it 0i0 not e`pan0 to Ph Wudn. Pt @as not until the :or0 Nguyn Phc :ans
age that the o++icial palace @as move0 to Xim :ong in the +irst DEgng Ho8 year ($Q&C) an0
to Ph Wudn until the :or0 Nguyn Phc Bbns. Bhus; the relia*ly +un0amental conclusion to
0ra@ out @as the earliest time o+ esta*lishment o+ the Paracel ) Ho8ng Sa +leet\ /lotilla @as
0uring the :or0 Nguyn Phc :ans age ($Q&C)$Q%J); or surely since the :or0 Nguyn Phc
Bbns ($Q%J)$QJS). Bhis age mar'e0 the travel o+ the Paracel ) Ho8ng Sa +leet\ /lotilla
through ,o sea port (Bhuen n) an0 their 0elivery o+ sea pro0ucts at the Ph Wudn o++icial
palace.
Pn @hatever age; the launching time o+ the Paracel) Ho8ng Sa +leet\ /lotilla must have
apparently *een in the +irst hal+ o+ the $Sth century; or as @ritten 0o@n in the history *oo's;
that time @as in the early Nguyn 0ynasty.
Bhe Paracel) Ho8ng Sa /lotilla\ +leets activities laste0 +rom the :or0 Nguyn Phc
:ans age or the :or0 Nguyn Phc Bbns to the en0 o+ the Nguyn 0ynasty; S generations;
nearly one century an0 a hal+. Vith the Bdy Sgn movements rising; an0 the :or0 Nguyn ran
a@ay to Hia DLnh; an0 the Paracel) Ho8ng Sa +leet\ /lotilla @as lai0 un0er control o+ the Bdy
Sgn army. Bhe 0ocuments 'ept in the V +amilys ancestral ltar in n VInh Precinct; -[
:ao .Z reveale0 that in $SJQ)Bhli 5Mcs ninth year; citiêns in -[ :ao .Z as'e0 the Bay Son
government +or the return o+ the Paracel) Ho8ng Sa +leet\ /lotilla. Pn the last years o+ Bdy Sgn
reign; the Paracel) Ho8ng Sa /lotilla +leets activities @ere seriously a++ecte0 *y the historic
changes. Hence; it @as not until the secon0 year o+ the ,mperor Hia :ong reign ($J#&) 0i0
they come *ac' to their protective activities; as clearly asserte0 in 5<i Nam Bhxc :uc -hvnh
3iAn
""
; the WWPP *oo'( the 9++icer V V=n Ph too' over the captain o+ Sa XY Seaport;
"$
BhiAn Nam BM -hv :] 5R BhE is a geographical *oo' @ritten *y a Vietnamese scholar @ith the +amily o+ 5q
3l in the secon0 hal+ o+ the $J
th
century.
""
Bhe prelu0e o+ the Annal of the /X! Na& or /X! Na& ThYc 3Rc (also 'no@n as *he true record of the
+reat South); @hich are the annual recor0s o+ the Nguy n Dynasty ; @ho rule0 Vi tnam . Bhis prelu0e consists o+
$" volumes; recor0ing historical events o+ nine Nguyn :or0s o+ South Vitnam +rom Nguyn Ho8ng ($CCJ) to
the en0 o+ Nguyn Phc Bhubn ($SSS).
C##
enliste0 persons not registere0 @ith the village authorities +or esta*lishment o+ the Paracel )
Ho8ng Sa +leet\ /lotilla . Pn $J$C; the ,mperor Hia :ong or0ere0 the Paracel) Ho8ng Sa
+leet\ /lotilla to go +or measurement o+ the sea route on the Paracel Pslan0s.
.egar0ing its operation sche0ule on the islan0s; as state0 in such 0ocuments as DE
5La -hv
"&
);:8; Ho8ng Vit 5La DE -hv
"%
)9:;8; 5<i Nam Bhxc :uc BiGn 3iAn
"C
)
214; 5n Bep n Nam :] ) _ 1` (; the
time o+ return o+ a trip 0eparte0 in the en0 o+ a @inter @as not mentione0 *ut; in Pht 3iAn
Bng NghIa; it @as 0ry season +rom lunar !arch to lunar ugust (or solar pril
to solar Septem*er) an0 the south@est @in0 @as goo0 +or the trip. !oreover; in 1uang
Nghia; storms only starte0 +rom lunar ugust to lunar Novem*er (or solar Septem*er to solar
Decem*er); mostly in the t@o months o+ Septem*er an0 9cto*er. Pn almost all 0ocuments; it
@as @ritten that i+ the time o+ 0eparture o+ a trip ha0 *een in lunar !arch an0 +rom -u :ao
.e; travel time o+ that ship to the +irst *ase on the Paracel Pslan0s @as three 0ays an0 three
nights; *ut in 5<i Nam Nhyt Bhnng -hv ) 678; that time @as note0 as +rom three to
+our 0ays an0 nights.
s to 0uties; the Paracel +leet @as reiuire0 to accomplish the +ollo@ing tas's(
) Pic'ing up sea)pro0ucts +rom the @rec'e0 ships; precious sea+oo0 +rom the sea in
the North o+ the Paracel Pslan0s (+or Spratly Pslan0s @as manage0 *y the North Sea +leet).
"&
geography *oo' compile0 *y Nguyen Brai o+ Post):e 0ynasty in $%&C 0e+ine0 *or0ers an0 territories o+
Vietnam since the country ha0 *een create0 using geographic locations an0 speci+ic terrains in association @ith
names o+ historical cele*rities @ho @ere given cre0its +or +oun0ing an0 uphol0ing the country.
"%
*oo' compile0 *y :A 1uang 5Lnh in $J#Q. Pt is the +irst *oo' ever 0escri*ing the tra++ic system in 0etails in
the late $D
th
century; inclu0ing roa0s an0 @ater@ays;
"C
Bhe prelu0e o+ the Annal of the /X! Na& or /X! Na& ThYc lRc (also 'no@n as *he true record of the
+reat South); @hich are the annual recor0s o+ the Nguy n Dynasty ; @ho rule0 Vi tnam . Bhis prelu0e consists o+
$" volumes; recor0ing historical events o+ nine Nguyn :or0s o+ South Vietnam +rom Nguyn Ho8ng ($CCJ) to
the en0 o+ Nguyn Phc Bhubn ($SSS).
"Q
geographic *oo' @ritten in Han character compile0 *y the History 3o0y o+ Nguyn 0ynasty 0uring
,mperor Bx DMcs rule comprises "J *oo's; &$ volumes 0escri*ing geographic characteristics o+ every single
province o+ Vitnam an0 some o+ neigh*oring territories such as -ao !ien (present)0ay -am*o0ia); WiAm :a
(present)0ay Bhailan0); !iOn 5in (present)0ay !yanmar) at that time.
"S
0escriptions a*out geography an0 natural resources o+ Paracel an0 Spratly Pslan0s. ,`ploitation o+ Nguyn
C#$
) !anaging other +leets @ith the same mission; *ut; in other areas such as the North
Sea) :e! *e! +leet statione0 in the South (Pht 3iAn B<p :uc ) . / 0 1; the *oo' "; 5<i
Nam Bhxc :uc BiGn 3iAn )2134; the *oo' $#; 5<i Nam Nhyt Bhnng -hv ) 6
78 ; the *oo' Q). Pn a00ition; they also un0ertoo' some tas's such as surveying; measuring
sea)routes to the Paracel Pslan0s. Bhis tas' @as only recor0e0 in Hia :ongs age (5<i Nam
Bhxc :uc BiGn 3iAn )2134; the $st volume; the *oo' C#; the *oo' C").
Bhe application +or as'ing n VInh Precinct to separate +rom n VInh -ommune on
/e*ruary $
st
o+ the thir0 year o+ ,mperor Hia :ong .eign ($J#%) mentione0 a*ove prove0 the
local citiêns heart+elt aspiration +or @atching; maintenance an0 noti+ication o+ *an0its at
sea. 9+ course; the State voluntarily vote0 *y the !ilitia @as easily accepte0 *ecause there
@as no loss. !oreover; 0ue to the paramilitary nature o+ the Paracel Pslan0s; these tas's @ere
suita*le to the State. 3esi0es; @ith the position o+ 0miral o+ the Paracel Pslan0s ) Ho8ng Sa
+leet\ /lotilla an0 the position o+ -aptain o+ the Seaport; the captain o+ the seaport @as
entitle0 to @atch at sea. /or the 0miral o+ the Paracel ) Ho8ng Sa /lotilla +leets 'eeping
the position o+ the -aptain o+ the Seaport; in many 0ocuments such as 5<i Nam Bhxc :uc
-hvnh 3iAn
"J
) 2154; $st volumn; the *oo' WWPP; @rote that V V=n Ph @as
or0ere0 to re)esta*lish a Paracel +leet @hen he @as 'eeping the position o+ the captain o+ Sa
XY seaport.
s to organiâtion; on those 0ays; in the ,ast sea; the Paracel ) Ho8ng Sa +leet\
/lotilla @as a militia organiâtion containing *oth civil characteristics an0 military
characteristics hal+ private; hal+ pu*lic having *oth economic +unction an0 management
+unction. Bhis +leet @as esta*lishe0 at *eginning o+ the Nguyn :or0s @hen people hel0
s@or0s as soil pic's +or reclaiming. Bhose 0ays; the hea0 o+ the largest a0ministrative unit
@as a palace chie+ (-hEng 0inh). Pt @as essential to have a stronghol0 +or a0ministrative
management; reclaiming an0 military)control un0er *eing rea0y +or com*at. Bhis special
organiâtion in 58ng Brong (South Vitnam) an0 similar to other organiâtions un0er
management o+ Nguyn 0ynasty inclu0ing plantation units; the hea0 o+ each plantation @as a
Sergeant)maUor.
Pn the Nguyn :or0s; accor0ing to Pht *iAn t<p luc ) . / 0 1 *y :A 1uv 56n; the
*oo' &; there @ere many militia organiâtions such as patrol)*oat team (in charge o+ guar0ing
an0 preventing +rom pillager); a team o+ native sol0iers.
"J
!ain part o+ 5i 5Lnh ($D"C) a00e0.
C#"
!ilitariâtion mentione0 a*ove @as sho@n at some aspects that the hea0 o+ the
Paracel +leet @as a lea0er. !em*ers o+ a +leet @ere re+erre0 as sol0iers. /or this reason; a
Vestern translator translate0 the Paracel +leet into compagnie Ho8ng Sa; necessarily meant
that that @as a military organiâtion; *ut not a commercial +irm.
t the Nguyn Dynasty; in each year; S# male in0ivi0uals @ere chosen +or tas's o+
the Paracel +leet *y the metho0 mentione0 a*ove an0 their sea)going iualities. S# in0ivi0uals
@as a special num*er +or each militia unit as the Paracel +leet. Pn a00ition; in Pht *iAn t<p luc
) . / 0 1 ). / 0 1 *y :A 1uv 56n; the @or0 o+ sol0iers @as use0 to call mem*ers in
the Paracel +leet. B@o o+ them 0ri+te0 to U 1ing:an Port (Hainan) in a storm in the $S
th
year o+ the reign o+ the ,mperor 1ianlong ($SC%); an0 eight other persons 0isappeare0.
Bhere+ore; each ship o+ the Paracel +leet @oul0 have $# in0ivi0uals.
t n Vinh commune; presently in n VInh village; BK XY commune there @as relic
o+ a temple lying ne`t to the Sa XY seaport. Bhis @as the Paracel Bemple that @as use0 to
@orship a s'ull o+ a @hale (legen0 has it that the @hale @as *rought *ac' +rom the Paracel
Pslan0s *y Paracel sol0iers) an0 Paracel sol0iers. Bhis temple @as 0estroye0 in the time o+ the
@ar. Bhe s'eleton o+ the @hale @orshippe0 in this temple @as trans+erre0 to @orship at the
saints an0 go0s tom*; ne`t to the ancient temple.
t -[ :ao .Z; presently calle0 :7 Sgn islan0 0istrict; m :inh temple or Paracel
Bemple has still eìste0 at Bdy hamlet; n VInh -ommune; or n VInh precinct previously
an0 the open)air m :inh Bx) temple has *een at n H>i commune or n H>i Precinct
previously. t the n VInh -ommune an0 n H>i village (*oth on the mainlan0 an0 in the
-[ :ao .Z islan0) eìste0 a custom o+ communal house o++erings an0 giving a +east to the
troop at communal house in the village so that the Paracel +leet @oul0 start out to eècute
their annual tas's on /e*ruary "#
th
in the lunar calen0ar. Pn that +east +or Paracel sol0iers;
they prepare0 e++igies ma0e o+ *am*oo +rames covere0 @ith iri0escent papers the same as a
human shape an0 too' to the communal house in the village +or o++erings. +ter the o++ering;
those e++igies @ere ta'en to *urn or lai0 on a *oat ma0e o+ *anana *o0ies an0 0ri+te0 to the
sea; that @as calle0 as alive Paracel soli0er o++ering an0 they thought that those e++igies
@oul0 replace the Paracel +leet in or0er to *ear all ris's an0 acci0ents at sea an0 praye0 their
relatives @oul0 come *ac' in sa+ety.
lso; sol0iers in the Paracel +leet *rought a couple o+ se0ge mats; S strings o+ rattan
(or rZ tree
"D
); S *am*oo shoul0er)poles. Pn *a0 cases; in the mi00le o+ the sea; they ha0 se0ge
"D
'in0 o+ a tree mostly gro@s on :7 Sgn islan0. Pts leaves are similar to leaves o+ sa++ron. Pt is in the 'in0 o+
so+t *o0y an0 can gro@ iuic'ly. S'in o+ rZ tree is use0 to tie an0 stronger than any 'in0 o+ string.
C#&
mats +or rolling 0ea0 *o0ies; *am*oo shoul0er)poles @ere use0 as splints; rattan strings @ere
use0 to tie; an0 then *o0ies @ere given to the sea. Bhe small *am*oo car0 recor0e0 +ull name;
age; native place; unit co0e o+ the 0ea0 @oul0 have lai0 in the @rappe0 mat care+ully an0 that
@as sign to i0enti+y i+ some*o0y +oun0 that corpse.
Bhe Paracel +leet use0 types o+ so+t an0 iuic' sailing *oats. ccor0ing to ?. 3arro@ in
voyage to -ochichina; 3oats an0 ships o+ South o+ Vitnam use0 in coastal tra0ing;
+ishing; sea+oo0 an0 s@allo@)nest collecting in groups o+ islan0s regar0e0 as Paracels @ere o+
various 'in0s.
Vhen -i Da -an le+t Huang0ong in a large ship containing up to +our hun0re0
persons; it @as reiuire0 to use *oth small ships to gui0e. lthough the ships @ent iuic'ly;
sometimes they caught in a shoal; sometimes they @ere nearly in an acci0ent *ecause they
0i0 not go along the 0irection o+ the small ships.
3ase0 on the recor0s o+ Vitnamese historical *oo's; the operation range o+ the
Paracel +leet on these ships inclu0e0 not only :7 Sgn islan0s an0 Hoangsha ziu
&#
*ut also
-hiAm 3a islan0.
,specially; goo0s an0 commo0ities o+ the @rec'e0 ships recor0e0 in Bo8n Bep BhiAn
Nam BM -hv :] 5] BhE that most o+ the collecte0 goo0s an0 commo0ities @ere gol0; silver;
money; an0 guns. Pht *iAn t<p luc ) . / 0 1 @rote that sea pro0ucts such s@or0s an0
horses; @hich @ere ma0e o+ piastre; gol0 an0 silver; copper things; *loc' tin; *lac' lea0;
guns; elephants tus'; *ees@a`; an0 porcelain.
Vhen he 'ept the position o+ Hip Bryn
&$
o+ Bhuen Hol ; :A 1ui 56n @rote in Pht
*iAn t<p luc ) . / 0 1 that he stu0ie0 in the receipt *oo' *y the a0miral BhuyAn 5Mc
Hbu; the comman0er o+ the Paracel) Ho8ng Sa /lotilla\ +leet +or many years came into Ph
Wudn an0 pai0 the sea pro0ucts collecte0 +rom the Paracel Pslan0 as +ollo@s(
) Nhdm Ngo year ($S#"); the Paracel +leet pic'e0 up &# silver *ars.
) Hilp Buyt year ($S#%); pic'e0 up C$## 'g o+ tin.
) t Deu year; pic'e0 up $"Q silver *ars.
/rom the X SKu year ($S#D) to the 1uv B year ($S$&); meaning in approìmately C
years; they sometimes pic'e0 up some tortoise)shells an0 holothurians shells. Sometimes
they pic'e0 up only tin *loc's; some stone *o@ls; an0 t@o copper guns.
&#
Hoangsha ziu is an another name o+ Hol0en San0s in chinese.
&$
Hip Bryn is an o++icial in charge o+ troops in +rontier.
C#%
?ust P. Poivre @rote in his travel story in $SC# that Pt @as seen that in HuO -ita0el
iron cannons; @ith Q livres)siê *ullets; mar'e0 @ith @ritings o+ Dutch ,ast Pn0ia -ompany
@ere pic'e0 up in the Paracel Pslan0s. Bhose @ere one o+ remaining things o+ the @rec'e0
ships @hen they @ere passing this place (?ournal ..,.9; PPP; $JJC).rQQ;$Qs
Surely; in the @artime; guns an0 ammunition in the @rec'e0 ships in the Paracels
@ere e`tremely precious. Hoing +urther out to sea (oceangoing) assiste0 mem*ers o+ the
Paracel +leet to *ecome goo0 at going out to sea. ?ust +rom Hia :ong; !inh !<ng; Bhiu BrL
0ynasty; strong activities o+ the naval +orces in the Paracels than'e0 sea)route gui0es in
peoples goo0 at going out to sea inclu0ing militia in0ivi0uals o+ the Paracel +leet. /or this
reason; ships un0er management o+ the naval +orces o+ the Nguyn Dynasty +rom the Hue
imperial city ha0 to gather in 1u>ng NghIa *e+ore going to the Paracels.
".$." North Sea (3ei hai ) !ilitia +leet patrolle0 un0er control an0 management
o+ the Paracel +leet in Southern region o+ the ,ast Sea; or the Spratly Pslan0s an0 the
surroun0ings.
!ore an0 more other +leets ha0 the same +unctions an0 tas's as the North Sea +leet
*ecause the authorities o+ the Nguyn 0ynasty gra0ually +oun0 e`tensive coral islan0s in the
,ast sea. !oreover; the :or0s Nguyn let the Paracel +leet 'eep the position so that he ha0
one clue to catch the situation o+ ,ast Sea (South-hina Sea)easily.
Bhus; as stu0ie0 *y :A 1i 56n +rom $S#" (Nham Ngo) to $S$& (1ui B); the
comman0er o+ the Paracel Ho8ng Sa /lotilla\+leet as an a0miral must have *een as important
as the position o+ the comman0er Bhuy 5Mc Hbu. BhuyAn 5Mc Hbu ha0 *een appointe0 the
position o+ mariuis. 9r the mariuis Ph Nhu<n @as appointe0 to 'eep the position o+ 'hdm
sai cai tht (the seaports special envoy) in the Sa XY sea port an0 the position o+ cai cg tht
ngx (the captain o+ the port); the position o+ the comman0er o+ the Paracel /leet in the
Statement on 9cto*er $
st
o+ the "
n0
year o+ emperor Hia :ong reign (the Statement *y the
mariuis Ph Nhuen +ile0 at the shrine o+ the V +amily; n VInh Precinct; presently re+erre0
as Bdy hamlet; n VInh commune; :7 Sgn 0istrict; 1u>ng NghIa province). Bhe seaports
special envoy @as a position in charge o+ @atching the seaport; Bht Ngx @as an organiâtion
that patrolle0 an0 prevente0 plun0erers in the Nguyn 0ynasty. ?ust the mariuis Ph Nhuen
@as assigne0 many important positions. /rom that; it @as prestigious +or him to 'eep the
position o+ lea0er o+ other teams such as North Sea 3_c H>i/lotilla\ +leet.
Pht *iAn t<p luc ) . / 0 1; the *oo' " *y :A 1uv 56n @rote o+ the North Sea( 3ei
Hai ) /lotilla\ +leet speci+ically as +ollo@s(
C#C
Bhe Nguyn +amily esta*lishe0 a North Sea (3ei hai ) /lotilla\ +leet. Bhis +leet
0i0 not +i` ho@ many in0ivi0uals they nee0e0. 9r it @as esta*lishe0 *y selecting volunteers
in the BE -hvnh hamlet (near the seashore) or in the 3inh Bhuen palace or villagers o+ ->nh
DEgng village into the North Sea 3_c H>i/lotilla\ +leet. ny*o0y; @ho @as voluntary to Uoin;
@oul0 *e issue0 a leaving or0er an0 a 0irection as'ing that +leet to go +or tas's
Bhe persons; @ho @ere a00e0 into the North Sea 3_c H>i/lotilla\ +leet; @oul0 *e
eèmpte0 +rom paying taès an0 +ees as @ell as miscellaneous +ees such as the +ee +or going
through the military posts; or +erries.
Bhe in0ivi0uals @ere on the small ships to the North Sea area; Xunlun) -6n :6n
islan0 an0 islan0s in range o+ H8 BiAn area +or see'ing an0 pic'ing up tortoise)shell; h>i *a;
mRn)ngE (porpoises @ere as *ig as pigs); holothurians (sea leeches).
Bhere+ore; on organiâtion; the North Sea 3_c H>i/lotilla\ +leet 0i0 not +i` num*er o+
in0ivi0uals *e+ore; *ut su*Uect to the situation an0 capacity o+ the BE -hvnh hamlet o+ the
3hnh Bhuen palace or the ->nh Duong village.
.ights @ere as same as other +lotilla that they @ere eèmpte0 +rom +ees an0
miscellaneous money such as +ee +or going through the military posts; +erries. Baès @ere not
eèmpte0. Bheir limit o+ operation @as in the south or the present)0ay Paracels; an0 Xunlun)
-6n :6n; H8 BiAn.
Pn the south o+ ,ast Sea; at the Paracels; there @ere little large; 0angerous storms; +e@
ship@rec'e0 cases; there+ore; little sea pro0ucts such as gol0en; silver; guns @ere pic'e0 up;
*ut most o+ them @ere sea+oo0; especially porpoises (mRn ngE)
Bhe North Sea (3ei hai ) /lotilla\ +leet ha0 'ept recor0s in 0ocuments in the $Dth
century. 5i/lotilla\ +leet collecte0 people in the 3hnh Bhuen hamlet; BE -hvnh or the ->nh DEgng
commune; @ere or0ere0 to ta'e small ships to the islan0s in the North Sea to pic' up goo0s;
manage0 *y the Paracel Ho8ng Sa /lotilla\ +leet. 5ng NghIa; +inishe0 in $JJ"; recor0e0 that Bhe North Sea 3_c
H>i/lotilla\ +leet @ent to Xunlun)-6n :6n islan0 to pic' up sea pro0ucts; manage0 *y the
Paracel) Ho8ng Sa /lotilla\ +leet. Bhere @as no 0ocument that sho@s @hether the North Sea
3_c H>i/lotilla\+leet stoppe0 its operation *e+ore or a+ter the Paracel ) Ho8ng Sa /lotilla\ +leet
+leet; *ut it is 'no@n that the North Sea 3_c H>i/lotilla\ +leet @as *orn a+ter the Paracel
C#Q
Ho8ng Sa /lotilla\ +leet an0 *e+ore $SSQ; i.e. *e+ore :A 1uv 56n @rote Pht *iAn t<p luc ) .
/ 0 1.
".". During the Nguyn Dynasty; +rom $J$Q; the navy @as assigne0 to constantly set
up *eacons; erect sovereignty steles; control; an0 protect the Paracel Pslan0s & Spratly
Pslan0s.
3e+ore hol0ing the ,mperors po@er in $J#"; Nguyn nh ha0 *een helpe0 *y the
Dayot *rothers in measurement o+ the routes in the ,ast Sea (South -hina Sea)inclu0ing to
the Spratly Pslan0s or the Paracel Pslan0s.
Some o+ the /rench cooperating @ith ,mperor Hia :ong; the ,mperor !inh !<ng;
namely -haigneau; *ishop Ba*er0; clearly @rote o+ ,mperor Hia :ongs actions. Pn
-haigneaus memoir :e mZmoire sur la -ochichine he @rote that( 9nly in $J$Q; the
present emperor occupie0 the islan0s an0 3ishop Ba*er0 @rote that( Pt @as Uust in $J$Q
@hen he (,mperor Hia long) +ormally 0isplaye0 the +lag o+ the South o+ Vitnam. Pn $J%D;
Hut^la++ reveale0 the Vitnamese authority un0er the ,mperor Hia :ongs age an0
esta*lishe0 a small military station +or ta` collection an0 protection o+ the +ishing people.
Vestern people mentione0 @ere not researchers hence; they merely recor0e0 the temporary
events an0 0i0 not 'no@ ho@ long)term the eècution o+ Vitnams sovereignty protection
@as on the Paracel Pslan0s. 5<i Nam Bhxc :uc -hvnh 3iAn; the +irst volume; *oo' C#; note0
activities o+ the Paracel ) Ho8ng Sa /lotilla\ +leet +leet +or survey an0 measurement o+ sea
routes lea0 *y Ph<m 1uang fnh in $J$C. Pn $J$Q; +or the +irst time; ,mperor Hia :ong
or0ere0 the navy to inspect an0 measure sea routes on the Paracel Pslan0s un0er the gui0e
+rom militias (5<i Nam Bhxc :uc -hvnh 3iAn; the "n0 volume; the *oo' C").
Bhe naval +orces +irst activities mar'e0 a signi+icant point in re)esta*lishing an0
protecting Vitnams sovereignty as to the Paracel Pslan0s. Bhose are proo+s recor0e0 an0
a++irme0 *y -haigneau or a+ter@ar0s; Ba*er0; that ,mperor Hia :ong ha0 o++icially set up his
sovereignty as mentione0 a*ove. Pn +act; events in $J$Q only mar'e0 not only using the
Paracel Pslan0s as *e+ore; *ut that ,mperor Hia :ong ha0 use0 his naval +orces an0 the
Paracel) Ho8ng Sa /lotilla\ +leet +leet in surveying; sea)route measurement an0 sea+oo0
e`ploitation.
Ne`t to the Nguyn 0ynasty; especially +rom the ,mperor !inh !<ngs era; every
year; the navy @ent to Paracel; Spratly islan0s +or reconnaissance; sea)route measurement;
*eacon setting)up; sovereignty)stele erection an0 others on Paracel an0 Spratly archipelagos;
etc.
C#S
".".$. Sea route measurement an0 map)0ra@ing as to the Spratly islan0s.
During the !inh !<ng era; sea)route measurement @as mainly assigne0 to the naval
+orce @ith responsi*ilities +or hiring civilian vessels an0 helmsmen +or teaching sea routes in
1uang Nghia.
5<i Nam thxc luc chvnh *iAn ) 2154 the secon0 volume; the *oo' $QC(
Seeing +rom no@ a+ter@ar0s; every last ten 0ays o+ ?anuary; choosing +loo0plain an0
supervisor o+ the naval +orces an0 ta'ing a naval vessels in or0er to moor 1u>ng Nghia
0uring the +irst ten 0ays o+ /e*ruary; han0ing over t@o provinces; 1u>ng NghIa an0 3hnh
5Lnh; hiring +our vessels o+ citiêns +or 0irection to Paracel islan0
!easurement o+ sea routes @as to survey routes o++shore. Bhis @as one o+ 'ey 0uties
o+ !inistry o+ conis truction to ensure the sa+ety +or *oats an0 *arges travelling at sea; +or the
Paracel Pslan0s in general; an0 the Spratly Pslan0s in particular. Sea)route measurement an0
then map)0ra@ing +or the Paracel Pslan0s in general; an0 +or the Spratly islan0s in particular
@as con0ucte0 *y the Pu*lic !inistry together @ith the -ita0els protector; 1u>ng Nghia
locality an0 the Paracel ) Ho8ng Sa /lotilla\ +leet .
During each survey; a capa*le helmsman 'ne@ @here there @ere hollo@s or 0eeps;
hi00en san0 or cli++s to avoi0; @here it @as 0i++icult or easy; an0 also 'ne@ ho@ to 0etermine
location *ase0 on mountains; sea in the a+ternoon; @in0 0irection changes; etc.; @hen to
move +or@ar0s or stop. ccor0ing to Xhdm 5Lnh 5<i Nam H]i 5i4n Sx :
&"
)HIJK;
the *oo' ""# in the Nguyn 0ynasty; the Pu*lic(-onstruction) !inistry reporte0 that any
person; @ho @as completely goo0 at an0 e`perience0 o+ sea)route measurement; @oul0 *e
liste0 in +irst class honour @ho ha0 'no@le0ge o+ eight or nine portion as to sea)route
measurement @oul0 *e liste0 in secon0 class honour @ho @as @ell)in+orme0 +or +ive or si`
portion @oul0 *e liste0 in pass 0egree @ho @as @orthy +or appointing as chie+ o+ captain;
commissioner o+ captain; @ho 0eserve0 to receive money an0 rice +or 0ou*le; etc. ma'ing list
to clearly report an0 @ait +or imperial e0ict. ppeals an0 0iscussion @ere passe0 as +ollo@(
/or secretary; sea engineer; sea ports @hich are 0angerous or easy; @in0 an0 air @atching;
mountain research; @ater see'ing; loo'ing +or 0irection; clearly glo*e remem*ering; @ho is
completely throughout 'no@le0ge *elongs to the +irst class @ho is eight or nine portion o+
'no@le0ge *elongs to average class @ho is +ive or si` portion @oul0 *e the secon0 class.
Names *elongs to +irst class honour @ho +ormer chie+ o+ captain @oul0 *e promote0 as team
lea0er; +ormer captain @oul0 *e promote0 as chie+ o+ 0etachment comman0er captain; @ho is
&"
*oo' compile0 in Nguyen 0ynasty in the mi00le o+ the $D
th
century recor0e0 legal regulations; rituals;
entiiuettes; an0 other +acts relating to organiâtion an0 operation o+ a 0ynasty.
C#J
captain commissioner @oul0 *e appointe0 as captain. Pt is priority to soon 0esignate as
missing.
Xhdm 5Lnh 5<i Nam H]i 5i4n Sx : ) FGHIJK; the *oo' ""# @as also
@rote( s in one year; sen0ing on sea route many times; all are amica*ly; or in one time
going to +oreign country; also not to sen0 to +oreign country that meeting unusual trou*les;
vessel @as in 0i++iculties; *ut sel+)controlle0 to go +or@ar0s or to stop @ell resulting +rom
goo0 per+ormance @oul0 *e +irst class honour. s this year; the sea route 0elegation +or
t@ice; regar0less o+ +ar or close 0istance that all complete0 @oul0 *e average class.
Nominating on sea route +or once @hich are amica*le @oul0 *e secon0 class. Delegation
@hich are not complete0 @oul0 *e last class
*ove are general regulations +or navy +orces on sea an0 the naval +orces going to
Spratly in particular; the Paracel islan0 in general; *ut also chances +or testing an0 training
the naval +orces; *ase0 on these to provi0e metho0s o+ re@ar0s an0 penalties. Pt is pro*a*le
that re@ar0s an0 penalties as regar0s measurement in Paracel islan0 @ere more special. Bhus;
+rom $S
th
year o+ !inh !<ng time; sen0ing the naval +orces to Paracel in general an0 Spratly
in particular @ere regular annually. Sometimes 0ue to storms; these tas's ha0 to *e
suspen0e0; *ut then continue0 later. /or eàmple; in the C
th
Bhiu BrL time ($J%C); e0ict o+
,mperor Bhiu BrL or0ere0 a postponement. pntil the Q
th
year o+ the Bhiu BrL reign ($J%Q);
e0icts in ,mperor Bhiu BrL also comman0e0 to suspen0 un0er reporting o+ the Pu*lic
!inistry. Bhen 0uring the Bx 5Mc era; there @as no recor0 in history *oo's any more
*ecause *oo' 5<i Nam thxc luc chvnh *iAn ) 2154 un0er Bx 5Mc time; accor0ing to
pre+ace; matters @hich serve0 as esta*lishe0 rule @oul0 not *e recor0e0.
.econnoitering in Paracel in general an0 in Spratly in particular @as +irst 0one 0uring
the Nguyn 0ynasty; an0 accor0ing to general rules @as starte0 in Spring (+rom HuO imperial
city to 1u>ng NghIa); ho@ever 0epen0ing on con0itions each year. /rom HuO; the naval
+orces @ent to 1u>ng NghIa to ta'e a rest an0 to prepare; @hich too' signi+icant time. s o+
the $Dth year o+ the emperor !inh !<ng reign ($J&J); it @as +irst +iè0 to travel 0uring the
last ten 0ays o+ !arch; ho@ever the spring @in0 continuously accompanie0 *y heavy rain
until the last ten 0ays o+ pril; an0 they @ere not a*le to 0epart. t +irst; the plan o+
measurement +rom the *or0ers o+ the Paracel islan0s @as +orecast +rom the last ten 0ays o+
!arch to the last ten 0ays o+ ?une. +ter that; in spite o+ the late start; completion time in ?une
@as still unchange0.
C#D
Bhat @as also a +ine +or the 0elay @ith reasona*le reasons. Ho@ever; i+ it @as
ar*itrary or uncomplete0; it @oul0 *e punishe0. P+ 0one @ell it @as re@ar0e0. Pn the $Q
th
year
o+ the emperor !inh !<ng reign ($J&C); the lea0er Ph<m V=n NguyAn @as on a mission to
the Paracel islan0s an0 @hen he got *ac'; he @as late; an e0ict assigne0 the Pu*lic !inistry
to punish him J# lashes; *ut restore0 his position. Bhe Ph<m V=n +amily currently ha0 their
church an0 clan tom*s in 56ng hamlet. n VInh commune (previously n VInh @ar0). t
present; there @ere hun0re0s o+ 0escen0ants living in :7 Son islan0 0istrict. Bhe guar0ian
Bran V=n Vdn; Nguyn V=n Bin; Nguyn V=n Hong 0re@ uncomplete0 Paracel maps; also
*eing penaliê0 J# lashes each. Ho@ever; V V=n H[ng (V clan). Bheir @orship hall
presently in Bdy hamlet; n VInh commune. Bhe previous name @as n VInh @ar0); Pham
V=n SAnh (no@a0ays Ph<m V=n +amilys @orship hall an0 royal tom* group are locate0 in
,ast) 56ng hamlet; n VInh commune; :y Son islan0 0istrict); accompanie0 them on that
trip; gui0e0 an0 measure0 sea routes; @as re@ar0e0 o+ a *onus o+ one Phi :ong coin each;
coolies o+ 1u>ng NghIa an0 3hnh 5Lnh also receive0 a *onus o+ one coin each. lso; in the
$J
th
year o+ the emperor !inh !<ng reign ($J&S); marine engineers @ho @ere 0etache0 +rom
the imperial city inclu0ing Ph<m V=n 3iAn; *y province inclu0ing V V=n H[ng; Ph<m V=n
Sanh (@ho @as use0 to re@ar0e0) to gui0e @ere all punishe0 0ue to the 0elay o+ 0eparture.
Vhile +ollo@e0 militias o+ 1u>ng NghIa an0 3hnh 5Lnh each receive0 a *onus o+ t@o coins.
Bhe a*ove in+ormation prove0 the sovereignty implementation o+ Vitnam @ith respect to sea
route measurement an0 map 0ra@ing.
Duties o+ measurement in Paracel in general an0 in Spratly in particular @as speci+ie0
in 5<i Nam thxc luc chvnh *iAn ) 2154the secon0 volume; the *oo' $QC as @ell as
Xhdm 5Lnh 5<i Nam H]i 5i4n Sx :; the *oo' ""$ as +ollo@s(
nyho@ any islan0; seaport @here vessels moors; such place shall *e measure0 in
the length; @i0th; height; perimeter; an0 chec'ing @ater 0eep or hollo@ @hether there is
un0ergroun0 san0; supplants or not; in 0angerous or normal situation; clearly chec'ing an0
measuring map 0iagram; @hen +or 0eparture; @hich seaport pouring out the sea; seeing @hich
0irection to 0rive to 'eeping on @ater@ay passe0 to 0e0uct ho@ many miles in a00ition; at
that place to 0epen0 on the seasi0e un0er the straight 0irection to +in0 @hich province or
region is an0 @hich 0irection to estimate ho@ many mile +rom that place to the seasi0e to
o*viously recor0 in 0iagram +or su*mitting. lso +rom no@ a+ter@ar0s; @henever last ten
0ays o+ ?anuary to ta'e these rules +or eècuting.
C$#
Bhus; the measurement must *e com*ine0 @ith 0iagram 0ra@ing; 0ra@ers; in @hich;
shall *e supervisors.
Bhe measurement +or 0ra@ing map o+ Paracel in general; o+ Spratly in particular in
the Nguyn 0ynasty @as *egun in the $%
th
year o+ the ,mperor Hia :ong reign ($J$C); *ut
until the emperor !inh !<ng reign; this @as strongly +ostere0. Pn the $Q
th
!inh !<ng time
($J&C); supervisors inclu0ing Brbn V=n Vdn; Nguyn V=n Bin; Nguyn V=n Hong 0re@
maps o+ Paracel in general; o+ Spratly in particular incompletely @ere penaliê0 each J#
lashes as a*ove)mentione0. Bhere @as only one place 0ra@n in report o+ Pu*lic !inistry in
the $S
th
!inh !<ng time ($J&Q); an0 still not to 'no@ ho@ to 0o.
Pn accor0ance @ith e0ict o+ ,mperor !inh !<ng in the $J
th
year 0ate0 ?uly $&
th
; $J&S;
the naval +orces 0eparte0 +or Paracel +or map 0ra@ing in $$ locations ho@ever it @as not
complete0. ccor0ing to a report o+ the !inistry o+ construction 0ate0 ?une "$
st
; $J&J; in the
$D
th
!inh !<ng era; the naval +orce measure0 three locations @ith $" islan0s; 0re@ % maps; &
separate 0ra@ings an0 one general 0ra@ing; *ut they @ere not very clear. Bhe !inistry o+
construction ha0 to reiuire them to *e re0ra@n more clearly.
lthough techniiues on measurement an0 0ra@ing maps o+ Paracel in general an0 o+
Spratly in particular in the Nguyn Dynasty @ere more accurate than in previous times; they
@ere still out)o+)0ate in comparison @ith progressive techniiues o+ the 9cci0ent at that time;
especially in that they @ere not a*le to 0e+ine the co)or0inates un0er longitu0e an0 latitu0e
over the @orl0. Bhere+ore; nautical charts are though com*ine0 many 0etails; not that *y
using nautical chart people coul0 go out to sea correctly; yet al@ays have e`perience0
persons @ho use0 to steer vessels to passe0 sea regions. Nautical maps o+ Paracel in general
an0 o+ Spratly in particular 0ra@n *y supervisors @ere 'ept in supervising service or in the
naval +orce or pu*lic ministry. Pt @as un+ortunate that; a+ter the mutiny on ?uly #%
th
; $JJC an0
the @ar against the /rench -olonialists in $D%Q; the imperial city @as *urne0 an0 0estroye0;
an0 valua*le maps on the Paracel in general an0 the Spratly in particular @hich @ere
care+ully 0ra@n @ere not save0. Ve Uust 0e+initely 'no@ that the naval +orces un0er the !inh
!<ng reign 0re@ one common map as +rom $D&J.
".".". Bhe activities o+ placing *eacons an0 *oun0ary stone to i0enti+y Vitnams
sovereignty on Vitnams the Paracel Pslan0s an0 the Spratly Pslan0s as +rom the $Dth
century.
Pn the $Dth century; a+ter hol0ing the ,mperor po@er; esta*lishing the Nguyn
Dynasty @ith Hia :ong as the name o+ a reigns years in $J#"; Nguyn nh starte0 an0 trie0
to run the sovereignty on the Paracel Pslan0s an0 the Spratly Pslan0s through the Paracel
C$$
Pslan0s an0 the 3_c H>i (North Sea) ) Ho8ng Sa /lotilla\ +leets an0 navy in the early
time.
Bhe navy +orce @as responsi*le +or esta*lishing an0 protecting the sovereignty is one
special +orce inclu0ing central group an0 provincial group; local an0 the Paracel Pslan0s
!ilitia. :ea0ing central group represente0 the navy controlle0 *y the group lea0er along @ith
the navy +rom the sea guar0s in capital city or in Bhuen n gate. 3esi0es; there @ere also
sta++s in the group o+ capital guar0. Provincial group @ere sta++s in 1u>ng NghIa in charge o+
colla*orating @ith the central group in gui0ing; provi0ing conscripte0 la*ourer; constructing
an0 coor0inating militias in 1uang NghIa; sometimes in 3hnh 5Lnh as in $J&Cs an0 $J&Ss
trip re+erence0 a*ove.
Bhe special +orces missions @ere al@ays closely supervise0 *y Vitnams ,mperor
an0 gui0e0; especially un0er !inh !<ng an0 Bhiu BrL .eign; sho@ing us ho@ vital these
missions are. Pt @as also ,mperor !inh !<ng @ho @rote .oyal 0ecrees to gui0e speci+ic
tas's o+ every trip. /or instance; in !inh !<ng the seventeenth year ($J&Q); the Pu*lic
Vor's(-onstruction) !inistry; represente0 *y the troop hea0) Ph<m Hcu Nhet; reporte0 the
navys visit to Paracel Pslan0s to the ,mperor; ,mperor !inh !<ng @rote( 9r0er 1u>ng
NghIa to implement imme0iately; he is the person to *e in charge (Ph<m Hcu Nhet) an0
a00e0( the *oun0ary stones have to *e place0 in the site the ship travels to. ,mperor !inh
!<ng also o*serve0 Paracel Pslan0s trips an0 @rote .oyal 0ecrees o+ promotion an0
punishment. Normally; militias in Paracel Pslan0s 1u>ng NghIa; 3hnh 5Lnh al@ays receive0 $
or " coins (calle0 iuan) an0 ta` eèmption +or the har0 @or' @hen travelling @ith the
troops. :ea0ing people such as the manager o+ the group; the lea0er o+ the troop an0
provincial sta++ are punishe0 i+ they settle *usiness tar0ily.
Brips to Paracel Pslan0s are arrange0 an0 prepare0 @ith care. Senior supervisors are
the ,mperor an0 the Pu*lic(-onstruction) !inistry; people in charge o+ tas' implementation
are militias; cita0el guar0s an0 1u>ng NghIa; 3hnh 5Lnh province.
Pn 5<i Nam Bhxc :uc -hvnh 3iAn; the secon0 volume; the *oo' $C% clearly state0
a*out the preparation time( /rom this year on@ar0s; @hen it comes to the last @ee' o+ the
+irst month; navy an0 cita0el guar0s are selecte0 to travel in a *oat to 1u>ng NghIa in the +irst
@ee' o+ the secon0 month. Bhe t@o provinces 1u>ng NghIa; 3hnh 5Lnh are in charge o+
renting % *oats +rom gui0es to approach Paracel Pslan0s. Bhe annual preparation time laste0
+rom the last @ee' o+ the +irst month (/e*ruary) to the +irst @ee' o+ the secon0 month
C$"
(!arch); on the thir0 month (pril) @hen the sea @as the most traniuil the troop starte0 their
trip to the Paracel Pslan0s.
Bhe *oat use0 is the one painte0 in *lac' +rom the pro@ to the helm % ^hang ($
^hang&;&& metre) in length; J ch % cun ($ ch&&;&& cm; $ cun&;&& cm) in @i0th; @ith &#
tholes @hich @ere & chi " cun long. Pn the $C
th
year o+ the ,mperor !inh !<ng reign ($J&%);
there @as a royal or0inance that coastal provinces namely 1u>ng NghIa shoul0 *uil0 "; or &
spee0 *oats; recruit local citiêns as *oatmen. ,ach *oat nee0e0 approìmately "# people as
local militias in case o+ emergency +or +leì*le patrol; transportation an0 announcement. Bhis
spee0*oat @as also *uilt in the shape o+ 5iOu h>i; % ^hang C cun in length; $ ^hang C chi C +en
($ +en)&;&&mm) in @i0th an0 C chi $ cun in 0epth.
/rom 1u>ng NghIa; % local *oats ha0 to *e rente0. Bhey @ere +ishing *oats; ho@ever
@ere lighter an0 +aster; smaller than the *oat 5iOu h>i o+ the provinces navy inclu0ing
1uang Nghias. Pt @as *ecause Paracel Pslan0s militias *oat @as originally +ast; +leì*le to
lan0 in; easily avoi0 the roc' ree+ area @ith @hich *oatmen @ere a*solutely +amiliar. Pt @as
not to mention that some people *rought +oo0 +or Q months an0 hunting *ir0 an0 catching
+ish to sel+)provi0e @as no longer a *ig matter. Bhere+ore; people ha0 time to @or'; collect
precious sea+oo0; goo0s; an0 @eapons +rom the @rec'e0 ships. Documents 0o not a++irm
@hether the *oats +ollo@ the troop to the Paracel Pslan0s or not. Ho@ever; at least the navy
+orce o@ne0 % +ishing *oats. Bhere @ere also some years they travelle0 in C *oats; @hich
pro*a*ly meant a small *oat o+ the navy +orce accomplishe0 the mission @ith Paracel +leet.
Bhat coul0 e`plain @hy later people have not rea0 much a*out the Paracel +leet in history
*oo's; since the special navy +orce ha0 *ecome crucial +or Vitnams government; an0 the
Paracel ) Ho8ng Sa /lotilla\ +leet ha0 an increasingly civilian nature; typically @or'e0 on the
+iel0 o+ personal an0 economic *ene+its.
Bo the emperor !inh !<ng reign; a ne@ naval +orce @as metho0ically esta*lishe0.
Bhey ha0 tas's such as sea route measurements; map)0ra@ing; lan0)mar' pitching; setting up
sovereignty steles o+ the Paracels an0 Spratly Pslan0s. 5<i Nam nhyt thnng chv ) 678;
the *oo' Q @rote that *e+ore the $Q
th
year o+ the emperor !inh !<ng reign; @hen the
,mperor or0ere0 his sol0iers to set up stone stele; an ancient temple eìste0 at the South
Vest o+ the islan0. Pts architecture source ha0 not *een 'no@n *ut there @as a stele carve0
+our @or0s V<n :7 3a 3hnh. Bhere+ore; *e+ore the !inh !<ng reign; carving an0 setting
up temples eìste0.
C$&
pntil $%
th
!inh !<ng year ($J&&); ,mperor !inh !<ng assigne0 the Department o+
3uil0ing & Development to erect the stele o+ sovereignty. 5<i Nam thxc luc chvnh *iAn )
2154 the secon0 volume; the *oo' $QC also recor0e0 clearly that since $S
th
!inh
!<ng year ($J&Q); the Department o+ 3uil0ing & Development (-onstruction) reiueste0 the
,mperor to assign engineers to the Paracel Pslan0s to place the lan0mar's an0 erect the stele
*esi0es measuring the ti0e an0 0ra@ing maps.
Bhe report Department o+ 3uil0ing & Development (-onstruction) 0ate0 /e*ruary
$"
th
; $S
th
!inh !<ng year ($J&Q) containing the comment o+ the ,mperor !inh !<ng(
,ach surveying *oat at the Paracel Pslan0s must carry $# @oo0en plates (lan0mar's) @ith
the length o+ a*out %)C metres; @i0th o+ C inches. 5<i Nam thxc luc chvnh *iAn ) 21
54) 2154; the secon0 volume; the *oo' Q still speci+ies( Bhe ,mperor !inh
!<ng accepte0 the reiuest +rom the Department o+ 3uil0ing & Development assigning naval
+orces un0er the lea0ing o+ Ph<m Hcu Nhet to carry sol0iers an0 *oat; together @ith $#
@oo0en plates use0 as lan0mar's. ,ach @oo0en plate is C thEc long; Q tyc)inches @i0e $
tyc thic'; the +ace o+ the plate is carve0 @ith the @or0s(
(Pn $S
th
!inh !<ng year; 3vnh Bhdn year; naval +orces un0er the lea0ing o+ Ph<m
Hcu Nhet came to the Paracel Pslan0s to inspect; measure an0 mar' +or memory *y or0er o+
the ,mperor).
,very year; the lan0mar' @as clearly carve0 @ith the 0ate; year; position; +ull name o+
the comman0er o+ Special Naval /orces; o*eying the or0er o+ the ,mperor to go to the
Paracel Pslan0s to mar' +or memory. P+ Uust counting the name o+ comman0ers o+ these
special naval +orces in the !inh !<ng reign such as( captain Ph<m V=n NguyAn in $Q
th
!inh
!<ng year ($J&C); Ph<m Hcu Nhet in $S
th
!inh !<ng year ($J&Q); the marine engineer
Ph<m V=n 3iAn $J
th
!inh !<ng year ($J&S); the num*er o+ islan0s mar'e0 @as signi+icant.
,ach ship ha0 $# @oo0en plates. ,very year; %)C ships coul0 place a maìmum o+ %# C#
lan0mar's on the islan0s; *ut it is very 0i++icult to summariê the real num*er o+ lan0mar's
that @ere place0 on the islan0s.
".".& 3uil0ing pago0as; temples an0 planting trees on the Paracel islan0s an0 the
Spratly islan0s
Vitnamese ,mperors an0 lor0s; especially the emperor !inh !<ng; @ere intereste0
in erecting pago0as; temples an0 planting trees on Paracel Pslan0s an0 Spratly islan0s. Pn $Q
th
!inh !<ng year; the ,mperor accepte0 the reiuest +rom the Pu*lic !inistry to allo@ the
1u>ng NghIa province to erect a temple at Paracel Pslan0s +or a perio0 o+ time un0er the +orm
C$%
o+ a 0etention house. Bhe temple erection; accor0ing to 5<i Nam thxc luc chvnh *iAn )
2154)2154 the secon0 volume; *oo' $C%; sho@e0 that it @as impossi*le to
*uil0 the temple in $C
th
!ing !ang year until ?une in the early summer o+ $Q
th
!ing !ang
year ($J&C); ,mperor !ing !ang assigne0 captain Ph<m V=n NguyAn to carry sol0iers an0
cita0el supervisor together @ith sailors +rom t@o provinces 1u>ng NghIa an0 3hnh 5Lnh to
transport materials +or erecting the temple at the 0istance o+ S# +eet +rom the ol0 temple. 9n
the le+t si0e o+ the temple; in +ront o+ the temple @as *uilt a screen. Bhis @or' @as +inishe0
a+ter ten 0ays; @hile the other teams ha0 more long)term tas's.
Bhe temple on the Paracel islan0s o+ten has three +aces surroun0e0 *y many 'in0s o+
trees. ccor0ing to Vit SK -Egng Hilm Xh>o :E}c *y the @riter Nguyn Bh6ng; sol0iers
coming to the islan0s o+ten *rought @ith them the see0s o+ iu> thty nam; scattering them
insi0e an0 outsi0e o+ the temple; so that they @oul0 gro@ up into trees to *e the mar' +or
recognition. Bhere+ore; planting trees on the Paracel Pslan0s @as mainly in the +orm o+
see0ing; not *y planting young trees. Pt @as logical *ecause *ringing see0lings on the ship
@as not +easi*le; an0 it @oul0 *e har0 to 'eep them alive. Ho@ever; the operation time o+
naval +orces is at the en0 o+ 0ry season; an0 e`ten0e0 to the rainy season +or many months;
very goo0 +or cultivating the see0s. Bhe emperor !inh !<ng or0ere0 planting trees as a
visi*le in0icator +or *oats to avoi0 hitting the lo@)lying islan0s.
ccor0ing to an ,0ict 0ate0 ?uly $J
th
; the $Q
th
!inh !<ng ( $J&C); the emperor !inh
!<ng assigne0 the Pu*lic !inistry to punish the -aptain Ph<m V=n NguyAn an0 re@ar0 the
militias V V=n H[ng; Ph<m V=n Sanh; *y national o++icial 0ocument; proving the
sovereignty on the Paracel Pslan0s & Spratly Pslan0s archipelago.
".&. -on+irmation o+ sovereignty on the Paracel islan0s an0 the Spratly islan0s *y
Vitnamese ,mperors an0 :or0s
Pn -hina; there have not *een any 0ocuments speci+ying that the -hinese ,mperors or
-hinese 0ynasty con+irme0 their sovereignty o+ the Paracel Pslan0s an0 the Spratly islan0s;
@hile the historical 0ocuments o+ Vitnam sho@ that the Vitnamese ,mperors an0 the
0ynasty ha0 con+irme0 many times their sovereignty over the Paracel Pslan0s an0 the Spratly
islan0 archipelago. 9++icial 0ocuments o+ the Vitnamese State an0 0ynasties such as 5n BriGu Nguyn; 5<i Nam nhyt thnng chv ) 678 ) 678 )
678 ha0 @ritten clearly that Vitnamese ,mperor; Vitnamese 0ynasty al@ays
C$C
con+irme0 that Paracel islan0s in general; an0 Spratly islan0s in particular *elonge0 to the sea
sur+ace o+ Vitnam.
/or eàmple; in the 3vnh Bhdn year; the $S
th
!inh !<ng year ($J&Q) ($Q
th
D<o 1uang
year o+ 1ing Dynasty); the Pu*lic !inistry reporte0 to the ,mperor that( the region o+ the
Paracel Pslan0s *elonging to the sea sur+ace o+ our country has a very important an0 0i++icult
to access.( 5<i Nam thxc luc chvnh *iAn ) 2154)2154; the secon0 volume;
the *oo' $QC). 9n Decem*er "#
th
; S
th
Bhieu Bri year ($J%S) the o++icial 0ocument reporte0
+rom the Pu*lic !inistry also con+irme0 that( ,very year; in spring; accor0ing to the custom;
the ships an0 sol0iers are assigne0 to survey the Paracel Pslan0s un0er the sovereignty o+ the
country ... (-hdu 3>n Bhiu BrL *oo' C$; page "&C). 5<i Nam nhyt thnng chv ) 678
) 678 )678 *y 1unc SK 1uln in the Nguyn 0ynasty also speci+ie0 clearly
as( Bhe ,astern (1uang Nghia province) is across the san0 islan0s( the Paracel islan0s; close
to the sea; etc.
".%. -ontinue0 a0ministrative management; a++irm not to renounce sovereignty;
implement continuous sovereignty o+ Paracel Pslan0s & Spratly Pslan0s +or % centuries +rom
$S
th
century to $DS% @hen -hina illegally occupie0 the Paracel Pslan0s *y +orce.
Paracel Pslan0s; @hich @as consi0ere0 to e`press the minimum po@er o+ Vitnamese
authority; @ere un0er the a0ministrative supervision o+ 1u>ng Nghia (@hen it @as a 0istrict;
to@n or province over 0i++erent historical perio0) or o+ Bha BhiAn province (un0er /rench
0omination) or o+ 1u>ng Nam) 58 Nng (partition perio0 *et@een the North an0 the South)
then 58 Nng( Vit Nam pnion). Spratly Pslan0s @as also un0er the a0ministration o+ 1u>ng
NghIa +or the +act that Paracel Pslan0s an0 Spratly Pslan0s are consi0ere0 as to *e the one.
3inh Bhuen province only provi0e0 citiêns +or 3_c H>i +lotilla\ +leet. !ean@hile; it
@as ac'no@le0ge0 that Paracel Pslan0s @as @ithin the *or0er; territorial @aters o+ 1uang
NghIa; manage0 *y 1u>ng Nghia.
Pn !arch $D&D; ,mperor 3>o 5<i signe0 e0ict No $# to merge the Paracel Pslan0s into
Bha BhiAn province instea0 o+ Nam Ngi as *e+ore. Pn ?une $D&J; one 0istrict guar0 o+
Vitnamese sol0iers came to ta'e over Paracel Pslan0s. 9ne sovereignty stele @as *uilt on the
Pattle islan0 @ith a line .epu*liiue /rancaise) .oyaume 0nnam) rchipels 0es Paracels
$J$Q)Ple 0e Pattle $D&J.
Bhe Spratly Pslan0s archipelago in the south @as in the *or0er o+ the South; @hich
*elonge0 to the /rench there+ore /rench set it up un0er the authority o+ /rance; *ut it
announce0 that it @as on *ehal+ o+ a protection country o+ nnam
C$Q
9n Decem*er "$
st
; $D&&; the Hovernor o+ Nam Xy !.?. Xrautheimer signe0 Decree
No %SQ" to merge islan0 groups o+ the Pratlys (Spratly Pslan0s) into 3a .ia province. Pn
$D&J; /rench also erecte0 a sovereignty stele; a lighthouse; a @eather station; a ra0io station
at Ptu ) *a islan0 ( 3a 3hnh ) g)
ll actions o+ sovereignty en+orcement o+ the /rench on *ehal+ o+ nnam on
Paracel Pslan0s an0 Spratly Pslan0s too' place smoothly @ithout any o*stacles. Ho@ever;
?apan @ith its plot to occupy Paracel Pslan0s an0 Spratly Pslan0s raise0 its protection in its
announcement +or /rench government on ?uly "%
th
; $D&&. 9n !arch &$
st
; $D&D; /oreign
!inistry o+ ?apan announce0 ?apan @as the +irst country to 0iscover Spratly Pslan0s in $D$S.
Bhen; it s@i+tly too' over +u lin islan0 (Ple 3oisZe) o+ Paracel Pslan0s an0 Ptu) *a (3a
3hnh ) g) o+ Spratly Pslan0s in $D&J; ho@ever; until !arch D
th
; $D%C; ?apanese
imprisone0 /rench sol0iers on the Paracel Pslan0s
?apan @as 0e+eate0 an0 surren0ere0 on ugust $Q
th
; $D%C an0 revo'e0 +rom the
Paracel Pslan0s an0 the Spratly Pslan0s.
+ter the loss o+ ?apan; /rench returne0 Vitnam; -hiang Xai)she's troops too' over
+rom the $Q parallel o+ the North an0 occupie0 the Paracel Pslan0s an0 the Spratly Pslan0s.
mi0 the historical conte`t at the en0 o+ $D%Q an0 *eginning o+ $D%S; Vitnam
*ecame in0epen0ent +rom $D%C; an0 @as not *on0e0 in Patenotre Breaty ($JJ%) @ith /rench.
3ut /rench sai0 that un0er the preliminary -onvention 0ate0 !arch Q
th
; $D%Q; Vitnam @as
still in /rench lliance; there+ore; 0iplomatically; Vitnam still *elonge0 to the /rench; an0
/rench still implement the representative right +or Vitnam in the matter o+ sovereignty
in+ringement prevention.
3ecause Democratic .epu*lic o+ Vitnam +ought again /rench; @ith Breaty on !arch
J
th

/rench esta*lishe0 a pro) /rench government or State o+ Vitnam le0 *y 3>o 5<i )
the +ormer emperor; opponent to revolution government le0 *y HR -hv !inh. 3y that @ay; it
rein+orce0 legal *asis even though it 0i0 not represent Vitnam in reality any more in
practice; in the resistance perio0; the /rench +orce @as occupying ,ast Sea (South -hina
Sea)inclu0ing the Paracel Pslan0s an0 the Spratly Pslan0s.
Pn pril $D%D; ca*inet 0irector o+ Hea0 o+ State 3>o 5<i name0 3Ku :]c; a royal
mem*er; a++irme0 Vitnams long)time sovereignty to the Paracel Pslan0s in a con+erence in
Sai Hjn.
C$S
9n 9cto*er $; $D%D; Peoples .epu*lic o+ -hina @as +oun0e0 in -hina. Peoples
-hina le0 *y -hiang Xai)she' @ith0re@ to Bai@an. Pn pril $DC#; Peoples -hina military
post illegally occupying /u lin Pslan0 (Ple 3oisee) o+ the Paracel Pslan0s revo'e0. 3ut
/rench military post on the Paracel Pslan0s (Pattle) remaine0.
Pn pril $DC#; sol0iers o+ Peoples -hina @ith0re@ its entire +orce +rom the Paracel
Pslan0s. Bhey @ere statione0 in /u lin islan0 since $D%S.
9n Novem*er $%; $DC#; /rench government o++icially trans+erre0 the authority o+ the
Paracel Pslan0s +or the 3>o 5<i government. Hovernor o+ the mi00le provinces; Phan V=n
Hilo chaire0 the trans+er implementation on the Paracel Pslan0s.
San /rancisco -on+erence @ith the participation o+ C$ countries +rom Septem*er C to
Septem*er J; $DC$; a treaty @ith ?apan @as signe0. 9n Septem*er C; $DC"; in general
meeting; Hromy'o; !inister o+ /oreign ++airs propose0 $& amen0ments relate0 to the
authority o+ Peoples .epu*lic o+ -hina to the Paracel Pslan0s an0 +urther islan0s in the south.
Bhe amen0ments @ere re+use0 @ith %J ayes an0 & noes.
9n Septem*er S; $DC$; Prime !inister; !inister o+ /oreign ++airs; Brbn V=n Hcu o+
3>o 5<i government announce0 that the Spratly Pslan0s an0 Paracel Pslan0s @ere Vitnamese
territory. ( ,t comme il +aut +ranchement pro+iter 0e toutes occasions pour e[tou++er les
germes 0e 0iscor0e; nous a++irmons nos 0roits sur les les Spratly et Paracels iui 0e tout
temps ont +ait partie 0u Vitnam r "Ss
No one in the meeting gave any comments a*out this announcement.
Bhe con+erence en0e0 @ith a treaty @ith ?apan on Septem*er J; $DC$. Pn the treaty
rticle "; paragraph S clearly state0(
Ver*atim( ?apan renounces all authority; titles an0 am*ition to Paracels an0 Spratly
archipelagos
9n ugust "%; $DC$; -hinas Winhua Ne@s gency +or the +irst time raise0 its voice
to 0ispute /rench authority; Philippines am*itions an0 it a++irme0 -hinas authority.
Vhen announcing the 0ra+t o+ the treaty @ith ?apan in San /rancisco on ugust $C;
$DC$; !inister o+ /oreign ++airs o+ Peoples .epu*lic o+ -hina; -hu n :ai issue0 an
announcement; rea++irme0 @hat calle0 Bhe long stan0ing o+ authority o+ -hina to
archipelagos. Peoples .epu*lic o+ -hina an0 Peoples -hina 0i0 not participate in the
con+erence.
So; ta'ing a0vantage o+ the complicate0 situation @hen ?apan surren0ere0 to allie0
+orces; -hiang Xai)she's troops @hich @ere assigne0 to 0ischarge ?apanese arms +rom the
C$J
$Q parallel to the North accor0ing to Post0am Breaty; occupie0 /u lin islan0 o+ Paracel
Pslan0s (Ple 3oisee) at the en0 o+ $D%Q an0 3a 3hnh ) g ( Ptu *a) o+ Spratly Pslan0s in
the *eginning o+ $D%S. pntil $DC#; @hen Peoples -hina a*an0one0 its occupation o+ the t@o
archipelagos; Prime !inister or !inister o+ /oreign ++airs o+ 3>o 5<i government; Brbn
V=n Hcu; +ormally 0eclare0 the Paracel Pslan0s an0 Spratly Pslan0s @ere Vitnamese
territory. No one in the con+erence commente0 a*out this announcement.
Vhile the -ol0 Var @as happening; scram*le +or in+luence @as a*un0ant every@here
an0 ,ast Sea (South-hina Sea)@as no e`ception; Soviet pnion propose0 to assign Peoples
.epu*lic o+ -hina to manage the t@o archipelagos inclu0ing the Paracel Pslan0s an0 the
Spratly Pslan0s. Pt @as not agree0 *y the con+erence; *ut it @as a reason +or Peoples .epu*lic
o+ -hina raising its voice. ny@ay; a+ter $DC#; the Paracel Pslan0s an0 Spratly Pslan0s @ere
not un0er the occupation o+ +oreign +orce apart +rom Vitnam +orce o+ 3>o 5<i government.
Bhe Heneva Breaty @as signe0 on ?uly "#; $DC% an0 gave an en0 to the @ar in
Pn0ochina; recogniê0 the in0epen0ence; sovereignty; territorial integrity an0 national union
o+ Vitnam. Bhe +irst article stipulates the temporary separating line @hich @as set *y 3On
H>i .iver ( at the $Sth parallel). Bhe temporary line stretche0 along the t@o parts *y a
straight line +rom the coastal to o++shore un0er the article % o+ the Breaty. Pursuant to article
$% o+ the treaty; @hile the general election *ringing *ac' the union +or Vitnam @as prepare0;
concerne0 party an0 army @oul0 ta'e over a0ministration at the place @here they assem*le0.
Paracel Pslan0s an0 Spratly Pslan0s in the ,ast Sea (South -hina Sea)un0er the $Sth parallel
@ere un0er the a0ministrative management o+ the South government.
Pn this @ay; the Paracel Pslan0s an0 Spratly Pslan0s @ere put un0er the a0ministration
o+ .epu*lic o+ the Vitnamese government; at that time the t@o archipelagoes @ere not
occupie0 *y any +oreign army in a00ition to the /rench army. Bhe South government at the
$Sth parallel @as responsi*le +or manage the t@o archipelagoes o++shore Vitnam un0er the
$Sth parallel.
Pn pril $DQC; @hen the /rench e`pe0itionary +orce @ith0re@ +rom the South; the
Phipplines raise0 the sovereignty issue.
pp to $DCQ; the National rmy o+ Vitnam 'no@n as .epu*lic o+ Vitnam occupie0
islan0s at the @est o+ the Paracel Pslan0s archipelago inclu0ing Paracel islan0 (Pattle). 9n
?une $; $DCQ; !inistry o+ /oreign ++airs o+ .epu*lic o+ Vitnam; Vu V=n !u 0eclare0 the
authority o+ Vitnam to Paracel Pslan0s an0 Spratly Pslan0s. Some 0ays later; /rench
remin0e0 Philippines o+ their authority to the t@o archipelagoes since $D&&.
C$D
9n ugust ""n0; $DCQ; lan0 an0 navy +orce o+ .epu*lic o+ Vitnam lan0e0 main the
Spratly Pslan0s an0 erect steles an0 +lags. +ter ta'ing over the @est islan0s o+ Paracel
Pslan0s; navy +orce o+ .epu*lic o+ Vitnam lan0e0 main islan0s o+ Spratly Pslan0s on ugust
""n0; $DCQ; *uilt one stone post an0 raise0 +lag up.
Pn Novem*er $DCQ; Bai@an navy +orce occupie0 3a 3hnh ) g islan0 (Ptu *a).
9n Novem*er ""n0; $DCQ; Decree No $%&) NV o+ Presi0ent o+ .epu*lic o+ Vitnam
mo0i+ie0 the lan0 territory o+ southern provinces. Bhe list o+ a0ministrative provinces o+ the
southern provinces @as attache0 @ith some ne@ names inclu0ing 38 .i<) V2ng B8u; PhEc
Buy to0ay; an0 Spratly o+ PhEc Buy province @as calle0 Paracel Pslan0s; the same as the
one in the North or Paracels.
9n ?uly $&th; $DQ$; Decree No $S% ) NV o+ Presi0ent put Paracel Pslan0s in 1u>ng
NghIa province an0 +oun0e0 one commune calle0 5Lnh H>i in Ho8 Vang 0istrict at the
archipelago.
Pn the 0ecree; it @as state0 that( Paracel Pslan0s *elonge0 to Bha BhiAn province;
no@ it *elongs to 1u>ng Nghia (article $). -ommune a0ministrative units on the @hole
archipelago @ere +oun0e0 an0 it @as calle0 5Lnh H>i o+ Ho8 Vang 0istrict. 5Lnh H>i
-ommune @as put un0er one a0ministrative envoy (article "). Pn /e*ruary $DCD; a lot o+
-hinese +ishermen inten0e0 to settle in the @est o+ Paracel Pslan0s *ut they +aile0 as they
@ere arreste0 *y navy +orce o+ .epu*lic o+ Vitnam an0 returne0 -hina.
9n ?uly $&th; $DS$; !inister o+ /oreign ++airs o+ .epu*lic o+ Vitnam; Brbn V=n
:_m @as present in !anila an0 remin0e0 reiuirements o+ Vitnam an0 titles serve0 as *asis
+or those reiuirements to Spratly Pslan0s.
9n Septem*er Qth; $DS&; Home !inister o+ .epu*lic o+ Vitnam ma0e some changes
in @hich a0ministrative management o+ Spratly Pslan0s @oul0 *e o+ PhEc H>i commune;
5yt 5| 0istrict; PhEc Buy province. Pn $DCQ; there @as a 0egree to call Spratly as Paracel
Pslan0s in Ng6 5hnh Dim government.
9n ?anuary $$th; $#S%; Peoples .epu*lic o+ -hina 0eclare0 that Vitnam
transgresse0 -hinese territory *y merging islan0s o+ Spratly Pslan0s o+ PhEc Buy an0
rea++irme0 its claims to Paracel Pslan0s an0 Spratly Pslan0s.
9n ?anuary $"th; $DS%; the government o+ .epu*lic o+ Vitnam 0eclare0 to reUect
-hinas 0eman0s.
Ho@ever; -hina occupie0 Paracel Pslan0s *y +orce an0 there @as a naval *attle
*et@een -hinese navy +orce an0 .epu*lic o+ Vitnam; @hich en0e0 on ?anuary "#th; $DS%.
C"#
So; un0er any eras; the State o+ Vitnam al@ays too' action to a++irm an0 en+orce its
sovereignty. uthorities in Vitnam @ere responsi*le to manage ,ast Sea (South -hina
Sea)even in the perio0 o+ /rench 0omination. Vhen the sovereignty @as violate0; it @as
al@ays claime0 Vitnams authority to Paracel Pslan0s an0 Spratly Pslan0s @hich has never
*een reUecte0.
".C. pnite0 Vitnamese authority continue0 to a++irm Vitnams sovereignty on
Paracel Pslan0s an0 Spratly Pslan0s.
+ter the victory in 3uon !e Bhuot; the opportunity to li*erate the South came. Bhe
Polit*uro 0eci0e0 to entirely li*erate the South right in the 0ry season in $DSC inclu0ing
islan0s an0 Spratly Pslan0s; Xunlun -6n :on; Ph 1unc.
9n pril Cth; $DSC; the Navy High -omman0 set +orth the plan to li*erate the Spratly
Pslan0s archipelago. Bhe participating +orce in the li*eration consiste0 o+ ships o+ military
Bransport Delegation $"C; the $"Q Delegation o+ -omman0o; %S$ 3attalion; -omman0o o+
area C; *attalion %#S @ith comman0o +orce o+ Xhlnh Ho8 province. Bhe Navy High
-omman0 planne0 to ta'e Song BK Bdy iuic'ly; serving as a Uumping)o++ place +or +urther
+ight +or Nam NOt; Sgn -a; Sinh BRn; n 3ang; Spratly Pslan0 an0 the rest.
9n Septem*er Dth; $DSC; representatives o+ Provisional .evolution government o+ the
South 'ept registering @eather station o+ Vitnam on Paracel Pslan0s on the @orl0
meteorological con+erence.
9n Septem*er $#th; $DSC; 3eiUing sent a 0iplomatic note to the .epu*lic o+ Vitnam
an0 a++irme0 the authority o+ -hina to Paracel Pslan0s an0 Spratly Pslan0s (@hich @ere calle0
Wisha () an0 Nansha *y -hina).
9n Septem*er "%th; $DSC; in a meeting @ith the Vitnamese 0elegation le0 *y
Heneral Secretary :A Dun; Deng Wiaoping; one -hinese lea0er sai0 that the t@o parties
@oul0 later 0iscuss issues relate0 to Wisha () an0 Nansha.
9n !ay $"th; $DSS; the Vitnamese government issue0 an announcement on sea
territory an0 *asements.
9n his visits to the Philippines in Septem*er $DSS an0 !alaysia in 9cto*er $DSS;
Prime !inister Ph<m V=n 5Rng agree0 @ith presi0ent /er0inan0 !arcos an0 Prime !inister
Hussein 9n that the t@o parties @oul0 settle all 0isputes an0 0isagreement via peace+ul
negotiation.
Pn !arch $DSJ; the Vorl0 0ministration .a0io -on+erence allo@e0 -hina to use
some +reiuency on the air space o+ the Paracel Pslan0s via one resolution.
C"$
9n Decem*er &#th; $DSJ; the spo'esman o+ /oreign !inistry o+ Socialist .epu*lic o+
Vitnam issue0 an announcement to reUect all allegations in the announcement on /e*ruary
"Dth; $DSJ o+ -hinese spo'esman regar0ing Spratly Pslan0s an0 a++irme0 Vitnams
sovereignty to Paracel Pslan0s an0 Spratly Pslan0s; recalle0 Vitnamese policy o+ solving all
0ispute or 0isagreement via peace+ul negotiation.
9n ?uly &#th; $DSD; in 3eiUing; -hina pu*liciê0 a 0ocument to prove that Vitnam
a0mitte0 -hinas sovereignty to Paracel Pslan0s an0 Spratly Pslan0s.
9n ugust Sth $DSD; the /oreign !inistry o+ the Socialist .epu*lic o+ Vitnam gave
an announcement regar0ing the Paracel an0 Spratly archipelagoes; reUecting -hinas
0istortion in pu*liciîng some o+ Vitnams 0ocuments relevant to the Paracel Pslan0s an0
Spratly Pslan0s; a++irming Vitnams sovereignty over the t@o archipelagoes; restate0
Vitnamese policy on settling 0isputes *et@een the t@o countries via peace+ul negotiation.
9n Septem*er "Jth; $DSD the !inistry o+ /oreign ++airs announce0 some 0ocuments
a*out Vitnams sovereignty to the Paracel Pslan0s an0 Spratly Pslan0s.
9n the same 0ay; the !inistry o+ /oreign ++airs reUecte0 the matter that the
Philippines merge Spratly Pslan0s territory into its territory.
9n ?anuary &#th; $DJ#; the -hinese /oreign !inistry announce0 literal 0ocuments
a*out Wisha ( ) an0 Nansha. 9n /e*ruary Cth; $DJ#; the !inistry o+ /oreign ++airs
issue0 an announcement to reveal -hinas 0istortion in the 0ocument 0ate0 ?anuary &#th;
$DJ#.
9n pril "Dth; $DJ#; the !inistry o+ /oreign ++airs sent a 0iplomatic note to
!alaysia to protect !alaysias pu*liciê0 !alaysian map encroaching into Vitnams sea
region an0 continental shel+ in the Spratly Pslan0s area.
9n !ay Jth; $DJ#; in his visit to !alaysia; the !inister o+ /oreign ++airs Nguyn
-g Bh<ch a++irme0 n 3ang Pslan0 *elonge0 to Vitnam.
Pn ?une $DJ#; on the secon0 !etrological -on+erence o+ the sia .egion in Heneva;
the Vitnamese representative announce0 that the @eather station o+ -hina at Sanhua.ao
(Paracel Pslan0s in Vitnam) @as illegal. s a result; the Paracel Pslan0s o+ Vitnam @as 'ept
the same as on the ol0 list.
9n ?une $&th; $DJ#; Vitnam as'e0 9!! to register the @eather station in Spratly
Pslan0s into the 9!! net@or'.
Pn Decem*er $DJ$; the Vitnamese Heneral Post 9++ice telephone0 the -hairman o+
the Pnternational /reiuency .egistration 3oar0 in Heneva to oppose that -hina @as allo@e0
C""
to *roa0cast some +reiuencies in the air space o+ Paracel Pslan0s an0 Spratly Pslan0s;
Vitnam.
Pn Decem*er $DJ$; the !inistry o+ /oreign ++airs announce0 the Vhite 3oo'(
Paracel an0 Spratly archipelagoes; Vitnam
Pn ?une $DJ"; the Winhua Ne@s gency sprea0 the ne@s that a huge port @as *eing
*uilt in the Paracel Pslan0s.
Pn 9cto*er; in the Hovernor ) Heneral -on+erence o+ pPB; the Vitnamese
representative 0eclare0 to reUect any changes in @ave *roa0cast set in $DSJ in Heneva.
9n Novem*er $"th; $DJ"; the Vitnam government announce0 the +oun0ation line
serve0 to calculate the @i0th o+ sea region.
9n Decem*er %th; $DJ"; the Vitnamese government +oun0e0 the Paracel Pslan0s
commune @ithin the *or0er o+ 1u>ng Nam) 58 Nng.
9n Decem*er Dth; $DJ"; the Vitnamese Hovernment +oun0e0 the Spratly Pslan0s
commune. pntil Decem*er $"; $DJ"; Vitnam 0eci0e0 that Spratly Pslan0s @as merge0 into
Ph Xhlnh province.
Pn ?anuary $DJ&; the Vorl0 0ministration .a0io -on+erence agree0 to consi0er
Vitnams proposal on *roa0casting in the air space o+ the Paracel Pslan0s an0 the Spratly
Pslan0s in the +ollo@ing con+erence.
lso in the same month; the sia ) Paci+ic viation -on+erence @as hel0 in
Singapore. -hina @ante0 to e`ten0 /P. Huang^hou into /P. H8n]i an0 /P. HR -hv !inh
-ity; *ut the con+erence 'ept it the same.
/rom %
th
to $Q
th
pril $DJ%; 0elegates o+ the Vitnamese National ssem*ly an0
0elegation o+ Ph Xhlnh province visite0 Spratly Pslan0s. Bhe Deputy !inister o+ /isheries;
V2 V=n Brlc; ha0 a +iel0 trip o+ +isheries in the Spratly Pslan0s.
9n pril "C
th
; $DJ%; the -hinese Heography -ommittee announce0 ne@ names +or the
islan0s an0 ree+s in the ,ast Sea (South -hina Sea)inclu0ing the Paracel Pslan0s an0 the
Spratly Pslan0s.
9n !ay Q
th
; $DJ%; the spo'esman o+ the Vitnamese !inistry o+ /oreign ++airs
oppose0 -hinas rename.
Pn the $&
th
Pnternational -on+erence on pniversal Pn+ormation hel0 in 3ang'o'; the
Vitnamese representative oppose0 -hina using maps @hich sho@e0 that the Paracel Pslan0s
an0 the Spratly Pslan0s (calle0 as Wisha ( ) an0 Nansha in the -hinese language
respectively) *elonge0 to -hina.
C"&
Bhe Vitnamese !inistry o+ /oreign ++airs oppose0 !alaysia occupying the
S@allo@ .ee+ in the Spratly Pslan0s. 9ne 0ay a+ter Vitnams opposition; on ?une $; $DJ%;
the -hinese National ssem*ly 0eclare0 to esta*lish the Hainan 0ministrative rea
inclu0ing t@o islan0s( Wisha () Pslan0s an0 Nansha Pslan0s.
Pn early $DJC; Heneral V=n BiOn D2ng; a Socialist .epu*lic o+ Vitnam De+ense
!inister; pai0 a visit to the Spratly Pslan0s.
Pn $DJQ; the Heneral Secretary o+ the -ommunist Party o+ -hina Hu Nao*ang; an0
:iu Huaiing; zhang zhongìan ha0 an inspection trip to the Paracel Pslan0s.
Pn !ay $DJS; the -omman0er)in)chie+ Hilp V=n -Egng; a -omman0er o+ Vitnam
Navy visite0 the Spratly Pslan0s.
/rom !ay $Qth to ?une Qth; $DJS; the Peoples :i*eration rmy Navy hel0 military
eèrcises on the Spratly Sea.
Pn 9cto*er o+ $DJS; the Peoples :i*eration rmy Navy implemente0 military
eèrcises at Paci+ic 9cean Vest an0 the South o+ ,ast Sea
&&
.
9n Novem*er $#th; $DJS; the Peoples :i*eration rmy Navy lan0e0 on :ouisa
Pslan0 ($$&
#
Q
#
J).
Pn ?anuary o+ $DJJ; a great num*er o+ @arships; inclu0ing many 0estroyers an0
roc'et) eiuippe0 ships; travelle0 +rom Hainan to the South. /our o+ them @ere 0etache0 to
the Spratly Pslan0s in or0er to provo'e an0 o*struct operation o+ t@o Vitnamese cargo ships
in the area o+ the /iery -ross .ee+ an0 the -uarteron .ee+. Bhere @ere t@o coral *eaches
un0er the @ater sur+ace. -hinese sol0iers pitche0 -hinas +lag on the t@o ree+s mentione0
a*ove an0 or0ere0 their @arships to +reiuently impe0e an0 provo'e cargo)ships o+ Vitnam;
@hich @ere eècuting 0aily provisions amongst the islan0s protecte0 *y Vitnamese rmy.
During that time; the -hinese Hovernment esta*lishe0 a special High -omman0 *y
using sol0iers o+ South Sea /leet; strengthening one part o+ the ,ast Sea (South -hina
Sea)/leet. Bhey o+ten use0 more than "# ships o+ 0i++erent 'in0s on the Spratly Pslan0s.
.egar0ing the events; @hich happene0 on !arch $%th; $DJJ; -hina sai0 that( -hina
is +orce0 to launch counter) attac' +or sel+ 0e+ense. Pn that @ay; it allu0e0 that Vitnamese
Navy @as the attac'er (*y t@o -argo)ships); an0 -hinese navy ships @ere the sel+)
0e+en0ing. -hina use0 a team o+ si` @arships; inclu0ing three 0estroyers No. C#"; C#D an0
C&$ eiuippe0 @ith roc'ets an0 $##mm guns. Bhey unreasona*ly attac'e0 the three
&&
South -hina Sea
C"%
Vitnamese cargo)ships un0er implement o+ provision tas' in :en Dao .ee+; -ollins .ee+;
an0 ?ohnson South .ee+ in the group o+ Sin -o@e Pslan0s o+ Vitnam.
9n !arch $%th; $DJJ; a *attle *et@een -hina an0 Vitnam @as happene0 on the
South -hina Sea. lthough it laste0 +or only "J minutes it attracte0 the attention o+ people in
over the @orl0.
-argo)ship No. Q% o+ Vitnamese Navy carrie0 many sol0iers @as sun' on the spot.
lan0ing cra+t No. C#C an0 another cargo)ship No. Q#C @ere seriously 0amage0 *y shells an0
roc'ets an0 set on +ire. Bhe lan0ing cra+t No. C#C @as sun' on the Uourney *ac' to *ase an0
the lan0ing cra+t No. Q#C @as run agroun0.
Bhe uneiual +ight *et@een Vitnamese cargo)ships @ith -hinese @arships 0uring
only "J minutes ha0 en0e0 @ith the results that one Vitnamese cargo)ship @as sun' on the
scene; t@o ships @ere 0amage0; S% sol0iers an0 sailors @ere lost as +or -hina; some sailors
@ere @oun0e0 @ithout any serious 0amage to ships. 3y the -hinese si0e; this sea +ight @as
reporte0 as neat an0 spectacular.
+ter the a*ove con+rontation; -hinese Navy continue0 to impe0e supplying
operations implemente0 *y Vitnamese ships.
3y pril Qth; $DJJ; -hina occupie0 /iery -ross .ee+; -uarteron .ee+; Haven North
.ee+; Hughes .ee+; ?ohnson .ee+; an0 Su*i .ee+.
9n ?anuary &
rd
, ,-.-, 'hina had set up the soereignty stele on the places occupied in
,-.. including /iery -ross .ee+; -uarteron .ee+; Haven North .ee+; Hughes .ee+; ?ohnson
.ee+; an0 Su*i .ee+.
Pn $DJJ; the Hovernment o+ Socialist .epu*lic o+ Vitnam reporte0 the issue to the
pnite0 Nations; sent many 0iplomatic notes o+ opposition to 3eiUing; particularly the
0iplomatic notes 0ate0 !arch $Qth; !arch $Sth; !arch "&
r0
in ,-.. as/ed the t%o sides to
negotiate and sole disputes. 'hina /ept occupying those reefs and refused to negotiate.
0n (pril ,1th, ,-.., the /oreign !inistry o+ the Socialist .epu*lic o+ Vitnam
opposed the 'hinese National (ssem&ly merging the Paracel $slands and the Spratly $slands
into 2ainan proince 3the 4esolution dated (pril ,5th, ,-.. for esta&lishment of 2ainan
proince6.
$n (pril ,-.., the /oreign !inistry o+ the Socialist .epu*lic o+ Vitnam pu&lici7ed
the 8hite 9oo/ :Paracel $slands and Spratly $slands archipelagos and international la%s.
0n (ugust ,1th, ,-.-, the Vi"tnamese goernment decided to esta&lish an
:Economic, Scientific and Serice 'luster on the Vanguard 9an/, (le;andra 9an/,
C"C
+rainger 9an/, Prince of 8ales 9an/, Prince 'onsort 9an/ under the Vi"tnam#s continental
shelf at the co-ordinate of S ) J
#
&N; $#D ) $$"
#
"# ,.
9n 9cto*er "
n0
; $DJD; the spo'esman o+ the !inistry o+ /oreign ++airs 0eclare0 to
reUect -hinas allegations in its announcement 0ate0 pril "Jth; $DJD. Bhe spo'esman o+ the
-hinese !inistry o+ /oreign ++airs accuse0 Vitnam o+ illegally trespassing on some islan0s
an0 isles on Vanan an0 Vanya ree+ o+ Nansha Pslan0s.
Pn !ay $DJD; -hina +urther encroache0 on some small islan0s. 9n !arch D
th
; $DD#;
-hina en0e0 its stage o+ scienti+ic inspection on the Spratly Pslan0s @hich starte0 three years
earlier.
0n <arch ,.
th
, ,--=, many fishing &oats from Huang^hou operate0 aroun0 the
Spratly Pslan0s.
9n pril $Q
th
; $DD#; the !inistry o+ /oreign ++airs o+ Vitnam sent a memoran0um
to the -hinese ,m*assy in H8n]i in or0er to oppose the +act that -hina or0ere0 its military
ships; inspection)ships; an0 +ishing *oats to come an0 operate @ithin range o+ the Vitnamese
sea on the Spratly Pslan0s.
9n pril "J
th
; $DD#; the Vitnamese !inistry o+ /oreign ++airs sent a 0iplomatic
note to the -hinese ,m*assy in H8n]i protesting the +act that -hina let its sol0iers inva0e the
,l0a0 .ee+ on the Spratly Pslan0s.
Pn ugust $DD#; the -hinese Prime !inister :i Peng propose0 Uoint) e`ploitation on
the Spratly Pslan0s.
9n Decem*er $
st
, ,--=, the -hinese Prime !inister sai0 in his visit to Philippines( Pt
is possi*le to +in0 a reasona&le solution to the Spratly $slands- related issue for concerned
parties at a suita&le time, if it can#t &e soled immediately. $n my opinion, %e can put the
issue &ehind and not let it &e an o&stacle in the relationship &et%een 'hina and related
neigh&or countries.

PART III
4ull Luotat!on fro& o&e Ietern .ocu&ent about
o#ere!gnty o#er Paracel an. S"ratly>
<>1 Analy! The S"ratly6Paracel Ilan. .!"ute
a #$#QQ# ; Q ?une $DQ# Hea0iuarters p.S. rmy 3roa0casting an0
Visual ctivity Paci+ic P9 &&$
P.$.$.
C"Q
P.$.".
C"S
.
C"J
C"D
C&#
C&$
P.$.Q.
C&"
C&&

C&%
C&C
.
C&Q
<>( ournal of an e&bay fro& the go#ernor6general of In.!a to the Courr!er of
S!a& an. Coch!nch!na= #ol> (= (n. e.>
Name ?ournal o+ an em*assy +rom the governor)general o+ Pn0ia to the -ourrier o+
Siam an0 -ochinchina; vol. "; "n0 e0.
:anguage ,nglish
uthor ?ohn -ra@+ur0
Pu*lish
Near
$J&#
Pu*lish
Place
:on0on
Do@nloa0
lin'
http(\\hoangsa.org\+orum\0o@nloa0s.php0o+ile&i0"&$
Description Bhe ,nglish *oo' ?ournal o+ an em*assy +rom the governor)general o+ Pn0ia
to the -ourrier o+ Siam an0 -ochinchina vol. "; "n0 e0ition states that the
Xing o+ -ochin -hina (Vitnam to0ay) too' possession o+ Paracels in $J$Q
@ithout any 0ispute.
1uote Page "%& an0 "%% Pn the -hina Seas; the only consi0era*le islan0s
*elonging to -ochin -hina are Pulo -on0ore; Pulo -anton; correctly -ollao
.ay; an0 -hamcollao; properly -ollao -ham. ll that P 'no@ o+ these has
*een alrea0y given in the ?9p.N:. 3esi0es these; the Xing o+ -ochin
-hina; in $J$Q; too' possession o+ the uninha*ite0 an0 0angerous
archipelago o+ roc's; islets an0 san0)*an's; calle0 the Paracels; @hich he
claims as part o+ his 0ominions; an0 over his authority is not li'ely to *e
0ispute0.
C&S
<><> ournal of the A!at!c Soc!ety of :engal= #ol> A= "art (
Name ?ournal o+ the siatic Society o+ 3engal; vol. Q; part "
:anguage ,nglish
uthor ?ames Prinsep /...S; ?ean :ouis Ba*er0
Pu*lish
Near
$J&S
Pu*lish
Place
-alcutta
Do@nloa0
lin'
http(\\hoangsa.org\+orum\0o@nloa0s.php0o+ile&i0"""
Description n article *y *ishop ?ean :ouis Ba*er0 on the page S%C o+ ?ournal o+ the
siatic Society o+ 3engal Vol. VP states that Paracels or Pracel *elong to
-ochinchina.
1uote Page S%C Bhe Pracel or Paracels; is a la*yrinth o+ small islan0s; roc' an0
san0)*an's; @hich appears to e`ten0 up to the $$th 0egree o+ North latitu0e;
in the $#Sth parallel o+ longtitu0e +rom Paris. Some navigators have
traverse0 part o+ these shoals @ith a *ol0ness more +ortunate than pru0ent;
*ut others have su++ere0 in the attempt. Bhe -ochin -hinese calle0 them -Rn
v8ng. lthough this 'in0 o+ archipelago presents nothing *ut roc's an0 great
0epths @hich promises more inconveniences than a0vantages; the 'ing Hia
:ong thought he ha0 increase0 his 0ominions *y this sorry a00ition. Pn $J$Q;
he @ent @ith solemnity to plant his +lag an0 ta'e +ormal possession o+ these
roc's; @hich it is not li'ely any *o0y @ill 0ispute @ith him
C&J
<>C>The A!at!c ournal an. Monthly Reg!ter= No> 1<
Name Bhe siatic ?ournal an0 !onthly .egister; No. $&
:anguage ,nglish
uthor
Pu*lish
Near
$J""
Pu*lish
Place
:on0on
Do@nloa0
lin'
http(\\hoangsa.org\+orum\0o@nloa0s.php0o+ile&i0"QC
Description siatic ?ournal (No.$&) pu*lishe0 in :on0on; $J"". 9n page $C; it tells a
story that -aptain Daniel .oss @as sent to -ochinchina to survey Paracels
@ith a +rien0ly man0ate letter that @as su*mitte0 to the 'ing o+
-ochinchina. .oss @as not treate0 @ith hospitality. Ho@ever; this event
sho@s that -aptain Daniel .oss ha0 'no@n Paracels *elonge0 to
-ochinchina
1uote Page $C Pn $J#S; :ieut. .oss @as sent to the coast o+ -ochin china to
survey the Paracels; an0 entruste0 @ith a very +rien0ly letter to the Xing
*ut he e`perience0 the most inhospita*le treatment
C&D
<>K>NThe +ncyclo"ae.!a :r!tann!ca= or D!ct!onary of Art= Sc!ence= an. 2eneral
3!teratureO= 8th +.!t!on= #olu&e B
Name Bhe ,ncyclopae0ia 3ritannica; or Dictionary o+ rts; Sciences; an0 Heneral
:iterature; Jth ,0ition; volume S
:anguage ,nglish
uthor
Pu*lish
Near
$JC%
Pu*lish
Place
,0in*urgh
Do@nloa0
lin'
http(\\hoangsa.org\+orum\0o@nloa0s.php0o+ile&i0J##
Description Bhe ,ncyclopae0ia 3ritannica; or Dictionary o+ rts; Sciences; an0 Heneral
:iterature; Jth ,0ition; Volume S. @as printe0 in ,0in*urgh in $JC%.
-ochinchina is 0escri*e0 0etail on the pages %S to C#; in @hich -ochinchina
people go to Paracels to e`ploit *ir0s nests. Bhis implies that Paracels
*elongs to -ochinchina
1uote Page C# Bhey employ various 0escriptions o+ vessels in the coasting tra0e;
in +ishing; an0 in collecting the *iche)0e)mer or sea)slug; an0 the s@allo@s
nests amongst the cluster o+ islan0s calle0 the Paracels
C%#
<>A>The +ngl!h +ncyclo"ae.!a= #ol> (
Name Bhe ,nglish ,nyclopae0ia; vol. "
:anguage ,nglish
uthor -harles Xnight
Pu*lish
Near
$JQQ
Pu*lish
Place
:on0on
Do@nloa0
lin'
http(\\hoangsa.org\+orum\0o@nloa0s.php0o+ile&i0&&$
Description ,nglish ,ncyclope0ia; Volume " *y -harles Xnight pu*lishe0 in :on0on;
$JQQ. 9n the page C"$; Paracel is 0escri*e0 as part o+ -ochin -hina.
1uote Page C"$ -9-HPN -HPN; calle0 also NN!; is in that part o+ ,astern
sia @hich is usually 'no@n as Pn0ia @ithout the Hanges; o+ @hich it +orms
the ,astern portion../or nearly %## miles along this coast e`ten0 the
Paracels shoals; @hich may *e 0escri*e0 as an over+lo@e0 continent lying
Uust *eneath the sur+ace o+ @ater. 3et@een the shoals an0 the coast is le+t a
narro@ naviga*le passage; @hich is constantly use0 *y vessels sailing in
these seats
C%$
<>B>The ournal of the Royal 2eogra"hy Soc!ety= No> 1)
Name Bhe ?ournal o+ the .oyal Heography Society; No. $D
:anguage ,nglish
uthor Norton Sha@; Hume Hreen+iel0; Henry Valter 3ates; Hut^:a++
Pu*lish
Near
$J%D
Pu*lish
Place
:on0on
Do@nloa0
lin'
http(\\hoangsa.org\+orum\0o@nloa0s.php0o+ile&i0"Q%
Description n article on the page D& o+ Bhe ?ournal o+ the .oyal Heography Society;
No. $D; @hich @as pu*lishe0 in :on0on in $J%D; state0 that Paracels *elongs
to -ochinchina
1uote Page D& Ve shoul0 not mention here the Paracels (Xatvang) @hich
approach $C)"# leagues to the coast o+ nnam; an0 e`ten0 *et@een $C)$S
N.lat. an0 $$$)$$& ,.longtitu0e; i+ the Xing o+ -ochin)china 0i0 not claim
these as his property; an0 many isles an0 ree+s; so 0angerous to navigators.
Vhether the coral animals or other causes contri*ute to the gro@th o+ these
roc's @e shall not 0etermine *ut merely state that the islets rise every year
higher an0 higher; an0 some o+ them are not permanently inha*ite0; through
@hich the @aves; only +e@ years ago; *ro'e @ith +orce. Bhey @oul0 *e o+ no
value i+ the +isheries @ere not very pro0uctive; an0 0i0 not remunerate all the
perils o+ the a0ventures. /rom time immemorial; Uun's in large num*er +rom
Hainan; have annually visite0 all these shoals; an0 procee0e0 in their
e`cursions as +ar as the coast o+ 3orneo. Bhough more than ten percent are
annually @rec'e0; the iuantity o+ +ish ta'en is so great as to ensure all loss;
an0 still leave a very goo0 pro+it. Bhe nnam government; perceiving the
a0vantages @hich it might 0erive i+ a toll @ere raise0; 'eeps revenue cutters
an0 small garrison on the spot to collect the 0uty on all visitors; an0 to
ensure protection to its +ishermen. consi0era*le intercourse has thus
gra0ually *een esta*lishe0; an0 promises to gro@ in importance on account
o+ a*un0ance o+ +ish @hich come to these *an's to spa@n. Some islets *ear a
stunte0 vegetation; *ut +resh @ater is @anting an0 those sailors @ho neglect
to ta'e @ith them a goo0 supply are o+ten put to great straits
C%"
<>8>N2ogra"h!e .e gogra"h!eM Nou#eau cour .e gogra"h!e anc!enne et .e
gogra"h!e &o.erne co&"areO>
Name HZographie 0es gZographies( Nouveau cours 0e gZographie ancienne et 0e
gZographie mo0erne comparZes
:anguage /rench
uthor ?. /. 1ueyras
Pu*lish
Near
$J&S
Pu*lish
Place
Paris
Do@nloa0
lin'
http(\\hoangsa.org\+orum\0o@nloa0s.php0o+ile&i0$D#Q
Description Bhe /rench *oo' HZographie 0es gZographies( Nouveau cours 0e
gZographie ancienne et 0e gZographie mo0erne comparZes @as pu*lishe0 in
$J&Q; Paris. Bhe author ?. /. 1ueyras sai0 on the page &%" that Paracels
archipelago; -on0or; Pirates archipelago are nnams islan0s.
1uote Page &%" "o :archipel 0es Paracels les Ples 0u -on0or; cap. Poulo)
-on0or le groupe 0es Pirates; au royaume 0n)Nam
C%&
<>)>N2ogra"h!e un!#erelle= ou Decr!"t!on gnrale .e la terreO +.!t!on
D!a&ont
Name HZographie universelle; ou Description gZnZrale 0e la terre ,0ition
Diamont
:anguage /rench
uthor
Pu*lish
Near
$J&D
Pu*lish
Place
3russels
Do@nloa0
lin'
http(\\hoangsa.org\+orum\0o@nloa0s.php0o+ile&i0$#$C
Description /rench *oo' o+ HZographie universelle; ou Description gZnZrale 0e la
terre ,0ition Diamont; @as pu*lishe0 at SociZtZ 3elge 0e :i*rairie in
3russels $J&D. 9n the page &"C; it is state that Paracels *elongs to nnam
1uote Page &"C Poulo -on0or groupe 0iles prs 0e la c6te mZri0ionale 0e
lempire 0nnam. :archipel 0es Paracels; parsemZ 0Zcueils; prs 0e la
coste orientale 0u mAme empire. :archipel Bon'inois; 0ont les iles
principales sont celles 0es Pirates; 0ans le gol+e 0e Bon'in
C%%
<>1H> 3Un!#erM h!to!re et .ecr!"t!on .e tou le "eu"le= .e leur rel!g!on=
&oeur= coutu&e>
Name :pnivers( histoire et 0escription 0e tous les peuples; 0es leurs religions;
moeurs; coutumes.
:anguage /rench
uthor ?ean Nanos'i
Pu*lish
Near
$J%J
Pu*lish
Place
Paris
Do@nloa0
lin'
http(\\hoangsa.org\+orum\0o@nloa0s.php0o+ile&i0$D#S
Description Bhe /rench *oo' o+ :pnivers( histoire et 0escription 0e tous les peuples;
0es leurs religions; moeurs; coutumes @as pu*lishe0 in Paris; $J%J. 9n
page CCC; the author; ?ean Nanos'i; state0 that Paracels is calle0 as -lt
v8ng in Vitnamese
1uote Page CCC Nous nentrerons pas 0ans lZnumZration 0es principales isles
0epen0ants 0e la -ochinchine nous +erons seulement o*server iue 0epuis
trente)iuatre ans larchipel 0es Paracels (nommZ par les nnamites -lt)
v8ng
C%C
<>11>fAbrg .e gogra"h!e &o.erneM ou Decr!"t!on h!tor!Lue= "ol!t!Lue= c!#!le
et naturelle .e +&"!re= royau&e= tat et leur colon!ef
Name *rZgZ 0e gZographie mo0erne( ou Description historiiue; politiiue; civile
et naturelle 0es ,mpire; royaumes; Ztats et leurs colonies
:anguage /rench
uthor ?ohn Pin'erton; -..Valc'enaer; ?.3 ,yries; S./ :acroi`;
Pu*lish
Near
$J"S
Pu*lish
Place
Paris
Do@nloa0
lin'
http(\\hoangsa.org\+orum\0o@nloa0s.php0o+ile&i0$D&C
Description *rZgZ 0e gZographie mo0erne( ou Description historiiue; politiiue; civile
et naturelle 0es ,mpire; royaumes; Ztas et leurs colonies @as pu*lishe0 in
$J"S; Paris. Bhe authors are ?ohn Pin'erton; -..Valc'enaer; ?.3 ,yries;
S./ :acroi`. 9n the page $C#; Paracels (or Pracels) is consi0ere0 as a
0epen0ent o+ -ochinchina
1uote Page $C# P:,S 1pP DP,ND,NB D, : -9-HPN-HPN,
:es Paracels ou Pracels +orment une longue chaine 0e petites iles iui
sZten0ent 0u nor0 au su0 0epuis le $$e Uusiuau $Ce 0egrZ 0e latitu0e; vis)
8)vis la c6te orientale 0e la -ochinchine
C%Q
<>1(>Abrg .e gogra"h!e= r.!g ur un nou#eau "lan
Name *rZgZ 0e gZographie; rZ0igZ sur un nouveau plan
:anguage /rench
uthor 0riano 3al*i
Pu*lish
Near
$J&&
Pu*lish
Place
Paris
Do@nloa0
lin'
http(\\hoangsa.org\+orum\0o@nloa0s.php0o+ile&i0SS&
Description Bhe /rench *oo' o+ *rZgZ 0e gZographie; rZ0igZ sur un nouveau plan *y
0riano 3al*i pu*lishe0 in $J&& in Paris. 9n the page S%C in ,mpire 0 n)
nam ou 0e Viet)nam it is state0 that Paracels is a part o+ -ochinchine
(Dangtrong or nnam South)) a component country o+ nnam
1uote Page S%C PNS. .9Np!, D, -9-HPN-HPN, (Dang)trong ou
royaume 0u De0ans royaume 0nnam !Zri0ional) -H,PS):P,pW;
VP::,S ,B :P,pW :,S P:pS .,!.1p3:,S. Hp, (Hue+o) Xeoha
(Boanhoa) Hue)han (/ai+o) Bouran (Hansan) ville trs 0Zchue; iuoiiue
touUours importante par son commerce et par sa *aie super*e les /rancais; 8
iui elle +ut cZ0Ze en $SJS; nen prirent Uamais possession Xitta (1uita)
Xinhone (1uinhone) Phuyen (1uiphu). :archipel 0e Paracels; composZ
0ilots +rZiuentZs par les pucheurs
C%S
<>1<>fD!ct!onna!re gogra"h!Lue un!#erel= contenant la .ecr!"t!on .e tou le
l!eu .u globef= to&e "re&!er
Name Dictionnaire gZographiiue universel; contenant la 0escription 0e tous les
lieu` 0u glo*e; tome premier
:anguage /rench
uthor pnZ SociZtZ 0e HZographes
Pu*lish
Near
$J&D
Pu*lish
Place
3russels
Do@nloa0
lin'
http(\\hoangsa.org\+orum\0o@nloa0s.php0o+ile&i0J#%
Description /rench Dictionary o+ geography o+ pniversal Heography Dictionary @as
pu*lishe0 in 3russels $J&D. 9n the page &#&; it is sai0 that nnam people
reach the Paracels @ithout overpassing the *or0er @ith -hina in the North
an0 the southern *or0er in the Siam gul+. Pt is meant that Paracels *elong to
nnam
1uote Page &#& :a navigation 0es n)namitains ne sZten0 iue le long 0es c6tes
ils sen esloignent au plus 0e QCl.; pour visiter; pen0ant la saison 0e la pAche;
les iles ilots 0e larchipel 0es Paracels 8 l,. :eur navigation au N. ne passe
pas les +rontires 0e la -hine au S. ils vont Uusiuau gol+e 0e Siam
C%J
<>1C>f2ogra"h!e &o.erneM re.!ge .a"r le &atr!au le "lu rcent ur le
"lan .e lou#ragef
Name HZographie mo0erne( re0igZe 0aprs les matZriau` les plus rZcents sur le
plan 0e louvrage
:anguage /rench
uthor Victor :evasseur
Pu*lish
Near
$J&D
Pu*lish
Place
Paris
Do@nloa0
lin'
http(\\hoangsa.org\+orum\0o@nloa0s.php0o+ile&i0$J%&
Description HZographie mo0erne( re0igZe 0aprs les matZriau` les plus rZcents sur le
plan 0e louvrage *y Victor :evasseur @as pu*lishe0 in Paris; $J&D. 9n the
page "## it sai0 that n Nam empire @as 0ivi0e0 into regions( -ochinchine
@ith Paracels archipelago; Bon'in @ith Pirates;Bsiampa; Xam*o0Ue @ith
Poulo -on0or; :aos)nnamite
1uote Page "## Co ,!PP., DNN! ou 0e VP,B)N!.
3ornZ au N. par la -hine; 8 l9 par le royaume 0e Siam; et au S.et 8 l,. par
la mer 0e -hine et le gol+e 0e Boniuin. -et empire +on0Z au commencement
0e se sicle; par Ngai)en)-hong ou Hia :ong; compren0 les 0ivisions
gZographiiues suivantes(
:e .oyaume 0e -ochinchine ou n)nam mZri0ional avec larchipel 0e
Paracels
C%D
<>1K>f2ogra"h!e un!#erelleM ou .ecr!"t!on .e toute le "art!e .u &on.ef
to&e K= !!&e e.!t!on
Name HZographie universelle( ou 0escription 0e toutes les parties 0u mon0e tome
C; siìme e0ition
:anguage /rench
uthor -onra0 !alte)3run
Pu*lish
Near
$JC&
Pu*lish
Place
Paris
Do@nloa0
lin'
http(\\hoangsa.org\+orum\0o@nloa0s.php0o+ile&i0"#&C
Description Bhe /rench *oo' HZographie universelle( ou 0escription 0e toutes les
parties 0u mon0e (volume C; Qth e0ition) @as pu*lishe0 in Paris; $JC&. Bhe
author -onra0 !alte)3run liste0 Paracels as a place o+ -ochinchine;
amongst other places such as Dongnai):ongho) !itho; Saigon
1uote Page &JQ .9Np!, D, -9-HPN-HPN, ou n)nam mZri0ional
(DiversZ en $C Provinces)
$o Dans la partie supZrieure( -ham)Dinh -at)Dongngoi)Hue)1uang*inh.
"o u centre( Bsiampa)Nharu)Nhatrang)Phuyen)1uangnghia)1uyninh
&o Dans la partie in+Zrieure( Dongnai):ongho) !itho et Saigon.
:rchipel 0e Paracels
CC#
<>1A>3ettre e.!f!ante et cur!eue concernant lA!e= lAfr!Lue et lA&er!Lue=
to&e tro!!&e
Name :ettres e0i+iantes et curieuses concernant lsie; l+riiue et lmeriiue;
tome troisime
:anguage /rench
uthor :ouis)imZ !artin; ?esuits; SociZtZ 0u PanthZon :ittZraire; Paris
Pu*lish
Near
$J%&
Pu*lish
Place
Paris
Do@nloa0
lin'
http(\\hoangsa.org\+orum\0o@nloa0s.php0o+ile&i0&#&
Description Bhis /rench *oo' pu*lishe0 in Paris in $J%& collects mail a*out missionary
movement an0 notes a*out geography; history o+ the sia; +rica an0
merica. 9n the page &J; Paracels is consi0ere0 as a 0epen0ent o+ the
nnam empire
1uote Page &J :e Paracel est un archipel iui 0Zpen0 0e lempire 0e lnnam
CC$
<>1B>fManuel co&"let .e a"!ran au baccalaurat 6lettref to&e "re&!er=
"re&!re "art!eM Rhtor!Lue62ogra"h!e
Name !anuel complet 0es aspirans au *accalaurZat s)lettres tome premier;
premire partie( .hZtoriiue)HZographie
:anguage /rench
uthor Pro+esseurs 0e lca0Zmie 0e Paris
Pu*lish
Near
$J"%
Pu*lish
Place
Paris
Do@nloa0
lin'
http(\\hoangsa.org\+orum\0o@nloa0s.php0o+ile&i0"#"J
Description Bhe /rench *oo' !anuel complet 0es aspirans au *accalaurZat s)lettres
(volume $; part $) @as pu*lishe0 in Paris; $J"%. 9n the page $SC; Paracels is
consi0ere0 as -ochinchinas 0epen0ence
1uote Page $SC Ples 0Zpen0antes
l9. iles 0n0aman; et Nico*ar.
u S.,. iles 0e -on0or (em*. 0u !e)Xom).
l,. 0e la -ochinchine; rchipel 0es Paracels
CC"
<>18>Mur= uage et cotu&e .e tou le "eu"le .u &on.e
Name !urs; usages et costumes 0e tous les peuples 0u mon0e
:anguage /rench
uthor uguste Vahlen
Pu*lish
Near
$J%&
Pu*lish
Place
3russels
Do@nloa0
lin'
http(\\hoangsa.org\+orum\0o@nloa0s.php0o+ile&i0"J&
Description !oeurs; usages et costumes 0e tous les peu @as pu*lishe0 in 3russels
(3elgium) in $J%&. 9n the page "&C; main islan0s o+ nnam is liste0;
inclu0ing Phou)Xo' (Phu iuoc to0ay); Pirates an0 Paracels
1uote Page "&C N)N!
N9BP9NS H9H.PHP1p,S
Boute la c6te est *or0Ze 0iles rocailleuses. :es iles principales iui sont sous
sa 0Zpen0ance sont( Phou)Xo' 0ans le gol+e 0e Siam; les iles Pirates 0ans le
gol+e 0e Bun'in; Poulo -on0ore et les Paracels
CC&
<>1)>Prc! .e la gogra"h!e un!#erelleM ou= Decr!"t!on .e toute le "art!e .u
&on.e= to&e econ.
Name PrZcis 0e la gZographie universelle( ou; Description 0e toutes les parties 0u
mon0e; tome secon0
:anguage /rench
uthor -onra0 !alte)3run
Pu*lish
Near
$J"D
Pu*lish
Place
3russels
Do@nloa0
lin'
http(\\hoangsa.org\+orum\0o@nloa0s.php0o+ile&i0"%#
Description Bhe volume " o+ this /rench geographic *oo' @as pu*lishe0 in 3russels in
$J"D. Pn the section a*out -ochinchine (Page &%C); some places @ere liste0(
:e Bchiampa :e Donnai; :e Pracel; :Ple -on0or. Bhis is meant that Pracel
(calle0 Paracels to0ay) *elongs to -ochinchine
1uote Page &%$ to &%C : -9-HPN-HPN,:, P.-,:.) :e Pracel ou
Paracels est un la*yrinthe 0ilots; 0e rochers et 0e hauts)+oun0s iui; selon
iles cartes les plus accrZ0itZes; 0evaient sZten0re 0evant les c6te 0e la
-ochinchine; entre $# 0egrZs %C minutes nor0 et $Q 0egrZs &# minutes aussi
nor0 la longtitu0e moyenne serait par $#S 8 lest 0e Paris
CC%
<>(H>Sou#en!r .e *u>
Name Souvenirs 0e HuZ.
:anguage /rench
uthor !ichel -haigneau
Pu*lish
Near
$JQS
Pu*lish
Place
Paris
Do@nloa0
lin'
http(\\hoangsa.org\+orum\0o@nloa0s.php0o+ile&i0$S"C
Description Souvenirs 0e HuZ *y !ichel -haigneau @as pu*lishe0 in Paris;$JQS. 9n
the Page i; nnams regions are liste0; inclu0ing( -ochinchin; Bon1uin; a
part o+ -am*o0ge; Paracels archipelago
1uote Page i :e royaume 0n)Nam; iui occupe presiue tout le littoral 0e lPn0o)
-hine; est compse 0e la -ochinchine; 0u Boniuin; 0une partie 0u
-am*o0ge; 0e iueliues iles prs 0e la c6te; et 0e larchipel 0e Paracel;
+ormZ 0ilots; 0Zcueils et 0e rochers inha*itZs
CCC
<>(1>Su!te .e la 2ogra"h!e .e buch!ng= to&e neu#!e&e>
Name Suite 0e la HZographie 0e *usching; tome neuvieme
:anguage /rench
uthor ?ean)Pierre 3erenger
Pu*lish
Near
$SJ$
Pu*lish
Place
:ausanne (/rance)
Do@nloa0
lin'
http(\\hoangsa.org\+orum\0o@nloa0s.php0o+ile&i0SJ&
Description Suite 0e la HZographie 0e *usching; volume D @as pu*lishe0 in :ausanne;
$SJ$. -ochinchine @as 0escri*e0 in 0etail on the pages +rom %DQ to C#". 9n
page C#"; Pracels is 0escri*e0 as part o+ -ochinchine
1uote Page C#" u levant 0e la -ochinchine est une longue chaine 0e petites iles
iuon nomme 0e Pracel ou Pracal & plus loin un amas 0ilots iuon nomme
les :unettes
CCQ
<>((>Tableau .e la Coch!nch!ne>
Name Ba*leau 0e la -ochinchine.
:anguage /rench
uthor Pierre /rancois ,ugene -ortam*ert; :eon :ouis :ucien Prunol 0e .osny
Pu*lish
Near
$JQ"
Pu*lish
Place
Paris
Do@nloa0
lin'
http(\\hoangsa.org\+orum\0o@nloa0s.php0o+ile&i0"D&
Description Bhe *oo' Ba*leau 0e la -ochinchine @as pu*lishe0 in Paris; $JQ". 9n the
page S ( 3eaucoup plus loin 0e la cote; en +ace 0e Hue; est larchipel 0es
Paracels ou 0e Xat vang; rempli 0ecueils. Pt is meant that Paracels is
eàctly Xatvang or Ho8ng Sa in Vitnamese
1uote Page S 3eaucoup plus loin 0e la cote; en +ace 0e Hue; est larchipel 0es
Paracels ou 0e Xat vang; rempli 0ecueils.
CCS
<>(<>Tra!t l&enta!re .e gogra"h!eM contenant un abrg &tho.!Lue .u
Prc! .e la gogra"h!e un!#erelle en Luatre #olu&eO= .!#! en .eu "art!e= Pre&!re
"art!e
Name BraitZ ZlZmentaire 0e gZographie( contenant un a*rZgZ mZtho0iiue 0u
PrZcis 0e la gZographie universelle en iuartre volumes; 0ivisZ en 0eu`
parties; Premire partie
:anguage /rench
uthor -onra0 !alte)3run; Philippe /rancois 0e :e .enan0iere; 0riano 3al*i
Pu*lish
Near
$J&"
Pu*lish
Place
3russels
Do@nloa0
lin'
http(\\hoangsa.org\+orum\0o@nloa0s.php0o+ile&i0"JS
Description /rench *oo' @as pu*lishe0 in 3russels in $J&". 9n the page C#C( une
egale 0istance 0e la cote 0e -ochinchine et 0e lile 0Hai)nan; larchipel 0e
Paracels est une 0epen0ance 0e lempire 0nnam.
1uote Page C#C( une egale 0istance 0e la cote 0e -ochinchine et 0e lile 0Hai)
nan; larchipel 0e Paracels est une 0epen0ance 0e lempire 0nnam.
CCJ
<>(C>$oyage "!ttoreLue en A!e et en Afr!Lue>
Name Voyage pittoresiue en sie et en +riiue.
:anguage /rench
uthor ?ean 3aptiste 3enoit ,yries; ?ules 3oilly
Pu*lish
Near
$J&D
Pu*lish
Place
Paris
Do@nloa0
lin'
http(\\hoangsa.org\+orum\0o@nloa0s.php0o+ile&i0"S"
Description Bhis /rench *oo' *y ?ean 3aptiste 3enot ,yris an0 ?ules 3oilly @as
pu*lishe0 in Paris; $J&D. 9n the page "#$; it states that nnamese ,mperor
o@ne0 the Paracel archipelago in $J$Q.
1uote Page "#$ Plusieurs iles relvent 0e lempire 0nnam on remariue au
S.S., 0e Hainan; les Paracels; longue chaine 0Zcueils trs)0angereu` par les
*anes 0e sa*le et les *as)+on0s iui les entourent( ils sont inha*ites mais
comme la pAche 0es tortues et 0es poissons y est a*on0ante; lempereur
0nnam en +it pren0e possession en $J$Q; sans iue ses voisins Zlevassent la
moin0re rZclamtion
CCD
<>(K>Neue Gon#erat!on63e!?onM e!n Iorterbuch .e allge&e!nen I!en=
#ol 1(
Name Neues Xonversations):eì'on( ein Vorter*uch 0es allgemeinen Vissens;
vol $"
:anguage Herman
uthor Herrmann ?ulius !eyer
Pu*lish
Near
$JQQ
Pu*lish
Place
Hermany
Do@nloa0
lin'
http(\\hoangsa.org\+orum\0o@nloa0s.php0o+ile&i0$$Q%
Description Bhe Herman *oo' Neues Xonversations):eì'on( ein Vrter*uch 0es
allgemeinen Vissens @as @ritten *y Herrmann ?ulius !eyer; pu*lishe0 in
Hermany; $JQQ. 9n the page CSC; Paracels are sho@n as islan0s *elonging to
-ochinchina province o+ nnam.
1uote Page CSC Paracels (Paracelinseln); Pnseln u.Xlippengruppe in
-hinesischen mere; ûr Provin^ -ochinchina 0es hinterin0ischen .eichs
nam gehoerig;
CQ#
<>(A>Allge&e!ne h!tor!ch6tat!t!ch6geogra"h!che>
Name llgemeines historisch)statistisch)geographisches.
:anguage Herman
uthor Bheophil /rie0rich ,hrmann; Heinrich Schorch
Pu*lish
Near
$J&#
Pu*lish
Place
,r+urt an0 Hotha (Hermany)
Do@nloa0
lin'
http(\\hoangsa.org\+orum\0o@nloa0s.php0o+ile&i0SDQ
Description llgemeines historisch)statistisch)geographisches @as a Herman *oo'
+ocusing on historical overvie@ an0 statistical geography; printe0 in ,r+urt
an0 Hotha; Hermany in $J&# 9n the page "%"; .o*erts islan0 is e`plaine0 as
an islan0 in the nams group o+ Paracels. 9n the page "CC; .oc'y islan0 is
e`plaine0 as an islan0 in the nams group o+ Paracels.
1uote Page "%" .o*erts; anam. Pnsel; ûr Hruppe 0er Paracels geh. H. 0iese
Page "CC .oc'y) Pslan0; anam. Pnsel; ûr Hruppe 0er Paracels geh. H.
0iese
CQ$
<>(B> Au .er Natur=>
Name us 0er Natur;.
:anguage Herman
uthor
Pu*lish
Near
$JQS
Pu*lish
Place
:eipîg (Hermany)
Do@nloa0
lin'
http(\\hoangsa.org\+orum\0o@nloa0s.php0o+ile&i0"S&
Description us 0er Natur @as pu*lishe0 in :eipîg (Hermany); in $JQS. 9n page QDQ
nnam is consi0ere0 as to *e compose0 o+ -ochin -hina; Bon'in; a part o+
Xampuchea an0 Paracel islan0s.
1uote Page QDQ Das .oenigreich n)nam um+a^t +ast 0as gange Pn0o)-hinesische
littoral un0 ist ûsammenge+e^t aus -ochinchina; Boniuin; einem Bheil von
-am*o0ga; einigen in 0er Naehe 0er Xueste gelegennen Pnseln un0 0em
rchipel von Paracel
CQ"
<>(8>Del #ar!o gra.o .!&"ortanca .egl! tat! o.!ern!f
Name Del vario gra0o 0importanâ 0egli stati o0ierni
:anguage Ptalian
uthor -risto+oro Negri
Pu*lish
Near
$J%$
Pu*lish
Place
!ilan
Do@nloa0
lin'
http(\\hoangsa.org\+orum\0o@nloa0s.php0o+ile&i0SQQ
Description Bhe Ptalian *oo' Del vario gra0o 0importanâ 0egli stati o0ierni @as
pu*lishe0 in !ilan; $J%$. 9n page %"$; it states that -ochinchina too'
possession o+ Paracels in $J$Q
1uote Page %"$ Pulo)Sapata si trova a sole $## miglia maritime 0ale coste 0ella
-ochinchina. 1uesto Stato nel $J$Q ha spinto le proprie occupaîoni +ino
allrchipelago 0i Paracelso; gruppo 0i scogli pericolosi per0uti a0
immense 0istanâ nel !ar -hinese; e che glPnglesi hanno +atto esplorare 0al
capitano .oss
CQ&
<>()> Nuo#o .!c!onar!o geograf!co un!#erale tat!t!co6tor!co6co&&erc!ale=
to&o I$= "arte I
Name Nuovo 0iîonario geogra+ico universale statistico)storico)commerciale; tomo
PV; parte P
:anguage Ptalian
uthor 3al*i; -anna*ich; !alte)3run; Pin'erton
Pu*lish
Near
$J&$
Pu*lish
Place
Venice
Do@nloa0
lin'
http(\\hoangsa.org\+orum\0o@nloa0s.php0o+ile&i0$D#J
Description Bhe Ptalian geographic 0ictionary Nuovo 0iîonario geogra+ico universale
statistico)storico)commerciale; volume %; part $; @as pu*lishe0 in Venice;
$J&$; *ase0 on 0ocuments o+ +amous geographers( 3al*i; -anna*ich; !alte)
3run; Pin'erton 9n the page QJ#; they 0escri*e0 that Paracels are locate0 at
eiual 0istances a@ay +rom Hainan an0 +rom -ochinchina; an0 *elong to
nnam 'ing0om.
1uote Page QJ# P.-,:S; riunione 0i scogli e 0isole 0el mar 0ella -hina +ra
$Co %Q e $So J 0i lat. N.; e +ra $#Jo C# e $$#o "% 0i long. ,;. a C# l.S.,
0allisola Hainan; e a0 eguale 0ist. 0alla costa orientale 0ella -ochinchina. Si
compone 0i molti gruppi; 0ei iuail i pi[ osserva*ili sono iuelli 0i Discovery;
m+itrite e Voa0ore. 1uestarcipelago consi0erato come una 0ipen0enâ
0ellimpero 0i nnam
CQ%
<><H>Co&"en.!o .! geograf!a un!#erale= Luarta e.!c!one= to&o "r!&o
Name -ompen0io 0i geogra+ia universale; iuarta e0iîone; tomo primo
:anguage Ptalian
uthor 0riano 3al*i
Pu*lish
Near
$J"%
Pu*lish
Place
:ivorno (Ptaly)
Do@nloa0
lin'
http(\\hoangsa.org\+orum\0o@nloa0s.php0o+ile&i0"J#
Description n Ptalian geographic *oo' o+ -ompen0io 0i geogra+ia universale; iuarta
e0iîone; tomo primo; @as pu*lishe0 in :ivorno (Ptaly); $J"%. 9n pages &#C
an0 &#Q; Pracels (Paracels) is sho@e0 as islan0s locate0 along -ochinchinas
coast an0 are 0epen0ent on -ochinchina (Vitnam to0ay)
1uote Pages &#C; &#Q Pare che larchipelago 0i Pracels (Paracels) posto 0irimpetto
la spiaggia 0ella -ochinchina sia 0epen0ente anch esso 0a iuesto Stato
CQC
<><1> 2+,2RA4IA 4ISICA + P,3ITICA= Lu!nta e.!c!one r!for&ata e. accrec!uta=
to&o III
Name H,9H./P /PSP- , P9:PBP-; iuinta e0iîone ri+ormata e0
accresciuta; tomo PPP
:anguage Ptalian
uthor :pPHP H:NBP
Pu*lish
Near
$J&%
Pu*lish
Place
Naples (Ptaly)
Do@nloa0
lin'
http(\\hoangsa.org\+orum\0o@nloa0s.php0o+ile&i0"DS
Description Ptalian *oo' o+ H,9H./P /PSP- , P9:PBP-; iuinta e0iîone
ri+ormata e0 accresciuta; tomo PPP; @as pu*lishe0 in Naples; $J&%. 9n pages
$DS; $DJ Parcel or Percels (calle0 Paracels to0ay) is consi0ere0 as
-ochinchinas archipelago; similar to Pirates islan0s in the Bon'in gul+
1uote Pages $DS; $DJ /inalmente 0iremo una parola 0i iuel la*erinto 0isole poste
a levante 0ella -ocincina; che vanno sotto il nome 0i Parcel o Percels che
consistono in un ammasso 0i scogli e *assi +on0i. Secon0o alcuni iueste
isolette non occupato uno spaîo cosh esteso; come vengono rappresentate
nelle cart e comuni. Passano per una 0ipen0enâ 0ellimpero 0i n)nam;
come pure le Psole 0e Pirati a levante 0i Bonchino
CQQ
<><(>2eograf!a &o.erna un!#erale= $olu&e terco>
Name Heogra+ia mo0erna universale; Volume terô.
:anguage Ptalian
uthor
Pu*lish
Near
$J&%
Pu*lish
Place
/lorence
Do@nloa0
lin'
http(\\hoangsa.org\+orum\0o@nloa0s.php0o+ile&i0&$#
Description Heogra+ia mo0erna universale Volume & @as pu*lishe0 in /lorence; $J"&.
9n the pages "#S; "#J; nnams islan0s are liste0( Pulo -on0or; 3ientson;
Pracel (calle0 Paracels to0ay); -allao
1uote Pages "#S; "#J PS9:, D,::NN!.
:arcipelago 0i Pracel; al iuale le carte 0anno una estensione 0i sei gra0i; o
0i &Q# miglia; la*itaîone +avorite 0elle salagane; o 0elle ron0ini 0i mare;
che costruiscono i tanto vantati ni0i; 0eliîa 0ei ghiotti -hinesi
CQS
&><<> 3a co&ograf!a !tor!ca= atrono&!ca e f!!caf= to&o A> "arte 4!!ca>
Name :a cosmogra+ia istorica; astronomica e +isica; tomo Q. parte /isica.
:anguage Ptalian
uthor 3iagio Soria
Pu*lish
Near
$J"J
Pu*lish
Place
Naples (Ptaly)
Do@nloa0
lin'
http(\\hoangsa.org\+orum\0o@nloa0s.php0o+ile&i0"SC
Description Bhe Ptalian *oo' :a cosmogra+ia istorica; astronomica e +isica; tomo Q.
parte /isica; @as pu*lishe0 in Naples $J"J. 9n section C" o+ page $"D; all
regions o+ nnam are liste0(Boniuin; -ochinchina; -am*o0ia; Bsiampa; an0
Paracels archipelago.
1uote Page $"D Bopogra+ia) -otesto impero puj consi0erarsi 0iviso in 0ue vaste
regioni la prima che compren0e lnnam settentrionale; chiamata Boniuin
0al nome 0ella sua capitale e la secon0a contiene lnnam meri0ionale; in
cui sono i regni 0i -ocincina; 0i -am*o0Ua; e 0i Bsiampa. ,ccone una *reve
0escriîone.
P.Pl regno 0i Boniuin......
PP. :a -ocincina o -ochinchina.....
PPP. Pl regno 0i -am*o0Ua o -am*oUa.....
PV. Pl regno 0i Sctampa o Bsiampa; situato al su0 0ella -ocincina; sterile. P
suoi a*itatori sono nominati :oyes; +orti e *en +ormati; ma scarsi 0i numero;
on0e puj 0irsi che sieno pi[ le tigri e gli ele+anti; che gli uomini in ta
regione.
ppartengono a cotesto impero le isole 0ette 0i Paracels; che +ormano varU
gruppi verso la sua costa orientale
CQJ
<><C>Nuo#o co&"en.!o .! 2eograf!a>
Name Nuovo compen0io 0i Heogra+ia.
:anguage Ptalian
uthor 0riano 3al*i; !alte 3run; -hauchar0; !unt^; !armocchi; ,. Sergent; -.
Stam*ucchi; Niccolo Bommaseo
Pu*lish
Near
$JQC
Pu*lish
Place
!ilan
Do@nloa0
lin'
http(\\hoangsa.org\+orum\0o@nloa0s.php0o+ile&i0&#J
Description Bhe Ptalian geographic *oo' Nuovo compen0io 0i Heogra+ia @as
pu*lishe0 in !ilano; $JQC. 9n pages Q%" an0 Q%&; Paracels; Pirates; Pulo
-on0or are mentione0 as nnams archipelago.
1uote Pages Q%" an0 Q%& .,HN9 N)N!PB; o DP N)N! o DP VP,B)
N!....
ppartengono pure a iuesto impero lrchipelago 0i Paracels; il gruppo 0el
Pirati; e0 il gruppo 0i Pulo -on0or
CQD
<><K>Co&"en.!o .e geograf!a &o.erna
Name -ompen0io 0e geogra+ia mo0erna
:anguage Spanish
uthor ! n0reu; Pro+essor o+ science; mathematics an0 languages
Pu*lish
Near
$J"D
Pu*lish
Place
3arcelona
Do@nloa0
lin'
http(\\hoangsa.org\+orum\0o@nloa0s.php0o+ile&i0&#Q
Description Spanish geography *oo' pu*lishe0 in 3arcelona; $J"D *y !. n0reu;
pro+essor o+ science; mathematics an0 languages.
9n page JS; Paracels are state0 as *elonging to -ochinchina or nnam
country (Vitnam to0ay)
1uote Page JS S,--P9N Sa islas 0el impero 0e Bon'in
P.:as principales son(
$. las 0e -on0or. )) -erca 0e la costa S., 0e -am*oUa. :a mayor estl
cu*ierta 0e montes agu0os en parte estZriles y en parte po*la0os 0e animales
venenosos. Se hallan en estas islas *+alos; cer0os; arro^ y *ananas
".:as Paracels ))l ,.0e la -ochinchina. ,s un archipiZlago 0e islas
peiuenas Z islotes; muy +recuenta0o por los pesca0ores
CS#
<><A>Curo co&"leto .e geograf!a un!#eral
Name -urso completo 0e geogra+ia universal
:anguage Spanish
uthor !. :etronne; inspector 0e estu0ios
Pu*lish
Near
$JC%
Pu*lish
Place
Herona (Spain)
Do@nloa0
lin'
http(\\hoangsa.org\+orum\0o@nloa0s.php0o+ile&i0&"J
Description geography *oo' o+ -urso completo 0e geogra+va universal antigua y
mo0erna @as pu*lishe0 in Herona (Spain) in $JC% *y !. :etronne. 9n
page "%C; the Paracels are consi0ere0 as nnams islan0s
1uote Page "%C %C&. ,l reino 0e Boniuin nnam. ,n el estremo 0el gol+o 0el
mismo nom*re; con+ina con la -hina; y su capital es Xecho. Sus ha*itantes
se parecen l los -hinos. :a -onchinchina estl situa0a en este mismo pais y
ocupa la costa al ,. 0e -am*oya; muy +Zrtil en cuantos pro0uctos se conocen
en la Pn0ia. ,n la costa se halla un grupo 0e islas Plama0as 0as Paracel; y la
isla 0e pulo -on0or; 0on0e hacen escala los *uiues iue van l la Pn0ia
CS$
<> +l Atla abre#!a.o= to&o egun.o= "arte "r!&era
Name ,l tlas a*revia0o; tomo segun0o; parte primera
:anguage Spanish
uthor /rancesco Hiustiniani
Pu*lish
Near
$S&D
Pu*lish
Place
Spain
Do@nloa0
lin'
http(\\hoangsa.org\+orum\0o@nloa0s.php0o+ile&i0SJC
Description **reviate0 instructions o+ tlas volume "; part $; pu*lishe0 in Spanish in
$S&D. 9n the page $&D; some places o+ the country calle0 .eino 0e
-ochinchina (Vitnam to0ay) are liste0( Sinoe (Bhuan Hoa); 1uehao (1ui
Nhon); /ai+o (Hoi n); the Paracel Pslan0s (Pracel). Bhis meant that Paracel
islan0s *elong to -ochinchina or Vitnam
1uote Page $&D .eino 0e -ochinchina
Sinoe. P. "J
1uehao
3au*om
/ai+o Hai+o. P.
Pracel Psla.
-hiampa. +ol. "J
CS"
<><8> Alge&een aar.r!??un.!g Door.enboe?
Name lgemeen aar0riU's'un0ig @oor0en*oe'
:anguage Dutch
uthor ?aco*us Van ViU' .oelan0sôon
Pu*lish
Near
$J"&
Pu*lish
Place
Dor0recht (Netherlan0)
Do@nloa0
lin'
http(\\hoangsa.org\+orum\0o@nloa0s.php0o+ile&i0"#&J
Description Dutch 0ictionary *oo' recogniê0 Paracells as nams islan0s inclu0ing
Bree Pslan0; Voo0y islan0; .oc'y islan0; mphitriten; :incoln; Pattles;
.o*erts; !oney; Duncan; Passoo'eah; Drummon0s an0 Briton islan0
1uote Page JQ" P.-,::S; groep van verschei0ene eil. in 0e -hin. êe; tot
nam *ehooren0e; meestal nit rots'lippen *estaan0e; en vol *osschen. De
êe is ôo vol visch; 0at 0e in@. van nam hier UaarliU's op 0e vangst gaan.
De voorn. îUu Bree Pslan0; Voo0y islan0; .oc'y islan0; mphitriten;
:incoln; Pattles; .o*erts; !oney; Duncan; Passoo'eah; Drummon0s en
Briton islan0. ziU liggen tusschen $"J. &# en $&#. C. :. en $C. %& en $S.C# N.
3.
Page JSS PSS99XPH; 9.Pn0. eil. *iU nam; van 0e groep 0er Paracells
CS&
S(o)* B+og),-(. o/ M). Ng0.1n N(2
9orn in ,-5- in the Proince of Ninh 9>nh, Vi"tnam, Nguy?n Nh@ receied his
Aoctorate in 2istory from the National Bniersity at 2C 'hi <inh 'ity in D==5.
Preiously, he completed a <aster in Education 3,-E56, a 9achelor in Fiterature
3,-GG6 and a 9achelor in Education 3,-GH6. 2e %as 'hief editor of the 4eie% of
2istory and +eography 3*Ip San SJ KLa6 during the period ,-GG-,-EH and is 'hair of
the research group of Vi"tnamese traditions since ,-E1. Auring these years, he held
arious positions such as 2ead of the Education research committee in *he *hM KNc
Aemonstration 2igh School !Oaculty of Education, Bniersity of SaigPn 3,-E=-,-EH6,
2ead of the Pedagogy in 2istory Section at the 'ollege of Education in 2C 'hi <inh
'ity3 Saigon Bniersity-today6 3,-.,-D===6. 2e also %as professor of Vi"tnamese
'ulture and Educational <ethods as %ell as a founder and the (ssistant of the
President at the 2Qng VRSng Bniersity 3,--H-D==16.
4ecently, as president of the 'lu& 'a *rQ T 2Ut *hS FVc Vi"t 3preiously from the
Bniersity 2Qng VRSng6 since D===, President of the $nstitute of Vi"tnamese
gastronomic research 3D==E-D=,D6 and Viet /itchen proWect for the %orld
administrator-in-chief, President of the 'lu& VXn 2Ya Zm *h[c Vi"t Nam 3 D=,1..6,
President of the 'lu& \m NhVc A]n *^c 2RSng S_c 9a <i`n3 *rung *]m VXn 2Ya
CS%
*P.2C 'ha <inh6
,
$D$\$D Brbn XO WEgng St; Var0 S; Ph Nhuen District; HR -hi !inh -ity; Viet Nam.
,mail a00ress( han n guy e n$D%#yahoo.com
@@@.han n guy e n n guy e nnha.com
@@@.amthuc.net.vn
3log\ Hn NguyAn Nguyn Nh /oun0ation
-ell.Phone( J%.J.#D#J"C%CS%
CSC
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ho[n th!%n>
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Việtnam's Sovereignty over the Paracels & Spratlys: A History in Documents

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Việtnam's Sovereignty over the Paracels & Spratlys: A History in Documents

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Nguyn Nh

($) Bhli VEgng( :or0 Nguyn Ho8ng ($CCJ)$Q$&)

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