From Maritime Barrier to Entryway: Commerce, Politics, and the Origin of Hải Phòng Port (1802-1888)

Abstract

At the beginning of the 20th century, Hải Phòng became the subject of a discussion on the suitable place to build the main port of northern Vietnam. At this time it was considered a dreadful mistake. Although the French had invested a substantial amount of money in Hải Phòng to dredge the Cấm River bed, which allowed ocean going ships to moor, they still did not receive a corresponding profit. However, after some decades, Hải Phòng was also the landing zone when the French returned to Tonkin in 1946, and this port continuously played an important role in two Indochina wars in Vietnam (1946-1975).