MARITIME SECURITY IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA: PIRATES AND ANTI-PIRACY MEASURES IN CENTRAL VIETNAM UNDER THE NGUYEN DYNASTY (1802 – 1885)

Abstract

This article analyses the activities of pirates and measures to prevent piracy during the Nguyen Dynasty (Vietnam) in the Central Sea in the nineteenth century. The research is based on an analysis of original sources compiled by historians of the Nguyen Dynasty. The results show that piracy was quite common in the East Sea in the nineteenth century. Pirates originated mainly from neighbouring countries such as China, Japan and Indonesia. The study also shows that the Nguyen Dynasty applied many measures to prevent piracy and it achieved practical results. The results of the research not only contribute to clarifying the history of maritime security in the nineteenth century but also suggest recommendations to ensure maritime security in the East Sea nowadays.