The security and defense policy of King Minh Mang towards the Southwest border region (1820-1840)

Abstract

This paper is a study of the security and defense policy of the Nguyen dynasty during the reign of King Minh Mang (1820-1840), with a focus on the southwestern border region from two main aspects: (1) the consolidation, construction, and organization of the military forces; and (2) the establishment of the fortification system in this area. Based on the documents mainly compiled by the National History Institute of the Nguyen Dynasty, along with specialized research methods, including historical research methods, logical methods, and comparative and contrastive research operations, the paper argues that as the prosperous land of the Nguyen dynasty, Nam Ky (Southern Vietnam) had a vital position in defense and foreign affairs as well as a great potential in economy to create a breakthrough for the country’s development. However, Nam Ky also often faced political instability, especially in the southwestern border region, due to the complicated relationship among the three feudal states: Dai Nam (Vietnam), Chenla (Cambodia), and Siam (Thailand). As a king with a keen political vision, after ascending the throne (1820), inheriting a large territory and territorial waters, King Minh Mang realized the important role of the southwestern border region in national security, so he implemented the security and defense policy here in a flexible and appropriate way according to the local reality, aiming to maintain the stability and order, strengthen the border defense, and establish the national territorial sovereignty. In fact, this policy contributed significantly to firmly protecting the sovereignty of Dai Nam over the land of Nam Ky.