NGUYỄN PHÚC CHU AND THE MARITIME LEGACY OF ĐÀNG TRONG

As the sixth Nguyễn Lord who ruled Đàng Trong from 1691 to 1725, Nguyễn Phúc Chu continued to strengthen the region’s maritime-oriented administration. During his reign, the Nguyễn government placed greater emphasis on developing naval forces, managing seaports, and maintaining maritime and commercial activities along the coast of Đàng Trong.

Notably, under Nguyễn Phúc Chu, the Hoàng Sa (Paracel) Fleet and Bắc Hải Fleet continued to operate, carrying out activities including resource exploitation, maritime route surveys, and the exercise of sovereignty over the sea. These activities reflected the important role of the sea not only as a trade route, but also as an integral part of the administration and development of Đàng Trong.

Beyond maritime affairs, Nguyễn Phúc Chu also contributed to the development of the economy, military, and education, while expanding territories southward. A devout Buddhist layman, he supported the restoration of temples and the propagation of Buddhism, and left behind literary and poetic works that became part of the cultural heritage of Đàng Trong.

From the maritime activities and management of the sea under Nguyễn Phúc Chu, it is clear that Đàng Trong’s maritime journey was not merely a story of ships and ports, but also an important part of the region’s economic, territorial, and cultural development.