AbstractsGeography &GIS

Nowadays, maritime commercial issues are still heatedly debated in the international agenda, especially regarding national sovereignties and maritime power. With a special geographical position, Thu Xà port played as an important role in the commercial system of Vietnam and Southeast Asia, particularly in the late 19th century. However, there are very few studies which mentioned about the economic development in central Vietnam, even fewer refer to the commercial situation in Quảng Ngãi in general and Thu Xà in particular. This study mentions about the commercial development of Thu Xà before it was destroyed by American bomb in 1968. The study uses qualitative fieldwork methods in the various provinces of Central Vietnam. Field trips are conducted in many provinces such as Quang Ngai, Binh Dinh, and Phu Yen in 2008, 2009, and 2010. Kẻ Chợ, Phá» Hiến, Há»i An, Sài Gòn, Malacca, Java, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Saudi Arabia, India, and China are the most mentioned names in research on the past commercial economy in Vietnam and Southeast Asia. However, the role of smaller ports was also very important in the maritime trade of Vietnam and Southeast Asia and, need to be studied carefully; Thu Xà is one of these ports Advisors/Committee Members: Teh-chang Lin (committee member), Lin, Wen-cheng (chair), Jiin-Ming Fahn (chair).