Tonkin

Quick Facts: Who was Tonkin?

Subject:

Tonkin

Known for:

Historical exonym for Northern Vietnam, centered on the Red River Delta.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Tonkin, also spelled Tongkin, Tonquin or Tongking, is an exonym referring to the area surrounding the Red River Delta of northern Vietnam. During the 17th and 18th centuries, this term referred to the domain of Đàng Ngoài, under the control of the Trịnh lords, encompassing both the Northern region proper and the Thanh–Nghệ region, north of the Gianh River at the 17.7th parallel. From 1883 to early 1945, the term referred to the French protectorate of Tonkin, which comprised only the Northern region, approximately north of the 20th parallel.

Career & Major Achievements

"Tonkin" is a Western rendition of 東京 Đông Kinh (17th century Vietnamese pronunciation [ɗoŋ˧˧ kiŋ˧˧]), meaning 'Eastern Capital'. It is a cognate, through Middle Chinese, of the name of the Japanese capital Tokyo. This was the name of the capital of the Lê dynasty (present-day Hanoi).

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Tonkin is located south of Yunnan (Vân Nam) and Guangxi (Quảng Tây) in China, east of northern Laos, west of the Gulf of Tonkin and north of Thanh Hóa province. Being on a fertile delta by the Red River, Tonkin is rich in rice production. The area was called Văn Lang from around 2000–200 BC.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1883: 1883 Milestone — From 1883 to early 1945, the term referred to the French protectorate of Tonkin, which comprised only the Northern region, approximately north of the 20th parallel.
2. 2000: 2000 Milestone — The area was called Văn Lang from around 2000–200 BC.

Notable Quotes by Tonkin

“Tonkin is a Western rendition of 東京 Đông Kinh (17th century Vietnamese pronunciation [ɗoŋ˧˧ kiŋ˧˧]), meaning 'Eastern Capital'.”

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Tonkin

True or False: “True or False: The term Tonkin originally referred only to the area north of the 20th parallel.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): False. Initially, the term referred to a much larger domain (Đàng Ngoài) that encompassed regions both north and south of the 20th parallel.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Tonkin