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This 1949 map of Vietnam, published by Nha Xuat Ban Thanh-Tam in Hanoi, provides a detailed geographical and economic overview of the country during the late 1940s.

The map is richly illustrated with symbols indicating various aspects of trade, commerce, and natural resources, reflecting the economic landscape of Vietnam during this period.

In 1949, Vietnam was embroiled in significant political turmoil and transformation, characterized by the struggle for independence from French colonial rule and the emerging Cold War influences in Southeast Asia. The country was in the midst of the First Indochina War (1946-1954), a conflict between French colonial forces and the Việt Minh, the nationalist and communist-led movement under Hồ Chí Minh, which sought to end French rule and establish an independent Vietnam. In an attempt to counter the Việt Minh's influence, the French reinstalled Bảo Đại, the last emperor of the Nguyễn dynasty, as the head of the State of Vietnam, creating a French-backed government in the south, with its capital in Saigon. Meanwhile, the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, controlled by the Việt Minh, governed the north with Hanoi as its capital, effectively dividing the country into two political entities.

Economically, Vietnam in 1949 remained predominantly agrarian, with rice as the primary export crop, along with rubber, tea, and coffee, primarily cultivated in the southern regions under French control. The ongoing conflict significantly disrupted internal trade routes and affected the production and export of these goods. Industrial activities were limited and concentrated around Saigon and other urban centers, where the French aimed to develop economic infrastructure to support their interests. Despite the war, the State of Vietnam attempted to maintain international trade, primarily through maritime routes, engaging with France and other Western countries, while the Democratic Republic of Vietnam sought support and trade relations with the Soviet Union and China. The war effort strained resources on both sides, leading to economic challenges such as infrastructure damage, reduced agricultural output, and disrupted trade networks, contributing to widespread economic hardship for the Vietnamese population.

The map is a marvelous pictorial overview of Vietnamese Agriculture, Commerce and Trade.  Key elements and symbols in the map include:

• National Boundaries and Major Regions:

  • The map outlines the national boundaries of Vietnam in red, with neighboring regions such as Quảng-Tây (Guangdong) in China and Cao-Mên (Cambodia) clearly demarcated.
  • Major regions within Vietnam are marked with provincial boundaries.

• Transportation and Infrastructure:

  • Railways (Đường xe lửa): Represented by black and white dashed lines.
  • Roads (Đường đá and Đường đất): Stone roads are shown with solid red lines, while unpaved roads are depicted with red dashed lines.
  • Rivers (Sông): Illustrated with blue wavy lines, indicating major waterways essential for transportation and trade.
  • Ports and Harbors (Bến tàu): Marked by specific symbols, showing key points for maritime trade.

• Trade and Commerce:

  • Export Goods (Hàng xuất cảng): Indicated by blue arrows pointing outwards, showing the flow of goods leaving the country.
  • Import Goods (Hàng nhập cảng): Represented by red arrows pointing inwards, highlighting the influx of foreign goods.
  • Natural Resources and Agricultural Products:
    • Rice (Lúa): Marked with images of rice stalks, showing major rice-producing areas.
    • Coffee (Cà-phê), Rubber (Cao-su), and Tea (Chè): Illustrated with respective symbols indicating regions where these crops are grown.
    • Minerals and Mining (Quặng mỏ): Depicted with a pickaxe symbol, identifying key mining locations.
    • Forestry (Rừng rậm): Shown with tree symbols, indicating dense forested areas.
  • Fishing (Đánh cá): Symbolized by images of boats and fish, denoting significant fishing zones.
  • Animals and Insects:  Throughout the map are images of various indigenous livestock, fowl and fish.

The map includes various illustrations of animals, crops, and industrial activities across different regions of Vietnam, providing a visual representation of the country's diverse economic activities.  Maritime illustrations show ships and fishing boats in the South China Sea (Vịnh Bắc Việt), emphasizing the importance of maritime trade routes.  An airplane symbol denotes the presence of an air route, highlighting the connectivity of Vietnam to other regions.

The map’s emphasis on trade and commerce is evident through the detailed representation of export and import routes, natural resources, and agricultural production.  By illustrating the flow of goods and the locations of key economic activities, the map serves as a comprehensive guide to understanding the economic landscape of Vietnam in the late 1940s.

This 1949 map of Vietnam provides not only a geographical overview but also an in-depth look at the country’s trade and commerce, reflecting the economic priorities and resources of the time.