Fauna and Flora in Vietnam During the 17th and 18th Centuries Through Historical Materials of Westerners

Introduction. The article systematically studies animals and plants in Vietnam, which were mentioned in historical materials by Westerners who have been present in Vietnam or were interested in researching this country during the 17th and 18th centuries. Based on the analysis of the advantages and limitations of historical materials records by Westerners during this period, the authors of the article aim to initially restore a piece of natural conditions in particular, as well as the overall picture of the country and people of Vietnam in general during the 17th and 18th centuries. Methods and materials. The authors combine the two main research methods: comparison and collating. To complete the research of the content in the article, the authors used original historical materials, including reports, letters, travel diaries, works, etc., of Western missionaries, traders, travelers, and researchers who operated in Vietnam or were interested in researching this country during the 17th and 18th centuries. Analysis. In the 17th and 18th centuries, to preach the Gospel, trade, travel, and research, Westerners set foot in Vietnam or were interested in studying this country. During that process, many aspects of the country and people of Vietnam were recorded in their reports, letters, travel diaries, works, etc. Among them, natural conditions in general and Vietnam’s animals and plants in particular are also the content that attracts the attention of Westerners. That is an essential premise for the article’s author to conduct research and provide a statistical table of animals and plants in Vietnam during the 17th and 18th centuries. On that basis, the author analyzes and highlights the accurate and detailed description while clarifying some non-incompatibilities and shortcomings when comparing and collating historical materials recorded by Westerners about several specific animals or plants. All of the above work is aimed at evaluating as objectively and accurately as possible the value of historical materials recorded by Europeans in conveying the image of the country and people of Vietnam who came to the Western world during the 17th and 18th centuries. Results. The article has provided researchers and readers with an overview of the animal and plant species mentioned in historical documents recorded by Westerners during the 17th and 18th centuries through the creation of statistical tables and analysis of data from those statistical tables. Based on the analysis of the advantages and limitations of these historical documents, the article’s authors initially affirm their significance in partially restoring the appearance of the system of animals and plants in Vietnam during this period. Authors’ contribution. Truong Anh Thuan searched and collected historical materials recorded by Westerners during the 17th and 18th centuries related to Vietnam’s flora and fauna and formed the article’s main contents. The author analyzes the advantages and limitations of these historical materials, thereby affirming their value in initially restoring the picture of Vietnam’s flora and fauna in the 17th and 18th centuries from the perspective of history and bibliology research. Vo Van Minh conducted statistics and classification and created statistical tables on Vietnam’s flora and fauna mentioned in historical materials recorded by Westerners during the 17th and 18th centuries. He analyzed data from those statistical tables as a basis for making scientific judgments and assessments presented in the article.