French Colonial Exploitation in Annam: A Case Study of Nong-Son Coal Mine (1889–1927)

The authors of the paper study the colonial exploitation of Indochina in general and Annam in particular by the French with special reference to the Nong-Son coal mine (Quang-Nam province) from 1889 to 1927. The authors clarify the process of procurement of right to exploit the Nong-Son coal mine from the Chinese, the organization of management, exploration, and mining in Nong-Son by the French, and on this basis evaluate the results, analyze the core characteristics, clarify the advantages and limitations of the management organization and coal extraction in Nong-Son during the mentioned period. References used by the authors include administrative texts (reports, decrees, etc.) of the French protectorate government in Indochina and original materials of organizations or individuals who participated in management or worked in Nong-Son between 1889 and 1927. In addition, the  authors also use historical materials published in French journals or newspapers at that time (Le Journal des débats politiques et littéraires, Le Génie civil, L’Écho des mines et de la métallurgie, L’Avenir du Tonkin, Bulletin économique de l’Indochine, Le Journal des finances, Bulletin de l’Office colonial, La Presse Coloniale Illustrée, L’Éveil économique de l’Indochine, La Dépêche Coloniale Illustrée, Le Temps, La Cote de la Bourse et de la banque, etc.) and research works related to the Nong-Son coal mine from the late 19th century to the first half of the 20th century. The paper contributes to “sketching” the picture of the Nong-Son coal mine in 1889–1927, thereby helping researchers and readers have a more objective and comprehensive view of the process of assessing the impact of colonial exploitation conducted by the French in Vietnam in modern times.