Illustrated Gazetteer of the Maritime Kingdoms: Volume 5

Hua City original: 化城 (Huà chéng); referring to the citadel area of Huế, the capital of the Nguyen Dynasty is located eighteen li from the coast and twelve li along the river A li is a traditional unit of distance, roughly 500 meters or one-third of a mile. Most of the buildings there are simple thatched huts; tiled roofs are rarely seen. The city of Tonkin Tonkin (Dōng jīng): historically referring to Hanoi and the surrounding northern region sits upon the riverbank, three hundred li from the sea. Its population is even more dense and prosperous than that of Huế. It serves as a major trading port that conducts commerce with China, though it does not trade with other foreign merchants. The inhabitants of Eastern Annam referring to the northern regions closer to China originally came from China to clear the land and establish their livelihoods; consequently, their physical appearance and temperament are not far removed from the Chinese.

In contrast, the indigenous people of Champa Champa (Zhàn chéng): an ancient kingdom in central and southern Vietnam have dark skin and short statures, resembling the people of Siam Siam (Xiān luó): modern-day Thailand. During the Qianlong reign 1736–1795; the era of the Qing Emperor who oversaw Chinese relations with Vietnam, the King of Champa passed away. His ministers and the new ruler were of divided minds; some allied with Siam while others allied with Annam. As a result, the territory was invaded and occupied by Annam. Though the land is fertile and abundant, the people are perceived as indolent. Along the coast, there are also the Champa tribes original: 湛巴 (Zhàn bā) whose customs and language differ from those of the Annamites. In ancient times, they would board ships and brave great dangers to trade with distant foreign lands. In recent years, however, they have gradually declined, retreating to live peacefully within the mountains as subjects of Annam. The Kingdom of Annam honors Buddhism and worships idols original: 拜偶像; a common historical Chinese descriptor for Buddhist statuary. There are also those who follow Catholicism Catholicism (Tiān zhǔ jiào): literally "Religion of the Lord of Heaven", but the King has moved to completely eradicate that sect and has put its teachers to death.