From the Silk Road on the Red River to the dynamic economic axis of “sharing the same river and ideas”: Part 2: Commercial ports on the Red River

Bao Thang Quan is known as one of the important gateways for developing trade on the Red River. At the place where the Red River flows into Vietnam, Bao Thang Quan has become a trading hub, where goods from the highlands and border areas are gathered to be transferred to the plains. Bao Thang Quan is considered an important "gateway" to the North, where it controls the trade and military route from China to Dai Viet.

According to historical records, a large number of artifacts from the Dong Son culture period were discovered in the upper reaches of the Red River, especially in the Lao Cai urban area today. During the Hung Kings' founding of the country, the ethnic groups living in the area developed agriculture, animal husbandry and handicrafts such as weaving and bronze casting. They exchanged with the ethnic groups across the border in the form of barter. Chinese official history recorded that "The people of the Giao Chi border brought fish and mussels to exchange for rice, cloth...".

In addition to its defensive mission, Bao Thang Quan was also a place to control trade, ensuring the stability of the border economy. Bao Thang Quan was an important transit station on the trade route from China to Dai Viet. During the Le Trung Hung period (1870), Lao Nhai border gate (the old name of Lao Cai) collected over 1,000 taels of silver per year from salt export tax to Dien country (present-day Yunnan province, China). During the Tay Son period, Bao Thang Quan collected 2,000 taels of silver per year. In the 18th year of Gia Long, the collection level was 42,100 quan, second only to Trinh Xa and Me So. Goods such as silk, ceramics, tea, and spices were exchanged here, creating a bustling economic zone and extensive cultural exchange. Chinese merchants, Nung, Tay, and Kinh people organized many markets, contributing to the formation of bustling commercial centers and unique customs. Boats loaded with forest products, precious herbs and minerals from the highlands were gathered to exchange for rich goods from the Red River Delta.

During the Nguyen Dynasty, thanks to the promotion of trade along the Red River, tariffs through Lao Nhai increased sharply. Bao Thang Quan became the third largest border gate in the country, with a patrol office overseeing the annual tax collection.

Through many historical events, the vestiges of Bao Thang Quan have more or less disappeared. Today, the typical vestiges of fortifications such as stone walls and guard posts no longer exist. However, with what remains, Bao Thang Quan is still a historical mark to remember a golden age.

The land of Bach Hac (now part of Viet Tri city, Phu Tho province) is still considered the intersection of vital rivers, the convergence of culture and commerce since ancient times. With a strategic location at the confluence of three rivers, this place used to be a bustling commercial port, contributing significantly to the economic and cultural development of the midland and northern delta regions.

Talking about the understanding of Bach Hac land, many people told us to meet Mr. Nguyen Huu Dien, former Secretary of Phu Tho Provincial Party Committee from 2003 to 2005, who witnessed the process of building and developing Phu Tho from the early days of re-establishment. Mr. Dien's family is currently living in Bach Hac ward, Viet Tri city.

Speaking of Bach Hac, the first thing Mr. Dien cannot help but mention is the place where "Three rivers converge" when the Lo River, Da River and Red River meet at Bach Hac. From Bach Hac looking to the Southeast, on the left is the Tam Dao mountain range, on the right is the Ba Vi mountain range creating the "mountains facing, water gathering" position. Therefore, Bach Hac has become a strategic location from ancient times to the present: "Bach Hac trading port is located on the most important waterway of ancient Dai Viet. This is the intersection of three large rivers, creating a vibrant and prosperous trade network", Mr. Dien said.

Where three rivers converge.

Since ancient times, Bach Hac river wharf has been famous for its crowded markets, where merchants from all regions gathered to exchange goods. From the Northwest highlands, precious products such as wood, forest products, cinnamon, silver, gold, etc. were transported by boat along the rivers to Bach Hac, and from here continued to spread throughout the Thang Long citadel and the Red River Delta. Conversely, goods from the plains such as salt, fabrics, ceramics, and agricultural products also followed the waterways up to the highlands, serving the lives of people in the highlands. Notably, not only domestic merchants, but also merchants from China, India, and Europe had set foot in Bach Hac, turning this place into one of the international trading ports in Vietnamese history.

During the Ly - Tran dynasties, Bach Hac developed into a large trading port with many wharves, cargo storage areas, and bustling markets. The merchant ships traveling up and down the Red River, Lo River, and Da River created a vibrant picture of the economy and trade. During the Later Le and Nguyen dynasties, Bach Hac trading port still played an important role, but gradually faced competition from emerging trading centers such as Ke Cho (Hanoi), Hai Phong, and Nam Dinh. However, for many centuries, Bach Hac remained an important stop on the trading journey of merchants from the plains and mountains.

In the feudal trade flow, Bach Hac port not only played the role of a gateway for trade between the mountains and the plains, but also a stopover for merchants on the way from the border to the capital Thang Long (Hanoi).

For generations, the Red River has played an important role in the lives of residents on both banks of the capital of Vietnam - Thang Long Citadel. The people have learned the experience: "First near the market, second near the river, third near the road". Therefore, since King Ly Thai To moved the capital from Hoa Lu to Thang Long in 1010, the Red River has become a strategic transportation route, connecting the capital with the plains of the Red River Delta, and further to China, Champa and Southeast Asian countries.

Having spent more than 20 years researching the history of Thang Long citadel, journalist and Hanoi scholar Nguyen Ngoc Tien understands every corner of the bustling ancient capital: “With the Red River acting as the “silk road on water”, where precious products such as silk, ceramics, agricultural products (rice, tea, sesame, sugar cane...), spices, medicinal herbs from the northern mountains and handicraft products were exchanged and traded vigorously. These items not only served the people's lives but were also used by the royal court in ceremonies, tributes and international trade”, Mr. Tien shared.

Hanoi scholar Nguyen Ngoc Tien said that the Red River wharf used to be the place where large wholesale markets were concentrated, such as Dong Bo Dau wharf and Chuong Duong wharf, where merchants met, exchanged and traded busily. Merchants from up and down the country brought rare local and forest products. Merchants from the lowlands brought fish, salt, seafood... Foreign merchant ships brought goods from the West and the East, creating a bustling trade network.

Thanks to the Mother River, Thang Long - Ke Cho was able to rise to become the leading economic center of Dai Viet. From the riverside markets, trading activities spread throughout the Thang Long citadel, forming craft streets - bustling four-season commodity streets. From there, Hang Dao, Hang Ngang, Hang Buom... were born. It is not difficult to come across bustling markets in the citadel, where silk and brocade spread along the footsteps of merchants, contributing to the formation of the culture of "buying with friends, selling with partners".

With its strategic location in the Red River Delta, Thang Long has become a gathering place for thousands of merchants, not only from domestic regions but also from neighboring countries such as China, Japan and Western countries. The Red River plays a vital role, connecting Thang Long with large regions, creating favorable conditions for the exchange of goods from the inland to coastal ports. The Red River is not only a geographical lifeline but also a prosperous flow of Dai Viet's economy for many centuries. In particular, in the capital city of Thang Long, trade on the Red River has flourished, contributing to making this place the most bustling trading center in Southeast Asia.

Talking about the Red River, the first thing that History Professor Le Van Lan affirmed is that the river has built our country's civilization for thousands of years. Before the majesty of the Red River, the Vietnamese used the most noble names to call this river to show respect and dignity such as Cai River (Mother River), Ca River (Big River), and then unified it as the Red River.

Looking at the historical cross-section of trade on the Red River, History Professor Le Van Lan pointed out that the water source carrying heavy alluvium created fertile agricultural production areas and traditional craft villages along a strip from the mountains to the plains. And the Red River itself was also the first and shortest route for transporting goods upstream and downstream. From there, it gradually formed an important vital trade route of our country over many centuries.

The “Silk Road” on the Red River is not only a story of trade and economy, but also a symbol of cultural, religious and spiritual exchange between regions. From Bao Thang Quan, Bach Hac, Thang Long to Pho Hien, Thai Binh, each place on this Silk Road carries its own stories about the prosperous development of the country through many periods.

Since the 19th century, when roads and railways gradually developed, the role of the commercial ports on the Red River declined. Many bustling ports of the past are now only vestiges in memory. However, the legacies that these commercial ports left behind are still present in the lifestyle, culture and architecture of many riverside cities. Pho Hien still has ancient moss-covered houses, Nam Dinh and Thai Binh still echo with the sound of weaving shuttles. Thang Long (Ke Cho), now Hanoi, continues to be an important economic and cultural center of the country. The Red River continues to flow, carrying with it indelible historical marks.

History Professor Le Van Lan talks about the name of the Red River.

Although time has blurred the bustle of the old river ports, the memory of a time of prosperous trade remains an indispensable part of the nation's history. Although the old ports have changed, the story of the "silk road" on the Red River remains an indispensable part of the country's journey of development and reaching out to the world.

The journey to find the vestiges of the trading ports on the Red River is not only a journey into history, but also a reminder of the value of trade and integration in the past, from which the potential of this river can be promoted in the future.

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/tu-con-duong-to-lua-tren-song-hong-den-truc-kinh-te-dong-luc-chung-dong-song-cung-y-tuong-bai-2-nhung-thuong-cang-tren-song-hong-post399436.html