The 16th century witnessed a significant start for European maritime trade on the Far East, triggering by the pioneer Portuguese. Though being not a great market as compared with China, Japan, Indonesia in the Far East, Vietnam still attracted many European empires by an abundant quantity of merchandise as well as a strategic position on the international trade route. The Portuguese, Dutch, British and French respectively represented themselves in Vietnam, with somewhat different interests, paying much attempts to establish a stronghold for trade there. Nonetheless, their trade in Vietnam had become feeble since the end of 17th century. That was explained by several reasons
