Tonkin

Tonkin, also Tongking, region, South East Asia, constituting the northern part of Vietnam. Tonkin is bounded to the north by China, to the east by the Gulf of Tonkin, to the south by the Annam region of Vietnam, and to the west by Laos. The principal cities of the region are Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, and Haiphong, an industrial centre and large port.

The early history of Tonkin is closely linked to that of Annam. From 1539 to 1787 it was ruled by the Trinh dynasty. It remained an independent state until 1802, when it came under the control of Annam. The French government had long wanted to bring the Red River delta into the French political and commercial sphere of influence. In 1882 it sent an expedition to Tonkin, ostensibly to uproot the Black Flags, predatory bands of Chinese and Vietnamese brigands infesting the delta, but actually to seize the region. They quickly occupied Hanoi, and the following year France compelled Annam to accept a French protectorate. As a result of its military action, France became embroiled in a war with China (1884-1885), which had garrisons in certain important Tonkin towns. After much severe fighting, French domination was established in 1885. See also Cochin China.