Introduction

This research focuses on the Đại Việt trade ports of Vân Đồn and Phố Hiến, and based on the results of their archaeological investigations clarifies the history of these ports from their emergence to their decline, along with their structure as ports. Then, by comparing conditions at the places of production of trade goods carried to those ports with those at the places of consumption where they were transported, along with the trade goods of various countries that are found in association, the background of products of Đại Việt being conveyed over the trade network of maritime Asia will be clarified archaeologically. While there are numerous articles discussing the commerce of Đại Việt, the particular merit of this research lies in taking as its axis the ports which by their existence linked production with consumption, and in seeking out the nature of Đại Việt commerce through the trade goods that were in circulation.