This book is part of the Scientific Research Project on Southeast Vietnam with 10 programs: economy, society, educations, history - culture, environment, urbanization, sea and islands, borders, science and technology, international integration. In the history-culture program, Thu Dau Mot University collected, edited and published the series Southeast Vietnam - History and culture. Each volume is composed of scientific topics of some historical and cultural fields of Southeast Vietnam from prehistoric to present. The main contents of vol. 1 includes: Historical process of Southeast Vietnam; Oc Eo cultural heritage; The exploitation of Saigon - Gia Dinh during the Nguyen dynasty; The process of establishing and protecting sovereignty in the seas and islands during the Nguyen dynasty; Maritime industry in the 17th and 18th centuries.