HUE.
Hué, the capital of the kingdom of Annam, is situated on a small scarcely navigable river called by the French the Hué river, which debouches on the coast in about lat. 16 deg. 29 min. N., and long. 107 deg. 38 min. E. Hué is a walled city and possesses an arsenal. It has no imposing buildings such as distinguish most Orientals capitals, and the streets are mean and dirty. There are no European residents in this place, except the Roman Catholic missionaries and the French Minister and attachés.
TURON.
Turon, situated about 40 miles south-east of Hué, is the sea port for the capital. Turon has a fine harbour capable of giving shelter to any amount of shipping. The trade of the port is entirely in the hands of the Chinese. As no French Custom House exists, statistics are difficult to gather. The exports consist mostly of sugar, silk, betelnuts, and oil; the imports of rice, piece goods, &c. The trade is chiefly with Hongkong. Rice is imported from Haiphong, Hai Duong, and Namdinh. Turon is not, strictly speaking, an open port, but practically it is and has been so regarded for some time. Coal mines have been opened here, but the quality proved rather disap pointing, though it is believed that deeper workings would yield better mineral.
QUINHON.
Quinhon was opened to foreign trade upon the conclusion of the treaty between France and Annam, signed in March, 1874. It is situated on the coast of Annam in about lat. 13 deg. 54 min. N., long. 109 deg. 02 min. E. The entrance to the port is obstructed by a bar, which may be crossed, however, by any vessel with a draught not exceeding 16 to 16 feet. The chief article of export is salt. The population and country being very poor, the commercial prospects of the port are not very brilliant. What little trade exists is chiefly with Hongkong and is at present all in the hands of the Chinese. There are no European merchants established in Quinhon. A French Consul and a body of troops are stationed there. The imports for the first three-quarters of
year 1880 amounted to Tls. 82,093; the exports to Tls. 52,592.
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