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This map of the fortified settlement of Cổ Loa (near Hanoi, northern Vietnam) shows the royal city, battlements and gates, a temple and a well. Artefacts dating to the Bronze Age have been found on this early site of Vietnamese civilization.

Map of the district of Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam), based around the Fleuve Soirap (Soài Rạp River) as it winds its way down to the South China Sea. The city of Saigon is on its banks, surrounded by more rivers, roads, fields and villages.

Map of the district of Cholon (Chợ Lớn, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam). The southern part is more detailed, with rivers, roads and villages, while the north is sparser (though there are ancient Cambodian forts and towers marked).

A late 19th century map depicting a route from Hanoi to That-Khe via Lang-Son (in northern Vietnam, near the border with China at Kouang-Si (Guangxi)). Two inset maps feature plans of military forts, villages, rivers and fields along the route.

Two-sheet map of the district of Bien-Hoa (Biên Hòa) east of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The area is dominated by rivers, wetlands and mangroves. Labels describe the terrain e.g. ‘Bois marécageux avec rivières [Swampy woods with rivers]’.

Map of Java and Madura divided into administrative districts, and featuring mountains, settlements and major roads. There is an inset map of the port city of Batavia (Jakarta) and its surrounding fields and countryside.

Map of Java and Madura divided into administrative districts, and featuring mountains, settlements and major roads. There is an inset map of the port city of Batavia (Jakarta) and its surrounding fields and countryside.

Map of the Banda Islands—which was at this time the only source of nutmeg in the world—featuring mountains, plantations, settlements and a military fort. On the island of Gunnanapi (Banda Api) a volcano erupts (‘api’ means ‘fire’ in Indonesian).

The many navigation aids marked on this map, including bathymetry (sea depth), anchor points, shoals, and elevations of hills, were designed to guide ships around this part of the west coast of Timor. The Dutch fort Concordia is also marked.

There is a port at the south of this map of the Côn Đảo archipelago (Vietnam), and notes giving details such as a suitable location to careen ships (turning a ship on its side for cleaning or repair). A ruined English fort is also marked.

A plan of the port city of Batavia in the 18th century. Small ships can be seen transporting goods along the river to the pier, and the street plan also includes churches, shopping areas and hospitals, as noted on the map’s detailed legend.

This late 18th century map of Batavia (Jakarta) focusses on the network of canals and rivers surrounding the city, as well as the many fields and plantations, including rice fields (‘Champ de Ris’) and sugarcane (‘Cannes de Sucre’).