Administrative Changes in Cần Thơ under French Colonial Rule (1867–1945) (Continued and Concluded)

Abstract

This article focuses on examining the process of administrative transformation in Cần Thơ under French colonial rule, from the establishment of the colonial administration in Cochinchina in 1867 to the end of French domination in 1945. Through an analysis of decrees, ordinances, and administrative regulations promulgated by the French authorities, the article clarifies the organization, hierarchical structure, and reforms of the administrative apparatus across different periods, particularly the establishment of the Cần Thơ Inspectorate in 1876 and the waves of administrative reforms in the early twentieth century. At the same time, the study highlights the structure of the governing system in Cần Thơ, reflecting the transition from a traditional administrative model to a modernized colonial administration designed to serve the objectives of control and exploitation. In doing so, the article contributes to identifying the characteristics of colonial administration and its social consequences in this locality of southern Vietnam.