A seminar on Vietnam’s past trade relations took place in Hanoi on March 30, attracting scientists from Japan, the Republic of Korea, the Netherlands, Germany and Australia.

Participants focused their discussions on two issues, namely " Vietnam and its traditional partners", and "Vietnam and Asian trade in the 16^th and 17^th centuries".

Vietnamese professor Phan Huy Le said that the flourishing trade in the 17^th century made Vietnam become the strongest commodity economy with an unprecedented trade boom in coastal urban centres (including sea ports) and border areas. Notable among these centres were Pho Hien, Hoi An and Ky Lua.