Lạng Sơn
Coordinates: 21°50′52″N 106°45′28″E / 21.84778°N 106.75778°E
| Lạng Sơn Thành phố Lạng Sơn | |
|---|---|
 | |
  Lạng Sơn Location in Vietnam | |
| Coordinates: 21°50′52″N 106°45′28″E / 21.84778°N 106.75778°E | |
| Country |
 Vietnam |
| Province | Lạng Sơn Province |
| Area | |
| • Total | 79 km2 (31 sq mi) |
| Population (2007) | |
| • Total | 148,000 |
Lạng Sơn (
listen) (chữ nho: 諒山, French: Lang-Son) is a city in far northern Vietnam, which is the capital of Lạng Sơn Province. It is accessible by road and rail from Hanoi, the Vietnamese capital, and it is the northernmost point on National Route 1A.
History
Due to its geography as Vietnam's gateway to China, Lạng Sơn and its ancient citadel have been in the path of many invasions, and were the site of three French defeats during the colonial era. Occupied by Qing forces during the military buildup that preceded the Sino-French War, the city was occupied by France after the two-week Lạng Sơn Campaign in February 1885. However, the brigade there conducted a hasty retreat after a failed attack at the Battle of Bang Bo into China; the "retreat from Lạng Sơn" became the most controversial aspect of the war and led to the fall of Jules Ferry's ministry. French colonial forces clashed with the Japanese 5th Division in the Battle of Lạng Sơn during the Japanese Vietnam Expedition in 22 September 1940. The French were again compelled to retreat hastily.[1]
After the end of the Pacific War, the French colonial army established a permanent garrison there, which served as the logistics hub for the French border fortresses. It was captured in 1950 during Võ Nguyên Giáp's offensive against the French border forts, considered a turning point in the Indochina War. The city was the center of fighting during the Sino-Vietnamese War of 1979, and sustained extensive damage.
Geology and climate
The geology of the area is Permian limestone.[2]
See also
References
- ↑ Hy V. Luong - Tradition, Revolution, and Market Economy in a North Vietnamese ... 2010- Page 37 "In March 1885, as Chinese troops from Kwangsi defeated a French force of 35,000 in Lạng-Sơn, Black Flag troops ..."
- ↑ Journal of Geology - Issues 15-20 2000 - Page 8 "Lang Sơn Formation of Induan age, lying unconformably upon Upper Permian limestone in the vicinities of Lạng Sơn Town, Bản Thí, Đông Mỏ, Chợ Bãi and Hữu Lũng, includes medium-grained sandstone rhythmically interbedded with .."
