Quốc ngữ writing since the formation to 1651

Abstract

This article presents the following main contents: 
- The formation and evolution of Quốc ngữ writing from early 17th century to 1651 when A. de Rhodes’ Dictionarivm Annamiticvm, Lusitanvm et Latinvm was published.
- The number of letters of Quốc ngữ writing system presented in Rhodes’ Dictionarivm Annamiticvm, Lusitanvm et Latinvm.
- Quốc ngữ writing system in Rhodes’ dictionary (1651) reflects the phonetic system of both Đàng Trong dialect and Đàng Ngoài dialect of Vietnamese in the middle of 17th century. Besides the  outstanding advantages of the phonemic writing system, it also showed  some  defects.
- Quốc ngữ writing system in Rhodes’ dictionary (1651) reflects some ongoing changes of Vietnamese phonetic system in the middle of the 17th century.