Ðại Việt Sử Ký Toàn Thư (TT) 大越史記全書 or The complete chronicle of the Ðại Việt is one of the most important source materials for pre-modern Vietnamese history. The Chính Hoà正和 version is the oldest version now available.
In 1988, Ngô Thế Long discovered another version of TT in the private library of an old scholar, Nguyễn Văn Huyên (NVH version of TT). It covers the first half of the 17th century (1600-43, 1655-56). Long argued that this is a Cảnh Trị 景治 version of TT compiled by Phạm Công Trứ 范公著 in 1665. On the other hand, the Hán Nôm Institute at Hanoi holds a source material named Ðại Việt Sử Ký Tục Biên or The Sequel Chronicle of Ðại Việt (SKTB) 大越史記続編, which is numbered A4. The A4 version of the SKTB is not SKTB despite its title. It is the latter part of TT or Ðại Việt Sử Ký Bản Kỷ Tục Biên, because it covers the period from 1533 to 1643. This was originally held by the Imperial library at Huế and was copied for the EFEO in 1903. By comparing the two source materials, it becomes clear that they are the same source. Conversely, both share many differences with the Chính Hoà version.
Judging from imperial taboo characters, the A4 version was re-transcribed in the latter 19th century. The order of folios in the A4 version differ little from those given in former bibliographic works, especially Gaspardone's one. It should derive from rearrangements during the 20th century. This indicates that we must take notice of the rearrangement for sources which the Hán Nôm Institute holds now. Long's investigation still have several problems that is unsolved, particularly concerning volume number. However, judging from the format, it is obvious that the NVH version was compiled under the Trịnh regime and that it is a new and precious source material on early modern Vietnamese history.
The two new sources contain much interesting information unknown before. The differences between the Chính Hoà version and the two new sources indicate two completely different historiographies and reflect two completely different ideologies. A comparison of the differences will contribute to the investigation into the history of political thought in early modern Vietnam.
The A4 version was discovered about 100 years before, but no one recognized its importance and peculiar value. Although there are many source materials in the Hán Nôm Institute awaiting investigation, in order to understand the increasing number of unknown local sources that are appearing, it is necessary to return to sources which are known but have been ignored.