How did Vasco da Gama’s success in opening a seagoing trade route to Asia help Portugal?

Vasco da Gama’s voyage reached India by sailing around Africa, giving Portugal a direct sea route to Asian markets. Portugal used this route to establish trading posts and control important parts of the spice trade, helping it build a trading empire. Portugal had traded with the East before, so C is too broad.

AI-written and checked against the verified answer.