Huế is a city in central Vietnam that was the seat of Nguyễn Dynasty emperors from 1802 to 1945, a feudal dynasty that dominated much of southern Vietnam from the 17th to the 19th century. In 1802, it baceame the capital over the whole of Vietnam. During the French colonial period, Huế was the capital of the protectorate of Annam. It remained the seat of the Imperial Palace until 1945, when Emperor Bảo Đại abdicated and the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (DRV)government was established with its capital Hanoi in the north. It was a vulnerable location during the Second Indochina War (1955-1975) due to its proximity to the 17th Parallel Demilitarised Zone bordering Quảng Trị Province. It was the scene for the Battle of Huế (January-March 1968) during the Tết Offensive and the ensuing Massacre at Huế. Many of its historic buildings were lost in the war.
