Battle of Huế
Huế, South Vietnam
What happened
South Vietnamese army units and U.S. Marines fought North Vietnamese Army and Viet Cong forces that had captured the city of Huế. During the Tết lunar new year holiday in 1968, when many South Vietnamese soldiers were on leave, North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces made a surprise attack and seized most of Huế, Vietnam's old imperial capital. Over the next month, South Vietnamese troops and U.S. Marines fought house to house to take the city back.
Why it matters
Result: American–South Vietnamese victory Sustained damage to the Hue city and ancient imperial city of Hue. Leaders: Ngô Quang Trưởng / Stanley S. Hughes against Trần Văn Quang / Đặng Kinh. Why it matters: It was one of the longest and bloodiest battles of the Vietnam War, and the city was largely destroyed. Between 5,800 and 8,000 civilians were killed in the fighting and in executions, and the battle hurt American public support for the war.
What came next
The South Vietnamese and Americans declared victory in early March 1968. Huế's historic monuments, including the Imperial City, are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Did you know?
Huế became the seat of government for a reunited Vietnam in 1802, under Emperor Gia Long.
Timeline
- 1802Huế becomes the capital of a reunited Vietnam.
- 31 January 1968North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces seize Huế.
- February 1968House-to-house fighting to retake the city.
- 2 March 1968The battle ends.