Battle of Hue

January 31 – March 3, 1968 · South Vietnam Theater

Phases

1. 1Phase 1 — NVA Capture of HueJanuary 31, 1968 — Pre-dawn
2. 2Phase 2 — Recapture of New CityFebruary 1–24, 1968
3. 3Phase 3 — Battle for the CitadelFebruary 2 – March 3, 1968

January 31, 1968 — Pre-dawn

In the opening hours of the Tet Offensive, roughly 10,000 NVA and Viet Cong troops surge across Hue. By dawn they control most of the city including the ancient Citadel north of the Perfume River. The MACV compound south of the river and the Mang Ca garrison inside the Citadel hold out as isolated pockets, but everywhere else the city falls.

• ➤NVA main assault — forces cross the Perfume River and seize the Citadel
• ●The Citadel — NVA captures ancient imperial fortress north of the river
• ●MACV compound — besieged US advisory compound south of the river
• ➤NVA southern advance — VC seize the New City south of the river
• ●NVA flag atop the Citadel — large NVA banner raised at the Imperial Palace flagpole