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'City without joy' – Hue: 1968

When Vietnam's former imperial capital Hue is overrun during the Tet offensive, a month of fierce house-to-house combat to regain control of the city takes a huge toll on the people.

On 30 January 1968, the first day of the Tet new year holiday, Vietcong and NVA (North Vietnamese Army) troops launch a co-ordinated surprise attack on towns, cities and provincial capitals in the South. Hue – with its university and ancient buildings – is all but destroyed. Between 3,000 and 5,000 government workers and sympathisers are murdered, 10,000 house are destroyed and 120,000 residents become refugees.

ITN: news footage shot with a reporter at the scene commenting on what he sees.

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