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The destruction means that modern visitors encounter substantial open spaces where buildings once stood. Some structures have been reconstructed or conserved, while others survive only through foundations, archaeological evidence and historical records.
This mixture of original buildings, ruins and reconstruction is an important characteristic of modern Hue. The Citadel is not a perfectly preserved imperial city, but a layered historical site showing both what survived and what was lost.
The end of the Nguyen dynasty in 1945 removed the Citadel ' s original political purpose, but the greatest physical damage came later.
The fighting during the 1968 Battle of Hue caused extensive destruction throughout the imperial complex. Timber buildings were particularly vulnerable to fire and bombardment, while years of neglect, tropical weather, termites, vegetation and flooding caused further deterioration.
By the late twentieth century, much of the complex was in poor condition.
UNESCO World Heritage recognition in 1993 helped establish international support for a long-term conservation programme. Restoration has subsequently concentrated on stabilising surviving structures, reconstructing important buildings where sufficient
many of the original buildings have been restored or reconstructed
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