n.
Historic kingdom, eastern Vietnam.
The area was conquered 0441; 200 BC by the Chinese, who gave it its name (which has never been used by the indigenous inhabitants). It became independent in the 15th century AD, opening the way for steady Vietnamese movement toward the Mekong River delta. When Vietnam was united in 1802, the city of Hue became the capital, and the area was ruled by the emperor of Annam. Central Vietnam gradually came under French control in the 19th century; it became a protectorate in 188385, leaving the court at Hue with only nominal power. The area was partitioned between North and South Vietnam in 1954, and Annam's last emperor was deposed in 1955.