HUÉ, APOSTOLIC VICARIATE of - The territory of the apostolic vicariate of H. is situated on the northern coast of Annam. The first missionary of the region was the Jesuit Francesco Buzomi, who from 1615 to 1619 travelled throughout the vast area as far as the borders
of Tonchino. He was followed by other Jesuits, who were expelled in 1629.
The mission was resumed in 1639. Later the first missionaries of the Seminary of Paris arrived there, and the territory at first formed part of the apostolic vicariate of Cocincina, which in 1678 was divided into the apostolic vicariate of western Cocincina (Saigon) and the apostolic vicariate of eastern Cocincina. From the latter, on 27 Aug. 1850, the apostolic vicariate of northern Cocincina was detached; on 3 Dec. 1924 it assumed its present name of H. On 18 Jan. 1932 CONTUMACIA (v.) was detached from II. There were numerous martyrs during the frequent persecutions.
Out of a population of 850,000 inhabitants, there are 60,305 Catholics. There are 131 native priests and 41 foreign priests; 135 native brothers; 628 native nuns and 7 foreign nuns; 54 catechists and 24 teachers; 40 elementary schools with 4,973 pupils; 3 secondary schools with 1,272 pupils; 81 principal stations and 261 secondary stations; 46 churches; 349 chapels. Charitable works are represented by 2 dispensaries, 1 hospital with 12 beds; 5 orphanages with 367 children; 5 shelters with 65 persons.