Vietnams demilitarized zone was established by the geneva agreement in 1954 as a dividing line between north and south in the outcome of the first indochina war and ran roughly on the 17th parallel north latitude during the american war it was the scene of heavy fighting the area is as so many parts of vietnam are blessed with the natural beauty and spectacular mountainous and jungle landscapes experience the remnants of war in this sadly tragic region still known by many as the dmz demil