The Cold War was a period of tension between the United States and the Soviet Union that lasted from 1945 to 1991. During this time, two major cities served as the capitals of the two superpowers: Bonn in West Germany and Hanoi in Vietnam. Bonn was the capital of West Germany during the Cold War, while Hanoi was the capital of North Vietnam. Both cities were important political and economic centers during this period, and their respective governments played a major role in international relations.