By Bảo Ngọc
This video traces Vietnam's history from 1945 to 1954, focusing on the resistance war against France. It begins with the challenges facing the new Democratic Republic of Vietnam, including famine and illiteracy, before detailing the French return to Saigon in September 1945. You will learn about the 1946 Preliminary Agreement, the outbreak of full-scale war in December 1946, and the 60-day battle in Hanoi that allowed the government to retreat to the Viet Bac safe zone. The narrative covers key military campaigns, including the Viet Bac Autumn-Winter campaign of 1947 and the Border Campaign of 1950. It explains how the conflict became part of the global Cold War following the rise of Communist China. The story culminates in the Siege of Dien Bien Phu in 1954, where General Vo Nguyen Giáp's strategy led to a decisive victory. The video concludes with the Geneva Accords, the end of French rule, and the temporary division of the country at the 17th parallel.
Part of Vietnamese History: From Origins to the Modern Era