In the early years of the conflict against the French, known as the First Indochina War or the Franco-Viet Minh War, the Viet Minh primarily operated from their mountain bases in northern and central Vietnam. While the Viet Minh focused on building and training their military, the French Expeditionary Force solidified its control over the Red River Delta and established a network of vulnerable outposts in guerrilla-controlled areas.

In October 1947, the French launched an ambitious offensive aimed at capturing Viet Minh headquarters. However, they quickly realized they were engaged in an unconventional “war without fronts,” where Viet Minh forces could easily retreat into the jungle when threatened. The French also faced disruptive hit-and-run attacks deep within the delta, often without the support of a local population that either actively backed the Viet Minh or tolerated their presence. Despite persuading Emperor Bao Dai to return as the leader of the Associated State of Vietnam in March 1949, he was widely viewed as a puppet of the French, and his government struggled to gain popular support.

The war took a significant turn after the Communist victory in China in 1949. The United States became involved, providing financial support to the French military amounting to at least $3 billion by 1954. Under the leadership of General Vo Nguyen Giap, the Viet Minh achieved their first major victory, compelling the French to abandon outposts along the Chinese border, which granted them unfettered access to sanctuary in China. In early 1951, armed with Chinese weapons and bolstered by their recent successes, the Viet Minh launched an assault on Hanoi. However, in this first significant battle of the war, they suffered a crushing defeat, with over six thousand troops lost and the first use of napalm recorded in Vietnam.

Learning from this setback, Giap adapted his strategies, and for the next two years, the French attempted to regain their previous advantages without success. By 1953, France was growing weary of the conflict and reached out to Ho Chi Minh in hopes of finding a resolution. Meanwhile, the United States became increasingly impatient with the French’s lack of progress, while the Russians and Chinese pressed for an end to the fighting. This pressure eventually led both sides to agree to discussions at the Geneva Conference, scheduled for May of the following year to address Korean peace.

As diplomatic efforts began, a pivotal battle was underway in an isolated valley near Dien Bien Phu on the Laos border. Early in 1954, French forces established a substantial camp in this valley, attempting to lure the Viet Minh into an open confrontation. Instead, the Viet Minh surrounded the area, severed supply lines, and gradually tightened their grip. After 59 days of intense combat, the French were forced to surrender on May 7, 1954, just before the Geneva Conference commenced. The eight years of warfare resulted in significant casualties: the French lost approximately 93,000 troops, while an estimated 200,000 Viet Minh soldiers perished in the conflict.