Editing Viet Minh

{{Short description|Vietnam's communist-led independence movement (1941-55)}}
{{More citations needed|date=October 2020}}<!-- Three sections have no footnotes -->
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2024}}
{{Infobox political party
| name             = League for Independence of Vietnam
| native_name      = Việt Nam Độc lập Đồng minh
| colorcode        = {{party color|Communist Party of Vietnam}}
| abbreviation     = '''Viet Minh'''
| flag             = Flag of North Vietnam (1945–1955).svg
| footnotes        = 
| leader           = [[Ho Chi Minh]] (1941–1951)
| founded          = {{start date|1941|05|19|df=yes}}
| dissolved        = {{end date|1955|09|10|df=yes}}
| native_name_lang = vi
| governing_body   = Viet Minh General Department<br/>{{small|{{lang|vi|Tổng bộ Việt Minh}}}}
| predecessor      = [[Vietnamese Fatherland Front|Anti-imperialist National United Front of Indochina]] (''Mặt trận Thống nhất Dân tộc Phản đế Đông Dương'')
| successor        = {{ubl|{{flag icon|North Vietnam}} [[Vietnamese Fatherland Front]]|{{flag icon|South Vietnam|1975}} [[National Liberation Front of South Vietnam]]}}
| founder          = [[Indochinese Communist Party]] (now the [[Communist Party of Vietnam]])
| leader1_title    = Director of General Department
| leader1_name     = [[Nguyễn Lương Bằng]] (1941–1951)
| leader2_title    = Secretary of General Department
| leader2_name     = {{ill|Hoàng Văn Thụ|vi}} (1941–1943) <br /> {{ill|Hoàng Quốc Việt|de||vi}} (1943–1951)
| leader3_title    = Members of General Department
| leader3_name     = * [[Võ Nguyên Giáp]]
* [[Phạm Văn Đồng]]
* [[Trường Chinh]]
* {{ill|Trần Huy Liệu|ja|チャン・フイ・リエウ|vi||zh|陈辉燎}}
* [[Hồ Tùng Mậu]]
| headquarters     = [[Pác Bó]], [[Cao Bằng]]
| newspaper        = {{lang|vi|Cứu Quốc}} (National Salvation)
| ideology         = [[Communism]]<ref name= Pathet-Lao>{{cite web |title=Pathet Lao |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Pathet-Lao |publisher=Encyclopædia Britannica |access-date=2025-04-03}}</ref><br />[[Marxism–Leninism]]<br />[[Vietnamese nationalism]]<ref name= Pathet-Lao /><br />[[Anti-Imperialism]]<ref name= Pathet-Lao />
| country          = Vietnam
| wing1            = [[People's Army of Vietnam]]
| wing1_title      = Armed wing
}}

The '''Việt Minh''' ({{IPA|vi|vîət mīŋ̟|lang|Viet Minh.ogg}}, {{Chuhan|越盟}}) is the common and abbreviated name of the '''League for Independence of Vietnam''' ({{langx|vi|Việt Nam Độc lập Đồng minh}}<ref>Phạm Hồng Tung: ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20190215001904/https://khoalichsu.ussh.vnu.edu.vn/tim-hiu-them-v-mt-trn-vit-minh/ Tìm hiểu thêm về Mặt trận Việt Minh.]'' ''Tạp chí Nghiên cứu Lịch sử'', số 2 năm 2000.</ref> or {{Lang|vi|Việt Nam Độc lập Đồng minh Hội}}, {{chuhan|越南獨立同盟(會)}}; {{langx|fr|Ligue pour l'indépendance du Viêt Nam}}), which was a [[Communist Party of Vietnam|communist]]-led [[national independence]] coalition formed at [[Pác Bó]] by [[Hồ Chí Minh]] on 19 May 1941. Also known as the '''Việt Minh Front''' ({{Lang|vi|Mặt trận Việt Minh}}), it was created by the [[Indochinese Communist Party]] (ICP) as a [[united front]] to achieve the independence of the [[North Vietnam|Democratic Republic of Vietnam]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://dantri.com.vn/xa-hoi/mat-tran-to-quoc-viet-nam-chang-duong-80-nam-ve-vang-1290240396.htm |title=Mặt trận Tổ quốc Việt Nam: Chặng đường 80 năm vẻ vang |author=PV |date=17 November 2011 |website=Dân trí |access-date=14 January 2018 |archive-date=15 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180115071630/http://dantri.com.vn/xa-hoi/mat-tran-to-quoc-viet-nam-chang-duong-80-nam-ve-vang-1290240396.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://dangcongsan.vn/xay-dung-dang/mat-tran-viet-minh-bieu-tuong-cua-khoi-dai-doan-ket-toan-dan-toc-580849.html |title=Mặt trận Việt Minh – biểu tượng của khối đại đoàn kết toàn dân tộc |author=Thương Huyền |date=19 May 2021 |website=Báo Điện tử Đảng Cộng sản Việt Nam |access-date=4 September 2021 |archive-date=9 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240809184115/https://dangcongsan.vn/xay-dung-dang/mat-tran-viet-minh-bieu-tuong-cua-khoi-dai-doan-ket-toan-dan-toc-580849.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:Viet Minh-controlled French Indochina.png|250px|thumb|Việt Minh and allies extended controlled territories in 1954]]
The {{lang|vi|Việt Nam Độc lập Vận động Đồng minh Hội}} was previously formed by Hồ Học Lãm in [[Nanjing]], China, at some point between August 1935 and early 1936, when Vietnamese nationalist parties formed an anti-imperialist [[united front]]. This organization soon lapsed into inactivity, only to be taken over by Hồ Chí Minh and the ICP in 1941.<ref>{{cite web |author=Nguyen, Sai D. |title=The National Flag of Viet Nam. |url=http://www.vpac-usa.org/flag/The%20National%20Flag%20of%20VN.pdf |pages=212–213 |publisher=Vpac-usa.org |access-date=4 January 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050512031344/http://www.vpac-usa.org/flag/The%20National%20Flag%20of%20VN.pdf |archive-date=12 May 2005}}</ref> They presented the organization as inclusive of political groups, with a founding charter more nationalist than communist. It exhorted "soldiers, workers, peasants, intellectuals, civil servants, merchants, young men and women" to overthrow  "French jackals" and "Japanese [[Fascism|fascists]]", while the group's first chairman was a non-communist.<ref>{{cite web |year=2019 |title=The Viet Minh |url=https://alphahistory.com/vietnamwar/viet-minh/#The_Viet_Minh_formed |website=Alpha History |access-date=18 January 2023 |archive-date=9 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240809183958/https://alphahistory.com/vietnamwar/viet-minh/#The_Viet_Minh_formed |url-status=live }}</ref> In all, the Việt Minh established itself as the only organized anti-French and anti-Japanese resistance group.<ref>{{cite book |last=Hunt |first=Michael H. |title=The world transformed: 1945 to the present |publisher=Oxford University Press |date=26 June 2015 |pages=124 |isbn=978-0-19-937102-0 |oclc=907585907}}</ref> The Việt Minh initially formed to seek independence for [[Vietnam]] from the [[French colonial empire|French Empire]]. The [[United States]] supported France. When the [[Japanese occupation of Vietnam|Japanese occupation]] began, the Việt Minh opposed Japan with support from the United States and the [[Republic of China (1912–1949)|Republic of China]]. After World War II, the Việt Minh established the [[Democratic Republic of Vietnam]] and opposed the re-occupation of Vietnam by France, resulting in the [[First Indochina War|Indochina War]], and later opposed [[South Vietnam]] and the United States in the [[Vietnam War]]. It was also opposed by anti-communist Vietnamese nationalists, such as the [[Việt Nam Quốc Dân Đảng]], the reason for the establishment of the [[State of Vietnam]] in 1949.

The political leader of Việt Minh was Hồ Chí Minh. The military leadership was under the command of [[Võ Nguyên Giáp]]. Other founders were [[Lê Duẩn]] and [[Phạm Văn Đồng]].

The ''Việt Nam Độc lập Đồng minh'' is not to be confused with the ''Việt Nam Cách mệnh Đồng minh Hội'' (League for the Vietnamese Revolution, abbreviated as ''Việt Cách'') which was founded by [[Nguyễn Hải Thần]]. Việt Cách later briefly joined the Vietnamese National Coalition in 1946.

Today, the [[Vietnam Fatherland Front]] – a socio-political coalition led by the [[Communist Party of Vietnam]] forming the [[Government of Vietnam|Vietnamese government]] – is recognized as the modern incarnation of the Việt Minh front in current [[Politics of Vietnam|Vietnamese politics]].

== Foundation ==
The League for Independence of Vietnam (Viet Minh) was founded on 19 May 1941 in [[Pác Bó]], [[Cao Bằng province]] (in northern Vietnam).<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://vietnamnet.vn/en/how-the-viet-minh-front-led-the-vietnamese-revolution-to-success-738415.html |title=How the Viet Minh Front led the Vietnamese revolution to success |date=22 May 2021 |website=VietNamNet News |access-date=8 August 2024 |archive-date=8 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240808072945/https://vietnamnet.vn/en/how-the-viet-minh-front-led-the-vietnamese-revolution-to-success-738415.html |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Ho Chi Minh]] was the founder and his [[Indochinese Communist Party]] was the main leadership organization within Viet Minh.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Viet-Minh |title=Viet Minh &#124; History & Definition &#124; Britannica |website=Encyclopædia Britannica |access-date=12 February 2024 |archive-date=14 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181214220759/https://www.britannica.com/topic/Viet-Minh |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Leadership ==
[[Ho Chi Minh]] was the highest leader. [[Nguyễn Lương Bằng]] was appointed as the Direct of the General Department (from 1941 to 1951).<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://daibieunhandan.vn/quoc-hoi-va-cu-tri/dong-chi-Sao-do-Nguyen-Luong-Bang--luon-vi-cai-chung-i289353/ |title=Đồng chí "Sao đỏ" Nguyễn Lương Bằng – luôn vì cái chung |website=Báo Đại biểu Nhân dân |date=21 May 2022 |access-date=8 August 2024 |archive-date=26 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240726222556/https://daibieunhandan.vn/quoc-hoi-va-cu-tri/dong-chi-Sao-do-Nguyen-Luong-Bang--luon-vi-cai-chung-i289353/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Hoàng Văn Thụ]] was appointed as the Secretary of the General Department (from 1941 to 1943 when he was captured by colonial French), and then {{ill|Hoàng Quốc Việt|de||vi}} took over the position (from 1943 to 1951).<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://thanhuy.bacninh.gov.vn/de-cuong-tuyen-truyen-hoang-quoc-viet-cuoc-doi-va-su-nghiep-a39i2162.html |title=Đề cương tuyên truyền: Hoàng Quốc Việt – cuộc đời và sự nghiệp |access-date=8 August 2024 |archive-date=30 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231130011601/http://thanhuy.bacninh.gov.vn/de-cuong-tuyen-truyen-hoang-quoc-viet-cuoc-doi-va-su-nghiep-a39i2162.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Nguyen Luong Bang, Hoang Van Thu and Hoang Quoc Viet were members of the Communist Party.

== Organization ==
At the national level, Viet Minh is governed by the General Department (''Tổng bộ'').<ref name="auto">{{Cite web |url=https://his.ussh.vnu.edu.vn/vi/news/nguyen-thu-ha/tim-hieu-ve-mat-tran-viet-minh-5759.html |title=Tìm hiểu về mặt trận Việt Minh (PGS. TS. Phạm Hồng Tung) |first=Khoa Lịch |last=sử |date=9 August 2023 |website=Khoa Lịch sử |access-date=8 August 2024 |archive-date=5 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240805000353/https://his.ussh.vnu.edu.vn/vi/news/nguyen-thu-ha/tim-hieu-ve-mat-tran-viet-minh-5759.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Further down there were executive committees in provinces and cities; and executive commissions in communes.

However, due to political turmoil and civil unrest at the time, plus conflicts with Japanese and French forces, the Viet Minh's General Department was not completely elected.<ref name="auto" /> Hence the details about members of the General Department were very scarce and not fully understood.

Viet Minh established strongholds in northern and central Vietnam.<ref name="auto2">{{Cite book |url=https://muse.jhu.edu/pub/5/oa_monograph/book/74917 |title=Mass Mobilization in the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, 1945–1960 |first=Alec |last=Holcombe |date=9 August 2020 |publisher=University of Hawai'i Press |isbn=978-0-8248-8446-8 |via=Project MUSE}}</ref><ref name="auto1">{{Cite web |url=http://aejjrsite.free.fr/goodmorning/gm191/gm191_TheSovereignStatesOfVietnam1945-55.pdf |title=The Sovereign States of Vietnam |access-date=8 August 2024 |archive-date=7 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240807170941/http://aejjrsite.free.fr/goodmorning/gm191/gm191_TheSovereignStatesOfVietnam1945-55.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> But in southern Vietnam, Viet Minh faced many challengers such as [[Cao Đài]], [[Hòa Hảo]] (religious sects) and [[Bình Xuyên]] (armed group).<ref>{{Cite book |url=http://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt16gzp2k |title=Nationalist in the Viet Nam Wars: Memoirs of a Victim Turned Soldier |last=Luận |first=Nguyễn Công |year=2012 |publisher=Indiana University Press |jstor=j.ctt16gzp2k |isbn=978-0-253-35687-1  |access-date=9 August 2024 |archive-date=7 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240807154525/https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt16gzp2k |url-status=live }}</ref>{{page needed|date=August 2024}}<ref name="auto1" />

== Components ==
=== Main members ===
The founding and core members of Viet Minh were the communists. Other non-communists also joined the front.
* [[File:Flag of the Communist Party of Vietnam.svg|25px]] [[Indochinese Communist Party]]:<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.oxfordreference.com/display/10.1093/oi/authority.20110803115730695 |title=Vietminh |website=Oxford Reference |access-date=8 August 2024 |archive-date=8 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240808080954/https://www.oxfordreference.com/display/10.1093/oi/authority.20110803115730695 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="auto2" /> the General Secretary was [[Trường Chinh]]
* [[File:Former flag of Vietnamese Democratic Party.svg|25px]] [[Democratic Party of Vietnam]]:<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://dangcongsan.vn/tu-lieu-tham-khao-cuoc-thi-trac-nghiem-tim-hieu-90-nam-lich-su-ve-vang-cua-dang-cong-san-viet-nam/tu-lieu-90-nam-lich-su-dang/thanh-lap-dang-dan-chu-viet-nam-536979.html |title=Thành lập Đảng Dân chủ Việt Nam |website=[[Đảng Cộng sản Việt Nam]]}}</ref> the Secretary-General was {{ill|Duong Duc Hien|vi|Dương Đức Hiền}}; joined in 1944
*  [[Socialist Party of Vietnam]]:<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://baodanang.vn/channel/5399/201501/85-mua-xuan-cua-dang-3-2-1930-3-2-2015-85-nam-dang-cong-san-viet-nam-tiep-can-tu-doi-moi-phat-trien-xa-hoi-tiep-theo-2389841/ |title=85 MÙA XUÂN CỦA ĐẢNG (3-2-1930 – 3-2-2015):85 năm đảng cộng sản Việt Nam – tiếp cận từ đổi mới phát triển xã hội (Tiếp theo) |website=Báo Đà Nẵng |access-date=9 August 2024 |archive-date=4 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240804122221/https://baodanang.vn/channel/5399/201501/85-mua-xuan-cua-dang-3-2-1930-3-2-2015-85-nam-dang-cong-san-viet-nam-tiep-can-tu-doi-moi-phat-trien-xa-hoi-tiep-theo-2389841/ |url-status=live }}</ref> the Secretary-General was {{ill|Phan Tu Nghia|vi|Phan Tư Nghĩa}}; joined in 1946
* [[File:Flag of the Vanguard Youth of Vietnam.svg|25px]] [[Vanguard Youth (Vietnam)|Vanguard Youth]]:<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://thanhnien.hochiminhcity.gov.vn/thanh-nien-tien-phong-suc-manh-than-ky-trong-nhung-ngay-mua-thu-lich-su/ |title=THANH NIÊN TIỀN PHONG – SỨC MẠNH THẦN KỲ TRONG NHỮNG NGÀY MÙA THU LỊCH SỬ |website=thanhnien.hochiminhcity.gov.vn |access-date=8 August 2024 |archive-date=4 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240804122219/https://thanhnien.hochiminhcity.gov.vn/thanh-nien-tien-phong-suc-manh-than-ky-trong-nhung-ngay-mua-thu-lich-su/ |url-status=live }}</ref> the chairman was {{ill|Pham Ngoc Thach|de|Phạm Ngọc Thạch|vi|Phạm Ngọc Thạch}}; joined in 1945. A small number of organization's leaders joined other political organizations.
* [[File:Flag of Binh Xuyen Army.svg|25px]] [[Bình Xuyên|Bình Xuyên Force]]:<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://repository.vnu.edu.vn/bitstream/VNU_123/71010/1/314%282001-1%29%283%29.pdf |title=Cuộc xung đột vũ trang giữa các giáo phái ở miền nam với chính quyền ngô đình diệm (1955-1956) | language=vi | trans-title=Armed conflict between religious sects in the South and the Ngô Đình Diệm government (1955–1956) |access-date=8 August 2024 |archive-date=4 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240804122214/https://repository.vnu.edu.vn/bitstream/VNU_123/71010/1/314(2001-1)(3).pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> the Commander was [[Dương Văn Dương]]; joined in 1945. A faction led by [[Lê Văn Viễn]] did not follow the Việt Minh and later supported the [[State of Vietnam]] and France
* [[File:Flag of the Communist Party of Vietnam.svg|25px]] National Salvation Army:<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://thanhnien.vn/chu-van-tan-nguoi-anh-ca-cua-du-kich-viet-nam-1851022575.htm |title=Chu Văn Tấn – người anh cả của du kích Việt Nam |date=23 December 2020 |website=thanhnien.vn |access-date=8 August 2024 |archive-date=4 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240804120428/https://thanhnien.vn/chu-van-tan-nguoi-anh-ca-cua-du-kich-viet-nam-1851022575.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> the Commander was [[Chu Văn Tấn]]; merged with the Propaganda Unit of the Liberation Army into Vietnam Liberation Army on 1945

=== Other opposite parties ===
Even though many opposite parties fought against Viet Minh, many of their members joined Viet Minh and worked with the government of the [[Democratic Republic of Vietnam]].
* [[File:Flag of Vietnam Revolutionary League.svg|25px]] [[Revolutionary League of Vietnam]] (Viet Cach):<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://cand.com.vn/Phong-su-tu-lieu/Bo-Xuan-Luat-tu-phuc-quoc-quan-den-Bo-truong---Nhan-si-yeu-nuoc-i184844/ |title=Bồ Xuân Luật, từ phục quốc quân đến Bộ trưởng – Nhân sĩ yêu nước |website=Báo Công an Nhân dân điện tử |access-date=8 August 2024 |archive-date=4 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240804122213/https://cand.com.vn/Phong-su-tu-lieu/Bo-Xuan-Luat-tu-phuc-quoc-quan-den-Bo-truong---Nhan-si-yeu-nuoc-i184844/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://thanhnien.vn/nho-nguon-hoi-ky-nhieu-tu-lieu-quy-ve-cach-mang-viet-nam-tai-hai-ngoai-185230414074936398.htm |title='Nhớ nguồn' – hồi ký nhiều tư liệu quý về cách mạng Việt Nam tại hải ngoại |date=14 April 2023 |website=thanhnien.vn |access-date=8 August 2024 |archive-date=4 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240804122219/https://thanhnien.vn/nho-nguon-hoi-ky-nhieu-tu-lieu-quy-ve-cach-mang-viet-nam-tai-hai-ngoai-185230414074936398.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Dinh Chuong Duong]], {{ill|Bo Xuan Luat|vi|Bồ Xuân Luật}}, [[Ho Duc Thanh]], {{ill|Truong Trung Phung|vi|Trương Trung Phụng}}...
* [[File:Flag of VNQDD.svg|25px]] [[Việt Nam Quốc Dân Đảng|Vietnamese Nationalist Party]] (Viet Quoc):<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://cand.com.vn/Truyen-thong/Lap-chinh-phu-doan-ket---tap-hop-nhan-tai-chuan-bi-khang-chien-i325278/ |title=Lập chính phủ đoàn kết – tập hợp nhân tài chuẩn bị kháng chiến |website=Báo Công an Nhân dân điện tử |access-date=8 August 2024 |archive-date=4 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240804122216/https://cand.com.vn/Truyen-thong/Lap-chinh-phu-doan-ket---tap-hop-nhan-tai-chuan-bi-khang-chien-i325278/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://nongnghiep.vn/them-mot-vai-tu-lieu-ve-nha-van-phan-khoi-d243245.html |title=Thêm một vài tư liệu về nhà văn Phan Khôi |date=15 June 2019 |website=nongnghiep.vn |access-date=8 August 2024 |archive-date=8 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231208185839/https://nongnghiep.vn/them-mot-vai-tu-lieu-ve-nha-van-phan-khoi-d243245.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://quansachmuathu.vn/truc-khe |title=TRÚC KHÊ |access-date=8 August 2024 |archive-date=4 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240804172814/https://quansachmuathu.vn/truc-khe |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Phan Khôi]], {{ill|Chu Ba Phuong|vi|Chu Bá Phượng}}, {{ill|Truc Khe|vi|Trúc Khê (nhà văn)}}...
* [[File:Hiệu kỳ Việt Nam Quốc gia Độc lập Đảng.png|25px]] [[National Independent Party of Vietnam]]:<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://sea.theanarchistlibrary.org/library/ngo-van-vietnam-1920-1945 |title=Việt Nam 1920–1945 &#124; Southeast Asian Anarchist Library |website=sea.theanarchistlibrary.org |access-date=8 August 2024 |archive-date=9 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240809184100/https://sea.theanarchistlibrary.org/library/ngo-van-vietnam-1920-1945 |url-status=live }}</ref> {{ill|Ngo Tan Nhon|vi|Ngô Tấn Nhơn}}
* [[File:Flag of the Struggle Group.svg|25px]] [[Trotskyism in Vietnam|Vietnamese Trotskyists]] (Fourth Internationals):<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://vanhoanghean.vn/chi-tiet-tin-tuc/9180 |title=Sự nghiệp khoa học của giáo sư Trương Tửu |website=vanhoanghean.vn}}</ref> {{ill|Truong Tuu|vi|Trương Tửu}}
* [[File:Flag of Vietnam National Restoration League.svg|25px]] [[League for National Restoration of Vietnam]]: {{ill|Ho Hoc Lam|vi|Hồ Học Lãm|zh|胡學覽}}<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://vusta.vn/ho-hoc-lam-voi-phong-trao-dong-du-p83425.html |title=Hồ Học Lãm với phong trào Đông Du |date=7 April 2006 |website=vusta.vn |access-date=8 August 2024 |archive-date=5 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240805002740/https://vusta.vn/ho-hoc-lam-voi-phong-trao-dong-du-p83425.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Religious organizations ===
The majority of [[Buddhism in Vietnam|Buddhists]] supported Viet Minh. The majority of [[Catholic Church in Vietnam|Catholics]], [[Caodaism|Cao Đài]], and [[Hòa Hảo]] initially supported the Viet Minh but later split into pro–Viet Minh, pro–State of Vietnam, and neutral factions.
* [[File:Flag of Buddhism.svg|25px]] [[Vietnam Buddhist Sangha|Buddhist Association for National Salvation]]:<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://nxbctqg.org.vn/dong-gop-cua-phat-giao-trong-khang-chien-chong-thuc-dan-phap-1945-1954-.html |title=Đóng góp của Phật giáo trong kháng chiến chống thực dân Pháp (1945–1954) |website=hutoglobal |access-date=8 August 2024 |archive-date=4 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240804093157/http://nxbctqg.org.vn/dong-gop-cua-phat-giao-trong-khang-chien-chong-thuc-dan-phap-1945-1954-.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://giacngo.vn/post-13299.html |title=Lễ Phật đản do Hội Phật giáo Cứu quốc Nam Bộ tổ chức năm 1949 |date=26 May 2011 |website=Giác Ngộ Online}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.vjol.info.vn/index.php/rsr/article/download/26592/22746 |title=Tính chất và đặc điểm của phật giáo việt nam trong kháng chiến chống pháp | language=vi | trans-title=The nature and characteristics of Vietnamese Buddhism in the resistance war against France |access-date=8 August 2024 |archive-date=5 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240805113908/https://www.vjol.info.vn/index.php/rsr/article/download/26592/22746 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Thích Tịnh Khiết]], [[Thích Minh Nguyệt]], {{ill|Thích Trí Thủ|vi}}, [[Thích Mật Thể]], [[Thích Trí Quang]], {{ill|Thích Trí Độ|vi}}...
* [[File:Cờ Tam Thanh Cao Đài.svg|25px]] [[Cao Đài Association for National Salvation]]:<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://vusta.vn/hoi-cao-dai-cuu-quoc-mot-net-son-trong-lich-su-dao-cao-dai-p69019.html |title=Hội Cao Đài cứu quốc – Một nét son trong lịch sử đạo Cao Đài |date=30 May 2013 |website=vusta.vn |access-date=8 August 2024 |archive-date=9 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240809184010/https://vusta.vn/hoi-cao-dai-cuu-quoc-mot-net-son-trong-lich-su-dao-cao-dai-p69019.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://btgcp.gov.vn/gioi-thieu-cac-to-chuc-ton-giao-da-duoc-cong-nhan/Cao_Dai_Ban_Chinh_dao_Ben_Tre_voi_su_menh_thieng_lieng_trong_nen_Dai_dao_Tam_ky_pho_do-posteX9arAgRo1.html |title=Cao Đài Ban Chỉnh đạo Bến Tre với sứ mệnh thiêng liêng trong nền Đại đạo Tam kỳ phổ độ – Giới thiệu các tổ chức tôn giáo đã được công nhận &#124; Ban Tôn giáo Chính Phủ |date=1 January 1970 |website=BTGCP |access-date=8 August 2024 |archive-date=5 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240805110308/https://btgcp.gov.vn/gioi-thieu-cac-to-chuc-ton-giao-da-duoc-cong-nhan/Cao_Dai_Ban_Chinh_dao_Ben_Tre_voi_su_menh_thieng_lieng_trong_nen_Dai_dao_Tam_ky_pho_do-posteX9arAgRo1.html |url-status=live }}</ref> {{ill|Cao Triều Phát|vi||zh|高朝發}}, {{ill|Nguyễn Văn Ngợi|vi}}, [[Nguyễn Ngọc Tương]]...
* [[File:Roman Catholic Church flag (Vietnam) - Tomislav Todorović (22 November 2015).gif|25px]] [[Catholic Association for National Salvation]]:<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://vjol.info.vn/index.php/rsr/article/view/7134/6660 |title=Quan điểm của Từ Đoàn Công giáo cứu quốc đến Liên đoàn Công giáo Nam Bộ |access-date=8 August 2024 |archive-date=5 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240805101049/https://vjol.info.vn/index.php/rsr/article/view/7134/6660 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://tapchimattran.vn/thuc-tien/qua-trinh-hinh-thanh-va-phat-trien-cua-uy-ban-doan-ket-cong-giao-viet-nam-nhin-tu-phuong-dien-trach-nhiem-xa-hoi-cua-nguoi-cong-giao-17082.html |title=Quá trình hình thành và phát triển của Ủy ban Đoàn kết Công giáo Việt Nam – Nhìn từ phương diện trách nhiệm xã hội của người Công giáo &#124; Thực tiễn &#124; Tạp chí mặt trận Online |website=tapchimattran.vn |access-date=8 August 2024 |archive-date=5 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240805101053/https://tapchimattran.vn/thuc-tien/qua-trinh-hinh-thanh-va-phat-trien-cua-uy-ban-doan-ket-cong-giao-viet-nam-nhin-tu-phuong-dien-trach-nhiem-xa-hoi-cua-nguoi-cong-giao-17082.html |url-status=live }}</ref> {{ill|Hồ Ngọc Cẩn|ko|호응옥껀|vi|Đa Minh Maria Hồ Ngọc Cẩn|zh|胡玉瑾}}, {{ill|Võ Thành Trinh|vi|Phêrô Võ Thành Trinh}}, {{ill|Nguyễn Bá Luật|vi|Gioakim Nguyễn Bá Luật}}, {{ill|Phan Khắc Từ|vi|Phêrô Phan Khắc Từ}}, {{ill|Phạm Bá Trực|vi|Phêrô Phạm Bá Trực}}...
* [[File:Hoa Hao flag.svg|25px]] [[Hòa Hảo Association for Resistance War]]:<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://luanan.nlv.gov.vn/luanan?a=d&d=TTbFlGuvxlZa2002.1.5 |title=Đồng bào phật giáo Hoà Hảo An Giang trong cuộc kháng chiến chống Mỹ cứu nước (1954–1975) 2002 – LUẬN ÁN TIẾN SĨ – Cơ sở dữ liệu toàn văn |website=luanan.nlv.gov.vn |access-date=8 August 2024 |archive-date=7 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240807174215/http://luanan.nlv.gov.vn/luanan?a=d&d=TTbFlGuvxlZa2002.1.5 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="auto3">{{Cite web | url=https://vass.gov.vn/noidung/tintuc/Lists/DaoTaoSauDaiHoc/Attachments/617/Tai%20lieu%20tinh%20than%20yeu%20nuoc%20gan%20bo%20dong%20hanh%20cung%20dan%20toc%20cua%20cac%20ton%20giao%20Viet%20Nam.pdf | title=Tinh thần yêu nước, gắn bó đồng hành cùng dân tộc của các tôn giáo ở Việt nam | language=vi | trans-title=Patriotic spirit, solidarity and solidarity with the nation of religions in Vietnam | website=vass.gov.vn}}</ref> a few followers joined the front but not well documented, a known pro-communist Hòa Hảo follower was [[Huynh Thien Tu]]
* [[File:Logo Hội thánh tin lành Việt Nam.png|25px]] [[Protestant Church of Vietnam|Protestant Church]]:<ref name="auto3"/><ref>{{Cite web | url=https://vjol.info.vn/index.php/khxh/article/download/17364/15415/ | title=Hồ chí minh và đạo tin lành | language=vi | trans-title=Ho Chi Minh and Protestantism | website=vjol.info.vn}}</ref> [[Bui Hoanh Thu]], [[Duong Tu Ap]], [[Tran Van De]]...

=== Peripheral wings ===
Viet Minh established many youth wing, woman wing and military wing. They aimed to draw supports from people of different backgrounds, classes, races, genders and religions.
* [[File:Flag of North Vietnam (1945-1955).svg|25px]] [[National United League of Vietnam]] (Hoi Lien Viet):<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://ubmttqvn.binhthuan.dcs.vn/Gi%E1%BB%9Bi-thi%E1%BB%87u/post/210959/lich-su-mat-tran-dan-toc-thong-nhat |title=Uỷ ban Mặt trận Tổ quốc Việt Nam tỉnh Bình Thuận |website=ubmttqvn.binhthuan.dcs.vn |access-date=8 August 2024 |archive-date=7 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240807131500/https://ubmttqvn.binhthuan.dcs.vn/Gi%E1%BB%9Bi-thi%E1%BB%87u/post/210959/lich-su-mat-tran-dan-toc-thong-nhat |url-status=live }}</ref> the Leader was [[Huỳnh Thúc Kháng]]
** National Salvation Youth Union:<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://daibieunhandan.vn/dien-dan-quoc-hoi-va-cu-tri/nguyen-lam-nguoi-bi-thu-dau-tien-cua-doan-thanh-nien-cuu-quoc-i364821/ |title=Nguyễn Lam – Người Bí thư đầu tiên của Đoàn Thanh niên Cứu quốc |website=Báo Đại biểu Nhân dân |date=31 March 2024 |access-date=8 August 2024 |archive-date=9 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240809184012/https://daibieunhandan.vn/dien-dan-quoc-hoi-va-cu-tri/nguyen-lam-nguoi-bi-thu-dau-tien-cua-doan-thanh-nien-cuu-quoc-i364821/ |url-status=live }}</ref> founded in 1931, today is the [[Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union]]
** National Salvation Women's Union:<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://hoilhpn.org.vn/tin-chi-tiet/-/chi-tiet/hoi-lhpn-viet-nam-cac-dau-moc-lich-su-32291-3301.html |title=Hội LHPN Việt Nam: Các dấu mốc lịch sử – Cổng Thông Tin Hội Liên hiệp Phụ nữ Việt Nam |access-date=8 August 2024 |archive-date=9 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240809184024/https://hoilhpn.org.vn/tin-chi-tiet/-/chi-tiet/hoi-lhpn-viet-nam-cac-dau-moc-lich-su-32291-3301.html |url-status=live }}</ref> founded in 1941, today is the [[Vietnam Women's Union]]
** National Salvation Children's Union:<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nhathieunhitphcm.com.vn/gioi-thieu/59-nha-truyen-thong-doi-tntp-ho-chi-minh/191-lich-su-doi-thieu-nien-tien-phong-ho-chi-minh |title=Lịch sử Đội Thiếu niên tiền phong Hồ Chí Minh |website=nhathieunhitphcm.com.vn |access-date=8 August 2024 |archive-date=6 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240806011546/https://www.nhathieunhitphcm.com.vn/gioi-thieu/59-nha-truyen-thong-doi-tntp-ho-chi-minh/191-lich-su-doi-thieu-nien-tien-phong-ho-chi-minh |url-status=live }}</ref> founded in 1941, today is the [[Ho Chi Minh Young Pioneer Organization]]
** National Salvation Workers' Union:<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.congdoan.vn/gioi-thieu/lich-su-cdvn-489/tom-tat-qua-trinh-hinh-thanh-va-phat-trien-cua-giai-cap-cong-nhan-va-to-chuc-cong-doan-viet-nam-(phan-2)-32025.tld |title=Giới thiệu – Tổng liên đoàn lao động Việt Nam |access-date=8 August 2024 |archive-date=1 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231001160929/http://www.congdoan.vn/gioi-thieu/lich-su-cdvn-489/tom-tat-qua-trinh-hinh-thanh-va-phat-trien-cua-giai-cap-cong-nhan-va-to-chuc-cong-doan-viet-nam-(phan-2)-32025.tld |url-status=live }}</ref> founded in 1941, today is the [[Vietnam General Confederation of Labour]]
* [[File:Flag of the People's Army of Vietnam.svg|25px]] Vietnam Liberation Army:<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.pritzkermilitary.org/explore/vietnam-war/armed-forces |title=Armed Forces &#124; Pritzker Military Museum & Library &#124; Chicago |website=pritzkermilitary.org |access-date=8 August 2024 |archive-date=8 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240808082050/https://www.pritzkermilitary.org/explore/vietnam-war/armed-forces |url-status=live }}</ref> founded in 1944; merged from the Propaganda Unit of the Liberation Army and National Salvation Army; the commander was [[Võ Nguyên Giáp]]; today is the [[People's Army of Vietnam]]
* [[File:Flag of the People's Public Security of Vietnam.svg|25px]] Vietnam Public Security Service:<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.wilsoncenter.org/publication/stasi-aid-and-the-modernization-the-vietnamese-secret-police |title=Stasi Aid and the Modernization of the Vietnamese Secret Police &#124; Wilson Center |website=wilsoncenter.org |access-date=8 August 2024 |archive-date=19 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019184423/https://www.wilsoncenter.org/publication/stasi-aid-and-the-modernization-the-vietnamese-secret-police |url-status=live }}</ref> founded in 1945; the commander was {{ill|Le Gian|vi|Lê Giản}}; today is the [[Vietnam People's Public Security]]

== World War II ==
{{See also|French Indochina in World War II|Japanese coup d'état in French Indochina|August Revolution}}
[[File:Hanoi TNĐL 1945, 4.jpg|thumb|Viet Minh troops on 2 September 1945]]
During World War II, [[Empire of Japan|Japan]] occupied [[French Indochina]]. As well as fighting the French in the [[battles of Khai Phat and Na Ngan]], the Việt Minh started a [[Military campaign|campaign]] against the Japanese. For instance, a raid at Tam Dao internment camp in [[Tonkin (French protectorate)|Tonkin]] on 19 July 1945 saw 500 Viet Minh kill fifty Japanese soldiers and officials, freeing French civilian captives and escorting them to the Chinese border. The Viet Minh also fought the [[21st Division (Imperial Japanese Army)|Japanese 21st Division]] in Thái Nguyên, and regularly raided rice storehouses to alleviate the [[Vietnamese famine of 1945|ongoing famine]].<ref>Hanyok, Robert (1995). "Guerillas in the Mist: COMINT and the Formation and Evolution of the Viet Minh 1941–45". (p. 107)</ref>
[[File:1945 Aug Archimedes Patti, Vo Nguyen Giap.png|thumb|OSS officer [[Archimedes Patti]] standing with General [[Võ Nguyên Giáp]] at a parade held in honour of the American's contributions to the Viet Minh, 1945]]

As of the end of 1944, the Việt Minh claimed a membership of 500,000, of which 200,000 were in [[Tonkin (French protectorate)|Tonkin]], 150,000 in [[Annam (French protectorate)|Annam]], and 150,000 in [[French Cochinchina|Cochinchina]].<ref>''The [[Pentagon Papers]]'' (1971), Beacon Press, vol. 1, p. 45.</ref><ref name="United States. Department of Defense 1971 p.B4">{{cite book |author=United States. Department of Defense |title=United States-Vietnam Relations, 1945–1967: Study |publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office |issue=v. 10 |year=1971 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MHjOVH6k5BQC&pg=RA1-PA4 |access-date=2 January 2022 |page=B4 |archive-date=9 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240809184553/https://books.google.com/books?id=MHjOVH6k5BQC&pg=RA1-PA4#v=onepage&q&f=false |url-status=live }}</ref> After the [[Japanese coup d'état in French Indochina]], the Viet Minh and [[Indochinese Communist Party|ICP]] prolifically expanded their activities.  They formed national salvation associations (cuu quoc hoi) that, in Quảng Ngãi province alone, enlisted 100,000 peasants by mid-1945. This was backed by the [[Vanguard Youth (Vietnam)|Vanguard Youth (Thanh Nien Tien Phong)]] in Cochinchina, which expanded to 200,000 by early summer. In the northern provinces of [[Việt Bắc]], their armed forces seized control, after which they distributed lands to the poor, abolished the [[corvée]], established [[Vietnamese alphabet|quốc ngữ]] classes, local village [[Militia|militias]], and declared [[universal suffrage]] and democratic freedoms.<ref>Cima, R.J (1987). Vietnam: A Country Study. Federal Research Division, Library of Congress. p. 49.</ref>

Due to their opposition to the Japanese, the Việt Minh received funding from the United States, the [[Soviet Union]] and the [[Republic of China]].<ref name="Schmermund 2017 p. 32">{{cite book |last=Schmermund |first=E. |title=Minority Soldiers Fighting in the Vietnam War |publisher=Cavendish Square Publishing |series=Fighting for Their Country: Minorities at War |year=2017 |isbn=978-1-5026-2666-0 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BHhmDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA32 |access-date=2 January 2022 |page=32 |archive-date=9 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240809184518/https://books.google.com/books?id=BHhmDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA32#v=onepage&q&f=false |url-status=live }}</ref> After the [[August Revolution]]'s takeover of nationalist organizations and Emperor [[Bảo Đại]]'s abdication to the Việt Minh, [[Ho Chi Minh|Hồ Chí Minh]] [[Declaration of independence of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam|declared Vietnam's independence]] by proclaiming the establishment of the [[Democratic Republic of Vietnam]] on 2 September 1945.<ref name="Lawrence 2008 p. 26">{{cite book |last=Lawrence |first=Mark A. |title=The Vietnam War: A Concise International History |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=2008 |isbn=978-0-19-971812-2 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vvZoAgAAQBAJ |access-date=3 January 2022 |page=26 |archive-date=9 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240809184624/https://books.google.com/books?id=vvZoAgAAQBAJ |url-status=live }}</ref>{{ref label|VietMinh1|A}}

== First Indochina War ==
{{Main|War in Vietnam (1945–46)|First Indochina War}}[[File:Ba Dinh Square September 2nd, 1945.jpg|thumb|Ho Chi Minh declaring independence at Ba Dinh Square on 2 September 1945]]
Within days, the Chinese [[Kuomintang]] (Nationalist) Army arrived in Vietnam to supervise the repatriation of the [[Imperial Japanese Army]]. The Democratic Republic of Vietnam therefore existed only in theory and effectively controlled no territory. A few months later, the Chinese, Vietnamese and French came to a three-way understanding. The French gave up certain rights in China, the Việt Minh agreed to the return of the French in exchange for promises of independence within the [[French Union]], and the Chinese agreed to leave. Negotiations between the French and Việt Minh broke down quickly. What followed was nearly ten years of war against France. This was known as the [[First Indochina War]] or, to the Vietnamese; "the French War".

The Việt Minh, who were short on modern military knowledge, created a military school in [[Quảng Ngãi province]] in June 1946. More than 400 Vietnamese were trained by Japanese defectors in this school. These soldiers were considered to be students of the Japanese. Later, some of them fought as generals against the United States in the Vietnam War or, to the Vietnamese; "the American War". Young insurgents of the Việt Minh also received training in the use of modern firearms by some foreign volunteers, such as [[Stefan Kubiak]].<ref name="dantri">{{cite web|url=https://dantri.com.vn/xa-hoi/chuyen-ve-nguoi-linh-le-duong-mang-ho-bac-ho-1399178601.htm|title=Chuyện về người lính lê dương mang họ Bác Hồ|author=Hoàng Lam|date=2014-04-29|website=dantri.com.vn|publisher=Dân trí|access-date=2024-10-05}}</ref><ref name="naszahistoria">{{cite web|url=https://naszahistoria.pl/ho-chi-toan-jak-polski-dezerter-zostal-bohaterem-ludowego-wietnamu/ar/11916979|title=Ho Chi Toan. Jak polski dezerter został bohaterem ludowego Wietnamu|last=Rodak|first=Wojciech|date=2017-03-24|website=naszahistoria.pl|access-date=2024-10-05}}</ref>

French General [[Jean Étienne Valluy]] quickly pushed the Việt Minh out of [[Hanoi]]. His French infantry with armored units went through Hanoi, fighting small battles against isolated Việt Minh groups. The French encircled the Việt Minh base, [[Việt Bắc]], in 1947, but failed to defeat the Việt Minh forces, and had to retreat soon after. The campaign is now widely considered a Việt Minh victory over the well-equipped French force.

The Việt Minh continued fighting against the French until 1949, when the border of China and Vietnam was linked together as a result of the campaign called ''Chiến dịch Biên giới'' ("Borderland Campaign"). The newly communist [[People's Republic of China]] gave the Việt Minh both sheltered bases and heavy weapons with which to fight the French. With the additional weapons, the Việt Minh were able to take control over many rural areas of the country. Soon after that, they began to advance towards the French-occupied areas.

==Victory and dissolution==
On 7 March 1951, Viet Minh and National United League of Vietnam (''Hội Liên Việt'') merged to form the '''Vietnamese United Front''' ('''''Mặt trận Liên Việt''''').<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://mttq.tuyenquang.gov.vn/DetailView/24800/2/Hoi-thao-khoa-hoc-%E2%80%9CMat-tran-Lien-Viet-voi-cach-mang-Viet-Nam---bai-hoc-ve-phat-huy-suc-manh-dai-doan-ket-toan-dan-toc-trong-giai-doan-hien-nay%E2%80%9D..html |title=Hội thảo khoa học "Mặt trận Liên Việt với cách mạng Việt Nam – bài học về phát huy sức mạnh đại đoàn kết toàn dân tộc trong giai đoạn hiện nay". |website=mttq.tuyenquang.gov.vn |access-date=8 August 2024 |archive-date=8 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240808072946/http://mttq.tuyenquang.gov.vn/DetailView/24800/2/Hoi-thao-khoa-hoc-%E2%80%9CMat-tran-Lien-Viet-voi-cach-mang-Viet-Nam---bai-hoc-ve-phat-huy-suc-manh-dai-doan-ket-toan-dan-toc-trong-giai-doan-hien-nay%E2%80%9D..html |url-status=live }}</ref> Nonetheless, people continued to call the new front as Viet Minh.

Later the United Front changed into the current [[Vietnam Fatherland Front]] (''Mặt trận Tổ quốc Việt Nam'') on 10 September 1955.{{cn|date=January 2025}}

Following their defeat at the [[Battle of Dien Bien Phu|Battle of Điện Biên Phủ]], the French began negotiations to leave Vietnam. As a result of peace accords worked out at the [[Geneva Conference (1954)|Geneva Conference]] in [[Geneva]], Switzerland, Vietnam was divided into [[North Vietnam]] and [[South Vietnam]] at the [[17th parallel north|17th Parallel]] as a temporary measure until unifying elections could take place in 1956. Transfer of civil administration of North Vietnam to the Viet Minh was given on 11 October 1954. Ho Chi Minh was appointed [[Prime Minister of North Vietnam]], which would be run as a [[socialist state]]. [[Ngo Dinh Diem]], who was previously appointed Prime Minister of South Vietnam by Emperor [[Bảo Đại]], eventually assumed control of South Vietnam.
[[File:Đại đoàn quân ta từ các cửa ô tiến vào giải phóng Thủ đô (1946).jpg|thumb|Viet Minh troops on parade in Hanoi]]
The Geneva Accords promised elections in 1956 to determine a national government for a united Vietnam. Neither the United States government nor Ngô Đình Diệm's State of Vietnam signed anything at the 1954 Geneva Conference. With respect to the question of reunification, the non-communist Vietnamese delegation objected strenuously to any division of Vietnam, but lost out when the French accepted the proposal of Việt Minh delegate [[Phạm Văn Đồng]],<ref>''The [[Pentagon Papers]]'' (1971), Beacon Press, vol. 3, p. 134.</ref> who proposed that Vietnam eventually be united by elections under the supervision of "local commissions".<ref>''The [[Pentagon Papers]]'' (1971), Beacon Press, vol. 3, p. 119.</ref> The United States countered with what became known as the "American Plan", with the support of South Vietnam and the United Kingdom.<ref name="The Pentagon Papers 1971 p. 140">''The [[Pentagon Papers]]'' (1971), Beacon Press, vol. 3, p. 140.</ref> It provided for unification elections under the supervision of the [[United Nations]], but was rejected by the Soviet delegation.<ref name="The Pentagon Papers 1971 p. 140" /> From his home in France, Vietnamese Emperor [[Bảo Đại]] appointed Ngô Đình Diệm as [[Leaders of South Vietnam#Prime Ministers|Prime Minister of South Vietnam]]. With United States support in rigging the referendum of 1955 using secret [[Central Intelligence Agency]] (CIA) funding,<ref>Annie Jacobsen, "Surprise, Kill, Vanish: The Secret History of CIA Paramilitary Armies, Operators, and Assassins", (New York: Little, Brown and Company, 2019), p. 110</ref> Diệm removed the Emperor and declared himself the [[Leaders of South Vietnam|president]] of the [[South Vietnam|Republic of Vietnam]].

The United States believed Ho Chi Minh would win the nationwide election proposed at the Geneva Accords. In a secret memorandum, Director of CIA [[Allen Dulles]] acknowledged that "The evidence [shows] that a majority of the people of Vietnam supported the Viet Minh rebels."<ref>Annie Jacobsen, "Surprise, Kill, Vanish: The Secret History of CIA Paramilitary Armies, Operators, and Assassins," (New York: Little, Brown and Company, 2019), p. 109</ref> Diem refused to hold the elections by citing that the South had not signed and were not bound to the Geneva Accords and that it was impossible to hold free elections in the communist North.<ref>Keylor, William. ''"The 20th Century World and Beyond: An International History Since 1900,"'' p. 371, Oxford University Press: 2011.</ref> Vietnam wide elections never happened and Việt Minh cadres in South Vietnam launched an insurgency against the government. North Vietnam also occupied portions of Laos to assist in supplying the insurgents known as the [[Viet Cong|National Liberation Front]] (''Viet Cong'') in South Vietnam. The war gradually escalated into the [[Vietnam War|Second Indochina War]], more commonly known as the "Vietnam War" in the West and the "American War" in Vietnam.<ref>{{Cite web |title=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/asia_pac/05/vietnam_war/html/introduction.stm |access-date=14 May 2021 |website=BBC News |archive-date=14 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210514003325/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/asia_pac/05/vietnam_war/html/introduction.stm |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Influences on neighbouring countries ==
=== Khmer Việt Minh ===
{{main|Khmer Issarak|United Issarak Front}}{{See also|Kampuchean United Front for National Salvation|Cambodian People's Party}}
The Khmer Việt Minh were the 3,000 to 5,000 [[Communist Party of Kampuchea|Cambodian communist]] cadres, left-wing members of the [[Khmer Issarak]] movement regrouped in the [[United Issarak Front]] after 1950, most of whom lived in exile in North Vietnam after the [[Geneva Conference (1954)|1954 Geneva Conference]]. Khmer Issarak and United Issarak Front were under leadership of [[Son Ngoc Minh]], [[Tou Samouth]], Sieu Heng, etc. It was a derogatory term used by [[Norodom Sihanouk]], dismissing the Cambodian leftists who had been organizing pro-independence agitations in alliance with the Vietnamese.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/cambodia/kh_appnb.html |title=Library of Congress / Federal Research Division / Country Studies / Area Handbook Series / Cambodia / Appendix B |publisher=Lcweb2.loc.gov |access-date=4 January 2015 |archive-date=6 March 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090306190527/http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/cambodia/kh_appnb.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Sihanouk's public criticism and mockery of the Khmer Issarak had the damaging effect of increasing the power of the hardline, anti-Vietnamese, but also anti-monarchist, members of the [[Communist Party of Kampuchea]] (CPK), led by [[Pol Pot]].<ref name=kiernan227>Ben Kiernan. ''How Pol Pot came to power'', Yale University Press, 2004, p. 227</ref>

The Khmer Issarak and United Issarak Front were instrumental in the foundation of the [[Kampuchean United Front for National Salvation|Cambodian Salvation Front]] (FUNSK) in 1978. The FUNSK invaded Cambodia along with the [[People's Army of Vietnam|Vietnamese Army]] and overthrew the [[Democratic Kampuchea]] Pol Pot state. Many of the Khmer Việt Minh had married Vietnamese women during their long exile in Vietnam.<ref>Margaret Slocomb, ''The People's Republic of Kampuchea, 1979–1989: The revolution after Pol Pot'' {{ISBN|978-974-9575-34-5}}</ref>

=== Laotian Việt Minh ===
{{main|Lao Issara|Pathet Lao}}{{See also|Lao Front for National Development|Lao People's Revolutionary Party}}
[[Lao Issara]] (''Free Laos'') was a political and military organization of Laotian communists, led by [[Phetsarath]], [[Souphanouvong]], [[Kaysone Phomvihane]], [[Phoumi Vongvichit]]. Lao Issara received training and support from [[Việt Minh]]. Under French intervention, Lao Issara was split into non-communists and communists. Laotian non-communists under leadership of Pretsarath later established the [[Kingdom of Laos]] which was part of the [[French Union]].

However Laotian communists rejected the French offer and fought side by side with Vietnamese communists during the [[First Indochina War]]. In 1950, Lao Issara was renamed to [[Pathet Lao]] (''Laos Nation'') under leadership of [[Souphanouvong]], [[Kaysone Phomvihane]], [[Phoumi Vongvichit]], etc.

== See also ==
* [[Viet Cong]]
* [[Pathet Lao]]
* [[Khmer Issarak]]
* [[History of Vietnam]]
* [[August Revolution]]
* [[Communist Party of Vietnam]]
* [[History of the Communist Party of Vietnam]]

== Notes ==
:A.{{note label|VietMinh1|^}}While the Viet Minh was absorbed into "[[Lien Viet]]" at the end of World War II, which itself was absorbed in the "[[Lao Dong Party|Lao Dong (Communist Party of Vietnam)]]",<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Viet-Minh |title=Viet Min |encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica |date=11 February 2022 |access-date=12 February 2024 |archive-date=14 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181214220759/https://www.britannica.com/topic/Viet-Minh |url-status=live }}</ref> many sources refer to the military movement of the Vietnamese Communist Party as the "Viet Minh" till the establishment of the [[Democratic Republic of Vietnam]] after the defeat of the French.

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

== Further reading ==
* {{cite journal |author=Tran Ngoc Hung |title=The Role of the Indo-Chinese Communist Party in the Evolution of the Viet-Minh: 1945 to 1951 |journal=The Australian Quarterly |year=1954 |volume=26 |issue=3 |pages=87–98 |doi=10.2307/20633465 |jstor=20633465}}
* {{cite book |last1=Vu |first1=Tuong |year=2010 |chapter=Organizing Accommodation in Vietnam: Coalition Government, United Front, and Leninist Party |pages=131–156 |title=Paths to Development in Asia: South Korea, Vietnam, China, and Indonesia |publisher=Cambridge University Press |doi=10.1017/CBO9780511770876.006 |isbn=9780824892111 <!-- Deny Citation Bot-->}}

== External links ==
* [https://tulieuvankien.dangcongsan.vn/van-kien-tu-lieu-ve-dang/hoi-nghi-bch-trung-uong/khoa-i/chuong-trinh-viet-minh-665 Chương trình Việt Minh]
* [https://baotanglichsu.vn/vi/Articles/3096/19262/mat-tran-viet-minh-voi-cach-mang-viet-nam.html Mặt trận Việt Minh với cách mạng Việt Nam]

{{World War II}}
{{Vietnamese independence movement}}
{{Vietnamese political parties}}
{{Authority control}}

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