The Indochina war began in December of 1946 and ended in August of 1954. This war started as a result of a few things, one of which being the surrendering of the Japanese in August 1945, this left Vietnam without any national government. Because Vietnam had no national government, both the Viet Minh (one of many Vietnamese groups) and the French colonial forces fought for control over Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh, a revolutionary, military strategist fought to declare independence of Vietnam as soon as Japan had surrendered, but he was fought against and undermined by the Chinese and British troops that wanted Vietnam for their own. As both the Chinese and the British didn't want to see Vietnam in the hands of the “Red Bandits” they agreed to let the French regain control of Vietnam. To begin this transition the French began bombarding the port city of Haiphong. The Viet Minh retaliated in both the port city and the Hanoi. By mid-December, both sides were openly at war with each other.
Despite the fact of the Viet Minh having a larger military force, they were largely outnumbered when it came to actual weapons. On top of the weapon shortage, the military force really had very little actual military qualifications or experience. The army general of the Viet Minh was named Giap, he was educated in history and politics. Giap was a history teacher for many years before his time in the military force. During the war when it seemed that there was no hope, Giap used his study of war and tactics to try to come out on top. Giap made us of the French militaries weaknesses and exploited them. The Viet Minh knew they couldn't withstand the French for long, and decided to take refuge in the jungle, countryside, and mountainous regions. This move gave the Viet Minh the time and place to train to win the war. Meanwhile, the Viet Minh cadre moved through the cities building support, this would create a bigger barrier between the French and the Viet Minh. Not only would the cities keep the military secrets but would also supply food and shelter if needed.
The main tactics of the Viet Minh were to prolong the war while inflicting as many casualties on the French as was possible, making the french unpopular and weak. The French feeling defeated decided to go a more political than military route. Paris, the general of the French decided to create another government form in Vietnam. This government offered large sums of money and support
to any Vietnamese citizen in return for their support. Though this tactic worked for a while the Viet Minh began to see their disposition and stretched outwards toward Laos, a neighboring colony. This was the end of the first Indo China war and was closely followed by the Battle of Dien Bien Phu.
Despite the fact of the Viet Minh having a larger military force, they were largely outnumbered when it came to actual weapons. On top of the weapon shortage, the military force really had very little actual military qualifications or experience. The army general of the Viet Minh was named Giap, he was educated in history and politics. Giap was a history teacher for many years before his time in the military force. During the war when it seemed that there was no hope, Giap used his study of war and tactics to try to come out on top. Giap made us of the French militaries weaknesses and exploited them. The Viet Minh knew they couldn't withstand the French for long, and decided to take refuge in the jungle, countryside, and mountainous regions. This move gave the Viet Minh the time and place to train to win the war. Meanwhile, the Viet Minh cadre moved through the cities building support, this would create a bigger barrier between the French and the Viet Minh. Not only would the cities keep the military secrets but would also supply food and shelter if needed.
The main tactics of the Viet Minh were to prolong the war while inflicting as many casualties on the French as was possible, making the french unpopular and weak. The French feeling defeated decided to go a more political than military route. Paris, the general of the French decided to create another government form in Vietnam. This government offered large sums of money and support
to any Vietnamese citizen in return for their support. Though this tactic worked for a while the Viet Minh began to see their disposition and stretched outwards toward Laos, a neighboring colony. This was the end of the first Indo China war and was closely followed by the Battle of Dien Bien Phu.
Sources
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Indochina_War
https://www.britannica.com/event/First-Indochina-War
http://www.coldwar.org/articles/40s/FirstIndochinaWar.asp
https://www.britannica.com/event/First-Indochina-War
http://www.coldwar.org/articles/40s/FirstIndochinaWar.asp