Question

Why did the United States back the French in their fight against Ho Chi Minh?

Answer 1

The US was certainly anticommunist and certainly a French ally but it is described in Bernard Fall's "Hell in a Very Small Place" as a gradual process.

Explanation:

The Americans were concerned that French Indochina (Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam) would become falling Dominos to communism after recent events in China and North Korea.

The French became increasing overstretched and desperate for assistance. The Americans were keen for the French to stand on their own and gave significant assistance but it was a frustrating and
difficult process.

Eventually the U.S. was sucked in and French abandoned the area.

Bernard Fall was a supporter of and commentator on the War.