What country surrendered to the Vietminh during the siege of Dien Bien Phu?

1 Answer
Apr 17, 2017

The French. Much of Laos was under Vietminh control during the battle. The consequence of the Battle was the creation of North Vietnam and the actual independence of Laos and Cambodia.

Explanation:

All Vietnam was goal of the Vietminh. They were in control of much of the Red River valley in North Vietnam. The Geneva Accords only awarded them North Vietnam. South Vietnam held out until 1975.

Laos was technically independent although a French Colony but the Vietminh controlled many rural areas at a grassroots level. A variety of tribal minorities were fighting the Vietminh with the French. The base at Dien Bien Phu was created to take the fight to the Vietminh in Laos.

As prelude to the battle the French asked the various fighting elements from Luang Prabang and other areas to retreat to Dien Bien Phu as part of a rallying of local forces. Very few made it as strong Vietminh local forces hunted them down.

Laos remained a Monarchy for some time after.

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