Ho Chi Minh

Ho Chi Minh (Nguyen Van Thanh; 1890–1969), president of North Vietnam (1954–69). From 1911 to 1941 he lived in England, France, the USSR, and China. He helped found the French Communist Party and, later, founded the Vietnamese Communist Party. In 1941 he returned to Vietnam and organized an independence movement, the Viet Minh, that fought against the Japanese in World War II and then against the restored French colonial government. After the decisive Viet Minh victory over the French at Dien Bien Phu in 1954, Vietnam was temporarily divided at the 17th parallel, and Ho became president of North Vietnam. South Vietnam's refusal to hold national elections led to the Vietnam War, during which Ho and his military commander, Gen. Vo Nguyen Giap, proved resolute and tenacious war leaders. In failing health, Ho lived to see the Tet offensive of 1968 and the start of peace negotiations that led ultimately to North Vietnamese victory.

See also: Vietnam War.