The Japanese had invaded Vietnam in 1940 – although the Vichy French had partly collaborated. This was a betrayal of a former British ally. Vietnam had been split down the 16th Parallel during the Potsdam Conference during WWII – with Nationalist Chinese troops occupying North Vietnam and the British Army occupying South Vietnam. The French retook the South and when the Nationalist Chinese lost in the Mainland – these troops withdrew leaving the Viet Minh in-charge of the North. The French invaded to the north of the 16th Parallel in 1954 – forcing a battle at Bien Dien Phu with the Viet Minh – which the French lost suffering a humiliating defeat. The UN officially recognised “North Vietnam” – whilst the US occupied South Vietnam – effectively beginning the Vietnam War (which the Americans would lose by 1973 – and its fabricated “South Vietnam” being militarily defeated in 1975). The Viet Minh in the North became the (regular) “North Vietnamese Army” (NVA) – whilst the South Viet Minh (living under the tyranny of the US and Catholic Church) became the (guerrilla) “Viet Cong”. With the liberation of Vietnam – the Laotian people secured their freedom.
SANGHA KOMMUNE (SSR) 