In The Second World War, as the only force of strength opposing the Japanese in Vietnam, the Vietminh received support from the American OSS (Office of Strategic Services), rescuing downed pilots and providing intelligence information in return. The Vietnamese fully expected American support even after the war. However this didn't happen. Instead, when France undertook steps to regain control over Vietnam, the US was more interested in maintaining good relations with the anti-Communist French forces than supporting self-determination in Vietnam. .
In November 23 1946 the French bombed Haiphong and killed 6,000 Vietnamese. The Vietminh retaliated with attacks against the French in Hanoi. These events marked the beginning of the war that lasted until 1954. By 1947, the increase in popularity of Ho Chi Minh throughout Vietnam convinced the French that they would not defeat the Vietminh by military means alone, so they attempted to establish a competing Vietnamese regime. They chose Emperor Bao Dai who was associated with them, and everyone who opposed him was labelled a "communist." .
It wasn't until 1949 when the communists took over China that the US showed more interest in Indochina. It had become indirectly involved in the conflict by paying for much of the cost of fighting the war, but now started becoming more directly involved. Paris was successful in its endeavor to convince the US that the campaign in Vietnam helped sustain the US policy of "containing the Chinese'. In 1952, the US exerted pressure on France to reject peace feelers extended by the Vietminh. They did not want any end to the war which would leave the Vietminh in power. France's position in Vietnam was described to the American public in terms of the Free World stance against communist expansionism. When Ho requested diplomatic recognition from Peking and Moscow, the Cold War officially entered the dispute. Linked to the Cold War, Vietnam became an area of strategic importance.
