A significant tactic employed to withdraw French forces from Vietnam involved a combination of military and political strategies, primarily revolving around the increasing strength and organization of the Viet Minh, a nationalist and communist-led movement.
One of the key events was the Battle of Dien Bien Phu, which took place from March to May 1954. The Viet Minh, under the leadership of General Vo Nguyen Giap, laid siege to the French garrison in Dien Bien Phu, utilizing well-planned logistical and guerrilla tactics. They managed to surround the French forces and cut off their supply lines, leading to a decisive victory for the Viet Minh. This battle highlighted the vulnerabilities of the French military and contributed significantly to the loss of support for the French colonial presence in Vietnam.
Politically, the struggle for independence in Vietnam gained international attention, and the subsequent Geneva Conference in 1954 resulted in the Geneva Accords, which temporarily divided Vietnam at the 17th parallel and called for general elections. These events galvanized anti-colonial sentiments and ultimately led to the withdrawal of French forces from Vietnam. The combination of military defeat and political pressure was instrumental in ending French colonial rule in the region.