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January
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6th
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Elections for the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (DRV) National Assembly held throughout
Tonkin and Annam and covertly in Cochin-china
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7th
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Franco-Cambodian Modus Vivendi signed, giving Cambodia autonomy within the French
Union
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28th
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British General Douglas Gracey departs from Saigon
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February
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28th
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Sino-French agreement signed at Chungking provides for the withdrawal of Chinese
troops from northern Indochina
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March
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2nd
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The first session of the DRV National Assembly elects
Ho Chi Minh as president and asks him to form a government
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4th
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Lord Mountbatten deactivates Indochina as a territory under Allied Southeast Asia
Command and transfers all control to the French authorities
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6th
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Ho Chi Minh signs a preliminary agreement with the French in Hanoi, which states
that:
- The French government recognizes DRV as a free state, having its
own government, parliament, army and treasury belonging to the Indo-Chinese Federation
and to the French Union.
The French government agrees to carry out a referendum on the question of the reunification
of the three "ky" (Tonkin, Annam and Cochin-China)
- The government of Vietnam declares itself ready to accept amicably
the French army when, in conformance with international agreements, it relives the
Chinese Forces.
- Each of the parties will take all necessary measures to stop hostilities
immediately, to keep military forces in their respective positions and to create
the favourable climate necessary to the immediate opening of friendly and frank
negotiations.
Read the complete March 6th agreement
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7th
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Ho Chi Minh and General Vo Nguyen Giap
defend the March 6th Accord before a crowd of
100,000 in Hanoi
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8th
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French troops land in Haiphong, the chief port in Tonkin
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18th
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French troops enter Hanoi
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29th
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Dr. Phat, member of the Cochin-China Consultative Council, is assassinated by members
of the Viet Minh
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May
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3rd
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Dr. Thach, member of the Cochin-China Consultative Council, is assassinated
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June
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1st
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French announce the formation of an independent Cochin-China within the Indochina
Federation and the French Union
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10th
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Chinese troops complete their withdrawal from Hanoi
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July
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6th
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Franco-Viet Nam conference opens at Fontainebleau, near Paris. Phan Van Dong protests
against the creation of the independent state of Cochin China and accuses the French
authorities of having violated the accords of March 6
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August
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1st
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Vietnam delegation suspend negotiations at Fontainebleau after discovering that
the French are convening a conference at Da Lat in southern Annam
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6th
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With the DRV leadership at Fontainebleau the French High Commissioner organises
a conference at Da Lat to study the status of the Indochina Federation within the
French Union. Representatives are invited from Cambodia, Laos, Cochin-China and
South Annam
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14th
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Da Lat conference closes with the recommendation being to create a federal Assembly
of States
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27th
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Franco-Laotian Modus Vivendi signed, giving Laos autonomy within the French Union
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September
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10th
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Fontainebleau conference ends after the parties fail to reach an agreement on Cochin-China
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14th
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Prior to leaving Paris, Ho Chi Minh signs a Franco – Vietnam
Modus Vivendi:
- Reciprocal rights for citizens
- Reciprocal property rights and the restoration of all seized French property in
Vietnam
- Indochina Piastre tied to the Franc
- Establishment of a customs union and free trade within the Indochina Federation
- To restore public order in Cochin-China:
a) All fighting to cease
b) All political / military prisoners to be released except those accused of common
crimes
c) All unfriendly propaganda to cease
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November
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French forces take control of the Haiphong customs office enabling them to both
collect import taxes and prevent Chinese weapon shipments from reaching the
Viet Minh.
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8th
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The National Assembly ratifies the new constitution of the DRV
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20th
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French patrol boat seizes a Chinese junk carrying contraband gasoline destined for
the Viet Minh. Viet Minh militia fire on the French craft as it nears the harbor
- the resulting fire fight spreads throughout Haiphong before a cease fire is reached.
Viet Minh forces also attack a French detachment at Langson
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23rd
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French Colonel Debes issue an ultimatum ordering the Viet Minh to lay down their
arms and to evacuate the Chinese quarter of Haiphong. When they refuse, French forces
shell the area before committing ground troops. Fierce fighting continues for several
days, resulting in 200 to 3,000 Vietnamese deaths.
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29th
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French state they have "positive proof that Ho Chi Minh is in direct contact with
Moscow and is receiving advice and instructions from the Soviets"
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30th
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Hanoi embassy reports that the Vietnamese Government has partly evacuated the city
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December
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19th
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War breaks out after Viet Minh agents destroy the Hanoi power plant and attack French
civilians. French forces respond by driving Viet Minh guerrillas out of Hanoi
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