Võ Nguyên Giáp , the military Military_operation leader of the Việt Minh , launched Process_start an offensive Attack against the French in early 1950 .

The conflict pitted a range of forces , including the French Union 's French Far East Expeditionary Corps , led by France and supported Supporting by Bảo Đại 's Vietnamese National Army against the Việt Minh , led by Hồ Chí Minh and the People 's Army of Vietnam led by Võ Nguyên Giáp .

Võ Nguyên Giáp , however , used Using efficient and novel tactics of direct fire artillery , convoy Patrolling ambushes and massed anti-aircraft guns to impede land and air supply Supply deliveries together with a strategy based on recruiting a sizable regular army facilitated Cause_to_make_progress by wide popular support Supporting , a guerrilla warfare doctrine and instruction developed Coming_to_be in China , and the use Using of simple and reliable war material provided Supply by the Soviet Union .

From then on , the French focused Aiming on creating Creating strong fortified positions , against which Viet Minh General Giáp could pit his forces , culminating in Operation Castor and the Battle of Dien Bien Phu .