How did the war begin in Vietnam?

Answer 1

Communist aggression was the cause. The Vietnam War commenced in two phases:

1. Phase I-Infilitration into South Vietnam combined with a communist insurgency, VC forces living in South Vietnam...a guerrilla war.

2. Phase II-The Tonkin Gulf Incident, an actual naval engagement between the North Vietnamese Navy (Torpedo Boats) and the US Navy (Destroyer(s)) on 02 August 1964, then a "Tonkin Ghost" incident on 04 August 1964.

Phase II turned the war into a conventional Vietnam War, consisting of open warfare between Hanoi (N. Vietnam) & Washington (US).

Answer 2

FDR was aware of Ho Chi Minh and his desire for Viet-Nam for freedom after WWII. However, FDR did not keep Truman well informed so when he had a choice to back France or Ho Chi Minh. So we backed the French when hostilities began in the 50's we sided with the French. He could have worked for the U.S. but instead he was forced to seek help from the Soviet Union and China. Ho Chi Minh played both countries against each other to try and achieve his goal of independence of Viet-Nam