Ho Chi Minh was a political leader who spearheaded the communist movement in Vietnam. He spent some time in the U.S, the U.K, China, Russia, and France. He lead North Vietnam before eventually deciding to invade South Vietnam. His legacy is still celebrated today. In 1930, he helped found the Indochinese Communist Party, and in 1941 he created the Viet Minh. The Viet Minh was a nationalist movement that fought against Japanese occupation and French colonial control during World War II. After Japan surrendered in 1945, Ho Chi Minh declared Vietnam independent and became the president of a new North Vietnam. France tried to regain control, leading to the First "Indochina" War. His forces eventually defeated the French at the Battle of Dien Bien Phu in 1954. Vietnam was then divided into communist North Vietnam and anti-communist South Vietnam. He later became one of the central figures of the Vietnam War, as North Vietnam fought against South Vietnam and the United States. He died in 1969 before the war ended, and North Vietnam ultimately won in 1975 with the country reunified under communist rule. Vietnam’s largest city, formerly Saigon, was renamed Ho Chi Minh City in his honor. Many modern Vietnamese view him as the father of modern Vietnam, while others criticize the authoritarian aspects of the communist government he helped establish.