Birth of Vo Nguyen Giap
Birth of Vo Nguyen Giap in Quang Binh Province
Role range: 1911-2013
Historical biography archive · Updated 2026-11-03
Vo Nguyen Giap Biography and Timeline
Follow Vo Nguyen Giap through 75 dated historical records for Vietnam.
Vo Nguyen Giap, historical timeline
A chronological timeline drawn from matching World History Database records.
75Distinct records
1 of 2Page
1911–1954Years on this page
1911
1925
Political Activism Begins
Begins anti-colonial activity as a student in Hue
Role range: 1925-1930
1930
Arrested by French
Arrested for anti-colonial activity and imprisoned by French authorities
Role range: 1930-1931
1931
Released from Prison
Released from prison after serving part of his sentence
Role range: 1930-1931
1937
Revolutionary Journalism
Writes and organizes for anti-colonial nationalist causes
Role range: 1937-1939
1940
China Exile
Leaves Vietnam and joins Ho Chi Minh in revolutionary exile
Role range: 1940-1941
1941
Viet Minh Founded
Helps develop the Viet Minh movement after its formation
Role range: 1941-1944
Pac Bo Return
Returns near Pac Bo to help organize Viet Minh bases
Role range: 1941-1944
1942
Cao Bang Bases
Builds early guerrilla bases among upland communities
Role range: 1939-1945 – 1941-1944
1944
Viet Minh Army
Creates the armed nucleus that becomes the Vietnam People's Army
Role range: 1939-1945 – 1944-1945
Vietnam Propaganda Unit
Forms the Vietnam Propaganda Unit of Liberation Army
Role range: 1939-1945 – 1944-1945
Khai Phat Attack
Leads attack on Khai Phat soon after forming the armed propaganda unit
Role range: 1939-1945 – 1944-1945
Na Ngan Attack
Leads attack on Na Ngan as the new Viet Minh force wins early victories
Role range: 1939-1945 – 1944-1945
1945
Thai Nguyen Uprising
Commands Viet Minh forces during the August Revolution
Role range: 1939-1945 – 1944-1945
Minister of Interior
Joins the first revolutionary government as Minister of Interior
Role range: 1945-1946
1946
Commander in Chief Appointed
Appointed Commander in Chief of the Vietnamese armed forces
Role range: 1946-1975
Defence Minister Appointed
Appointed Minister of National Defence in the Democratic Republic of Vietnam
Role range: 1946-1947
Battle of Hanoi
Directs resistance as war with France begins in Hanoi
Role range: 1946-1954 – 1946-1975
1947
Operation Lea Resistance
Resists French Operation Lea against the Viet Bac base area
Role range: 1946-1954 – 1946-1975
1948
Defence Ministry Returns
Returns as Minister of National Defence for a long 2nd term
Role range: 1948-1980
Promoted General
Promoted to General and becomes the first full general of the Vietnam People's Army
Role range: 1948-2013
1949
General Offensive Call
Calls for intensified operations against French-backed Bao Dai forces
Role range: 1946-1954 – 1946-1975
1950
Le Hong Phong II
Launches the Border Campaign against French positions near Dong Khe
Role range: 1946-1954 – 1946-1975
Siege of Dong Khe
Viet Minh assault Dong Khe during the Border Campaign
Role range: 1946-1954 – 1946-1975
Cao Bang Evacuation
French forces evacuate Cao Bang during the Border Campaign
Role range: 1946-1954 – 1946-1975
Border Campaign Victory
Border Campaign opens supply routes to China and weakens French positions
Role range: 1946-1954 – 1946-1975
1951
Battle of Vinh Yen
Launches attacks near Vinh Yen against French mobile forces
Role range: 1946-1954 – 1946-1975
Politburo Membership
Becomes a senior party leader during the Second Party Congress period
Role range: 1951-1982
Battle of Mao Khe
Attacks French defenses around Mao Khe
Role range: 1946-1954 – 1946-1975
Battle of Day River
Conducts attacks along the Day River against French positions
Role range: 1946-1954 – 1946-1975
1952
Battle of Hoa Binh
Compels the French to withdraw from Hoa Binh southwest of Hanoi
Role range: 1946-1954 – 1946-1975
Northwest Campaign
Begins the Northwest Campaign against French posts
Role range: 1946-1954 – 1946-1975
Nghia Lo Captured
Viet Minh capture Nghia Lo during the Northwest Campaign
Role range: 1946-1954 – 1946-1975
Na San Battle
Attacks the French fortified camp at Na San
Role range: 1946-1954 – 1946-1975
1953
Upper Laos Campaign
Giap directs Viet Minh forces into northern Laos
Role range: 1946-1954 – 1946-1975
Dien Bien Phu Decision
Plans major operations against the French base at Dien Bien Phu
Role range: 1946-1954 – 1946-1975
1954
Assault Postponed
Postpones a quick assault and shifts to a siege strategy
Role range: 1946-1954 – 1946-1975
Artillery Emplaced
Positions artillery around the French base before the final siege
Role range: 1946-1954 – 1946-1975
Battle of Dien Bien Phu
Battle begins with a heavy Viet Minh artillery bombardment
Role range: 1946-1954 – 1946-1975
Battle of Dien Bien Phu
Viet Minh capture the Beatrice strongpoint
Role range: 1946-1954 – 1946-1975
Records, sources and methodology
These dates and descriptions come from the historical_events database. Exact duplicate records have been collapsed. Names are grouped by the country, Name 2 and Name 1 fields; records with missing Name 2 cannot be reliably assigned to an individual biography. Check the underlying sources before formal citation.