> But this ignores that there were many competing factions in 1945, all vying for power in an independent Vietnam - VNQDD, Dai Viet, Revolutionary party, etc.

> But this ignores that there were many competing factions in 1945, all vying for power in an independent Vietnam - VNQDD, Dai Viet, Revolutionary party, etc. You're leaving out France. At Potsdam, Vietnam was to be partitioned but France asked for and got her colony back.