Binh Xuyen

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Revision as of 13:45, 22 September 2008 by imported>Howard C. Berkowitz (New page: The '''Binh Xuyen''' were originally an alliance of bandits and river pirates in French Indochina, but entered politics in 1944. Le Van Vien, called "general", headed the organization. Af...)
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The Binh Xuyen were originally an alliance of bandits and river pirates in French Indochina, but entered politics in 1944. Le Van Vien, called "general", headed the organization. After the fall 1945 rebellion in Saigon, Vien commanded the Saigon area troops, and briefly allied with the Viet Minh in anti-French activities.

Vien, no longer trusted by his original base, joined with the Cao Dai and Ho Hao in support of Bao Dai as head of the emerging Vietnamese state, in 1947. At that point, he agreed to help hunt down the Viet Minh. For four years, he was Bao Dai's financial partner and a casino owner.

In 1955, the Binh Xuyen attacked Diem's Presidential Palace, and eventually broke up after seven months of warfare. Vien fled to enjoy his fortune.

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