Presidents of Vietnam (1890–1969): From Colony to Ho Chi Minh

The period 1890–1969 spans French colonial rule and the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (North Vietnam). There was no single "President of Vietnam" for the whole era.

1890–1945: French Indochina

• No Vietnamese president. Governed by Governor-General of French Indochina (appointed by Paris).
• Key figures: Paul Doumer (1897–1902), Jean Decoux (1940–1945, Vichy).
• Vietnamese resistance: Phan Bội Châu, Phan Châu Trinh, Nguyễn Ái Quốc (later Ho Chi Minh).

1945–1954: Democratic Republic of Vietnam (DRV) — North

• Sept 2, 1945: Ho Chi Minh declares independence; becomes President (Chủ tịch) of DRV.
• 1946–1954: First Indochina War vs. France. Ho = President, Prime Minister, Party leader.
• 1954 Geneva Accords: Temporary partition at 17th parallel.

1954–1969: North Vietnam (DRV)

• Ho Chi Minh remains President until his death (Sept 2, 1969).
• Actual power shared with Lê Duẩn (Party General Secretary from 1960) and Phạm Văn Đồng (PM).
• Ho's role: Symbolic, diplomatic, moral authority; "Uncle Ho."

South Vietnam (Republic of Vietnam, 1955–1975)

• Presidents: Ngô Đình Diệm (1955–63), Nguyễn Văn Thiệu (1967–75), others briefly.
• Not recognized by DRV / communist bloc.

Answer to the Question

Ho Chi Minh was the first and only President of (North) Vietnam during 1945–1969. Before 1945, Vietnam had no president — it was a colony.