The main leader behind the Vietnamese independence movement was Ho Chi Minh. He played a crucial role in advocating for Vietnamese nationalism and independence from French colonial rule. Ho Chi Minh founded the Viet Minh, a communist-led organization that sought liberation for Vietnam. His leadership during the struggle against colonialism and later against the United States in the Vietnam War significantly influenced the country’s path towards unification. Ho Chi Minh's vision for an independent Vietnam blended Marxist-Leninist principles with nationalist goals, making him a pivotal figure in the 20th-century history of Vietnam.