Ho Chi Minh City Bảo Đại made Saigon the capital of the State of Vietnam in 1949 with himself as head of state. In 1954, the Geneva Agreement partitioned Vietnam along the 17th parallel (Bến Hải River), with the communist Việt Minh, under Ho Chi Minh, gaining complete control of the northern half of the country, while the Saigon government continued to govern the State of Vietnam which continued in the southern half of the country and the southern half gaining independence from France. The State officially became the Republic of Vietnam when Bảo Đại was deposed by his Prime Minister Ngô Đình Diệm
1954 International Cross Country Championships 2 countries. 1954 International Cross Country Championships The 1954 International Cross Country Championships was held in Birmingham, England, at the Bromford Bridge Racecourse on 27 March 1954. In addition, an unofficial women's championship was held one week earlier at the same place on 20 March 1954. A preview on the men's event, a report on the men's results as well as the women's results was given in the Glasgow Herald. Complete results for men, and for women (unofficial), medallists, An unofficial count yields the participation of 62 athletes from 7 countries. An unofficial count yields the participation of 12 female