International Communist League (Vietnam)

The International Communist League (Vietnam) was a Trotskyist political group that existed in Vietnam during the 1930s. Emerging from the early Indochinese communist movement, it distinguished itself from the Indochinese Communist Party (ICP) under Ho Chi Minh by adhering to the principles of Leon Trotsky's Fourth International.

The ICL(V) was highly critical of the Stalinist policies of the Comintern and the ICP's close adherence to them. They advocated for a more independent Vietnamese revolution, emphasizing the need for a proletarian-led struggle against both French colonialism and indigenous capitalist elements. Key differences with the ICP revolved around the nature of the Vietnamese revolution; the ICL(V) favored a perspective of permanent revolution, while the ICP focused more on a stage-based approach involving alliances with national bourgeois elements to achieve national independence before a socialist transformation.

The organization's activities were severely hampered by French colonial repression and the political dominance of the ICP. Internal divisions and factionalism also plagued the group, limiting its influence. Many members were arrested, imprisoned, or killed by French authorities or rival political factions.

While the International Communist League (Vietnam) did not achieve significant political power, it played a role in introducing Trotskyist ideas to Vietnam and contributing to the broader debates within the Vietnamese revolutionary movement. Its history offers insights into the complexities and diverse ideological currents present during the struggle for Vietnamese independence. After the August Revolution and subsequent establishment of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, the remaining members of the ICL(V) were largely suppressed by the ruling ICP.