In Hanoi, a French couple who had come to adopt a baby met Maï, an old woman who had a love affair with a French officer in 1945. She tells how, sent by de Gaulle to restore order, Leclerc negotiates with Ho Chi Minh, against the advice of d'Argenlieu, the high commissioner.
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
 Bernard GiraudeauGeneral Leclerc | General Leclerc |
 Roger PlanchonAdmiral Argenlieu | Admiral Argenlieu |
 Tiến HợiHồ Chí Minh | Hồ Chí Minh |
 Philippe DemarlePierre de Lafargue | Pierre de Lafargue |
 Lucie PhanMaï (young) | Maï (young) |
 Ngoc ThoaMaï (elderly) | Maï (elderly) |
 Ann-Gisel GlassAnne | Anne |
 Pierre-Loup RajotPierre | Pierre |
 Philippe FretunJosé | José |
| FFlaminio CorcosJacques | Jacques |
| PPhilippe BlancherJean Santeny | Jean Santeny |
 Charlie NelsonLieutenant Colonel Massu | Lieutenant Colonel Massu |
| TTony LibrizziGeneral Salan | General Salan |
| BBob CouttieNaval officer | Naval officer |
 Trịnh Mai NguyênVõ Nguyên Giáp | Võ Nguyên Giáp |