Question: when did the french enter vietnam what was their interest

title: France–Vietnam relations
text: French -- Vietnamese relations started as early as the 17th century with the mission of the Jesuit father Alexandre de Rhodes . Various traders would visit Vietnam during the 18th century , until the major involvement of French forces under Pigneau de Béhaine from 1787 to 1789 helped establish the Nguyễn Dynasty . France was heavily involved in Vietnam in the 19th century under the pretext of protecting the work of Catholic missionaries in the country . France progressively carved for itself a huge colony , which would form French Indochina in 1887 . France continued to rule Vietnam as a colony until France 's defeat in the First Indochina War and the proclamation of Vietnam 's independence in 1954 . 

Answer: answer: French - Vietnamese relations started as early as the 17th century with the mission of the Jesuit father Alexandre de Rhodes. France was heavily involved in Vietnam in the 19th century under the pretext of protecting the work of Catholic missionaries in the country. France ruled Vietnam as a colony until France's defeat in the First Indochina War and the proclamation of Vietnam's independence in 1954.
answer: France was heavily involved in Vietnam in the 19th century under the pretext of protecting the work of Catholic missionaries in the country. France progressively carved for itself a huge colony, which would form French Indochina in 1887 .