The ruling dynasty of Vietnam, the Nguyen dynasty, were allowed to continue reigning nominally as heads of state under French supervision until March 1945 when the last Nguyen emperor, Bao Dai, joined the Japanese forces overthrew the Vichy France regime and became Emperor of nominally independent Japanese puppet state Empire of Vietnam, and the abolition of French Indochina. It ended with Bảo Đại's resignation as an emperor following the surrender of Japan and August Revolution by the anti-colonial communist Việt Minh in August 1945. Ho Chi Minh seized power and formed Democratic Republic of Vietnam (DRV, 1945–1976), while Bảo Đại was invited by the French and became leader of State of Vietnam (SoV, 1949–1955), and finally was overthrown by his prime minister Ngo Dinh Diem, founder of Republic of Vietnam (RV, 1955–1975).