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In 1949, the French appointed Bảo Đại as head of state of the State of Vietnam, an associated state in the French Union, which meant limited autonomy under the French umbrella. Hoàn's Đại Việt initially cooperated with Bảo Đại, hoping Vietnam would move towards increased autonomy and eventual independence. Hoàn was Minister of Youth and Sports in two early cabinets of Bảo Đại, and he introduced ping pong to Vietnam. In contrast, Diệm angrily denounced the State of Vietnam as a French sham and refused to help Bảo Đại, ending the Vietnam National Alliance. However, Hoàn concluded the State of Vietnam would not lead to lasting change, so he and the Đại Việt withdrew.