In 1942, he passed the entry exam for the St Cyr/St Maixent Military Academy organized in Tong, Indochina.

During this period, he participated in operations in Central and North Vietnam, most notably in Cha Pa. After the Japanese coup of 9 March 1945, he accompanied General Alessandri's troops in the retreat to China.

Minh was named Directeur des Etudes (Chánh Sở Nghiên Cứu – Director of Intelligence) for the Governor of North Vietnam, Nghiêm Xuân Thiện.

In 1960, President Ngô Đình Diệm named him Inspector General the National Defense, a post he held until 1963.

The last position he held was Ambassador of the Republic of Vietnam to Tunis, Tunisia from 1971 until 30 April 1975, when Saigon fell.