I don't know about the CIA. What I did learn was that Ho had been making overtures to the US ever since the end of WWI. During WWII he even lent unofficial help to the Flying Tigers and other American forces operating in the area. Apparently he had a gentleman's agreement with some US General who failed to keep his end of the bargain after the war.

After WWII the imperialist Allies were supposed to give up their overseas posessions. England gave up the middle east, including what is now Iraq. The US could rightly have sponsored the formation of an independant Vietnam. Ho sought help from the Soviets, who listened to him after the US did not, and began to liberate Vietnam.

All the US had needed to do was to keep its promises and use a little diplomacy. But instead, the GOP leadership decided that their technology would make quick work of Ho. The rest is history.