The ‘Special’ Laos-Vietnam Relationship

The relationship between the Lao People’s Democratic Republic and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is officially considered a ‘special’ one by both states. This is mainly due to the legacy of the joint anti-imperialist struggle during the Indochina Wars and the revolutionary solidarity of the two countries’ ruling communist parties. This chapter traces the evolution of this ‘special relationship,’ from the early Vietnamese anti-colonial agitators in Laos to the 1977 Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation. Throughout this period, and ever since, the two governments cultivated close political, ideological and economic ties. Even though China has become a significant power in the region, the relationship between Vietnam and Laos remains a key factor for understanding Lao political structures, cadre education and state commemoration.