The Past > Viengxay from 1973 to 1975

What happened in Viengxay after the ceasefire?

The beginning of the end of the war

Despite the millions of tons of bombs dropped on Laos, the Pathet Lao military and political influence directed from Viengxay continued to spread, and most of the country except the towns of the Mekong valley was under their control by the start of the 1970s. Across Indochina the US army was unable to defeat the nationalist movements on their home ground, and the US government faced increasing opposition from their own citizens to the war being fought so far away.

The alliances in place over the years of the conflict meant that peace in Laos was dependent on peace in Vietnam; in January 1973 a ceasefire was signed between Vietnam and the USA, and in February the ceasefire that would bring peace to Viengxay was signed between the Royal Lao Government and the Pathet Lao.

But despite their relief and happiness at the end of the bombing raids, when peace was declared many people in Viengxay could not forget what they had lived through.

Viengxay - City of Victory

The name 'Viengxay' was only used from 1970. Before that, the area was called 'ket piiset' in Lao: 'special zone'. Viengxay means 'City of victory', and it was also the code name used in secret communications for Kaysone Phomvihane.

Building the town of Viengxay started in 1973, with Vietnamese help, when it was safe to leave the caves. The wide roads, pavements and street lighting were very unusual in the rural areas and even today they stand as evidence of the importance of Viengxay as the capital of the liberated zone.

Independence and peace: establishment of the Lao PDR

In 1974 and 1975, although a coalition Government of National Unity that included Pathet Lao cabinet members was in place, ground fighting and political unrest continued

On 2 December 1975 the Lao People's Democratic Republic was established, the King abdicated and the Pathet Lao moved into government. Kaysone Phomvihane, Secretary General of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, became the new state's first Prime Minister and Prince Souphannouvong the republic's first President.

December the 2nd is now celebrated every year as National Day, the day on which Laos achieved full independence.

Viengxay becomes quiet again

From the time of the ceasefire signing in 1973, some of the political leadership and staff of the departments had started to move to Vientiane. After the Lao PDR was established with Vientiane as its capital, most of the organisation moved there during 1976. Viengxay was no longer the command centre of a revolution.

By the late 1970s, the caves were emptied and the quiet life of the countryside returned. But the experiences of the people who had lived there, whether they remained in Houaphanh or moved to Vientiane or elsewhere, remains a major part of their lives. The Voices of Viengxay Oral History project was established to record memories of Viengxay during the war.

» Listen to Voices of Viengxay extracts from the Audio Tour of the caves