The North Laos Vanguard Division comprising of 14 Vietnamese and Lao official was based in 1948 in Phieng Sa, now Lao Kho village. For the next year, leader of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party Kaysone Phomvihane was arranged to stay in Mr. Trang Lao Kho’s house. Mr. Phomvihane and other Lao revolutionists were secretly sheltered by the local Mong people in carrying out their activities.

Mr. Trang Lao Lu, son of Mr. Lao Kho, still keeps items including a bronze pot and a corn mill that his father, the Lao Party leader and Vietnamese and Lao revolutionists used during those years. At that time, Mr. Lu was only 7 years old. He recalls: “It was a very difficult period. We were surrounded by forests. Enemies from Xieng Kho in Laos and Yen Chau district came here but they could not find the revolutionary activists. Lao Kho villagers protected Mr. Kaysone and members of the North Lao Vanguard Division. My brother successfully safeguarded President Kayson Phomvihane.”

Mr. Kaysone was adopted by Mr. Trang Lao Kho’s family. Phieng Sa or Lao Kho village in Phieng Khoai commune, Yen Chau district became a revolutionary base for activists to prepare for revolutionary events in Laos between 1948 and 1950. During those difficult days, local people offered food and even money to help the Lao revolutionists buy weapons. Mr. Lao Kho took them to the forest for work and each day brought them food, Mr. Trang Lao Lu recalls: “At that time, Mr. Kaysone sent a liason officer to talk to my father. Then my father gave him 30 dong to buy guns. Mr. Kaysone bought a gun and 30 bullets, sent a receipt to my father, and thanked our family for helping the Lao revolutionists. “

The Lao revolution was successful. The special friendship between the two countries has since been fostered by the two peoples.   Lao Kho village has developed and become a meeting place to honor the Vietnam-Laos special friendship. The Vietnam-Lao Revolutionary Historical Relic was built on the foundation of Mr. Lao Kho’s house. It comprises of a memorial house and an exhibit room. A 18 meters tall monument symbolizing the Vietnam-Lao friendship was built on a nearby hill. It is decorated with patterns of lotus and champa flowers which represent Vietnamese and Lao cultures. The relic site is of great significance in educating young generations of the two countries and their bilateral ties. Be Thi Vui lives in Yen Chau district: “When at school, I learned about Mr. Lao Kho and Mr. Kaysone and the friendship and solidarity between Vietnam and Laos. I visited this region 10 years ago. This time, I brought my son, a 2^nd grader, to visit the relic and learn about the life of the locals. I hope that he has learned something from what he saw.”

Peoples in Lao Kho village of Vietnam and Phieng Sa village of Laos have increased exchanges and assist each other in reducing poverty and developing production.