Skip to main content
America's  Secret War: Minnesota Remembers Vietnam

America's Secret War: Minnesota Remembers Vietnam

America's Secret War: Minnesota Remembers Vietnam

In the shadows of the Vietnam War, the CIA organized a secret war in neighboring Laos to prevent communism from spreading deeper into Southeast Asia. The Hmong fought for the U.S. — and for themselves— to keep Ho Chi Minh’s regime from destroying their way of life. Distributed nationally by American Public Television.

Watch this show and many more anytime, anywhere on the free PBS App.

Stream to your TV
Support Provided By
America's Secret War: Minnesota Remembers Vietnam
57:06
Hmong testimonial of the CIA's Secret War in Laos and escaping a brutal communist regime.
America's Secret War Preview
1:00
Hmong testimonial of the CIA's Secret War in Laos and escaping a brutal communist regime.
The Domino Theory
6:31
The CIA recruited Hmong people to fight as surrogates of the U.S. armed forces.
CIA
3:16
CIA
CIA operatives worked hand in glove with the Hmong and General Vang Pao during the Secret
Xai Nou Vang
4:26
Many Hmong men and boys joined General Vang Pao's troops to escape poverty.
Dr. Mai Na Lee
8:03
As the Secret War ended, Hmong people were hunted by the Communist Pathet Lao.
The Her Family
3:07
Trying to survive meant living in constant fear and being faced with difficult choices.
Ganghis Khang
1:39
Ganghis Khang talks about the poor living conditions of Ban Vinai Refugee Camp
Lee Pao Xiong
4:56
Having grown up in Long Tieng, Lee Pao Xiong was no stranger to war even as a child.
Nhiacha Vang
4:59
Nhiacha Vang relives a punishing battle in which he was critically injured by enemy fire.
Long Tieng
3:17
Among the hardest hit by the Secret War were the Hmong people of northern Laos.
Active loading indicator