Exploring Long Tieng: The Secret Airstrip of Cold War Laos
Once home to the CIA, this tiny Southeast Asia runway was considered ‘the most secret place on Earth’
Image: Cnn
Long Tieng, a village in central Laos, was once the secret headquarters of a US-backed Hmong army during the Cold War, making it a crucial site in the fight against communism. Today, remnants of its past, including an airstrip, serve as reminders of a hidden chapter in American history.
- 01Long Tieng was the center of the CIA's largest paramilitary operation during the Cold War, supporting the Hmong army against communist forces.
- 02At its peak, the airstrip handled up to 900 flights daily, making it one of the busiest in the world.
- 03The village now has a population of a few thousand, with many relying on agriculture and living amidst remnants of the war.
- 04The US bombing campaign in Laos left an estimated 30% of the 270 million sub-munitions dropped unexploded, posing ongoing risks.
- 05US-Laos relations were restored in 1992, with over $390 million invested in clearing unexploded ordnance since 1995.
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Long Tieng, located in central Laos about 80 miles from Vientiane, was once known as 'the most secret place on Earth' during the Cold War. This 4,500-foot airstrip served as the headquarters for a US-backed Hmong anti-communist army, where tens of thousands, including Hmong soldiers and American CIA operatives, resided. At its height, the airstrip facilitated up to 900 flights daily, making it one of the busiest in the world. Today, Long Tieng is a quiet village with remnants of its war-torn past, including a crumbling control tower and an airstrip now used for community activities. The legacy of the US bombing campaign still affects the region, with 30% of dropped munitions remaining unexploded, causing ongoing hazards for locals. Despite the historical significance of Long Tieng, it remains largely unvisited by tourists, overshadowed by more popular destinations in Laos.
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The presence of unexploded ordnance continues to affect daily life in Long Tieng, limiting safe movement and agricultural activities.
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