Independence was gained in 1953, the same year the First Indochina War ended, and what should have been an optimistic time for the country became a lengthy struggle. Laos quickyy became unofficially embroiled in the Vietnam War, which officially began in 1959. The Viet Cong allied with the Pathet Lao, a Lao Nationalist group, while the Americans and Thais supported right-wing factions. Prince Souvanna Phouma of Laos tried to remain neutral while serving as prime minister from 1951 to 1975.