August 9, 1960
Neutralist Coup
Leads a coup calling for neutrality as Laos becomes central to the wider Vietnam War
Database labels: Neutralist Coup
Vietnam War year hub
Vietnam War in 1960: Timeline, Events, Battles and People
The World History Database contains 21 Vietnam/Indochina records dated 1960. After consolidating near-identical rows that describe the same dated event, this year hub presents 17 distinct chronology entries. Frequently represented events include Neutrality, Neutralist Coup, Countercoup, Rightist Government, Advises Kennedy that south east Asia & Vietnam should be treated as. Frequently represented people include John Fitzgerald Kennedy, Chester Bowles, Ho Chi-Minh, Sihanouk, Kong Le.
21 database rows17 consolidated events
Key events
Neutrality, Neutralist Coup, Countercoup, Rightist Government, Advises Kennedy that south east Asia & Vietnam should be treated as, Advises Kennedy that aid to South Vietnams President Diem should be increased, At Geneva refuses to accept the neutrality of South Vietnam
People
John Fitzgerald Kennedy, Chester Bowles, Ho Chi-Minh, Sihanouk, Kong Le, Phoumi Nosavan, Boun Oum
Places
Washington, Hanoi, Savannakhet, Geneva, Sihanoukville, Vientiane, Vietnam
Chronology for 1960
December 20, 1960
National Liberation Front
Becomes a leading figure associated with the National Liberation Front
Database labels: National Liberation Front
1960
Countercoup
Organizes right-wing forces against Kong Le's neutralists
Database labels: Countercoup
1960
Rightist Government
Heads the rightist government opposed to Souvanna Phouma and Kong Le
Database labels: Rightist Government
1960
Advises Kennedy that aid to South Vietnams President Diem should be increased
Advises Kennedy that aid to South Vietnams President Diem should be increased
Database labels: Advises Kennedy that aid to South Vietnams President Diem should be increased
1960
Advises Kennedy that south east Asia & Vietnam should be treated as
Advises Kennedy that south east Asia & Vietnam should be treated as neutral
Database labels: Advises Kennedy that south east Asia & Vietnam should be treated as; Neutrality · 2 related database rows consolidated
1960
At Geneva refuses to accept the neutrality of South Vietnam
At Geneva refuses to accept the neutrality of South Vietnam
Database labels: At Geneva refuses to accept the neutrality of South Vietnam; Neutrality · 2 related database rows consolidated
1960
Counterinsurgency Campaign
Expands counterinsurgency efforts after the creation of the National Liberation Front
Database labels: Counterinsurgency Campaign
1960
Coup
Creates a broad front to overthrow President Diem. Announces the creation of the National Liberation Front in South Vietnam
Database labels: Coup; NLF · 2 related database rows consolidated
1960
Defence Agreement at Washington
Warned by de Gaulle that Vietnam is a "bottomless military & political swamp". Agrees to a "neutral & independent" Laos at Geneva
Database labels: Defence Agreement at Washington; Neutrality · 2 related database rows consolidated
1960
Flexible Response
Advises Kennedy to adopt a policy of "flexible response" toward counterinsurgency
Database labels: Flexible Response
1960
Ho Chi Minh Trail Support
Supports logistical expansion through Laos and Cambodia
Database labels: Ho Chi Minh Trail Support
1960
Laos and Vietnam Concern
Leaves office with Southeast Asia as a major Cold War concern
Database labels: Laos and Vietnam Concern
1960
Military Aid
Increases personnel in South Vietnam to over 16,000 & permits them to go into combat
Database labels: Military Aid
1960
Neutrality
Makes Kampuchea neutral & tries to avoid involvement in the Vietnam War
Database labels: Neutrality
1960
Southern Revolution Strategy
Promotes a strategy of armed struggle in South Vietnam
Database labels: Southern Revolution Strategy
1960
Support for Southern Struggle
Backs the communist struggle in South Vietnam as the war widens
Database labels: Support for Southern Struggle
Explore related Vietnam War guides
Sources and historical verification
This authority page consolidates World History Database records into a readable chronology. The database rows are research-index entries; important claims should be checked against primary documents and specialist histories.
Provenance
This year page is generated from World History Database records for 1960. Near-identical rows sharing date and place context are consolidated for display while the original database remains unchanged. Last reviewed 2026-10-06.