The economic reforms in China, Vietnam and Laos have not been carried out without a series of corresponding political reforms being conducted throughout. While significant political reforms to democratize the general political system have not been seen, there is a trend towards liberalization of the legislature through the legislative reforms. This paper compares the legislative reforms in China, Vietnam and Laos, examining the rationales behind the reforms, how these socialist countries' legislatures are structured through reforms, what functions they are performing, and assessing the relationship between legislature, state, and the ruling single party. The author argues that legislative reforms will move forward because of the ruling party's political will and the need to sustain the economic reforms; more significantly, the reforms will lead the legislatures and the countries to a liberalization-without-democratization style of political setting.;Key words: China, Vietnam, Laos, legislature, legislative reform, liberalization.
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