The Zn–Al layered double hydroxide (LDH) particles were prepared by heating aqueous solutions of Zn(NO3)2 and Al(NO3)3 with ethylenediamine at 348K for 24h. The obtained particles, which had sheet morphology, were well dispersed in water. The sol of LDH nanoparticles was dried on an alkali-free glass substrate and LDH thin films were obtained easily. Firing the LDH films at temperatures higher than 573K produces a highly oriented zinc oxide film. The obtained films had orientation of zinc oxide (002) on the glass substrate. This orientation reflected that of the LDH films. The zinc oxide films showed more than 80% of the optical transmittance when the wavelength was 400nm.