CdSe and CdTe nanowires were prepared through a poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) assisted ethylenediamine solvothermal method in 160-180 degreesC. The PVA used in the process was favorable for the formation of nanowires. X-ray diffraction (XRD) shows that the CdSe nanowires are mostly in zinc blende phase and CdTe ones are in zinc blende form. TEM images show that the nanowires have straight or zigzag shapes. Both HRTEM images and ED patterns reveal the zinc blende nanowires are mostly growing along <111> zone axis direction.