<p>A video encoding method and a video decoding method, which enable the most suitable motion vectors for a picture to be encoded to be derived, and enable compression ratios to be improved, are provided. This video encoding device (100) is provided with: an inter-prediction control unit (109) that uses the predicted motion vector candidate from a plurality of predicted motion vector candidates with the smallest error between said predicted motion vector and a motion vector derived by motion detection to determine when to encode a motion vector; a picture type determination unit (110) that generates picture type information; a temporal vector calculation unit (111) that derives temporally-predicted motion vector candidates; and a co-located reference direction determination unit (112) that generates a co-located reference direction flag for each picture.</p>
