Abstract: Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) is the main causative agent of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), and there is currently no effective cure. Although the existing antiretroviral therapy (ART) can effectively suppress virus replication, it cannot clear the latently infected cells. Therefore, the main challenge in this field is to find safe and effective methods to clear HIV-1 latent reservoirs. The current research on the molecular mechanisms of HIV-1 latency maintenance and reactivation has revealed that the transcriptional elongation process of HIV-1 plays a central role in this process. This review summarizes and provides an overview of the specific molecular processes of HIV-1 transcription elongation and its role in regulating latent infection, providing theoretical support for further exploring how HIV-1 achieves a balance between latent and active transcription, with the aim of providing new directions for achieving AIDS cure.