Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni begins a State visit to Vietnam today

This marks the King’s fourth official visit to Vietnam since his ascension to the throne on October 29, 2004.

Throughout 2024, Vietnamese Party and State leaders have frequently engaged with Cambodian senior leaders. Notably, there was a meeting between General Secretary and State President To Lam and King Norodom Sihamoni on October 5, on the sidelines of the 19th Francophonie Summit in France.

Furthermore, Cambodian People’s Party President and Senate President Hun Sen met with General Secretary To Lam (then General Secretary and State President), State President Luong Cuong (then permanent member of the Party’s Secretariat), Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, and National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man during his visit to Hanoi on July 25-26, 2024 to attend the funeral of late Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.

Recently, during his working visit to Cambodia, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man paid a courtesy visit to King Norodom Sihamoni on November 23. At the event, the King expressed his delight at the strong and continually improving comprehensive cooperation between Cambodia and Vietnam. As close neighbours, Cambodia and Vietnam have stood side by side through significant sacrifices and hardships in their struggle for independence and freedom.

The State visit by King Norodom Sihamoni to Vietnam this time is a significant milestone, further deepening the friendly neighbourly relationship between the two countries. It also contributes to strengthening and consolidating the traditional cooperation between the Parties, States, National Assemblies, Governments, and peoples of Vietnam and Cambodia.

Among various fields, political relations serve as the cornerstone and overall guiding framework for the relationship between Vietnam and Cambodia. Bilateral cooperation in defense and security continues to be strengthened, becoming increasingly substantive and effective, contributing to maintaining a peaceful and stable environment for mutual cooperation and development.

In diplomacy, Vietnam and Cambodia regularly consult each other on bilateral issues and matters related to regional and international concerns, ensuring that both sides handle regional and international issues harmoniously while safeguarding their respective interests and sovereignty.

Economic, trade, and investment cooperation has consistently reached new heights. By the third quarter of this year, trade turnover between Vietnam and Cambodia experienced remarkable growth, increasing by 21.9% compared to the same period in 2023, reaching US$5.8 billion. Vietnam is currently one of Cambodia’s top three largest trading partners.

Cooperation in education and training, transportation, culture, health care, and telecommunications has been prioritized and promoted.

Regarding the Mekong River, during his working visit to Cambodia on November 22, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man proposed to Cambodian People’s Party President and Senate President Hun Sen that Cambodia enhance cooperation and coordination with Vietnam, other countries, and international and regional organizations to preserve, protect, and utilize the Mekong River’s water resources effectively and sustainably.

According to Vietnamese Ambassador to Cambodia Nguyen Huy Tang, the two countries have numerous opportunities to further elevate bilateral relations, particularly in fields such as high-tech, digital technology, clean and green technology, digital transformation, processing industries, information technology, and artificial intelligence.

During his stay, the King is scheduled to hold talks and meetings with President Luong Cuong, Party General Secretary To Lam, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, and National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man.