The assessment was made by Nguyen Manh Cuong, a member of the CPV Central Committee, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs.

The state visit will be made at the invitation of Cambodian King Preah Bat Samdech Preah Boromneath Norodom Sihamoni. Meanwhile, at the invitation of President of the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, General Secretary Lam will also co-chair a high-level meeting between the CPV Central Committee’s Politburo and the Standing Board of the CPP Central Committee, and a meeting of the three Party chiefs of Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos.

In an interview granted to the press, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Manh Cuong said that together with the state visit to Laos, it marks the General Secretary’s first overseas trips following the 14th National Party Congress.

The visit carries special political significance, sending a strong message that the Party and State of Vietnam, as well as General Secretary Lam personally, consistently attach top priority to consolidating and developing the good neighbourliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation and long-term sustainability between Vietnam and Cambodia.

He noted that the trip will provide an important opportunity for the top leaders of the two countries to intensify exchanges, further consolidate political trust, and promote the effective implementation of existing agreements.

Reviewing recent achievements, Cuong said Vietnam–Cambodia relations have recorded substantive and comprehensive progress across multiple areas. Political trust has been continuously strengthened through frequent high-level exchanges and meetings. In 2025 alone, CPP President and Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen paid three visits to Vietnam to attend a high-level meeting between the two Parties in February, the ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification (April 30), and the ceremony to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the National Day (September 2). Important bilateral cooperation mechanisms were also maintained, helping address difficulties and enhance coordination.

Defence and security cooperation remained a solid pillar of bilateral relations, contributing to national security, social order and the building of a borderline of peace, friendship and cooperation, based on the principle of not allowing any forces to use one country’s territory against the other.

In addition, economic, trade and investment collaboration continued to grow in a practical manner. Two-way trade reached US$11.33 billion in 2025, up nearly 12% year-on-year. Vietnam currently has 229 valid investment projects in Cambodia with a total registered capital of US$2.94 billion, spanning most key economic sectors and making tangible contributions to Cambodia’s socio-economic development.

People-to-people exchanges, along with cooperation in education, culture and tourism, were further expanded. Tourism rebounded strongly, with Cambodian visitors to Vietnam and vice versa reaching record levels. Educational cooperation and youth exchanges helped strengthen mutual understanding and long-term bonds between the two peoples, Cuong stated. Coordination at regional and international forums was strengthened as well. The two sides worked closely together and upheld a spirit of solidarity and mutual support at multilateral forums, particularly within ASEAN, the United Nations and Mekong subregional cooperation mechanisms, thereby contributing to ASEAN’s collective efforts to maintain an environment of peace, stability and development in the region and beyond.

The official went on to say that General Secretary Lam’s State visit to Cambodia takes place at a pivotal juncture as both countries are entering a new stage of development marked by a mix of opportunities and challenges.

Both sides have high expectations that the visit will mark a breakthrough, opening a new phase of development with deeper political trust, broader and more substantive cooperation, and closer strategic interlinkages, particularly in trade, investment, supply chains, agriculture, infrastructure, energy and transport.

Moreover, it will help forge consensus at the highest level between the two Parties and the two States, set out major orientations, and create an important political foundation to unlock cooperation across multiple fields on the basis of mutual understanding and trust, thereby steering Vietnam–Cambodia relations toward stable, sustainable and long-term development in the time ahead.

He further stressed that the meeting among the leaders of the three parties of Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos will reaffirm the historical value and strategic significance of their special solidarity and traditional friendship, while creating fresh impetus for comprehensive cooperation in the interest of peace, stability and sustainable development in the region.

Party General Secretary To Lam to pay state visit to Cambodia

VOV.VN - General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee To Lam is set to lead a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation on a state visit to Cambodia at the invitation of Cambodian King Preah Bat Samdech Preah Boromneath Norodom Sihamoni, according to a communiqué released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on January 31.