Vietnam, Cambodia aim for US$20 billion bilateral trade target
VOV.VN - Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and his Cambodian counterpart Hun Manet have affirmed their determination to push up stronger transformations in economic connectivity between the two countries, agreeing to strive for US$20 billion in bilateral trade in the coming time.
Talks were held on the afternoon of October 9 between the two PMs, immediately following an official welcome ceremony for the Vietnamese Government leader at the Peace Palace in Phnom Penh.
Host leader Hun Manet warmly welcomed Prime Minister Le Minh Hung on his first official visit to Cambodia in his capacity as the head of the Vietnamese Government, emphasizing the profound significance of the visit in reinforcing increasingly substantive and effective bilateral relations.
He expressed great appreciation and profound gratitude for Vietnam's immense and timely support to Cambodia in its past national liberation struggle to overthrow the genocidal regime, as well as in its current national construction and development process.
PM Hun Manet hailed Vietnam's achievements, particularly its efforts in administrative apparatus reform and spurring rapid, sustainable economic growth, and expressed confidence that Vietnam will successfully achieve its strategic development goals for 2030 and 2045.
He affirmed that the Cambodian Government and people always wish to work together with Vietnam to preserve and promote the fine neighborliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation, and long-term sustainability for the peace, stability, and prosperity of both countries.
In response, PM Le Minh Hung sincerely thanked his Cambodian counterpart, along with the Government and people of Cambodia, for the warm and respectful reception extended to his high-ranking delegation.
On the occasion of the Pchum Ben festival, he extended his congratulations to the leaders and people of the Land of Pagodas, expressing his belief that under the reign of King Norodom Sihamoni and the leadership of the Senate, the National Assembly, and the Government headed by Prime Minister Hun Manet, Cambodia will continue to achieve important milestones, successfully carry out Phase 1 of the "Pentagonal Strategy," and build a prosperous nation.
The Vietnamese Government chief emphasized that the Vietnam-Cambodia friendly neighborly relations, nurtured by the sacrifices and dedication of many generations, are an invaluable asset to both countries and hold vital significance for regional peace, stability, and development.
He reiterated that Vietnam always attaches great importance to, and will work alongside Cambodia to preserve and promote, the tradition of solidarity and close bond between the two nations.
Both PMs expressed satisfaction with the positive developments in Vietnam-Cambodia relations over recent times. Political ties have been further consolidated, and political trust increasingly enhanced through the regular maintenance of high-level visits and contacts.
Defence and security cooperation remains an important pillar. Economic, trade, investment, education, training, and people-to-people exchanges have consistently received high priority, yielding many positive results. Both sides noted that tourism cooperation continues to be strengthened, including coordinated efforts to link tourism to attract international visitors to both countries.
The two sides agreed to continue effectively implementing reached agreements, leverage the role of bilateral cooperation mechanisms, and build a solid foundation to steer bilateral relations toward stable, substantive, and sustainable development. The two PM also consented to strengthen cooperation and close coordination in ensuring security, public order, and social safety in each country, reaffirming the principle of not allowing any force to use one country's territory to sabotage or harm the security and interests of the other.
They pledged to increase coordination in border management and protection, as well as in combating transnational crime, especially high-tech crime and online scams as a contribution to ensuring security and safety for the people of both nations.
On this occasion, PM Le Minh Hung congratulated Hun Manet on successfully chairing the international conference on combating online scams in Phnom Penh in September 2026, affirming that Vietnamese relevant agencies stand ready to continue sharing experience and boosting coordination with the Cambodian side in this field.
Regarding economic, trade, and investment cooperation, host and guest affirmed their determination to create stronger transformations in connecting the two economies, effectively tapping potential, advantages, and complementarities; and beefing up border economic cooperation to facilitate trade, investment, and business operations of enterprises from both nations.
The two sides agreed to strive to elevate bilateral trade to US$20 billion in the coming period, encouraging enterprises of both countries to strengthen investment cooperation, develop cross-border industrial and agricultural value chains, expand processing industries, and gradually transition from traditional trade exchanges to investment, production, and deep-processing cooperation.
They also concurred on enhancing cooperation among localities, particularly border provinces; infrastructure, trade, and logistics connectivity; and facilitating the circulation of goods and people-to-people exchanges. They emphasized linking economic cooperation with maintaining security and order in border areas, and building a borderline of peace, friendship, cooperation, and mutual development.
Both sides underscoring the importance of expanding people-to-people exchanges, particularly enhancing engagement activities between the youth and young leaders of the two countries. This aims to help the younger generation gain a deeper understanding of the history, traditional friendship, solidarity, and cooperation between Vietnam and Cambodia, thereby carrying on the responsibility to preserve, nurture, and promote the fine relations between the two countries.
They will coordinate to successfully organize activities within the framework of the "Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Year 2027" in the lead up to the 60th anniversary of their diplomatic relations (June 24, 1967). This initiative will help spread solidarity and close-knit ties between the two peoples, thereby continuing to foster a solid social foundation for Vietnam-Cambodia relations.
Exchanging views extensively on regional and international issues, the two PMs agreed that both sides will step up information sharing and consultation on strategic issues concerning the security, stability, and development of each country, while continuing to closely coordinate and support each other within ASEAN and other multilateral mechanisms of which both countries are members.
Immediately following the talks, both government leaders witnessed the exchange of six bilateral cooperation documents covering security, drug control, trade, culture, and education and training.
Vietnam, Cambodia open new chapter of strategic trust, substantive cooperation
VOV.VN - Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and a high-ranking delegation of Vietnam are scheduled to arrive in Phnom Penh around noon today (October 9) to begin an official visit to the Kingdom of Cambodia from October 9 to 10, at the invitation of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet.
Vietnamese PM’s visit opens new phase of cooperation between Vietnam, Cambodia
Cambodia’s Khmer Times newspaper has published an article by Uch Leang, Acting Director of Asian, African and Middle East Studies at the International Relations Institute of Cambodia (IRIC) and President of the Cambodia Alumni from Vietnam Association (CAVA).
