Vietnam, Cambodia open new chapter of strategic trust, substantive cooperation

Amid rapid shifts in the global geopolitical and economic landscape, Southeast Asia continues to demonstrate resilient vitality, sustained by interconnected and mutually supportive neighborly ties.

The official visit to Cambodia by Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation marks a diplomatic milestone of profound strategic significance. It reaffirms the consistent priorities in Vietnam's foreign policy for the new term: staying proactive, strengthening political trust, and translating bilateral commitments into substantive outcomes.

Relations between Vietnam and Cambodia are built upon the motto of "good neighborliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation, and long-term sustainability." This relationship continues to deepen thanks to political trust constantly fostered at the highest level, epitomized by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee  To Lam's visit to Cambodia and his co-chairing of the meeting between the two Parties (Vietnam - Cambodia) and the three Parties (Vietnam - Laos - Cambodia) in February 2026.

Regular high-level exchanges not only reinforce the fine relationship between Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and senior leaders of Cambodia and Laos, but also forge a solid cooperative "troika" within the Mekong subregion. This cohesion enables the two countries to share visions, coordinate stances on regional and international issues of mutual concern, and promote the active roles of parliamentary and people-to-people diplomacy.

Meanwhile, defence and security cooperation continues to serve as a strategic pillar. In the context of rising non-traditional security challenges, close and effective coordination between Vietnam and Cambodia to safeguard political stability, ensure social order and safety, and maintain peace and stability along the shared border is pivotal for the development of both nations.

Economic and trade ties form a major highlight in bilateral ties. As Cambodia vigorously advances economic reforms toward sustainable growth, diversification, enhanced competitiveness, and international integration, recording a 5% GDP growth rate in 2025 with a projected 4.2% for 2026, deepening connection with Vietnam's economy is a natural and mutually beneficial priority.

Economic figures illustrate this cooperation momentum. During the eight-month period of 2026, bilateral trade reached US$8.7 billion, an 8.3% increase from the same period in 2025. Cross-border visitors approached 1 million. Notably, in the first half of 2026, the number of Cambodian visitors to Vietnam hit 565,000, up 40.8%.

These advances originate from natural trade needs and increasingly tight social ties. Alongside Cambodia's crackdown on online fraud to protect its international prestige and improve the business climate, businesses and investors of the two countries have the opportunity to expand supply chain cooperation, border trade, and cross-border connectivity infrastructure.

Alongside economic and security cooperation, fields such as education, culture, social affairs, demarcation and marker planting, and support for the Vietnamese-origin community in Cambodia have all recorded positive progress.

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung's official visit to Cambodia and the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation is a foreign affairs activity of special significance, affirming the good neighborliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation, and long-term sustainability between the two countries,  affirming Vietnam's consistent policy of always valuing and wishing to continuously consolidate and develop friendship and cooperation with Cambodia,  thereby enhancing close political trust and coordination between both nations’ senior leaders.

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