On the occasion of the inauguration of the Tan Nam (Tay Ninh province, Vietnam) – Meun Chey (Prey Veng province, Cambodia) international border gate this morning, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh held talks with his Cambodian counterpart, Prime Minister Hun Manet.

Reflecting on the year 2025, both Prime Ministers agreed that over the past year, the two governments had effectively implemented the outcomes of previous high-level meetings between the two Parties, as well as tripartite coordination among Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia.

They praised the proactive, determined, and results-driven approach in executing bilateral cooperation plans, leading to tangible progress.

Economic, trade, and investment cooperation has witnessed strong growth. In the first 11 months of this year, bilateral trade turnover reached USD 10.4 billion, up 12.7% compared to the same period in 2024, and is expected to hit USD 12 billion by year-end.

Vietnam is currently Cambodia’s third-largest trading partner globally and the largest within ASEAN. It also ranks as the fifth-largest foreign investor in Cambodia, while Cambodia stands as Vietnam’s second-largest destination for outbound investment.

Border and territorial cooperation has achieved notable progress, reflecting the goodwill and determination of both sides in building a peaceful, friendly, stable, cooperative, and development-oriented border.

Education, healthcare, culture, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges have also received attention and encouragement.

The two leaders highlighted the strategic significance of launching the Tan Nam – Meun Chey international border gate in boosting connectivity, trade, and people-to-people ties.

They affirmed their commitment to improving the cross-border infrastructure system and upgrading the road network, creating new momentum for regional economic development.

Both Prime Ministers emphasized the need for close coordination in border management to maintain security and order, prevent cross-border crimes, smuggling, and illegal activities.

Building on achieved results and a shared spirit of determination, the two sides pledged to deepen bilateral relations.

They reaffirmed their consistent stance of not allowing any hostile force to use one country’s territory to undermine the other, maintaining border security and combating cross-border crimes, including online fraud.

The two nations also vowed to jointly counter disinformation and divisive narratives aimed at destabilizing the Vietnam–Cambodia relationship.

They agreed to focus on breakthroughs in economic cooperation, particularly digital economy development, institutional and policy connectivity, and infrastructure links.

Priority areas include trade, investment, transportation, culture, and tourism.

Vietnam and Cambodia also aim to accelerate the development of transportation and logistics infrastructure, border gates, and trade facilities, with a goal of increasing bilateral trade to USD 20 billion in the near future.

To preserve and promote the historical value of bilateral ties, both Prime Ministers emphasized the importance of comprehensive public awareness campaigns, particularly among the youth, on the tradition of solidarity and friendship between Vietnam and Cambodia.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh affirmed that Vietnam is ready to support Cambodia in enhancing its human resource quality and will increase the number of scholarships offered to Cambodian students.

Both leaders underscored the importance of maintaining a peaceful, stable, cooperative, and sustainably developed shared border.

They agreed to continue addressing emerging issues in a timely and effective manner, including joint efforts to protect the environment in border regions.

Additionally, they committed to expediting negotiations to resolve the remaining 16% of the land border demarcation and marker planting.

Regarding the ongoing tensions along the Cambodia–Thailand border, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed that Vietnam has been closely following the situation and remains committed to contributing to peaceful solutions.

He called on both Cambodia and Thailand to exercise restraint, engage in dialogue, respect each other’s legitimate interests, and uphold peace agreements.

Vietnam reiterated its firm support for resolving all disputes through peaceful means, believing that long-term stability is the best solution for both countries and for the unity of ASEAN, as well as for regional and global peace, stability, cooperation, and development.

Tran Thuong