In a statement released on 19 Feb 2025, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation announced that Deputy Prime Minister PRAK Sokhonn met with His Excellency Nguyen Minh Vu, the new Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam to Cambodia. The meeting marked an opportunity for both leaders to discuss enhancing cooperation between Cambodia and Vietnam.
During the courtesy call on 18 February 2025 at the Ministry, Deputy Prime Minister PRAK Sokhonn congratulated Ambassador Nguyen on his appointment and reaffirmed his full support for the Ambassador’s mission to advance Cambodia-Vietnam relations. The two leaders highly valued the long-standing ties, good neighborliness, and comprehensive cooperation across all fields between the two countries.
PRAK Sokhonn and Ambassador Nguyen expressed satisfaction with the positive trajectory in Cambodia-Vietnam relations, marked by high-level exchanges and engagements, including the state visit of His Majesty the King of Cambodia to Vietnam, the state visit of General Secretary To Chhim to Vietnam, and a working visit of Samdech Techo and Samdech Thipadei Prime Ministers’ to Vietnam. They emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation within regional and international frameworks.
The discussion centered around key areas of cooperation, including economic development. Ambassador Nguyen welcomed the steady growth of bilateral trade, which reached USD 7.78 billion in 2024, and the growing tourism flow between Cambodia and Vietnam, reflecting stronger people-to-people ties. Both leaders looked forward to convening the 21st Cambodia-Vietnam Joint Commission on Economic, Cultural, Scientific and Technological Cooperation in Cambodia later this year.
On defense and security, PRAK Sokhonn and Ambassador Nguyen reiterated both countries’ commitment to peace, stability, and development along the shared border and agreed to strengthen collaboration in combating transnational crimes. They also looked forward to finalizing border demarcation work.
Ambassador Nguyen lauded Cambodia’s political stability, steady socio-economic progress, and numerous notable achievements under the leadership of Samdech Techo Hun Sen and Samdech Thipadei Prime Minister Hun Manet, and affirmed his commitment to fostering closer cooperation throughout his tenure.
The meeting demonstrated the strong foundation for bilateral relations between Cambodia and Vietnam. The two countries have consistently emphasized their mutual interest in advancing cooperation across various sectors. As Cambodia continues to play an active role in regional and international affairs, its relationships with neighboring countries like Vietnam are crucial for promoting peace, stability, and development in the region.
With the growing economic ties between the two nations, Cambodia and Vietnam will likely continue to strengthen their cooperation on trade, tourism, and cultural exchanges. The recent agreement on border demarcation work marks a significant step forward in reducing tensions along the shared border. As Cambodia-Vietnam relations move forward, it is essential for both countries to maintain open communication and collaborative spirit.
In conclusion, the meeting between Deputy Prime Minister PRAK Sokhonn and Ambassador Nguyen Minh Vu highlights the commitment of both Cambodia and Vietnam to enhancing their bilateral cooperation. The two leaders shared a vision for strengthening people-to-people ties, promoting economic development, and advancing regional stability through mutual understanding and trust.