Vietnam-Cambodia Enhance Connectivity Among Youth, Businesses, and Localities

	Five Key Priorities to Enhance Effectiveness of Vietnam-Cambodia People-to-People Diplomacy
	Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Association Extends New Year Greetings to Cambodian Embassy in Vietnam

Attending the conference were Nguyen Thi Thanh, Member of the Party Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly, and President of the Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Association; Samdech Men Sam An, Deputy President of the Cambodian People’s Party, President of the National Council of the Front for Solidarity and Development of the Cambodian Motherland, and President of the Cambodia-Vietnam Friendship Association; Hoang Cong Thuy, Vice President of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front; Nguyen Ngoc Hung, Vice President of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations; Nguyen Loc Ha, Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee; Cambodian Ambassador to Vietnam Touch Sopharath; Vietnamese Ambassador to Cambodia Nguyen Minh Vu;...

“Connecting hearts” between Vietnam and Cambodia

In her opening remarks, President of the Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Association Nguyen Thi Thanh stated that amid increasingly complex regional and global developments, the role of the two associations has become ever more important in preserving and strengthening the foundation of Vietnam-Cambodia friendship.

The 4th Joint Conference between the Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Association and the Cambodia-Vietnam Friendship Association. (Photo: Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Association)

According to her, the activities of the two associations go beyond friendship exchanges and are also aimed at “connecting hearts,” fostering trust, and passing on the flame of friendship to younger generations in both countries.

Reviewing the results of coordination in 2025, the two associations implemented numerous substantive activities across various fields, including delegation exchanges at all levels, support for international students, business networking, and local cooperation. In particular, the “Nurturing Friendship” program continued to diversify its activities, while the Vietnam-Cambodia Economic Cooperation Forum held in Ho Chi Minh City attracted nearly 100 businesses, opening up opportunities for investment and trade cooperation between the two countries.

Addressing the conference, Samdech Men Sam An emphasized that the 4th Joint Conference holds important significance in strengthening the traditional friendship between the two associations, thereby contributing to deeper solidarity, mutual understanding, and cooperation between the peoples of the two countries.

According to her, the conference took place as the two countries commemorate the 59th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam-Cambodia diplomatic relations (1967-2026), an important milestone in the traditional friendship and strategic partnership between the two nations.

She affirmed that Cambodia and Vietnam are neighboring brotherly countries that once stood side by side in the struggle for independence, peace, and freedom. She also stressed that Cambodia always remembers the sacrifices and assistance of Vietnamese experts and volunteer soldiers in helping liberate the country from the genocidal regime.

In his welcoming remarks, Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Nguyen Loc Ha highly appreciated the core role played by the two associations in people-to-people diplomacy, especially through friendship exchanges, cultural and artistic activities, and youth connectivity initiatives between Vietnam and Cambodia.

According to him, Ho Chi Minh City currently maintains various cooperative activities with Phnom Penh, Siem Reap Province, and Kratie Province. In addition to exchange visits between localities, businesses in Ho Chi Minh City have also expanded investment and business cooperation with Cambodian partners. Cho Ray - Phnom Penh Hospital stands as one example of the effective cooperation between the two sides.

In the coming time, Ho Chi Minh City will continue coordinating with Cambodian agencies, organizations, and localities to expand people-to-people exchange activities, support international students, and strengthen connections between localities and businesses of the two countries. The city will also coordinate the organization of activities marking the 60th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam-Cambodia diplomatic relations in 2027.

Expanding people-to-people exchanges and economic cooperation

At the conference, presentations by Vietnamese and Cambodian delegates focused on strengthening people-to-people friendship exchanges in border areas; expanding cooperation between twinned localities; and promoting investment, trade, logistics, and tourism connectivity between businesses of the two countries. Many delegates emphasized the role of youth, international students, and cultural exchanges in fostering a strong social foundation for the long-term Vietnam-Cambodia relationship.

Several presentations also highlighted that cooperation between localities and businesses of the two countries is expanding in a more practical direction. The Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Association stated that it had coordinated the organization of business forums, border-area business networking programs, and numerous social welfare activities in Cambodia and Vietnam’s border provinces.

Delegates attending the conference pose for a commemorative photo. (Photo: Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Association)

Representatives of businesses from both countries assessed that connectivity infrastructure, border trade, cross-border tourism routes, and “Two Countries - One Destination” programs are opening up further opportunities for Vietnam-Cambodia economic cooperation in the coming period.

In her concluding remarks, Nguyen Thi Thanh affirmed that people-to-people diplomacy activities and coordination between the two associations continue to play an important bridging role, contributing to the strengthening of a solid social foundation for bilateral relations.

She proposed that the two associations continue to intensify communication and education on the tradition of solidarity, friendship, and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Cambodia among their members and people from all walks of life in both countries, especially younger generations.

She also emphasized the need to raise awareness and vigilance against false and distorted information aimed at dividing relations between the two countries, while further promoting people-to-people exchanges, delegation exchanges, and cultural and social welfare activities in border areas. She called for the continued effective implementation of the “Nurturing Friendship” program, support for Cambodian and Vietnamese international students studying in each country, and expanded economic connectivity to create favorable conditions for businesses and localities of Vietnam and Cambodia to strengthen investment and trade cooperation in the coming period.

According to Nguyen Thi Thanh, the two associations will coordinate the organization of activities marking the 60th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam-Cambodia diplomatic relations in 2027, while also studying the signing of a cooperation agreement for the 2027-2032 period in order to further enhance the effectiveness of cooperation in the new stage.

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