Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son and President of the Khmer-Vietnam Association in Cambodia Sim Chy at the meeting. Photo: VOV

Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son met with leaders of the Khmer-Vietnam Association and presented gifts to needy Cambodians of Vietnamese origin in Cambodia on Jan. 19, reported VNA Thursday.

Son was on a Jan. 19-20 visit to Cambodia at the invitation of Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn.

President of the Khmer-Vietnam Association in Cambodia Sim Chy gave Son a brief update about the situation of the community of Cambodians of Vietnamese origin, the association’s main activities and how the community plans to celebrate Tet, Vietnam’s traditional New Year holiday.

The association has been focusing on raising awareness of Cambodian legal regulations among the Vietnamese Cambodians and helping them handle legal papers, among others, he said.

All chapters of the association have upheld their role in inspiring and promoting the solidarity and mutual support among the community at the time of Covid-19, he added.

Son highly spoke of the Khmer-Vietnam Association’s efforts, suggesting that its leaders and local chapters organise more practical activities for the community and act as a bridge between the two peoples during the Vietnam – Cambodia Friendship Year 2022 when the two sides celebrate the 55th anniversary of their diplomatic ties.

President of the Khmer-Vietnam Association in Cambodia Sim Chy, on behalf of the Vietnamese expats there, receives pre-Tet gifts from Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son. Photo: VOV

He also presented 500 Tet gift packages, funded by the Vietnam Fatherland Front, to Vietnamese Cambodians affected by the pandemic.

Earlier, FM Son paid a courtesy call to Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen.

The same day, the Vietnamese FM paid courtesy calls to Cambodia’s President of Senate Samdech Say Chhum and President of the National Assembly Samdech Heng Samrin.

Son on Jan. 20 held talks with his Cambodian counterpart Prak Sakhonn during which both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation and actively enforce agreements reached by both countries’ leaders on land border demarcation and marker planting.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son (left) on January 20 holds talks with his Cambodian counterpart Prak Sakhonn during his two-day visit to Cambodia. Photo: VNA

Despite Covid-19 impacts, the bilateral trade surged nearly 80% to reach USD 10 billion last year.

In 2021, Vietnamese companies poured more than USD 88.9 million in four new projects in Cambodia. This raised Vietnam’s total investment to over USD 2.84 billion, making it one of the five largest foreign investors in the neighbouring country.

Vietnamese FM's Visit to Cambodia Implement Agreements Reached by Senior Leaders The visit will contribute to deepening and improving the efficiency of the “good neighborliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation and long-term sustainability” between the two countries.

Vietnam, Cambodia Enhance Defense Cooperation Both nations have pledged to foster closer defense cooperation by having delegations at all levels exchange views, expertise and knowledge.

Youths of Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia Tighten Friendship and Solidarity Young outstanding delegates of Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia participated in a youth friendship programme, taking place in Vietnam’s southern Binh Duong province .