Hanoi, November 28, 2024 – The Europe Today: Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni arrived in Hanoi this morning, commencing a two-day state visit to Vietnam at the invitation of State President Lương Cường.
Upon arrival at Nội Bài International Airport, the King and his delegation were welcomed by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bùi Thanh Sơn, Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Hà Minh Hải, Vietnamese Ambassador to Cambodia Nguyễn Huy Tăng, and other senior officials.
The King is accompanied by high-ranking officials, including Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Royal Palace Samdech Mahamontrei Kuy Sophal, Deputy Prime Minister Neth Savoeun, and Supreme Advisor to the King Chan Samdarind.
This marks King Norodom Sihamoni’s fourth state visit to Vietnam during his 20-year reign, following trips in 2006, 2012, and 2018. The visit underscores the strong political trust and enduring friendship between the two nations.
During the visit, King Sihamoni is scheduled to hold talks with Vietnam’s top leaders to further strengthen ties and promote cooperation in key areas such as economics, culture, and education.
Strengthening a Historic Partnership
Vietnam and Cambodia established diplomatic relations on June 24, 1967, and their ties have flourished under the motto of “good neighbourliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation, and long-term sustainability,” adopted by both nations in 2005. High-level exchanges and collaborations across various fields have deepened their partnership.
Bilateral trade has seen remarkable growth, with an average annual increase of over 20% between 2015 and 2022, reaching over $10 billion last year. Despite global economic challenges in 2023, trade volume reached $8.57 billion, with the figure standing at $8.35 billion by October this year. Both countries aim to achieve $20 billion in trade in the near future.
Vietnam is Cambodia’s largest ASEAN investor and ranks among its top five global investors, with 205 projects worth $2.94 billion in total registered capital as of July 2024. Meanwhile, Cambodia has invested in 38 projects in Vietnam, valued at $76.8 million as of October 2024.
A Visit to Foster Comprehensive Cooperation
King Sihamoni’s visit is expected to further consolidate the Vietnam-Cambodia relationship, which has been nurtured for over five decades. The high-level discussions will focus on bolstering collaboration and addressing shared challenges, ensuring the sustainable growth of the two nations’ historic partnership.
