Phnom Penh, October 10, 2026 – The Europe Today: Vietnamese Prime Minister Lê Minh Hưng and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet have agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors and work towards increasing two-way trade to US$20 billion in the coming period.
The agreement was reached during talks in Phnom Penh on Friday, held during Prime Minister Hưng’s first official visit to Cambodia as head of the Vietnamese Government.
Prime Minister Hun Manet warmly welcomed his Vietnamese counterpart, describing the visit as significant for advancing increasingly substantive and effective bilateral relations. He expressed gratitude for Vietnam’s historic support for Cambodia during its struggle for independence and liberation from the genocidal regime, as well as its continued assistance in national reconstruction and development.
Hun Manet also praised Vietnam’s achievements, particularly its efforts to streamline the administrative apparatus and promote rapid and sustainable economic growth. He expressed confidence that Vietnam would achieve its strategic development objectives for 2030 and 2045.
Prime Minister Hưng reaffirmed Vietnam’s commitment to strengthening relations with Cambodia, describing the longstanding bonds of friendship, solidarity and good neighbourliness as an invaluable asset for both nations and an important factor in promoting regional peace, stability and development.
He also conveyed greetings and best wishes to Cambodia’s leaders and people on the occasion of the Pchum Ben Festival, expressing confidence that Cambodia would continue to achieve progress in national development.
The two leaders expressed satisfaction with the positive trajectory of bilateral relations, noting progress in political engagement, defence and security cooperation, trade, investment, education, training, tourism and people-to-people exchanges.
They agreed to effectively implement existing bilateral agreements and strengthen established cooperation mechanisms to ensure stable and sustainable development of relations between the two countries.
On security matters, both prime ministers pledged closer coordination to maintain public order and social safety, strengthen border management and prevent either country’s territory from being used by forces seeking to undermine the security and interests of the other.
They also agreed to intensify efforts against transnational crime, particularly cybercrime, high-tech crime and online fraud, to safeguard the security of their citizens.
Prime Minister Hưng congratulated Hun Manet on successfully chairing the International Conference on Combating Online Scams in Phnom Penh in September. He reaffirmed Vietnam’s readiness to share experience and strengthen cooperation between the relevant agencies of both countries in combating such crimes.
On economic cooperation, the two leaders emphasised the importance of enhancing connectivity between their economies, leveraging their complementary strengths and expanding cross-border economic activities.
They agreed to facilitate trade, investment and business cooperation, encourage enterprises to develop cross-border industrial and agricultural value chains, expand processing industries and gradually shift from traditional trade towards investment, production and deeper processing.
Both sides also stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation between local authorities, particularly in border provinces, and improving infrastructure, trade and logistics connectivity to facilitate the movement of goods and people.
They underscored that economic development along the shared border must go hand in hand with security, public order and efforts to build a peaceful, friendly and cooperative border area that supports shared development.
The two prime ministers further highlighted the importance of expanding people-to-people exchanges, particularly among young people and emerging leaders, to deepen mutual understanding of the historical ties, friendship and solidarity between the two nations.
They agreed to coordinate activities under the “Vietnam–Cambodia Friendship Year 2027,” which will mark the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations established on June 24, 1967.
The initiative is expected to strengthen people-to-people connections and reinforce the social foundations of bilateral relations.
Discussing regional and international developments, the two leaders agreed to enhance information-sharing and consultations on strategic issues affecting their respective security, stability and development. They also pledged continued coordination and mutual support within ASEAN and other multilateral forums.
Following the talks, the two prime ministers witnessed the exchange of six bilateral cooperation documents covering security, drug prevention and control, trade, culture, education and training, marking a further step towards strengthening cooperation between Vietnam and Cambodia.
