Viet Nam–Cambodia ties nurtured through action, respect, and trust

At the invitation of King of Cambodia Preah Bat Samdech Preah Boromneath Norodom Sihamoni, To Lam, General Secretary of the Party Central Committee of the Communist Party of Viet Nam (CPV), will lead a Vietnamese high-level delegation on a state visit to the Kingdom of Cambodia. At the invitation of President of the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, General Secretary Lam will also co-chair a high-level meeting between the CPV Central Committee’s Politburo and the Standing Board of the CPP Central Committee as well as a meeting of the three party chiefs of Viet Nam, Cambodia, and Laos, in Cambodia on February 6.

On the occasion, a Nhan Dan reporter based in Cambodia interviewed Sous Yara — a Party Central Committee member, spokesperson, First Vice Chairman of the CPP's External Relations Commission, and Chairman of the Commission on Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, and Information of the Cambodian National Assembly — on the long-standing traditional ties between the two parties, as well as areas in which both sides can step up and expand cooperation so that party-to-party and state-to-state relations continue to deliver positive, substantive outcomes in the time ahead.

Q: As both parties enter a new development phase following the 14th National Congress of the CPV and the CPP’s recent achievements, how do you assess party-channel cooperation in recent times? In your view, what concrete measures can the two sides take to further elevate the traditional solidarity between the two parties, making it a firm foundation for bilateral relations in a new era?

A: In recent years, party-channel cooperation between the CPV and the CPP has evolved into a more constructive relationship, grounded in a long history of friendship, a foundation of trust, and the principle of interdependence in supporting the executive and legislative branches of both countries.

In this new era, to further elevate the traditional bonds of solidarity and friendship, the CPV and the CPP should accelerate economic opening and integration, streamline the legal framework and legislative cooperation, strengthen people-to-people exchanges, and promote educational and knowledge exchanges at various levels. I believe that with this direction, we can maximise our strengths, broaden the foundation for resilience, and unlock new growth potential in the medium and long term, meeting the national development goals as well as the practical needs of the people in both countries.

Moreover, amid rising challenges from climate change and the risks of high-tech crime, the two parties need to continue cooperating in information-sharing, knowledge exchange and expertise. Continued cooperation in transboundary water-resource management, disaster management, the fight against cross-border crime, and threats to cybersecurity, as well as water–energy–food security, is highly important and necessary.

Q: Viet Nam–Cambodia friendship has been carefully nurtured by generations of leaders of both parties, especially through important historical events such as mutual support in national liberation struggles and nation-building. To preserve and carry forward this value for young people in both countries, how can the two parties coordinate in communication, education, and people-to-people exchanges, particularly towards major milestones such as the 60th anniversary of the establishment of Viet Nam–Cambodia diplomatic relations?

A: I agree that friendship between Viet Nam and Cambodia has been carefully nurtured by generations of leaders of both parties, especially through important historical events such as mutual support in the struggle for national liberation and the building of our countries.

This close relationship is not something newly formed; it has been nurtured steadily for at least more than half a century through action, respect, and trust. In reality, this is a solid foundation for our two parties and peoples to continue promoting friendship and cooperation in areas of shared interest — key to the strength and vitality of both nations.

I think we can consider 2026 a “golden year of traditional friendship, good-neighbourliness and peaceful cooperation” as our two parties and countries move towards commemorating the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties.

This is an opportunity for the two parties and countries to continue demonstrating mutual support and assistance that have been maintained over many years — through communication and awareness-raising campaigns that educate people about the contributions of many generations of leaders and citizens of Viet Nam and Cambodia to the cause of national liberation and development.

Q: Facing new opportunities and challenges arising from regional and international developments, how can the two parties strengthen strategic coordination to promote more substantive cooperation in economic and trade ties, border defence and security, education and training, and cultural exchanges — contributing to a peaceful, friendly border and long-term sustainable development between the two countries?

A: Countries in the Mekong sub-region are increasingly affected by major-power competition, global conflicts that have erupted in recent years, and civil wars taking place in the region.

To respond to challenges and seize new opportunities amid rapidly changing global and regional geopolitical and geo-economic circumstances, I would like to reiterate the consensus of senior leaders of the CPP and the CPV — and, of course, of the senior leaders of Cambodia, Viet Nam, and Lao — emphasising that we are neighbouring brothers, living together in harmony to strengthen the development and prosperity of each country.

Therefore, this is a pivotal time for us to consider connecting industrial corridors, specifically to enable our two economies to link horizontally and/or vertically in particular sectors or industries such as agricultural processing, semiconductors, and green technology, especially those that drive cross-border economic, trade and investment efficiency, labour mobility, technology exchange, and cooperation in border defence and security.

This direction would further enhance the attractiveness, competitiveness, and resilience of the economies of Viet Nam and Cambodia, while ensuring peace, security, and stability in each country.

Reporter: Thank you so much!