Ho Chi Minh City, Phnom Penh step up youth exchanges to strengthen Vietnam-Cambodia ties

Bay made the suggestion while receiving Khuong Sreng, governor of Phnom Penh, and his delegation on Monday during their visit to Ho Chi Minh City.

Connecting next generations

Earlier the same day, the Ho Chi Minh City Military Command and the Phnom Penh Capital Administration signed a memorandum of understanding on a project to build a Vietnam-Cambodia friendship school in Cambodia.

Bay congratulated the two sides on the milestone, describing the project as particularly meaningful.

The school will be built on land associated with the period when Vietnamese volunteer forces stood alongside the Cambodian people, and will now serve the education of future generations, he said.

Bay also proposed that the two sides maintain visits and exchanges at various levels and coordinate practical activities to mark the 60th anniversary of Vietnam-Cambodia diplomatic relations in 2027, particularly those involving young people and people-to-people exchanges.

Ho Chi Minh City and Phnom Penh agreed to continue promoting economic and trade cooperation, investment, healthcare, education and urban management.

Ho Chi Minh City proposed stepping up trade and investment promotion activities, fairs, exhibitions and business forums, while exploring ways to make better use of new transport links between the two cities, particularly once the Ho Chi Minh City-Moc Bai-Bavet-Phnom Penh expressway network is completed.

Bay also discussed continued support for Cho Ray Phnom Penh Hospital and training for Cambodian students studying in Ho Chi Minh City.

Phnom Penh seeks to learn from Ho Chi Minh City

Sreng shared that Phnom Penh was implementing a master land-use plan through 2030, with a vision toward 2050, aimed at keeping pace with social trends and ensuring sustainable urban development.

He praised Ho Chi Minh City's development, noting that the two cities face common challenges including traffic congestion and flooding.

Phnom Penh hopes to continue learning from Ho Chi Minh City's experience in reducing traffic congestion, developing public transportation and infrastructure, and building a smart city, Sreng said.

He also said the Phnom Penh Capital Administration would do its utmost to ensure the success of the Cambodia-Vietnam friendship school project.

At the meeting, Bay, on behalf of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, invited Sreng to attend the 2026 Autumn Economic Forum, which will take place in Ho Chi Minh City in late October.