Vietnam, Cambodia advance connectivity agenda, plan cross-border economic zones

Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and visiting Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet reached the agreement during their talks in Hanoi on Monday, following an official welcome ceremony at the Government Office, according to Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Both leaders reaffirmed the importance each country attaches to bilateral relations, congratulated each other on recent national achievements, and expressed confidence in the continued positive development of ties in the coming period.

The two sides agreed to further strengthen political trust and defense and security cooperation, underlining the principle of not allowing any hostile forces to use the territory of either country to undermine the security or interests of the other.

They underscored the need to transform long-standing traditional friendship into a stronger engine of development and to turn historical proximity into strategic closeness, as they outlined key directions for deepening Vietnam–Cambodia connectivity.

Economic connectivity was identified as a central pillar of bilateral cooperation that should be strengthened, while connections in culture, education, and tourism should be expanded.

On transport and infrastructure, the two leaders agreed to enhance border and regional connectivity, including the Ho Chi Minh City–Moc Bai expressway and the Bavet–Phnom Penh corridor.

Plans were discussed to explore setting up cross-border economic zones and special economic zones between Vietnam and Cambodia, as well as expanding air routes linking the two countries.

Both sides were also committed to facilitating customs clearance and cross-border trade.

PM Hung proposed stronger investment cooperation in sectors where both countries have strengths and demand, including agricultural processing, aquaculture, clean energy, construction materials, and logistics.

The Cambodian leader agreed with the proposal and supported expanded cooperation in education and training, as well as improvements in workforce quality.

Public outreach and education were also to be strengthened, particularly among younger generations, to deepen understanding of the long-standing Vietnam–Cambodia friendship.

They agreed to jointly organize activities marking the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2027.

The two prime ministers pledged continued cooperation in supporting the stability and integration of people of Vietnamese origin living in Cambodia.

Amid growing global and regional uncertainties, the two sides agreed to strengthen coordination at regional and international forums, including ASEAN, Mekong subregional mechanisms, and the United Nations.

They said they would work with other ASEAN members to strengthen unity and resilience, promote the peaceful resolution of differences, and expand cooperation with external partners based on ASEAN centrality, contributing to regional and global peace, stability, and development.

At the end of the talks, the two leaders witnessed the signing of a cooperation plan on information for the 2026–30 period between Vietnam’s Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism and Cambodia’s Ministry of Information.