HANOI-Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung held high-level talks in Hanoi on Monday, culminating in a comprehensive agreement to accelerate cross-border infrastructure and significantly expand economic ties.
The bilateral summit highlighted the deepening political and economic alignment between the two Southeast Asian neighbors, driven by surging trade volumes and a shared focus on regional connectivity.
According to a VOV.VN report published June 8, Prime Minister Hung reaffirmed that Vietnam consistently prioritizes its relationship with Cambodia, emphasizing a partnership built on “good neighborliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation, and long-term sustainability.”
PM Hung expressed confidence in Cambodia’s economic trajectory, noting its strategic push to attain upper-middle-income status by 2030.
In turn, PM Hun Manet congratulated Vietnam on its recent socio-economic achievements. He specifically lauded Vietnam’s robust economic growth, which exceeded 8% in 2025, positioning it among the top-performing economies in the region.
The two leaders noted that political trust and defense cooperation remain bedrock pillars of the relationship, paving the way for accelerated commercial ties.
The economic numbers underscored the necessity of the talks. Bilateral trade between Vietnam and Cambodia reached nearly US$5 billion in the first four months of 2026 alone, marking a 9.6% increase compared to the same period last year.
Tourism has also experienced a sharp post-pandemic recovery. Vietnam welcomed approximately 400,000 Cambodian visitors in the early months of the year, reflecting a significant rise in cross-border travel and personnel exchanges.
A primary focus of the Hanoi summit was the synchronization of transport infrastructure to facilitate smoother trade flows. Chief among these initiatives is the acceleration of the high-profile expressway project connecting Ho Chi Minh City, Moc Bai, Bavet, and Phnom Penh.
To complement physical road links, the leaders agreed to:
Expand Air Connectivity: Study new direct flight routes between Vietnam and Cambodia, alongside tripartite air links encompassing Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia.
Establish Economic Zones: Explore the development of cross-border economic zones to streamline manufacturing and supply chains.
Optimize Logistics: Harmonize customs clearance procedures and boost logistics cooperation to prevent bottlenecks at crucial border checkpoints.
PM Hun Manet voiced strong support for Vietnamese proposals aimed at lowering barriers for joint ventures. The leaders identified clean energy, agricultural and seafood processing, construction materials, and logistics as priority sectors for mutual investment.
Beyond commerce, the agreement mandates deeper cooperation in human resource development. The two governments pledged to expand educational exchange programs and launch public awareness campaigns to educate younger generations on the historical ties between the two nations.
The meeting concluded with both prime ministers ordering their respective ministries and state agencies to immediately draft detailed, time-bound implementation plans to ensure the directives are executed efficiently.
On the international stage, Vietnam and Cambodia reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining a united front. The leaders pledged to strengthen coordination at multilateral forums—including ASEAN, the United Nations, and sub-regional Mekong cooperation mechanisms—to promote long-term peace, stability, and sustainable development across the region.