Phnom Penh, 16 July 2024: To Lam, President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, paid a state visit to the Kingdom of Cambodia at the invitation of His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni. The visit, which took place from July 12-13, 2024, aimed to enhance the growing ties of friendship and cooperation between the two nations.

During his visit, President To Lam had separate royal audiences with His Majesty the King and Her Majesty Queen Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk. A state banquet was hosted in his honor. President To Lam also met with key Cambodian leaders, including Senate President Hun Sen, National Assembly President Khuon Sudary, and Prime Minister Hun Manet.

The leaders of both countries highly valued the outcome of President To Lam’s first state visit, noting it has added significant value to the ties of close friendship, comprehensive cooperation, and the spirit of good neighborliness between Cambodia and Vietnam. They expressed their strong commitment to continue deepening and expanding cooperation under both bilateral and multilateral frameworks.

Defense and Security Cooperation:

The leaders commended the effective collaboration in defense and security. They encouraged their armed forces to strengthen cooperation in combating crime, including smuggling, drug trafficking, and transnational crimes. They agreed to expand the Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam Young Leaders’ training programs to enhance mutual understanding and collaboration. Additionally, they emphasized the importance of settling remaining border demarcation issues.

Economic and Trade Cooperation:

President To Lam and Cambodian leaders praised their institutions' efforts to increase economic exchanges. They highlighted the importance of strengthening connectivity to improve trade, tourism, and investment. The leaders agreed to support the early opening of the Meun Chey-Tan Nam international border checkpoint and the connection of the Phnom Penh-Bavet and Ho Chi Minh-Moc Bai expressways. They also discussed establishing more direct flights between popular tourist destinations in both countries.

Energy Cooperation:

Prime Minister Hun Manet expressed appreciation to Vietnam for its continued and steady supply of electricity. He thanked President To Lam for supporting Cambodia's proposal to increase electricity supply and encouraged energy ministers from both countries to discuss consolidating strategic cooperation in energy.

Cultural and Educational Cooperation:

Other topics covered during President To Lam’s meetings included cooperation in education, cultural and youth exchanges, cooperation under the Mekong River Commission, and facilitation of consular issues. President To Lam received a courtesy call from Men Sam An, President of the Cambodia-Vietnam Friendship Association, and met with over 200 Cambodian alumni from Vietnam. He also visited the Royal University of Phnom Penh, where he delivered a keynote address promoting Cambodia-Vietnam amicable ties.