PHNOM PENH: Prime Minister Hun Sen has stated that in the future, the construction of the Cambodia-Vietnam Friendship Monument will highlight the mutual assistance between the two countries, including Cambodia's assistance in building national unity in Vietnam, and Vietnam's assistance to Cambodia in overthrowing the Khmer Rouge regime.

In a special voice message sent by the Prime Minister on Sunday afternoon through the messaging app, Telegram, Prime Minister Hun Sen gave his reaction to a commenter on social media who said that "Vietnam is a mercenary of the Soviet Union in the liberation of Cambodia.” He said that he considered this statement to be a serious insult to the sacrifices of the Vietnamese volunteer soldiers who gave their lives to help Cambodia.

He further stated that Vietnam and Cambodia have always been grateful to each other for the national liberation of the people in both countries, and Vietnamese leaders also remember Cambodia's assistance in bringing Vietnam to the point of consolidation and development seen today. He continued that future plan for the construction of the Cambodia-Vietnam memorial is to commemorate the mutual gratitude the two countries hold for each other.

“Every speech made by Vietnamese leaders always includes thanks to Cambodia for helping Vietnam liberate Southern Vietnam. Therefore, regarding our plans for the future, all memorials must be written in full, and the construction of this monument will be to commemorate Cambodia’s help to Vietnam in liberating the South and bringing national unity and development, and also to memorialize Vietnam's assistance in freeing the Cambodian people from the genocidal regime of Pol Pot,” he said.

Vietnam gained independence from France on 2 September 1945. However, due to the effects of the Cold War, the country was divided into a communist North Vietnam, aligned with the Soviet-led Eastern Bloc, and South Vietnam, which aligned with the Western Bloc led by the United States. With the help of King Norodom Sihanouk who provided North Vietnam the use of Cambodian territory in the fight for national unification, the Northern Vietnamese army was able to conquer and occupy the entirety of Southern Vietnam on 30 April 1975.

At the end of 1978, Vietnam sent volunteer troops to join the Kampuchean United Front for National Salvation to overthrow the Khmer Rouge genocidal regime, enabling Cambodia to guarantee its people the right to life, and begin the journey of national development that continues until this day.