The 2nd Vietnam - Cambodia Border Defense Friendship Exchange

On November 13-14, the 2nd Vietnam - Cambodia Border Defense Friendship Exchange program was held in the common border area between Tay Ninh province (Vietnam) and Svay Rieng province (Cambodia).

The second Vietnam-Cambodia border defense friendship exchange was co-chaired by General Phan Van Giang, Politburo member, Deputy Secretary of the Central Military Commission, Minister of National Defense of Vietnam, and General Tea Seiha, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense of Cambodia.

General Phan Van Giang, Minister of National Defense of Vietnam and General Tea Seiha, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense of Cambodia co-chaired the program.

PHOTO: THUY LIEU

Before the official exchange day, many sideline activities took place, including a program to examine and treat people along the two sides of the border, and a program to exchange young officers of the Vietnam - Cambodia border on the evening of November 12 at the Cultural Center of Tay Ninh province.

On November 13, in Vietnam, the two sides organized many meaningful activities. The Cambodian delegation was officially welcomed at the Moc Bai border gate (Tay Ninh province). The leaders of the two countries' defense ministries planted friendship trees and witnessed a joint military medical exercise of the two countries' armies. At the end of the exercise, the two ministers presented gifts to encourage the participating forces.

General Phan Van Giang and General Tea Seiha planted a friendship tree at the Vietnam - Cambodia border.

PHOTO: THUY LIEU

Joint military medical exercise of the armies of Vietnam and Cambodia

PHOTO: LE TRAM - THUY LIEU

Afterwards, the delegation attended the inauguration ceremony of the boarding classrooms of Ben Cau Primary School (Thuan Lam Hamlet, Ben Cau Commune, Tay Ninh Province); and the twinning ceremony of the residential clusters on both sides of the border between Long Cuong Hamlet (Long Thuan Commune, Tay Ninh, Vietnam) and O Ta Mo Hamlet, Mo No Rum Commune (Svay Teap District, Svay Rieng Province, Cambodia).

Students of Ben Cau Primary School tie a red scarf for General Phan Van Giang

PHOTO: LE TRAM

Leaders of the Ministry of National Defense cut the ribbon to inaugurate the boarding classroom area of ​​Ben Cau Primary School (Thuan Lam Hamlet, Ben Cau Commune, Tay Ninh Province).

PHOTO: LE TRAM

Delegates from the two countries also visited the Traditional House of Division 5 (Military Region 7) before entering into talks and signing defense cooperation documents.

General Phan Van Giang and General Tea Seiha visit the Traditional House of Division 5 (Military Region 7)

PHOTO: THUY LIEU

On November 14, in Cambodia, the host side held an official welcoming ceremony for the Vietnamese Minister of National Defense; performed a salute and painted sovereignty marker 171; planted friendship trees; and conducted a joint patrol between the two countries' border management and protection forces.

The two sides attended the groundbreaking ceremony of the Sang Sovan Primary School (Svay Teap district, Svay Rieng province) and visited the headquarters of the Svay Rieng Provincial Gendarmerie Command.

Strengthening peace and cooperation between the two countries

During the talks, General Phan Van Giang emphasized that the border defense friendship exchange is a bright spot of cooperation, continuing the good results from the first program held in Binh Phuoc province (Vietnam) and Kratie province (Cambodia) in May 2022.

This event continues to affirm the effective cooperation model, with profound political significance, demonstrating the determination of the Party, State, army, ministries, localities and especially the people of the two countries in building a border of peace, friendship, cooperation and development.

General Tea Seiha and General Phan Van Giang exchanged views at the talks and signed defense cooperation documents.

PHOTO: THUY LIEU

Minister Phan Van Giang assessed that in recent times, Vietnam-Cambodia defense cooperation has become increasingly substantive. The two sides have increased the exchange of information and effectively advised senior leaders; comprehensively deployed cooperation between the Border Guard, military regions, border units, customs, and coast guard; organized joint patrols and fought against transnational crimes.

Many models of twinning stations and residential areas on both sides of the border have been effective, contributing positively to social security and strengthening solidarity between the people of the two countries.

The Minister also emphasized that this young officer exchange activity has rich content, contributing to educating the younger generation about the tradition of Vietnam - Cambodia friendship.

In the political and ideological fields, the two countries successfully coordinated to organize the 48th anniversary of Samdech Techo Hun Sen's "Journey to overthrow the Pol Pot genocidal regime", while also strengthening propaganda and education about the history and friendly relations between the two countries' armies.

Regarding the direction of cooperation in the coming time, the two Ministers agreed to continue to strengthen the solidarity and close relationship between the two countries; increase the exchange of situations and effectively advise senior leaders; promote meetings and contacts at high and all levels; expand exchanges between young leaders and young officers; and effectively promote policy dialogue mechanisms.

The two sides agreed to promote cooperation among Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, including annual meetings of the three defense ministers, joint exercises and coordination in the fight against crime.

At the end of the talks, the two Ministers signed the 2026 Cooperation Plan; Memorandum of Understanding on strengthening cooperation in the field of human resource training and education; Agreement on border cooperation. At the same time, they witnessed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Moc Bai International Border Guard Station (Vietnam) and the Bavet City Gendarmerie Command (Cambodia).

PHOTO: LE TRAM

Regarding border cooperation, the two sides agreed to strengthen coordination in border management and protection; exchange information; conduct bilateral patrols; protect border lines and landmarks; promptly handle arising incidents; prevent transnational crimes; and build a peaceful, stable, friendly, innovative and developing border area.

In his speech, General Tea Seiha thanked the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense for its warm welcome to the Cambodian delegation; expressed condolences for the damage caused by the storm in Vietnam; and congratulated Vietnam for successfully organizing many events in recent times.

The Cambodian Minister affirmed his hope that through this friendly exchange, the cooperation between the two Ministers and the two Ministries of Defense will become increasingly stronger, the border environment will become more stable and the lives of the people of the two countries will continue to improve. The two sides agreed on the cooperation contents discussed at the talks.

The second Vietnam - Cambodia border defense friendship exchange is a key defense foreign affairs event and activity in 2025, with significance in many aspects.

The event aims to strengthen solidarity and friendship, promote substantive and effective cooperation between border management and protection forces, local authorities and people in the border areas of the two countries; contributing to building a peaceful, friendly, stable, cooperative and developing Vietnam - Cambodia border.

At the same time, the event strengthens political trust, directly contributes to promoting and strengthening the solidarity and friendship between Vietnam and Cambodia; and contributes to fighting against views and arguments that distort the Vietnam-Cambodia relationship.

This is also a meaningful event for foreign information, introducing and promoting the image of Vietnam as a peace-loving, friendly and amicable country to neighboring countries, officers, soldiers of the armed forces and people; our compatriots abroad and friends, the international community.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/giao-luu-huu-nghi-quoc-phong-bien-gioi-viet-nam-campuchia-lan-thu-2-185251113141220489.htm