Vietnam – Cambodia Information Cooperation: From Traditional Knowledge to Creating the Future

Within the framework of the 17th ASEAN Ministers on Information (AMRI) Meeting and Related Meetings, held in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam from 05 to 08 May 2025, a bilateral meeting was held between Mr. Neth Pheaktra, Minister of Information of Cambodia and Mr. Le Hai Binh, Permanent Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vietnam. The meeting aimed to further strengthen the traditional good cooperation between the two countries in the field of information and communications.

At the beginning of the meeting, Minister Neth Pheaktra warmly congratulated Vietnam on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the South and national reunification, and expressed his joy that the Cambodian parade had the opportunity to participate in this important event.

Reviewing the cooperation process, Minister Neth Pheaktra recalled the extensive cooperation that has been implemented with major Vietnamese news agencies such as the Voice of Vietnam (VOV), Vietnam Television (VTV) and the Ministry of Information and Communications of Vietnam (formerly). Cooperation activities include exchanges of delegations at all levels and press delegations of the two countries; support for training in journalism and publishing for Cambodia; exchange of content, radio and television programs, and publications; as well as promoting and facilitating cooperation between press agencies of the two countries in reporting, sharing experiences and providing technical support to each other.

Cambodia also proposed that Vietnam support cooperation with the National Archives of Vietnam and Can Tho Television Station to collect valuable historical documents about the common border area between the two countries.

An important highlight in Minister Neth Pheaktra's sharing was the affirmation of Vietnam's historical role in helping the Cambodian people liberate the country from the Khmer Rouge genocidal regime. Drawing on his personal experience as Spokesperson and Head of the External Affairs Department at the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC), also known as the Khmer Rouge Tribunal, where he focused on enforcing justice for genocide crimes, Minister Neth Pheaktra emphasized that the media is an extremely powerful tool in spreading correct ideas and information.

However, he also stressed that the media can be exploited by hostile forces to spread false information, causing negative impacts on society. He said Cambodia has been implementingeducational programs for the younger generation about the history of the Khmer Rouge and border issues with Vietnam in an objective and accurate manner. Faced with new challenges, Cambodia also proposed cooperation with Vietnam in the field of media crisis management on social networks.

In response to the sincere sharing from Cambodia, Permanent Deputy Minister Le Hai Binh thanked Minister Neth Pheaktra for his accurate and objective views on Vietnam's support for the liberation of the Cambodian people.

Both sides agreed that information and communication should be used constructively to help the international community have a correct view of Vietnam and Cambodia, thereby correctly understanding the past to jointly build a good partnership in the present and orient the future.

Deputy Minister Le Hai Binh also shared that in the context of the rapidly changing world situation leading to challenges in all aspects, this is the time when the two countries need to strengthen solidarity and stand side by side.

The Deputy Minister stressed the importance of utilizing cooperation mechanisms within the ASEAN framework and the need to invest in information infrastructure. He fully agreed with the Cambodian Minister on the important role of education and exchange programs, especially of journalists, in enhancing genuine understanding between the people of the two countries.

Deputy Minister Le Hai Binh emphasized that the young generations of the two countries, on the basis of the precious heritage that previous generations have worked hard to cultivate, have the responsibility to continue and create a better future for the Vietnam - Cambodia relationship.

Quoting General Secretary To Lam: "We cannot rewrite history, but we can replan the future. The past is to be remembered, to be grateful for and to learn lessons from. The future is to be built, created and developed together.", the Deputy Minister expressed his confidence in the strong development of the bilateral relationship.

At the end of the meeting, the two sides agreed to assign tasks to relevant functional units of the two ministries to continue researching, promoting and expanding cooperation in traditional fields, while seeking cooperation opportunities in new fields such as preventing fake news, handling misinformation and distorted information.

On this occasion, Permanent Deputy Minister Le Hai Binh respectfully invited Cambodian Minister of Information Neth Pheaktra to visit and work in Vietnam. Minister Neth Pheaktra happily accepted the invitation.

Source: https://bvhttdl.gov.vn/hop-tac-thong-tin-viet-nam-camchuria-tu-hieu-biet-truyen-thong-den-kien-tao-tuong-lai-20250509164629307.htm