Striving to bring Vietnam - Cambodia trade to 20 billion USD

On October 11, the Vietnam - Cambodia Business Forum 2025 took place in Ho Chi Minh City. Member of the Party Central Committee, Vice President of the National Assembly, President of the Vietnam - Cambodia Friendship Association Nguyen Thi Thanh attended and spoke at the Forum.

The event was organized by the Central Committee of the Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Association in coordination with the Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Association of Ho Chi Minh City, the Vietnam Federation of Commerce and Industry, the Cambodian Chamber of Commerce, and the Vietnam-Cambodia Business Association. Approximately 200 delegates, including high-ranking leaders, government officials, friendship organizations, business associations, and leading corporations and companies from both countries, attended the Forum.

Member of the Central Committee of the Party, Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly , and Chairwoman of the Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Association, Nguyen Thi Thanh, delivered the opening remarks at the Forum. (Photo: People's Representatives Newspaper)

In her opening remarks, Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly Nguyen Thi Thanh stated that in recent years, the cooperative relationship between Vietnam and Cambodia has continued to be strengthened, developed strongly, and deepened in many fields. In particular , economics , trade, and investment have become important pillars, bringing practical results and mutual benefits, and making a positive contribution to the stability and development of the region.

In particular, the talks between General Secretary To Lam and Chairman of the Cambodian People's Party Hun Sen in Hanoi on September 1, 2025, clearly outlined the direction for a new phase of cooperation. Implementing the common understanding reached between the leaders of the two Parties and Governments, a Bilateral Trade Promotion Agreement for the period 2025-2026 was signed. On October 3, 2025, the Vietnamese Government issued an Implementation Plan, aiming to provide maximum convenience for businesses of both countries, with incentives in taxation, customs, logistics, e-commerce, and market promotion.

In terms of investment, Cambodia is one of the key and earliest destinations in Vietnam's overseas investment strategy. To date, Vietnam has more than 200 investment projects in Cambodia, accounting for approximately 12% of total foreign direct investment, contributing to boosting growth, creating jobs, and developing the socio-economic conditions of Cambodia.

However, the Vice Chairman of the National Assembly also noted that the scale of investment cooperation between the two countries is still modest compared to the enormous potential that is unfolding, especially in the fields of green economy, renewable energy, high-tech agriculture, tourism, and trade.

"This is a favorable time to jointly unlock resources, unleash potential, create new breakthroughs, expand cooperation, contribute to elevating Vietnam-Cambodia economic relations, and realize the strategic vision of the leaders of the two Parties and two States," emphasized Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly Nguyen Thi Thanh.

In that spirit, she suggested that the business communities of both countries continue to promote a proactive, creative, and mutually beneficial cooperation spirit; strengthen exchanges and mutual understanding in a more comprehensive and substantive way; expand investment, trade, and technology transfer connections; and together more effectively exploit the enormous cooperation potential between Vietnam and Cambodia.

The signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation between Vietnamese and Cambodian businesses at the Forum. (Photo: People's Representatives Newspaper)

Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly Nguyen Thi Thanh stated: "We always appreciate and listen to the opinions, suggestions, and initiatives from the business communities of both countries, who are directly creating substantive cooperation values. Every sharing and proposal is a valuable source of information that helps the two associations, as well as relevant agencies of both countries, to further improve policies, overcome difficulties, and expand opportunities for cooperation and investment for the common benefit of both nations."

In particular, Vietnam has consistently pursued the policy of creating all favorable conditions for Cambodian businesses to invest and conduct business effectively in Vietnam. She hoped that the Royal Government of Cambodia would continue to cooperate, support, and create a favorable environment for Vietnamese businesses to expand cooperation, investment, and trade in Cambodia, working together towards the goal of sustainable development and common prosperity for both countries and their people.

Speaking at the Forum, Vietnamese Ambassador to Cambodia Nguyen Minh Vu stated that the two countries' relationship is highly complementary, with trade turnover reaching US$8.7 billion in 2024 and projected to reach US$12 billion in 2025. Vietnam is currently among the top 5 largest investors in Cambodia, with 216 active projects. The Ambassador noted that the two countries have significant potential in agriculture, energy, tourism, and digital transformation, and recommended that businesses enhance their understanding of local laws and culture, aiming for a US$20 billion trade turnover by 2030.

Vice Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Nguyen Manh Cuong speaks at the Forum. (Photo: VGP)

According to Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Nguyen Manh Cuong, the city is committed to continuing to work alongside its Cambodian partners, further strengthening the traditional friendship and solidarity, deepening and diversifying economic, investment, and trade cooperation between Vietnam and Cambodia; and making positive contributions to the sustainable development and common prosperity of the region.

At the forum, business representatives from both countries engaged in in-depth discussions on potential cooperation in three strategic areas: supermarket chain development, petroleum cooperation, and food processing and import/export. Cambodian businesses also expressed their desire to bring more Vietnamese goods and products into the Cambodian market.

The highlight of the forum was the signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Vissan Company (Vietnam) and Degrand Group (Cambodia). In addition, more than 30 Vietnamese and Cambodian businesses participated in exhibiting and introducing their products, expanding direct trade connections.

Source: https://thoidai.com.vn/phan-dau-dua-thuong-mai-viet-nam-campuchia-dat-20-ty-usd-216896.html