On December 8, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Prime Minister Hun Manet had bilateral talks to review recent cooperation and outline directions to further strengthen the bilateral partnership. Both leaders agreed that, over the past year, the two governments had effectively implemented the conclusions of the February 2025 meeting between the Parties, advancing joint plans with a proactive, results-oriented approach and achieving substantive progress.

Economic, trade and investment ties continued to grow strongly. Bilateral trade reached USD 10.4 billion in the first 11 months of 2025, an increase of 12.7% year-on-year, and is expected to hit USD 12 billion by year-end. Vietnam remains Cambodia’s largest ASEAN trading partner and its third-largest worldwide, while also standing among its five biggest foreign investors. Cambodia, meanwhile, is Vietnam’s second-largest overseas investment destination.

Both Prime Ministers underscored the strategic significance of the newly inaugurated Tan Nam - Meun Chey International Border Gate, which is expected to deepen economic connectivity, expand trade flows and foster people-to-people exchanges. They reaffirmed their commitment to improving border-gate systems and upgrading cross-border infrastructure to create fresh momentum for regional development.

Alongside these positive developments, the two leaders stressed the need for enhanced coordination in border management to safeguard security and public order, combat cross-border crime, smuggling and illicit activities. They agreed to expedite the signing of the “Agreement on Border-Gate Management” and the “Agreement on Border Management Regulations” to facilitate border trade and strengthen border administration in line with both countries’ development priorities.

Looking ahead, the two sides pledged to work in close alignment to elevate bilateral relations, bolster high-level exchanges across all channels, and reinforce cooperation in defense and security. They also agreed to coordinate efforts to counter misinformation, hostile narratives and attempts to undermine the Vietnam - Cambodia ties.

Both countries will focus on creating breakthroughs in economic cooperation and deepening economic integration, ranging from digital-economy collaboration and infrastructure connectivity to policy harmonization. Priority areas include trade, investment, transport, culture and tourism; accelerating logistics and transport linkages; and developing border-gate and cross-border commercial infrastructure. The two sides aim to raise bilateral trade to USD 20 billion in the near future.

The Prime Ministers emphasized the importance of maintaining a peaceful, stable and sustainably developing shared border. They committed to timely and appropriate settlement of emerging issues, including environmental protection in border areas; advancing negotiations to finalize the remaining 16% of undemarcated land border; and strengthening coordination in the management of both land and maritime borders, guided by mutual respect, understanding and international law.

On this occasion, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh also called on the Cambodian side to continue addressing the legal status of people of Vietnamese origin living in Cambodia, enabling them to lead stable lives and contribute constructively to Cambodia’s prosperity and to the friendship between the two countries.