Vietnam and Cambodia are accelerating the development of border trade infrastructure, which officials consider a key driver of bilateral trade growth amid deeper regional integration.

On December 10 in An Giang province, the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) and the An Giang People’s Committee held a conference reviewing five years of the Border Trade Infrastructure Development Program to 2025, Vision to 2030. The event formed part of the Vietnam-Cambodia Border Trade Connectivity Forum and gathered central ministries, local authorities and businesses.

Vice Chairman of the An Giang provincial People’s Committee Le Trung Ho said the conference comes at a critical time as both countries seek to modernize border trade infrastructure an essential factor shaping future trade flows. He noted that An Giang holds dual advantages as a major agricultural hub and a gateway linking directly with Cambodia through border gates such as Tinh Bien, Khanh Binh, and Vinh Xuong.

In the 2021-2025 period, import-export turnover across the An Giang-Cambodia land border grew an average of 12.7% annually. Exports from An Giang to Cambodia exceeded USD 500 million per year, while imports reached over USD 600 million, consisting mainly of raw materials, agricultural products, seafood, rice, consumer goods and fertilizers.

Infrastructure gaps remain

Despite positive trading momentum, several weaknesses still hinder border commerce, including incomplete border-gate facilities, limited warehouses and logistics capacity, and inadequate transport links. Clearance times also fluctuate, especially for perishable agricultural and aquatic goods, while information sharing on standards and technical regulations remains insufficient.

According to Vu Thi Minh Ngoc of the MoIT’s Domestic Market Department, well-developed border trade infrastructure can significantly reduce logistics costs, improve delivery speed and enhance market access particularly for seasonal agricultural goods. It also supports job creation and income growth in border communities.

Tran Huu Linh, Director General of the Domestic Market Department, reported that Vietnam currently has 218 border markets, with the Vietnam-Cambodia border accounting for 39%. However, the region has only eight supermarkets, no major commercial centers and just one operational logistics center.

In the first nine months of 2025, import-export turnover through Vietnam-Cambodia border gates reached USD 5.9 billion, up 15.5%, showing strong demand but also untapped potential.

Policy direction and cooperation priorities

Director Linh highlighted that the newly approved E-Commerce Law will be an important foundation for future cross-border digital trade and a catalyst for improving commercial infrastructure, including at border areas.

Delegates at the conference discussed solutions to accelerate infrastructure development, streamline customs clearance, support Vietnamese firms in accessing the Cambodian market, promote e-commerce and logistics services, and help expand exports of consumer goods to Cambodia.

Businesses from both countries signed cooperation agreements on consumer goods distribution, logistics, tourism promotion and customer exchange.

According to the MoIT, Vietnam aims by 2030 to bring all border trade infrastructure up to national standards, cut logistics costs by 10-15%, increase border-gate trade flows, and ensure economic development goes hand in hand with border security and improved living standards for border communities.