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. About 200 delegates, including senior leaders, management agencies, friendship organizations, business associations, and typical corporations and companies of the two countries attended the Forum.

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

In her opening speech, Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly Nguyen Thi Thanh said that in recent years, the cooperative relationship between Vietnam and Cambodia has continued to be consolidated, strongly developed and deepened in many fields, in which economy , trade and investment have become one of the important pillars, bringing practical efficiency, bilateral benefits, and actively contributing to the stability and development of the region.

In particular, the talks between General Secretary To Lam and President of the Cambodian People's Party Hun Sen in Hanoi on September 1, 2025 clearly oriented the new phase of cooperation. Implementing the common understanding reached between the leaders of the two Parties, the two Governments signed the Agreement on promoting bilateral trade for the period 2025-2026. On October 3, 2025, the Vietnamese Government issued an Implementation Plan, aiming to create maximum convenience for businesses of the two countries, with incentives on tax, customs, logistics, e-commerce and market promotion.

In terms of investment, Cambodia is one of the key and earliest locations in Vietnam's foreign investment strategy. Up to now, Vietnam has more than 200 investment projects in Cambodia, accounting for about 12% of total foreign direct investment, contributing to promoting growth, creating jobs and developing the country's economy and society.

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

“This is a favorable opportunity to jointly tap resources, unlock potentials, create new breakthroughs, expand cooperation, contribute to elevating the Vietnam-Cambodia economic relationship, and realize the strategic vision of the leaders of the two Parties and two States,” Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly Nguyen Thi Thanh emphasized.

In that spirit, she suggested that the business communities of the two countries continue to promote the spirit of proactiveness, creativity and mutually beneficial cooperation; increase exchanges and learn about each other in a more comprehensive and substantive manner, expand investment, trade and technology transfer connections, and jointly exploit more effectively the great cooperation potential between Vietnam and Cambodia.

Signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation between Vietnamese and Cambodian enterprises at the Forum. (Photo: People's Representative Newspaper)

Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly Nguyen Thi Thanh stated: always respectfully listen to opinions, recommendations and initiatives from the business communities of the two countries, those who are directly creating substantive cooperation values. Each sharing and proposal is a valuable source of information to help the two Associations as well as relevant agencies of the two countries continue to improve policies, remove difficulties and expand cooperation and investment opportunities for the common interests of the two peoples.

In particular, Vietnam has consistently advocated creating favorable conditions for Cambodian enterprises to invest and do business effectively in Vietnam. She hopes that the Royal Government of Cambodia will continue to accompany, support and create a favorable environment for Vietnamese enterprises to expand cooperation, investment and trade in Cambodia, together towards the goal of sustainable development and common prosperity of the two countries and peoples.

Speaking at the Forum, Vietnamese Ambassador to Cambodia Nguyen Minh Vu said that the relationship between the two countries is highly complementary, with trade turnover reaching 8.7 billion USD in 2024, expected to reach 12 billion USD in 2025. Vietnam is currently among the top 5 largest investors in Cambodia, with 216 valid projects. The Ambassador said that the two countries still have a lot of potential in agriculture, energy, tourism and digital transformation, and recommended that businesses increase their understanding of local laws and culture, aiming for a turnover of 20 billion USD by 2030.

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

Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Nguyen Manh Cuong said that the city is committed to continuing to accompany Cambodian partners, further strengthening the traditional solidarity and friendship, deepening and diversifying economic, investment and trade cooperation between Vietnam and Cambodia; actively contributing to the goal of sustainable development and common prosperity of the region.

At the forum, representatives of businesses from both countries had in-depth discussions on the potential for cooperation in three strategic areas: supermarket chain development, petroleum cooperation, 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 enterprises participated in the exhibition, introduced products, and expanded direct trade connections.

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