King set to embark on a state visit to Vietnam

The King’s official visit is set to take place from tomorrow to Friday, at the invitation of the Vietnamese State President Luong Cuong.

During the King’s absence, Senate President Hun Sen will serve as the acting head of state, according to the King’s statement on Monday.

However, the specific agenda for the King’s visit has not yet been disclosed.

King Sihamoni had received a courtesy call from Chairman of the Vietnamese National Assembly Tran Thanh Man on Saturday during his official visit to Cambodia to attend the 12th General Assembly of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP) and the 11th Plenary Session of the International Parliament for Tolerance and Peace (IPTP) from November 21 to 24.

The often-official visits exchanged between the top leaders of both countries are believed to have contributed to strengthening strategic trust, deepening the bilateral relationship, as well as promoting cooperation between the two nations’ legislative bodies, said Vice Chairwoman of the NA Committee for External Relations Lê Thu Hà.

Thong Mengdavid, a Geopolitical Analyst and Lecturer at the Institute for International Studies and Public Policy (IISPP) of the Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP), said that the visit underscores the long-standing friendship and strategic partnership between the two neighbouring nations, which share deep historical, cultural, and economic ties.

“First of all, the visit symbolises mutual respect and trust at the highest levels of government. It reaffirms Cambodia and Vietnam’s commitment to maintaining close political ties that are the foundation of cooperation in various fields,” said Mengdavid.

He added that the visit is expected to strengthen both countries’ commitment to non-interference, respect for sovereignty, and border development, while also enhancing their diplomatic standing and alignment on regional and global security issues.

It also emphasises mutual respect and shared goals; the visit could lay the groundwork for deeper collaboration, making both nations more cooperative and more prosperous, he added.

Vietnam and Cambodia established diplomatic ties in 1967, and today, Vietnam is Cambodia’s third-largest trading partner and the leading partner within ASEAN. In 2023, trade between the two nations reached an impressive $8.6 billion, highlighting the growing economic relationship between the two countries.

This year marks the 57th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Cambodia. Throughout these 57 years, the bond between the two nations has steadily strengthened.

Over this period of diplomatic relations, Cambodia and Vietnam have not only navigated through numerous challenges at the national and international levels but have also deepened their cooperation across a multitude of sectors, from politics and security to economy, culture, education, and beyond.