The Vietnam-Cambodia International Commerce & Culture Forum 2026 took place in Phnom Penh on October 16, bringing together representatives of nearly 50 businesses from the two countries to explore trade, investment and cultural cooperation opportunities.
Speaking at the event, Vietnamese Ambassador to Cambodia Nguyen Minh Vu said the forum would help strengthen business connectivity, expand economic cooperation and promote cultural exchanges between the two countries.
He noted the positive growth in bilateral economic and trade ties, as well as regular cultural exchange activities, including culture weeks and days, artistic performances and photo exhibitions. These activities have helped introduce each country’s culture to people in the other country.
Vu recalled that at the Cambodia-Vietnam Business Forum on October 9, Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung outlined five major directions for bilateral economic cooperation. They include strengthening institutional and policy coordination, simplifying investment, immigration, customs and quarantine procedures, and maintaining regular dialogue to address business difficulties. Another direction is improving transport infrastructure, border gates, border markets and logistics, including the Ho Chi Minh City-Moc Bai-Bavet-Phnom Penh expressway.
Other priorities include developing agricultural and processing value chains linked to raw material areas, deeper processing, quality standards and traceability. The two sides also plan to expand financial and banking cooperation, local-currency payments and cross-border QR payments, while promoting digital transformation, e-commerce, renewable energy, power grid connectivity, tourism and high-quality human resources training.
Building on these directions, Vu encouraged businesses to focus on strengthening partnerships, sharing market information, improving logistics and facilitating trade. He also urged them to explore effective, sustainable and mutually beneficial investment, tourism and cultural exchange projects.
He said the Vietnamese embassy would continue working with relevant agencies, localities, associations and businesses to promote economic diplomacy, facilitate business connections and help resolve obstacles to cooperation. Vu expressed confidence that the forum would create new opportunities for investment and business partnerships and make Vietnam-Cambodia relations more substantive and effective.
Tan Monivann, Vice President of the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce, described the forum as a useful opportunity for businesses from both countries to establish direct contacts, exchange experience and explore cooperation.
He proposed deeper collaboration in agriculture, processing industries, forestry, construction, digital technology, renewable energy, tourism and services. In his view, combining Cambodia’s natural resources and growing market opportunities with Vietnam’s experience, technology and production capacity could strengthen supply chains, develop higher-value-added products for new export markets and create jobs in both countries.
Tan Monivann added that the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce was ready to facilitate business connections, promote dialogue, share market information and support mutually beneficial partnerships. He encouraged participants to use the forum to identify potential partners and concrete opportunities, then maintain contact to turn discussions into actual joint projects.
At the event, businesses from both countries introduced their capabilities, products and services and discussed trade, investment, distribution, market expansion and joint ventures.
The forum is expected to strengthen business connectivity, broaden commercial opportunities and promote cultural exchanges, bringing Vietnam and Cambodia closer for the benefit of their businesses and communities.
Sources: VietnamPlus / Vietnam News Agency
