Vietnam Expresses Confidence in Cambodia’s Future Under Hun Manet As Phnom Penh Targets Higher‑Income Status

Vietnam’s top leaders have expressed confidence that Cambodia will achieve its long‑term development goals under Prime Minister Hun Manet, including ambitions to reach upper‑middle‑income status by 2030 and high‑income status by 2050. The remarks were made during meetings with Cambodian National Assembly President Samdech Khuon Sudary, who led a high‑level parliamentary delegation to Vietnam from July 27 to 29. According to a statement from Cambodia’s National Assembly, Vietnamese leaders congratulated Phnom Penh on its progress across multiple sectors and praised the country’s achievements under King Norodom Sihamoni, Cambodian People’s Party President Hun Sen, National Assembly President Khuon Sudary and Prime Minister Hun Manet. They described Hun Manet as a young, energetic and capable leader with a clear vision for guiding Cambodia toward its development objectives. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in trade, infrastructure, digital transformation, education, healthcare, agriculture and security. Cambodia welcomed Vietnam’s economic reforms and highlighted the importance of closer ties to promote regional connectivity and integration. Bilateral trade between Cambodia and Vietnam exceeded US$11.33 billion in 2025, with both countries supporting a target of raising two‑way trade to US$20 billion in the coming years. The two sides also agreed to deepen people‑to‑people exchanges ahead of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2027. Leaders said closer cooperation would contribute to sustainable development, peace and stability in both countries and across the wider region.