Vietnam-Cambodia: Looking back on journey of cooperation

	Vietnam-Cambodia trade maintains positive growth
	Vietnam-Cambodia relations expected to enter new development period: official

The bilateral meeting between the GDVC and the GDCEC. Photo: H.N

Fostering relations

Speaking at the opening of the meeting, on behalf of Vietnam Customs, Director General Nguyen Van Tho warmly welcomed Mr. Kun Nhem, Minister Attached to the Prime Minister, Director General of the GDCEC and the high-ranking delegation to visit and work with Vietnam Customs.

Based on the foundation of traditional friendship and long-term sustainability between Vietnam and Cambodia, the cooperation between the two Customs administrations has been promoted in a more practical and effective manner, facilitating development of economy, trade, investment and movement between the two peoples. Vietnam Customs always respects, preserves and develops the cooperative relationship, Director General Nguyen Van Tho emphasized.

The GDVC and the GDCEC held the bilateral meeting on November 15, 2022 in Siem Reap city, Cambodia.

Accordingly, the two sides have promptly shared and provided information on changes in policies and procedures related to customs, trade and import-export fields through focal points and at annual meetings of all levels of each side to coordinate and facilitate border trade.

Additionally, the two sides regularly exchange information on the policies and guidelines of the two countries in the customs field, customs procedures for imports and exports, goods of border residents, exit, entry and transit means of transport and luggage to coordinate in performing the tasks of each side, and to facilitate import and export activities at the border gate area.

The Customs administrations along the common border of the two countries have supported each other to promptly remove difficulties and obstacles, facilitate and quickly process customs clearance for goods and vehicles, and prevent backlog of goods at the border gate.

Notably, on November 4, 2024, Vietnam Customs collaborated with the relevant enforcement authorities to facilitate customs clearance for vehicles, equipment, and charity money for the Kathina Ceremony to be donated to some pagodas in the country.

Vietnam and Cambodia Customs administrations have effectively coordinated, consulted and exchanged information in multilateral forums. Especially within the ASEAN framework, the two countries have well implemented their commitments within ASEAN with the aim of accelerating intra-ASEAN integration under the commitments of the leaders.

The leaders of the two Customs administrations always pay attention to directing the building and development of friendly cooperation between the two administrations. The two sides maintain and organize annual meetings at all levels. The border customs departments of the two countries regularly work and coordinate to perform customs control in the management areas of each side.

Mr. Kun Nhem, Minister Attached to the Prime Minister, Director General of the GDCEC, said that Cambodia Customs has achieved many positive results in all fields.

To gain these impressive achievements, Mr. Kun Nhem said that the information exchange and technical assistance by Vietnam Customs have brought benefits for Cambodia Customs in the development process.

Continuing to strengthen cooperation relations

At the meeting, the leaders of both sides agreed that the cooperation and mutual support activities between the two Customs administrations for many years have met the requirements of improving the effectiveness of state management of customs.

Additionally, the cooperation relations have ensured the implementation of international commitments as well as contributed to enhancing mutual understanding, tightening the good cooperative relationship between the Customs administrations.

Nguyen Van Tho Director General of the GDVC and Kun Nhem, Minister attached to the Prime Minister, Director General of the GDCE signed the Memorandum of cooperation in 2025. Photo: H.Nu

In order to further consolidate and develop the relationships and mutual support towards the goal of facilitating and ensuring security for Vietnam - Cambodia trade, Director General Nguyen Van Tho and Minister attached to the Prime Minister, Director General Kun Nhem, approved the cooperation plan in 2025.

Accordingly, the two sides will promote exchanges and regularly update information on goods, rings of smuggling, trade fraud, intellectual property infringement and operation methods of criminal organizations, and effectively use information channels through focal points at all levels to promptly notify about arising cases.

The two sides will closely and promptly coordinate in verifying suspected customs offences; study the risk management coordination mechanism for common application, helping to identify suspected goods and subjects, thereby enhancing control effectiveness; actively cooperate with the enforcement authorities of each side to provide a list of subjects of illegally transporting drugs across the border gate to control and, prevent and arrest (if any).

The two administrations will closely collaborate in controlling transit goods, import and export goods transported on barges, especially cargo containers to prevent risks of smuggling, import and export of prohibited goods, and transporting drugs across the border; strengthen information dissemination for people to understand the harmful effects of smuggling, trade fraud, and intellectual property infringement on the economy, society, and national security, and to actively participate in denouncing crimes.

The Director General of Vietnam Customs proposed Cambodia Customs to approve the granting the license of customs clearance for Vietnamese exports to Cambodia and take measures to process customs clearance procedures more quickly, especially for exported goods at border gates.

At the same time, the Director General proposed Cambodia Customs to assign a focal point to cooperate with Vietnam Customs when Vietnam Customs implements the digital border gate project applicable to international land and water border gates.

The Director General also suggested that the customs administrations of each side should pay attention to investing in developing infrastructure in border areas, streamlining administrative procedures to facilitate smooth and effective cross-border trade.

The two sides need to promote experience exchanges between customs officers of the two countries on customs operations, management methods, application of new technology in the electronic environment, and monitoring cargo through automated systems; coordinate with enforcement authorities to assess the implementation of the One-stop-inspection model and report to competent authorities for consideration and decision.

Vietnam Customs asked Cambodian Customs to propose the competent Cambodian authorities to issue permits for Cambodian means of transport entering Vietnam for non-commercial purposes.