On December 11, 2023, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet embarked on an official visit to Vietnam with the aim of strengthening ties between the two countries, which have historically experienced fluctuating relations.[i]
Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh organized a welcoming ceremony for Hun Manet in the capital, Hanoi. During these engagements, negotiations on collaboration in various fields such as education, trade, security, defense, and border affairs took place. The two leaders participated in the signing ceremony of several agreements, encompassing cooperation in trade and science. Bilateral trade between Vietnam and Cambodia reached $10.57 billion in 2022 and rose to $7.1 billion in the first 10 months of 2023. By the year-end, this figure is expected to reach $9 billion. Vietnam stands as Cambodia’s third-largest trading partner. [ii]
Hun Manet, serving as the Prime Minister of Cambodia since August 2023, visited Vietnam for the first time, taking over from his father Hun Sen, who held power for 38 years. Many Cambodians historically harbor a traditional animosity towards Vietnam, accusing them of attempting to annex Cambodian territories. Some Cambodian politicians emphasize this issue, highlighting the widespread prejudice against the Vietnamese among Cambodian nationalists.[iii]
Hun Sen, the father of Hun Manet, was appointed as the Prime Minister in 1985 by the Vietnamese occupation force that entered Cambodia in 1979 to remove the communist Khmer Rouge from power. The Khmer Rouge regime is held responsible for the deaths of approximately 1.7 million Cambodians through starvation, overwork, and execution during the Cambodian Civil War from 1970 to 1975.[iv]
Hun Sen served as a mid-ranking Khmer Rouge commander and was injured during Cambodia’s internal war from 1970 to 1975. In 1977, during internal purges within the Khmer Rouge, Hun Sen fled to Vietnam and joined an anti-Khmer Rouge resistance movement established there. Hun Manet, in turn, became the first Cambodian graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1999. Before assuming the role of Prime Minister, he served as the commander of the Cambodian army.[v]
Hun Manet does not show any signs of deviating from his father’s policies. Vietnam-Cambodia relations have historically been complex, involving both cooperation and tensions. The year 1979, when Vietnam invaded Cambodia and overthrew the Khmer Rouge, marked a significant turning point in these relations. However, some segments of Cambodian society still harbor a traditional animosity towards Vietnam and express concerns over issues like territorial disputes.
The agreements signed during the visit in the fields of trade and science aim to strengthen economic cooperation. Trade figures for 2022 and 2023 indicate a strengthening of economic ties, potentially increasing the interdependence between the two countries in achieving their development goals.
The agenda of the talks also includes security and defense cooperation, which could be a crucial step in maintaining regional stability. Both Vietnam and Cambodia seem to recognize the necessity of solidarity in the face of regional security threats.
The distrust and dissatisfaction that some segments of Cambodia feel towards Vietnam continue to impact diplomatic relations. This situation underscores the need for more effort to overcome cultural and historical challenges between the two nations and foster understanding.
In conclusion, this visit represents a positive momentum in Vietnam-Cambodia relations. Historical challenges and regional dynamics require leaders of both countries to continue their efforts in strengthening relations and focusing on mutual interests. In the future, enhancing cultural understanding, deepening economic cooperation, and establishing a shared vision on regional security issues will be crucial for both nations.
[i] “Cambodia’s Leader Holds Talks in Neighboring Vietnam on First Visit Since Becoming Prime Minister”, Associated Press News, https://apnews.com/article/hun-manet-trade-hanoi-cambodia-vietnam-dd18df078fb88a17e7a359e24c8b29ff, (Accessed: 11.12.2023).
[ii] Ibid.
[iii] Ibid.
[iv] Ibid
[v] “Cambodia’s Prime Minister Visits Vietnam to Sign Deals on Trade and Science”, Breaking News.İe, https://www.breakingnews.ie/world/cambodias-prime-minister-visits-vietnam-to-sign-deals-on-trade-and-science-1563023.html,(Accessed: 11.12.2023).
