Vietnam - Cambodia Friendship Association: Connecting businesses, promoting economic cooperation

Up to now, the Vietnam - Cambodia Friendship Association (Association) has developed and organized in 43/63 provinces and cities nationwide, of which all 10 border provinces bordering Cambodia have Associations.

Nurturing friendship, connecting young generations of the two countries

In 2012, on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Cambodia, the Association initiated the program "Nurturing Friendship", aiming to support Cambodian students studying in Vietnam, helping them integrate, develop and become a bridge for the friendship between the two countries.

According to the Association’s report, the program started with 12 families sponsoring 34 Cambodian students in Hanoi and Thai Binh. To date, the program has expanded nationwide, supporting more than 500 students.

Sponsorship Ceremony for Cambodian Students in Hanoi for the 2023-2024 school year.

With Vietnamese parents sponsoring them through the "Nurturing Friendship" program, Cambodian students can study with peace of mind and learn more about Vietnamese customs, culture, and history.

The Association also actively coordinates with Cambodian student training schools and businesses to create the most favorable learning conditions for them.

The Association also regularly organizes exchange programs between Vietnamese and Cambodian students, meetings between former experts, former Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and Cambodian students. It publishes books and documents to preserve history and convey the message of friendship to future generations.

The programs have helped Cambodian students gain a good foundation for work and many development opportunities. At the same time, they have a better understanding of the history of relations between the two countries, contributing to creating a solid foundation for the Vietnam - Cambodia relationship in the future.

Connecting businesses, promoting economic cooperation

Along with activities to connect the younger generation, the Association also plays an important role in connecting businesses of the two countries. The Vietnam - Cambodia Business Club (established in 2008) is the focal point to support businesses in accessing the Cambodian market, providing advice on culture, business environment, tax procedures, customs, legal procedures, translation, etc.

The Association has organized many business delegations to Cambodia to explore the market, work with authorities to grasp investment policies, and support Vietnamese businesses to access the Cambodian market.

President of the Vietnam - Cambodia Friendship Association Nguyen Thi Thanh welcomed President of the Cambodia - Vietnam Friendship Association Men Sam An at Hoa Lu border gate (Binh Phuoc) during the 5th Vietnam - Cambodia People's Friendship and Cooperation Meeting, November 2022. (Photo: Thanh Luan).

The association also mobilizes businesses to support Cambodian students with excellent achievements, and support the Cambodian-Vietnamese community, especially those living in Tonle Sap Lake, to move ashore and stabilize their lives.

Since 2015, the Association has established a foreign language center teaching Khmer in Ho Chi Minh City, attracting more than 200 students. The center also organizes Vietnamese classes for Cambodians, contributing to promoting language and cultural exchange between the two countries.

With its outstanding contributions, the Association has received the Emulation Flag of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations and the Certificate of Merit from the Central External Relations Commission for many consecutive years. In 2020, the Association was honored to be awarded the Second Class Labor Medal by the President.

Leaders of Cambodia also highly appreciate the role of the Association. During his visit to Vietnam in December 2023, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia Hun Manet highly appreciated the role of the Association in connecting and promoting people-to-people exchanges between the two countries. He expressed his hope that the Association would continue to promote its role, promote youth cooperation between border provinces, and contribute to fostering the strong friendship between the two countries.

On March 30 in Hanoi, the Vietnam - Cambodia Friendship Association celebrated its 50th anniversary (January 22, 1975 - January 22, 2025) and received the First Class Labor Medal awarded by the President. The event was not only an opportunity to review half a century of solidarity and development, but also to orient the Association's activities in the new period, continuing to promote the Vietnam - Cambodia friendship.

Source: https://thoidai.com.vn/hoi-huu-nghi-viet-nam-campuchia-ket-noi-doanh-nghiep-thuc-day-hop-tac-kinh-te-211946.html