Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Association celebrates 50th anniversary: Strengthening friendship, looking towards the future

Hội hữu nghị Việt Nam-Campuchia kỷ niệm 50 năm thành lập: Thắt chặt tình hữu nghị, hướng tới tương lai

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son, on behalf of the Party and State leaders, presented the First Class Labor Medal to the Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Association in recognition of the Association's important contributions to promoting friendly relations between the two countries.

Attending the ceremony on the Vietnamese side were Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son; Vice President of the National Assembly and President of the Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Association Nguyen Thi Thanh; representatives of leaders of central ministries and branches; representatives of people's organizations, former volunteer soldiers, former Vietnamese experts who worked in Cambodia, and many members of the Association.

On the Cambodian side, there was Mr. Vann Phal, member of the Central Executive Committee of the Cambodian People's Party, Advisor to the Prime Minister of Cambodia, Vice President of the Cambodia-Vietnam Friendship Association, and Embassy of Cambodia in Vietnam.

On this occasion, General Secretary To Lam, President Luong Cuong, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, and National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man sent congratulatory flower baskets, expressing the special attention of the Party and State leaders to the Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Association.

Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly, Chairwoman of the Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Association Nguyen Thi Thanh speaks at the ceremony to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Association (January 22, 1975 - January 22, 2025).

Speaking at the ceremony, President of the Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Association Nguyen Thi Thanh emphasized: The Association was established in a special historical context, when the people of the two countries fought together for independence and freedom. After 50 years of development, the Association has become an important bridge in strengthening the traditional friendship between the two countries.

The Association has constantly innovated its methods of operation, from cultural, educational and economic cooperation in the years 1980 - 2000, to promoting people-to-people exchanges, organizing the "Nurturing Friendship" program, connecting former Vietnamese experts and former volunteer soldiers with Cambodian students in Vietnam. At the same time, the Association also developed a business network, supporting overseas Vietnamese in Cambodia to stabilize their lives.

With its persistent contributions, the Association has been honored to receive many noble awards from the Party, the State of Vietnam and the Government of Cambodia. Looking to the future, the Association is determined to continue to innovate its activities, promote cooperation in the fields of education, culture, economy, national defense and security, and at the same time focus on attracting the younger generation and businesses to participate in order to spread the spirit of solidarity.

Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son emphasized that the Party, State and people of Vietnam always attach special importance to and give high priority to consolidating and developing the good neighborly relations, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation, and long-term sustainability with the Cambodian People's Party, State and people of Cambodia.

Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son emphasized: “Vietnam and Cambodia are two neighboring countries with a traditional relationship of solidarity and friendship, forged through years of joint struggle for independence and freedom. The solidarity and mutual support between the two Parties and two States is a valuable asset that needs to be continued to be nurtured for future generations.

On this special occasion, we express our sincere gratitude for the great contributions and sacrifices of generations of leaders and people of the two countries who have spared no effort in bloodshed and self-sacrifice to foster the traditional solidarity and friendship between the Vietnamese and Cambodian peoples.

The Party, State and people of Vietnam always attach special importance to and give high priority to consolidating and developing the good neighborly relations, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation, long-term sustainability with the Cambodian People's Party, State and people of Cambodia, as President Ho Chi Minh wrote in a telegram to Head of State Norodom Sihanouk on November 8, 1968, "today as well as tomorrow, our two countries will forever remain close friends..."

On the occasion of the upcoming Cambodian traditional New Year Chol Chnam Thmey, the Deputy Prime Minister sent his best New Year wishes to the leaders and people of Cambodia.

The ceremony took place in a solemn atmosphere filled with solidarity.

Over the past 50 years, the Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Association has continuously developed, becoming an important bridge promoting people-to-people exchanges and cooperation between the two countries. Currently, the Association has more than 60,000 members in 41 provinces and cities, with many diverse activities such as delegation exchanges, organizing Cultural Weeks between the two countries, providing medical examination and treatment for people in border areas, etc., contributing to strengthening the connection between the people of Vietnam and Cambodia.

The Deputy Prime Minister suggested that the Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Association continue to innovate and improve its operational efficiency, especially focusing on attracting the younger generation to participate in people-to-people diplomacy. At the same time, the Association needs to closely coordinate with the Cambodia-Vietnam Friendship Association and related organizations to promote cooperation in many fields such as tourism, science and technology, environmental protection, natural disaster and disease prevention, etc.

On this occasion, Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son, on behalf of the Party and State leaders, presented the First Class Labor Medal to the Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Association in recognition of the Association's important contributions to promoting friendly relations between the two countries.

Mr. Vann Phal, Member of the Central Executive Committee of the Cambodian People's Party, Advisor to the Prime Minister of Cambodia, Vice President of the Cambodia-Vietnam Friendship Association spoke at the ceremony.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Vann Phal, Member of the Central Committee of the Cambodian People's Party, Advisor to the Prime Minister of Cambodia, Vice President of the Cambodia-Vietnam Friendship Association, emphasized: "Over the past 50 years, the Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Association has played an important role in enhancing understanding, solidarity and cooperation between the people of the two countries. This relationship is not only built from the history of common struggle, but also continues to develop strongly in the integration period, together towards sustainable development".

Mr. Vann Phal expressed his deep gratitude for the great assistance that Vietnam has given to Cambodia in the struggle for independence as well as in the process of national construction and development. At the same time, he affirmed that Cambodia always values and wishes to continue to preserve and foster the traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation, and long-term sustainability with Vietnam.

He congratulated the Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Association on its 50th anniversary of establishment and development, and hoped that the two associations would continue to closely coordinate, expand people-to-people exchange activities, and cooperate in many fields, making practical contributions to the Vietnam-Cambodia bilateral relationship.

The ceremony took place in a solemn atmosphere filled with solidarity, an opportunity to review the meaningful 50-year journey, and at the same time affirm the determination to continue consolidating and developing the good neighborly relationship, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation, and long-term sustainability between the people of Vietnam and Cambodia.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son, on behalf of the Party and State leaders, presented the First Class Labor Medal to the Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Association.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son, on behalf of the Party and State leaders, presented flowers to the Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Association.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son, Vice President of the National Assembly, President of the Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Association Nguyen Thi Thanh, Mr. Vann Phal, Member of the Central Executive Committee of the Cambodian People's Party, Advisor to the Prime Minister of Cambodia, Vice President of the Cambodia-Vietnam Friendship Association took a group photo with delegates attending the ceremony to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Association.