Practical initiatives to promote Vietnam - Cambodia friendship

Mr. Vu Vuong Viet, former Permanent Vice President of Vietnam - Cambodia Friendship Association:

Love is "nurtured"

Mr. Vu Vuong Viet visited the photo exhibition space "50 years of Vietnam - Cambodia Friendship Association". (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

The “Nurturing Friendship” initiative was initiated in 2012 at the suggestion of Mr. Vu Xuan Hong, then President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations. Initially, there were 12 families sponsoring 34 Cambodian students in Hanoi and Thai Binh. To date, the program has expanded nationwide, with more than 500 students sponsored. The program helps students gain more spiritual support, gain a deeper understanding of Vietnamese culture and build strong relationships.

Many memories of family ties remain intact: Mr. Pham Tuyen - former Head of the Vietnamese Youth Expert Group on international duty in Cambodia from 1979 to 1989, sponsored 9 Cambodian students for 10 years and organized the wedding of his godchild. Ms. Nguyen Thi Thao, a member of the Vietnam - Cambodia Friendship Association, once stayed overnight in the hospital when her godchild was sick. On the day her child got married, she and her husband were invited to Cambodia to attend the wedding, as family members.

Personally, knowing Khmer has given me the opportunity to bond more deeply with my godchildren’s families. When I went to Phnom Penh, my godchild’s family, although living about 10 km from the capital, still drove a tuk tuk to pick me up, as warmly as if meeting a family member.

In the coming time, the Vietnam - Cambodia Friendship Association needs to continue to protect and promote the traditional friendship through people-to-people diplomacy channels. At the same time, it is necessary to promote education for the younger generation about the tradition of solidarity, connect alumni associations and expand sponsorship programs to support more Cambodian students studying and working in Vietnam.

The Vietnam - Cambodia Friendship Association is one of the bilateral friendship associations with the largest number of members in the country, with more than 60,000 members in 41 provinces and cities.

In addition, it is necessary to collect the remains of volunteer soldiers, increase support for Vietnamese businesses investing in Cambodia and maintain and expand the Khmer language teaching program to help Vietnamese people better understand Cambodian culture. The signing of periodic cooperation memorandums of understanding between the Vietnam - Cambodia Friendship Association and the Cambodia - Vietnam Friendship Association is also a mechanism to help maintain cohesion and create a foundation for sustainable cooperation activities.

Mr. Le Hong Liem, Vice President of Vietnam - Cambodia Friendship Association:

Promote economic diplomacy

Mr. Le Hong Liem, Vice President of the Vietnam - Cambodia Friendship Association. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

In recent times, the Vietnam - Cambodia Friendship Association has played an important role in promoting economic diplomacy. Its members, especially businessmen, have become "ambassadors" on the economic front, contributing to the growth of trade turnover between the two countries from less than 5 billion USD in the past to 10 billion USD at present and towards the target of 20 billion USD in the future.

The Association has successfully gathered more than 300 businesses through the Vietnam - Cambodia Business Club, taking advantage of investment and cooperation opportunities in areas such as agriculture, technology, services, tourism and trade. These businesses not only seek profits but also pay attention to the lives of workers, comply with the laws of the two countries, contributing to building the image of Vietnamese businesses in Cambodia.

In addition, the Khmer Language Center, with a team of lecturers who are former volunteer soldiers and experts who have helped Cambodia, is deployed at many locations such as Pho Minh Pagoda, Xa Loi Buddhist Temple and Giac Ngo Pagoda (HCMC) and border areas such as Moc Hoa and Kien Tuong (Long An). Teaching Khmer helps Vietnamese businesses and individuals improve their understanding of Cambodian culture and language and promote economic and cultural exchanges.

The combination of the Vietnam - Cambodia Business Club and the Khmer Language Center is a solid foundation for the Vietnam - Cambodia Friendship Association to promote its foreign affairs role, expand economic cooperation and people-to-people exchange, creating conditions for the comprehensive development of bilateral relations.

Chav Channy (Cambodian student, Faculty of Business Administration, National Economics University):

Cambodian students have a second home in Vietnam

Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly and Chairwoman of the Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Association Nguyen Thi Thanh takes a souvenir photo with representatives of Cambodian students studying in Vietnam. Chav Channy is on the far right, second row. (Photo: NVCC)

After two years of studying in Vietnam, I quickly integrated thanks to the friendly environment and enthusiasm of my Vietnamese friends. Exchange activities and tours helped me deeply feel the strong friendship between the two countries.

I had the opportunity to explore 5 provinces and cities: Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Bac Ninh, Quang Ninh and Hoa Binh. I wish to set foot in 63 provinces and cities of Vietnam to fully experience the diverse culture and friendly people here.

Through the "Nurturing Friendship" program, I was sponsored by Mother Bopha Yos, President of the Vietnam - Cambodia Friendship Association of Chua Thap. Mother Bopha's help helped me overcome homesickness, especially during Tet, when I was invited home to experience the traditional Tet atmosphere of the Vietnamese people. My family in Cambodia was very happy and reassured to know that I had a second home in Vietnam.

After graduation, I hope to stay in Vietnam and develop a career in the field of event organization. I hope that the Vietnam - Cambodia Friendship Association will continue to develop programs to support international students, opening up many favorable opportunities for the young generation in the future.

Source: https://thoidai.com.vn/nhung-sang-kien-thiet-thuc-thuc-day-tinh-huu-nghi-viet-nam-campuchia-211988.html