Bilateral trade and investment cooperation between Cambodia and Vietnam is expected to show even greater positivity, as the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce (CCC) and the Vietnam-Cambodia Business Association plan to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) this week.
Trade relations between Cambodia and Vietnam have steadily increased, especially over the past 4–5 years. In the first half of 2025, the total value of goods exchanged between the two neighbouring countries reached $4.34 billion, an increase of 7.2% compared to the first half of 2024. Cambodia’s exports to Vietnam amounted to $2.19 billion, up 8.2%, while imports were $2.15 billion, up 6.3%.
Vietnam is Cambodia’s third-largest trading partner, after China and the US, according to data from the General Department of Customs and Excise (GDCE).
A July 14 CCC press release shared that Kith Meng, CCC president and Chair of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council-Cambodia, will lead a high-level business delegation to Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam on July 14-16, with the goal of strengthening economic ties, promoting bilateral trade and investment, and seeking broader market access for Cambodian products.
The CCC explained that the visit will foster connections and maximise engagement between the private sectors of the two nations. A Vietnam-Cambodia Business Networking Conference will also be held, with expected participation from numerous entrepreneurs and investors from both countries. This conference will serve as a crucial platform to facilitate discussions on potential partnerships, joint investments and market development opportunities.
“During the conference, an MoU will also be signed between the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce and the Vietnam-Cambodia Business Association. The MoU aims to officially strengthen cooperation between the two institutions and promote bilateral trade and investment facilitation,” it said.
According to the CCC, the mission will include business matching sessions, offering Cambodian delegates valuable opportunities to connect with Vietnamese companies. In addition, the CCC delegation will visit several Vietnamese enterprises to gain firsthand insight into operations, technology and potential collaboration sectors.
“Through this mission, the chamber expects to open new gateways for Cambodian exporters and investors, contributing to diversification and national economic growth,” it said.
CCC vice-president Lim Heng told The Post that the enhanced cooperation will bring significant benefits to Cambodia by attracting more Vietnamese investors to the Kingdom, while also expanding the bilateral market size.
“As neighbouring countries with strong diplomatic ties, trade between the two peoples is bound to rise, especially in the export of agricultural products from Cambodia,” he explained.
He also noted how border tensions between Cambodia and Thailand have prompted more trade between Cambodia and Vietnam.
Vietnamese ambassador to Cambodia Nguyen Minh Vu told Cambodian media in June that Vietnam currently has 215 investment projects in Cambodia, with a total registered capital of $2.94 billion. Vietnamese investors are present in nearly every province and capital of Cambodia, investing in various sectors such as agriculture, mining, telecommunications, finance, aviation, tourism, manufacturing and packaging.
He further noted that many Vietnamese investors are currently exploring investment opportunities in Cambodia, with some planning to expand their existing investments.
Previously, the governments of Cambodia and Vietnam set the goal of increasing bilateral trade volume to $20 billion. In 2024, it reached almost $8 billion.
According to the GDCE, in 2024, Cambodia-Vietnam trade reached $7.78 billion, a year-on-year increase of 18.2%. Cambodian exports to Vietnam totalled $3.61 billion (up 21.6%), while imports were valued at $4.17 billion (up 15.4%).
