Cambodia is becoming a popular destination for Vietnamese investors, with more than 200 Vietnamese investment projects currently operating in the country. Trade between the two countries also continues to demonstrate steady growth, perhaps boosting by the closure of the Thai land border.
Nguyen Thi Thanh, vice-president of the National Assembly of Vietnam and president of the Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Association, shared the figure during the “Vietnam-Cambodia Business Forum 2025” held in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, on October 11.
The forum was attended by several dignitaries, including Lav Kang, vice-president of the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce (CCC); Nguyen Minh Vu, Vietnamese ambassador to Cambodia, Chan Sorekan, consul general of Cambodia in Ho Chi Minh City, Nguyen Van Nam, president of the Ho Chi Minh City Friendship Association, and Leng Rithy, chairman of the Vietnam-Cambodia Business Association (VCBA), along with many businesspeople and investors from both countries.
Thanh noted that as neighbouring countries with strong diplomatic ties, Cambodia has become an attractive destination for Vietnamese investment. She noted that many of her countrymen are currently investing directly in Cambodia.
“Cambodia is one of the key destinations for early investment under Vietnam’s overseas investment strategy. As of now, Vietnam has more than 200 investment projects in Cambodia, accounting for approximately 12% of Vietnam’s total overseas investment capital,” she said.
She added that Vietnamese investments are contributing to Cambodia’s economic growth, job creation and socio-economic development. Vietnam also remains committed to further enhancing bilateral cooperation and investment with Cambodia in the future.
According to Thanh, the key sectors attracting Vietnamese investment in Cambodia include the green economy, renewable energy, agriculture, technology, tourism and trade.
The General Department of Customs and Excise of Cambodia (GDCE) reported that in the first three quarters of 2025, the total trade volume between Cambodia and Vietnam exceeded $6.05 billion, marking a 4.1% increase over the same period in 2024. Cambodia exported $2.94 billion worth of goods, a 7.8% increase, while importing $3.11 billion, up 0.8%.
Vietnam is now Cambodia’s third-largest international trading partner, after China and the US.
Lav Kang, representing the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce, explained that the forum was held to strengthen bilateral economic diplomacy and cooperation, and enhance business and investment connectivity between the two countries.
“The forum provided a valuable opportunity for businesspeople and investors from both countries to showcase their products and services. It is also a great platform for direct engagement, helping businesses identify potential partners, foster joint investment and explore market opportunities across various sectors,” he said.
Through the forum, Kang encouraged more Vietnamese businesses to consider investing in Cambodia, especially at a time when the Cambodian government is implementing multiple reforms to improve the business environment and enhance global market competitiveness.
He emphasised that, in addition to reforming legal and procedural systems, Cambodia also has access to many export markets worldwide through multilateral and bilateral free trade agreements, such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), Cambodia-China Free Trade Agreement, Cambodia-South Korea Free Trade Agreement and the Cambodia-United Arab Emirates Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.
In 2024, the total trade volume between Cambodia and Vietnam reached $7.78 billion, an 18.2% increase over 2023. Exports to Vietnam were $3.61 billion up 21.6%, while imports totalled $4.17 billion, up 15.4%, according to the GDCE.
