HANOI, Vietnam — Representatives from the Cambodian and Vietnamese private sectors have gathered in Hanoi to map out a strategic path toward achieving a massive $20 billion annual bilateral trade target.
The high-level discussions took place during the “Business Meeting and Networking” event on the afternoon of June 8. Jointly organized by the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce (CCC) and the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), the meeting was held on the sidelines of the 3rd ASEAN Future Forum (AFF), which was attended by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet.
Strategic Private Sector Synergy in Hanoi
The networking event brought together an influential cohort of business leaders, investors, and executives from leading enterprises across both nations. The primary objective was to uncover fresh investment opportunities, deepen existing cross-border value chains, and expand strategic corporate networks.
Addressing the forum, Neak Oknha Kith Meng, CCC President and Chair of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) Cambodia, highlighted that the diplomatic framework established between the two nations in 1967 has successfully evolved. Today, it serves as a foundational catalyst making Cambodia and Vietnam indispensable economic partners.
“This highly promising target of $20 billion can be achieved in the near future through close cooperation and joint economic development efforts.” — Kith Meng, CCC President
To accelerate this growth, Meng explicitly urged both governments to streamline cross-border trade procedures and upgrade all remaining border checkpoints to full international status, a move expected to drastically boost the flow of goods and international tourists.
Three Priority Areas for Future Cambodia-Vietnam Cooperation
Nguyen Quang Vinh, Vice-President of the VCCI, lauded the robust relationship between the chambers, describing the CCC and VCCI as vital bridges for regional commerce. Looking ahead, Vinh outlined three foundational priority areas to supercharge future bilateral trade:
- Enhancing Market Connectivity: Creating direct pipelines to better serve Vietnam’s rapidly expanding consumer market of more than 100 million people.
- Developing Shared Value Chains: Integrating manufacturing and agricultural processes across borders to maximize regional export potential.
- SME Capacity Building: Launching joint training programs specifically designed to strengthen and scale small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
The event facilitated direct business-to-business (B2B) matchmaking sessions, with entrepreneurs anchoring deals across key sectors including technology and digital services, agriculture, logistics, manufacturing, and real estate.
Trade Volume Tops $3.3 Billion in Early 2026
The ambitious $20 billion roadmap is backed by strong economic momentum. According to official data from the General Department of Customs and Excise of Cambodia (GDCE), total trade between Cambodia and Vietnam reached $3.36 billion during the first four months of 2026.
This represents a 4.3% increase compared to the exact same period in 2025.
Q1-Q4 2026 Trade Breakdown (First Four Months):
- Cambodian Exports to Vietnam: $1.99 billion (An impressive increase of 11.5%).
- Cambodian Imports from Vietnam: $1.37 billion (A decrease of 4.6%).
While merchandise trade is seeing a upward trajectory, the tourism sector witnessed a temporary contraction. The Ministry of Tourism reported that 312,021 Vietnamese tourists visited Cambodia during the first four months of the year, marking a 24% decline compared to the previous year—a statistic both chambers hope to reverse through improved border facilities.
