Vietnam emerges beneficiary of Cambodia-Thailand tensions

Vietnam emerges beneficiary of Cambodia-Thailand tensions

Mr Hun Manet and his Vietnamese counterpart reaffirm their commitment to deepen bilateral ties in the spirit of neighbourliness, traditional friendship and long-term stability.

Amid tensions between Cambodia and Thailand, Vietnam is emerging as a beneficiary of regional economic diplomacy as the two neighbouring kingdoms vie to strengthen trade and investment ties with Hanoi during the 3rd ASEAN Future Forum (AFF).

Prime Minister Hun Manet and his Vietnamese counterpart Le Minh Hung yesterday reaffirmed their commitment to deepen bilateral relations in the spirit of good neighbourliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation, and long-term stability.

The commitment was made during bilateral talks in Hanoi, where Mr Hun Manet is on an official visit to Vietnam and attending the 3rd AFF from June 8-9.

The discussions centred on cooperation in politics, trade and investment, security and defence, education and vocational training, healthcare, tourism, culture, energy, infrastructure connectivity, and people-to-people exchanges.

Mr Hun Manet highlighted the importance of accelerating connections between the Phnom Penh-Bavet Expressway and the Ho Chi Minh City-Moc Bai Expressway, improving waterway transportation links, and expanding flight connections between the two countries.

On economic front, Mr Hun Manet called for adjustments to cross-border cargo transport procedures to reduce delivery times and improve efficiency. Infrastructure connectivity and economic integration remain key priorities for Cambodia and Vietnam as the two countries work towards achieving $20 billion worth of bilateral trade by 2030.

Thailand is also pursuing a similar economic agenda to Vietnam. Thai media yesterday reported that the purpose of the Thai Prime Minister’s official visit includes meetings with Vietnam’s top leaders and discussions with investors, in addition to attending the 3rd AFF.

Anutin is also expected to participate in the ‘Thailand-Vietnam Investment and Business Forum’ organised by the Thai Board of Investment (BOI), as both countries seek to raise bilateral trade to $25 billion following the visit of Tô Lâm, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party and President of Vietnam, to Bangkok in late May.

During the May 27-29 visit, Vietnam and Thailand signed four agreements covering an action plan for their comprehensive strategic partnership for 2026-2031, cooperation in science and technology, academic links between the Institute of Public Administration and Governance of Vietnam and Khon Kaen University, and an MoU to develop an aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) centre at U-Tapao International Airport.

Following Lâm’s return from Thailand, Vietnam imposed restrictions on certain cross-border trade activities with Cambodia, causing congestion of Cambodian trucks at border checkpoints and raising concerns over regional trade connectivity.

Against the backdrop, both Cambodia and Thailand are using their engagements in Hanoi to deepen economic cooperation with Vietnam amid ongoing tensions between the two neighbouring kingdoms.

During their respective visits, Cambodia and Thailand are expected to meet Vietnamese business representatives, witness the signing of cooperation agreements between companies from their countries, and hold talks with key Vietnamese officials.

The engagements underscored Vietnam’s growing role as a regional economic and investment hub, attracting business and diplomatic attention from both Cambodia and Thailand at a time when bilateral relations between the two kingdoms remain strained.

Speaking to Khmer Times, Sam Seun, policy analyst at the Royal Academy of Cambodia (RAC), said that the recent developments have raised concerns over regional trade connectivity, particularly as Cambodia seeks to diversify its supply chains amid tensions with Thailand.

Sam noted that there have recently been reports of Cambodian trucks transporting goods imported from China facing congestion at border checkpoints with Vietnam, affecting the flow of trade and logistics.

“Vietnam has long described itself as a good friend and good neighbour of Cambodia. Given the close relationship between the two countries, there should be greater facilitation of trade and transportation rather than additional restrictions on Cambodian trucks carrying goods from China,” he said.

Sam added that the Royal Government has been actively diversifying its sources of imports and supplies from countries such as Malaysia, Singapore and China in response to disruptions arising from tensions with Thailand.

He stressed that Vietnam should avoid placing additional pressure on Cambodia or seeking to gain economic advantages from the current situation. “Instead, both countries should work together to facilitate trade flows and strengthen economic cooperation as ASEAN partners,” he noted.

Sam further highlighted that following the closure of border crossings between Cambodia and Thailand, arrival of Vietnamese consumer goods to Cambodia has increased substantially.

Regarding the 3rd AFF, Sam said that the gathering is unlikely to produce significant outcomes as trust between Cambodia and Thailand has weakened, and there are few signs of immediate improvement.

“The ongoing tensions have disrupted regional connectivity and could undermine broader ASEAN economic cooperation efforts if left unresolved,” the RAC policy analyst added.

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