Phnom penh: Vietnamese Ambassador to Cambodia H.E. Nguyen Minh Vu led a delegation to the northeastern Cambodian provinces of Stung Treng and Kratie from May 19-22 to promote cooperation between these provinces and Vietnamese localities. The visit aimed to review Vietnamese business operations and assess the living conditions of the Vietnamese-origin community in the area.
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, during the visit to Kratie on May 21-22, Ambassador Nguyen Minh Vu and his delegation were received by Kratie Governor H.E. Var Thorn. The governor highlighted the province's socio-economic conditions, particularly its mining sector, where 29 companies from Cambodia, China, and Vietnam are currently operating.
Governor Var Thorn emphasized the strengthened relations between Kratie and Dong Nai since the signing of a memorandum of understanding in February 2026. This has led to significant progress in diplomacy, socio-economic cooperation, and cultural exchanges. He detailed efforts in border demarcation and the search and repatriation of remains of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers, noting that 1,819 remains had been identified and returned from 2001 to the 2025-2026 dry season.
The governor expressed gratitude for Vietnam's support in infrastructure projects and called for increased Vietnamese investment in the province. Ambassador Nguyen Minh Vu acknowledged the contributions of Vietnamese enterprises in Kratie, including rubber and agriculture projects by THACO Agri, and reiterated the commitment of both countries to strengthen economic cooperation through 2030.
The ambassador thanked Kratie authorities for facilitating the search and repatriation of Vietnamese soldiers' remains and emphasized continued collaboration in this area. He also appreciated the province's support for the Khmer-Vietnam Association and efforts to integrate Vietnamese-origin residents into local society.
In Stung Treng, during the visit from May 19-20, Ambassador Nguyen Minh Vu was welcomed by Governor H.E. Sor Soputra, who praised Vietnam's role in strengthening bilateral relations and acknowledged the sacrifices of Vietnamese soldiers in Cambodia's historical struggles. Governor Soputra highlighted Stung Treng's strategic location and its invitation for investment in high-tech agriculture and eco-tourism.
Ambassador Nguyen Minh Vu expressed optimism about Stung Treng's development under local leadership and its potential for modern agricultural investment. He also met with branches of the Khmer-Vietnam Association to discuss challenges faced by the Vietnamese-origin community, advocating for legal compliance and educational initiatives.
Addressing Vietnamese media, Ambassador Nguyen Minh Vu noted Vietnam's significant investment presence in Cambodia, with 215 projects valued at around US$3 billion, making it the fifth-largest foreign investor in the country. He underscored the importance of locality-to-locality cooperation in enhancing bilateral trade and economic ties, particularly in border regions, fostering shared development and stability.