Phnom Penh, Cambodia – Bilateral trade between Cambodia and Vietnam is projected to reach approximately $7.792 billion by the year 2025. This figure, however, represents a slight decrease of 1 percent compared to the trade volume recorded in 2024, according to recent statistics from Cambodia’s General Department of Customs and Excise.
Within this projected 2025 trade volume of $7.792 billion, Cambodian exports to the Vietnamese market are estimated at $3.729 billion, while imports from Vietnam are expected to total $4.062 billion.
Despite the current trade volume between Cambodia and Vietnam remaining below $10 billion, leaders from both nations have expressed a strong commitment to significantly boost this economic relationship, setting an ambitious target of $20 billion in bilateral trade in the foreseeable future.
Reinforcing this commitment, on January 13, Her Excellency Cham Nimul, Cambodia’s Minister of Commerce, held discussions with His Excellency Nguyen Manh Cuong, Vietnam’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, at the Ministry’s headquarters. During their meeting, both parties acknowledged the growth trajectory of bilateral trade. A press release from the Cambodian Ministry of Commerce highlighted that the discussions focused on identifying opportunities to further promote economic and trade sectors and enhance overall cooperation between Cambodia and Vietnam, with a particular emphasis on achieving the $20 billion trade volume target established by the heads of both governments.
Further demonstrating the collaborative spirit, from December 8 to December 9, 2025, His Excellency Prak Sokhonn, Cambodian Minister of Foreign Affairs, and His Excellency Le Huy Hung, Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs, co-chaired the 21st meeting of the Cambodia-Vietnam Joint Commission (JC). This meeting featured in-depth discussions on strategies to strengthen both bilateral and multilateral cooperation. The two sides unanimously agreed that economic cooperation remains a crucial pillar of their bilateral relationship and pledged to continue working closely towards the $20 billion bilateral trade goal, in line with the directives from their respective leaders.
Both nations are also prioritizing high-impact investments in border regions, aiming to stimulate socio-economic development in rural areas. They are also committed to enhancing cooperation for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) through various initiatives, including the sharing of best practices, fostering the development of digital business models, and improving overall productivity.
In the realm of infrastructure, Cambodia and Vietnam have agreed to accelerate discussions on several critical transportation projects. These include the proposed Phnom Penh-Bavet-Ho Chi Minh-Moc Bai expressway and a feasibility study for a new railway connection linking Phnom Penh-Bavet-Moc Bai-Ho Chi Minh. These projects are designed to streamline the movement of goods and passengers across their shared border and significantly enhance regional economic connectivity. The official launch of the Meun Chey (Prey Veng) – Tan Nam international border gate was also celebrated, with plans to continuously improve infrastructure connections to various economic zones to maximize trade efficiency and travel between the two countries.
Additionally, Cambodia and Vietnam have agreed to jointly explore new mechanisms for economic cooperation, building upon the Master Plan on Cambodia-Vietnam Economic Connectivity up to 2030. This joint effort aims to forge closer and more sustainable economic ties between the two nations.
It is important to note that Vietnam currently stands as Cambodia’s third-largest trading partner, following China and the United States. Key Cambodian exports to Vietnam predominantly consist of agricultural products, such as rice, rubber, cashew nuts, cassava, corn, bananas, mangoes, and tobacco. Conversely, Vietnam’s primary exports to Cambodia include construction materials, machinery, fuel, agricultural fertilizers, spices, vegetables, and fruits.
