(Hanoi): Huot Hak, Minister of Tourism of Cambodia, held a bilateral working meeting with Lam Thi Phoung Thanh, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Viet Nam, and senior officials at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Viet Nam’s headquarters on the occasion of accompanying the official visit of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet to the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, on 8 June 2026.

At the outset, Minister Huot Hak extended his heartfelt congratulations to Lam Thi Phoung Thanh on her appointment as Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Viet Nam and expressed confidence that under her leadership, tourism cooperation between the two countries would be further strengthened and expanded.

During this productive and fruitful meeting, the two Ministers exchanged views and in-depth perspectives on enhancing tourism cooperation in line with the high-level bilateral working discussion and meeting between Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet and Le Minh Hung, Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam as well as the Memorandum of Understanding on Tourism Cooperation between Cambodia and Viet Nam, signed in 2023; by agreeing on the following key action plans:

1- Strengthening Tourism Connectivity Through All Modes of Transport: Both sides agreed to further enhance tourism connectivity by land, water, and air. In particular, they agreed to promote maritime connectivity between Phu Quoc International Port and Kampot International Tourist Port, as well as Mekong River cruise tourism linking Ho Chi Minh City with Phnom Penh and Siem Reap province, with the potential to extend to Laos in the future. These initiatives aim to boost tourist flows between the two countries and attract visitors from third country.

2- Organizing Joint Tourism Events Along Border Provinces: The two countries agreed to promote the organization of tourism-related events in border provinces, including tourism investment forums, tourism festivals and events, gastronomy tourism forums, and sports tourism activities.

3- Enhancing Connectivity Between Key Tourism Destinations: Both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in linking major tourism destinations through closer collaboration between private-sector stakeholders in developing joint tour packages. Particular emphasis will be placed on promoting secondary destinations to encourage longer visitor stays and diversify tourism products offered by both countries.

4- Expanding Human Resources Development Cooperation in Tourism: The two countries agreed to enhance cooperation in tourism human resources development through training exchanges and collaboration between tourism and hospitality training institutions, leveraging the strengths and expertise of both countries in the hospitality sector.

5- Promoting Familiarization Trips for Influencers and Private Sector Representatives: Both sides agreed to organize exchange visits and familiarization trips for influencers and private-sector representatives from both countries. These visits will provide opportunities to explore the diverse tourism potential of each country and further promote tourism to citizens of both countries as well as third country.

To ensure the effective implementation of the above action plans, technical working groups have been established to closely monitor progress and coordinate implementation. Progress will be reviewed at the 1st Cambodia-Laos-Viet Nam Tourism Minister’s Meeting, scheduled to be held on sidelines of the International Travel Expo Ho Chi Minh City 2026 in this upcoming August 2026 in Ho Chi Minh City.
=FRESH NEWS