Tay Ninh (VNA) - At the second Vietnam–Cambodia Border Defence Friendship Exchange, General Phan Van Giang, Vietnam’s Minister of National Defence, and General Tea Seiha, Cambodia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence, jointly repainted Marker 171 at the Moc Bai International Border Gate.
This activity underscored the two sides' shared determination to preserve a border line of peace, friendship, stability and sustainable development.
Held over two days, November 13-14, in Tay Ninh province (Vietnam) and Svay Rieng province (Cambodia), the border defence exchange, featuring a range of practical activities, was considered a key defence diplomacy event in 2025.
The event strengthened traditional solidarity and promoted effective cooperation among border management forces, local authorities, and border communities of both countries. It contributed to building a Vietnam–Cambodia border line of peace, friendship, stability, cooperation and development, reinforcing political trust and directly promoting the friendship and solidarity between the two nations. It also served to showcase Vietnam as a peace-loving, friendly country to neighbouring states and the international community.
General Giang highlighted that the exchange continues to be an effective cooperation model, reflecting the political determination of both countries to strengthen solidarity, promote practical collaboration, and jointly build a peaceful, friendly, cooperative, and developing border, for the prosperity of the two nations and for regional and global peace, stability, cooperation, and development.
A key highlight of the programme was a ceremony markign the twinning ties between Long Cuong hamlet, Long Thuan commune, Tay Ninh province of Vietnam, and Otamo hamlet, Monorum commune, Svay Teap district, Svay Rieng province of Cambodia. Through this initiative, border residents commit to strictly abiding by national laws and bilateral border agreements, while actively cooperating with authorities to protect the border and markers.
During the exchange, young officers of the two countries’ border forces shared experience and insights on the development of bilateral military cooperation, while affirming their proactive role in building a border line of peace, friendship, stability, and mutual development.
Local authorities and security forces also carried out campaigns to disseminate Party guidelines and State policies and laws on territorial sovereignty, and legal instruments on the Vietnam–Cambodia border.
Vietnam and Cambodia share a land border of approximately 1,258 km. Over the years, the governments, militaries, and people of both countries have well observed agreements, decrees, and cooperation regulations to ensure security, safeguard sovereignty, protect border markers, and strengthen friendship.
General Giang noted that military and defence cooperation between the two countries has become increasingly practical and effective, helping consolidate a peaceful and stable environment for national development. Key achievements include information exchanges, strategic advice to senior leadership, joint patrols, and coordinated efforts against cross-border crimes.
The minister also praised the model of paired border posts, twinning ties between hamlets, and social welfare initiatives for border communities, such as free medical care, donation of breeding cattle, scholarships, and “adopted children of border posts” initiatives, which have strengthened military-civilian ties and promoted economic development along the border.
General Tea Seiha also appreciated the sustained Vietnam–Cambodia cooperation, expressing his hope that building on this Border Defence Friendship Exchange, bilateral defence relations will become stronger, more enduring and fruitful in the time to come./.
