​On December 29 at the T78 Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City, the Vietnam - Cambodia Friendship Association (the Association) successfully held the 4th Executive Committee Meeting of term V to summarize the work of 2024 and implement the direction and tasks for 2025. Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh - Member of the Party Central Committee, Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly, Chairwoman of the Vietnam - Cambodia Friendship Association, along with the Vice Chairpersons of the Association, co-chaired the meeting.

Delegates attending the meeting

Attending the meeting were Mr. Nguyen Phuoc Loc - Deputy Secretary of Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee, Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Ho Chi Minh City; Mr. Phan Anh Son - President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations; Mr. Chan Sorykan - Consul General of the Kingdom of Cambodia in Ho Chi Minh City; Mr. Hem Chamrong - First Secretary of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Cambodia in Vietnam, and about 200 delegates.

Speaking at the meeting, Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh emphasized that the Association has closely followed the Party's guidelines and the State's policies and laws; as well as made efforts to promote the role and dedication of all levels of the association. In 2024, the Vietnam - Cambodia Friendship Association was expected to complete a large volume of work, with many effective people - to - people exchange activities from the central to the grassroots level, contributing to strengthening the traditional friendship between Vietnam and Cambodia and the peoples of both countries. She also noted that 2025 is a year of acceleration and breakthrough, holding special significance in implementing the 5-year socio - economic development plan for the 2021 – 2025 period. This year will also witness many major national events, marking the 50th anniversary of the association's founding. She urged all levels of the association to continue to enhance propaganda and education about the traditional Vietnam - Cambodia relationship, especially among the younger generation. Additionally, the effective implementation of the "Nurturing Friendship" program and people - to - people exchange activities is essential. All levels of the association should also promote initiatives and seek new ways to boost economic, trade, and investment cooperation between the two countries, especially between localities on the borders of two countries; facilitate the two countries' businesses to expand effective investment and business cooperation.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh - Member of the Party Central Committee, Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly, Chairwoman of the Vietnam - Cambodia Friendship Association, along with the Vice Chairpersons of the Association, co-chaired the meeting.

The report summarizing the year 2024 clearly stated that the good neighborly relationship, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation, and long-lasting sustainability between Vietnam and Cambodia continue to be strengthened in various fields. Thanks to the attention, leadership, and direction of the Party and State leaders; the support and coordination of departments, ministries, sectors, and localities; the contributions of enterprises; along with the enthusiasm and dedication of members at all levels from central to grassroots, the Vietnam - Cambodia Friendship Association has organized many people - to - people exchanges with rich content, achieving high effectiveness, contributing to enhancing the understanding of the people, especially the younger generation, about the traditional solidarity, friendship, cooperation, and mutual assistance between the two countries. Recently, the coordination between the Vietnam - Cambodia Friendship Association and the Cambodia - Vietnam Friendship Association has been strengthened. The two sides regularly organize exchanges of delegations at all levels and many friendship meetings. In addition, the association's work on camaraderie and social welfare has been implemented with many meaningful and practical programs.

According to the initiative of the Vietnam - Cambodia Friendship Association, the program to sponsor and support Cambodian students studying in Vietnam, named "Nurturing Friendship," has been continuously and effectively implemented. In 2024, the association coordinated with sponsoring units to support 180 Cambodian students, raising the total number of Cambodian students receiving support in Vietnam to more than 600. Recently, Mr. Nguyen Van Hung, Vice President of the Vietnam - Cambodia Friendship Association and Chairman of Phoenix International Group, donated a package of equipment installation worth 500 million dong to Friendship School 80 (located in Son Tay town, Hanoi), helping Cambodian students there have better living conditions, thus achieving higher academic results.

The mission direction for 2025 of the Association outlines several key tasks, including: sponsoring 100 Cambodian students, supporting 40 member families in difficult housing situations; implementing social welfare programs such as medical examinations, treatment, and providing free medicine for poor Cambodian and Vietnamese people in border areas. The Association will continue to be a bridge to strengthen cooperation and friendship between the two countries.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh - Chairwoman of the Vietnam - Cambodia Friendship Association, awarded the Flag of Emulation to organizations for their outstanding achievements in fulfilling the Association's duties.

At the meeting, delegates presented many reports, proposing several practical solutions to enhance the effectiveness of the activities of the associations at all levels in the coming time, focusing on exchanges between the people of the two countries; and affirmed that the special feelings and deep understanding of the people of both countries are important factors contributing to strengthening the relationship between the two countries, building a long - lasting bridge of friendship from one generation to the next between the two countries and peoples.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh - Chairwoman of the Vietnam - Cambodia Friendship Association, awarded the Certificates of Merit to individuals for their outstanding achievements in fulfilling the Association's duties

In order to recognize the collectives and individuals who contributed to the Association's work in 2024, the Association awarded Flags of Emulation to 07 collectives and Certificates of merit to individuals with excellent achievements in fulfilling the Association's tasks.

The Vietnam - Cambodia Friendship Association currently has 54 member associations and 13 affiliated associations with more than 60,000 members. Among them, 90% of the members are former volunteer soldiers and former experts who served in international missions in Cambodia from 1979 to 1989.