Cambodia and Vietnam plan stronger customs cooperation amid $6 billion in bilateral trade

LAM DONG, Vietnam (Oct. 30, 2025) — Cambodia and Vietnam have agreed to strengthen cross-border customs cooperation, following a surge in bilateral trade that reached more than $6 billion in the first nine months of 2025 — a 4.1% increase compared to the same period last year.

The sixth bilateral border customs meeting between the General Department of Customs and Excise of Cambodia (GDCE) and the General Department of Vietnam Customs (GDVC) was held Oct. 29–30 in Lam Dong province. The meeting was co-chaired by Nou Sitha, director of Cambodia’s Department of Prevention and Suppression of Customs Offenses, and Vu Quang Toan, head of Vietnam’s Anti-Smuggling and Investigation Department.

Officials from both sides reviewed progress since their fifth meeting and reaffirmed their commitment to implementing the 2019 memorandum of understanding and the outcomes of the 2024 director-general-level customs meeting. Discussions focused on enhancing coordination to combat smuggling, updating liaison officer lists for faster communication, and improving joint enforcement mechanisms in high-risk border zones.

The two delegations also pledged to promote public awareness of customs laws and the risks of illicit trade, including smuggling, counterfeit goods, and drug-related crimes. These efforts aim to protect both countries’ economic and social stability, especially in border communities.

As part of the meeting, the Vietnamese delegation hosted a Cambodian study visit to the Dalat Customs Office to observe customs clearance procedures and operational practices.

Both sides praised the progress made and emphasized the importance of continued cooperation in supporting economic development, trade, investment, and revenue collection in their respective countries.