Cambodian King Delegates Duties to Samdech Hun Sen During Vietnamese Official Visit

PHNOM PENH, Feb 6, 2026 (KPT) – Cambodia’s Royal Palace announced Friday that King Norodom Sihamoni was unable to perform his duties, temporarily delegating authority to Senate President Samdech Techo Hun Sen.

Samdech Techo Hun Sen, who also chairs the Supreme Privy Advisory Council, acted as Head of State to receive Vietnam’s Communist Party General Secretary To Lam and his high-level delegation at the Royal Palace during their official visit.

The palace statement cited Article 11 of the constitution, which allows the King to delegate responsibilities when indisposed. Officials and the public were informed of the arrangement.

To Lam arrived in Cambodia Thursday morning at Techo International Airport in Kandal province, following an invitation from King Sihamoni. His program includes a royal audience, a state banquet, and meetings with Queen Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk.

The Vietnamese leader is also scheduled to lay wreaths at national landmarks including the Independence Monument, the Royal Memorial of late King-Father Norodom Sihanouk, and the Cambodia–Vietnam Friendship Monument.

High-level talks are planned with Hun Sen, Cambodia’s former prime minister, in his capacity as Senate president.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the visit aims to deepen bilateral ties and expand cooperation based on good neighbourliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive partnership and long-term stability.