Pride in Vietnam’s Position on the International Stage and Strengthening Cambodia-Vietnam Relations

Pride in Vietnam’s Position on the International Stage and Strengthening Cambodia-Vietnam Relations

-Opinion-
Vietnam is joyfully celebrating the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day (2/9/1945 – 2/9/2025). Eighty years after the late President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence at historic Ba Dinh Square, Vietnam has steadily entered a new era of deep international integration while fostering good neighborly relations with Cambodia.

Great Significance of the August 1945 Revolution of Vietnam

The victory of the August Revolution in 1945 marked a significant turning point, ushering the Vietnamese nation into a new era, one of national independence and socialism. From the enslaved, the Vietnamese people became masters of their country and their destiny. The August Revolution not only had great significance for the Vietnamese nation but also strongly influenced the national liberation movements in Cambodia and Laos, as well as other colonial nations worldwide.

Affirming the position and timeless value of this victory, late Vietnamese President Ho Chi Minh wrote: “The victory of the August Revolution made us a part of the great family of world democracy.

The August Revolution directly and greatly influenced our two friendly nations, Cambodia and Laos. After the success of the August Revolution, the peoples of both Cambodia and Laos rose up against imperialism to demand independence.”

Since the victory of the August Revolution, Vietnam has become a spiritual support for oppressed and exploited nations and for peace-loving peoples; it has been seen as an ideal model in the struggle for national liberation. The victory of the August Revolution of 1945 was not simply that of one nation over a colonial empire; it also opened a new era for the diplomacy of a sovereign country.

In the current context of globalization and integration, the spirit of the August Revolution of 1945 still retains its full value and must continue to be promoted. Its lessons remain the foundation for Vietnam to realize its aspiration for deeper international integration.

Confidence in Vietnam’s New Era of Development

After nearly 40 years of implementing the Vietnam Renovation (Doi Moi) policy led by the Party, Vietnam has built new strengths and gathered all necessary conditions to enter a new era of development for the happiness of its people. This strength comes from the great national solidarity, accumulated experiences, the unity of “The Party’s will and the People’s heart,” and the strength of the armed forces; he determination to liberate productive forces; promote all potentials and strengths, especially human resources and modern scientific and technological achievements, to innovate, transform digitally, and develop the country.

With its strategic vision, Vietnam has outlined the concept and connotations of a new development era, a period of national rise. The administrative streamlining reform and the two-tier local government model, initiated under the leadership of the Communist Party and the Vietnamese people, headed by General Secretary To Lam, is being implemented resolutely. It plays a crucial role in transitioning Vietnam from a developing country to a developed one by 2045.

Strengthening Cambodia-Vietnam Relations

Cambodia and Vietnam are not only neighboring countries but also close brothers at all times, in both war and peace. Despite a long and complex shared history, the undeniable fact remains that the two nations helped each other to achieve liberation and peace.

Cambodia supported Vietnam in reunifying North and South on April 30, 1975, while Vietnam helped Cambodia by intervening in 1979 to overthrow the Khmer Rouge regime. Vietnamese volunteer soldiers fought side by side with Cambodia’s revolutionary armed forces and people to liberate the country from the Khmer Rouge on January 7, 1979. That victory had great historic significance, saving Cambodia from genocide and leading it into a new era of independence, freedom, and peace.

Today, both countries continue to nurture friendship, strengthening relations between their Parties, governments, and peoples. They affirm the importance of maintaining, consolidating, and developing Cambodia-Vietnam relations for Peace, Cooperation, and Development of each country at the regional and international levels.

At the recent high-level meetings, such as the one in Ho Chi Minh City (21/2) and the phone call (14/8) between the Cambodian People’s Party President Samdech Techo Hun Sen and Communist Party of Vietnam General Secretary To Lam, both sides agreed on exchange measures and key directions to further deepen cooperation between the two Parties and countries in the coming time.

The two senior leaders emphasized that solidarity and mutual support between Cambodia and Vietnam are an objective necessity, historical rules, and among the greatest sources of strength, have vital significance for the revolutionary cause, national building, and defense of both nations, and constitute a precious heritage to be preserved and passed on to future generations. General Secretary To Lam affirmed that the Vietnamese Party, State, and people always attach special importance and priority to strengthening and developing the good neighborly relations, traditional friendship, and long-term sustainable cooperation with the Cambodian People’s Party, State, and people

Especially this year, as Vietnam celebrates the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day on September 2, Samdech Techo Hun Sen has confirmed his attendance at Vietnam’s National Day celebration in Hanoi on September 2, 2025. His participation is clear evidence of the enduring and close relationship between the two neighbors.

According to H.E. Nguyen Minh Vu, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to the Kingdom of Cambodia, the two countries now enjoy peace and independence. Their relationship has entered a phase of comprehensive, mutually beneficial cooperation, increasingly substantive and effective—especially early through initiatives linking the Vietnam–Cambodia economies as well as connecting the three economies (Vietnam – Laos – Cambodia).

In the future, as Cambodia and Vietnam face complex and unpredictable global and regional changes, as well as each country’s development needs, they remain determined to preserve and strengthen their special solidarity, traditional friendship, and comprehensive cooperation. With pride in Vietnam’s position on the international stage, both nations will continue to deepen relations in all fields, bringing tangible benefits to their peoples and contributing positively to peace, stability, and cooperation regionally and globally.

By: UCH Leang, Acting Director of Asian, African, and Middle East Studies of the International Relations Institute of Cambodia (IRIC) and the President of the Cambodia Alumni from Vietnam Association (CAVA).
-Khmer Times-