Speaking at a dialogue between Vietnamese businesses in Cambodia and the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC) held in Phnom Penh on September 14, Secretary-General of the Cambodia Investment Board under the CDC Chea Vuthy emphasised there is still considerable potential for businesses from both countries to invest and expand their operations, pointing to the fact that the number and value of Vietnamese investment projects in Cambodia are below their potential.

The CDC has been actively facilitating Vietnamese investors’ expansion in Cambodia, bringing practical benefits to both countries, Chea Vuthy affirmed, calling on the Vietnamese business community to strengthen its presence in the Cambodian market.

According to him, Vietnamese-invested projects in Cambodia have a total value of more than US$3 billion, providing a basis for the two sides to explore new areas of cooperation in the coming period.

Economic, trade and investment ties remain a bright spot

Vietnamese Ambassador to Cambodia Nguyen Minh Vu described economic, trade and investment cooperation as a key bright spot in bilateral relations and a priority area identified by the senior leaders of Vietnam and Cambodia.

Two-way trade between Vietnam and Cambodia reached a record US$11.33 billion in 2025, and US$8.67 billion in the first eight months of 2026, representing a year-on-year rise of 8.3%.

According to Vietnamese data, there are currently 223 Vietnamese investment projects in Cambodia, with total registered capital of nearly US$3.4 billion.

Vietnamese investors are active in a range of important sectors, including agriculture, particularly large-scale farming, finance and banking, telecommunications, aviation, processing, trade and services. Their projects have helped create jobs for tens of thousands of workers, contributed hundreds of millions of US dollars to Cambodia’s state budget each year, and supported numerous social welfare activities in local communities.

However, the Ambassador said the scale of Vietnamese investment in Cambodia is below the potential of bilateral cooperation and the close friendship between the two countries.

He expressed hope that a new wave of Vietnamese investment in Cambodia would emerge in the coming period.

Providing information, expanding opportunities

According to Ambassador Nguyen Minh Vu, to create momentum for a new wave of investment, the CDC should not only help businesses address difficulties that arise during their operations, but also proactively provide information on priority sectors, investment locations, economic zones, suitable land funds, incentive policies and projects seeking investment.

This was also one of the objectives of the dialogue between Vietnamese businesses in Cambodia and the CDC, organised by the CDC in coordination with the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce, the Economic Section of the Vietnamese Embassy in Cambodia, the Vietnam Trade Office in Cambodia and the Vietnam-Cambodia Business Association (VCBA).

The forum provided a direct channel for Vietnamese businesses to engage with the CDC and Cambodian authorities, enabling them to raise and address difficulties, gain a better understanding of policies, and connect with management agencies and local partners.

Speaking to Vietnam News Agency correspondents on the sidelines of the event, Chea Vuthy affirmed Cambodia welcomes and is ready to accompany investors, including those from Vietnam, in carrying out their business activities.

The Cambodian Government considers creating a favourable business environment and adopting investment incentive policies, including tax and non-tax incentives, important factors in attracting investment. The country is also working to simplify administrative procedures and facilitate investors in implementing and operating their projects.

Officials representing relevant ministries and sectors are stationed at the CDC to work on behalf of investors with competent authorities on procedures for applications, registrations, licences and other related matters.

Towards investment linked to local processing

Alongside efforts to improve the business environment and strengthen connectivity, Vietnamese businesses are also changing the way they invest in Cambodia.

VCBA Chairman Oknha Leng Rithy said that around two to three years ago, most Vietnamese businesses investing in Cambodia focused on cultivation before transporting raw materials back to Vietnam for processing. However, this trend has changed significantly in recent years.

To optimise costs, improve competitiveness and ensure benefits for all parties, businesses are increasingly focusing on long-term cooperation with Cambodian partners, jointly investing in processing plants and processing raw materials locally. According to Leng Rithy, this is becoming the main direction for many Vietnamese businesses.

For Vietnam, Nguyen Nguyen Dung, First Secretary in charge of the Economic Section at the Vietnamese Embassy in Cambodia, said supporting businesses to invest and operate effectively in Cambodia is one of the key tasks of economic diplomacy.

In recent years, the Economic Section has carried out a range of activities under the approach of “accompanying businesses and putting businesses at the centre of its support”, focusing on providing information, connecting opportunities and addressing difficulties.

The section has proactively updated businesses on policies, provided early warnings, strengthened dialogue with Cambodian authorities, received and supported the handling of difficulties, and connected businesses with partners and new markets.

In the coming period, the Economic Section will continue to closely monitor the needs of the business community, maintain coordination with Cambodian authorities, provide timely information on laws, policies and the market, and support business connections, thereby contributing to expanding and improving the effectiveness of Vietnamese investment in Cambodia.