On the morning of September 1, 2025, the stately halls of Vietnam’s Presidential Palace were abuzz with the arrival of distinguished guests. President Lương Cường welcomed Igor Sergeyenko, Chairman of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Belarus, in a meeting that underscored Vietnam’s growing diplomatic engagement on the world stage. But this was only the beginning of a series of high-profile international exchanges marking a momentous occasion for the nation.
Just as the meeting with Belarusian leadership concluded, Vietnam shifted its focus to an even more symbolic event: the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day, celebrated on September 2, 2025. This anniversary, steeped in historic significance, drew not just local crowds but also a high-level delegation from the Kingdom of Cambodia. Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, Chairman of the Supreme Council and Chairman of the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP), led his country’s delegation to Hanoi, reflecting the enduring bonds between the two neighboring countries.
The presence of Cambodia’s top leadership was more than ceremonial. According to a statement from the Secretariat of the Cambodian Senate, the visit was made at the invitation of General Secretary Tô Lâm of the Communist Party of Vietnam. Over the course of two days, September 1 and 2, Cambodia’s senior officials participated in commemorative events that celebrated not only Vietnam’s independence but also the shared history and intertwined destinies of the two nations.
To further illuminate the significance of this visit, Samdech Heng Samrin, Honorary Chairman of the Supreme Advisory Council of Cambodia and Honorary Chairman of the CPP, granted an exclusive interview to Vietnam News Agency (TTXVN). In his remarks, Samdech Heng Samrin emphasized, “The visit of the high-level Cambodian delegation led by Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen to Vietnam and participation in the 80th National Day celebration at the beginning of September clearly demonstrates the traditional friendship, solidarity, and cooperation across all fields between our two countries; it also shows the highest level of attention to political and diplomatic relations.”
He continued, highlighting the historical depth of the relationship: “The brotherly relationship between the two countries has been deeply engraved in the hearts of leaders, officials, and people of both nations. The friendship between Cambodia and Vietnam is truly special and invaluable.”
Indeed, the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and the founding of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam on September 2, 1945, stands as a turning point not only for Vietnam but for the broader Southeast Asian region. Samdech Heng Samrin reflected on this legacy, stating, “The August Revolution of 1945 and the birth of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam on September 2, 1945, were historic events of great significance not only for the Vietnamese people but also for national liberation movements worldwide, especially in Southeast Asia, including Cambodia.”
He described the revolution as “the most important event in the modern history of the Vietnamese people, decisively shaping the nation’s destiny to this day.” According to Samdech Heng Samrin, Vietnam’s triumph inspired neighboring countries, demonstrating that the people of Southeast Asia could indeed rise up and win their independence. “The spirit of independence and self-determination in Vietnam spread to Cambodia, encouraging the revolutionary movement and motivating Cambodian leaders in their own struggle for national liberation,” he said.
This message of solidarity and inspiration was not lost on other nations in the region, either. Vietnam’s success became a beacon for resistance movements in Laos, Thailand, Indonesia, and beyond. “Vietnam became a model for resistance movements across the region, as they witnessed a Southeast Asian nation successfully overthrow colonialism and achieve independence,” Samdech Heng Samrin explained. This ripple effect, he argued, helped galvanize anti-colonial efforts across Asia and Africa, sending a powerful message that colonial peoples had both the right and the ability to determine their own destinies.
Beyond the historical narrative, the visit by Cambodia’s leaders also signaled a commitment to future cooperation. Samdech Heng Samrin spoke candidly about the priorities for bilateral relations, noting that “Cambodia and Vietnam are striving to build a relationship of ‘good neighborliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation, and long-term sustainability.’” He identified key areas for collaboration, including political exchanges, economic development, trade, investment, transportation, infrastructure, education, healthcare, tourism, and especially security and defense.
“In the coming time, I believe the two countries should focus on key areas of cooperation such as promoting delegation exchanges through Party, State, and mass organization channels; strengthening cooperation in economic, trade, and investment fields, transportation and infrastructure, education and human resource training, healthcare, tourism, connectivity, and people-to-people exchanges, especially in security and defense,” he said. These practical steps, he argued, would help both countries adapt to the increasingly complex and unpredictable regional and global environment.
The symbolic power of Cambodia’s participation in Vietnam’s National Day celebrations was not lost on observers. Samdech Heng Samrin described it as “a symbolic act, emphasizing the traditional friendship, spirit of respect for history, and shared values; at the same time, it opens a new chapter in bilateral cooperation, aiming toward a sustainable future.”
Amid these state-level gestures, the importance of media and information exchange was also recognized. On the occasion of TTXVN’s 80th anniversary (September 15, 1945–September 15, 2025), Samdech Heng Samrin sent warm congratulations: “With joyful and excited feelings, I would like to send my heartfelt congratulations on the 80th anniversary of TTXVN’s founding. I wish all leaders, staff, and reporters of TTXVN good health and success in all tasks.”
He praised the close, longstanding relationship between TTXVN and the Cambodian National News Agency (AKP), calling it “a living symbol of the traditional solidarity and friendship between our peoples.” Samdech Heng Samrin expressed hope that TTXVN would continue to grow and provide timely, accurate, and valuable information to the public, further deepening the ties between the two countries through media cooperation.
Notably, the Cambodian press has also taken an active interest in Vietnam’s achievements. The Khmer Times recently ran an article titled “Proud of Vietnam’s International Standing and Strengthening Cambodia-Vietnam Relations,” in which Cambodian scholars praised Vietnam’s administrative reforms and the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam. Such coverage reflects a mutual respect and a recognition of shared progress.
Against the backdrop of ongoing regional uncertainty, the reaffirmation of Vietnam-Cambodia solidarity sends a clear message. As Samdech Heng Samrin put it, “The strong, stable relationship between Vietnam and Cambodia is a vital factor ensuring effective cooperation and unity in implementing foreign policy, security, defense, economy, trade, tourism, and mutual support on the international stage.”
In a world marked by shifting alliances and unpredictable challenges, the events of September 2025 in Hanoi served as a powerful reminder of the value of enduring friendships. Through shared history, mutual respect, and a vision for the future, Vietnam and Cambodia continue to chart a course toward peace, stability, and prosperity—not just for themselves, but for the whole region.
