November 18, 2025
PHNOM PENH – The trade imbalance between Cambodia and Vietnam has narrowed significantly. In the first ten months of the year, it was just over $300 million, down from the nearly $400 recorded during the same period in 2024.
According to the General Department of Customs and Excise (GDCE), from January to October, bilateral trade between the two nations was $6.58 billion, an increase of 1.3% compared to the same period in 2024, when$6.5 billion was recorded. Exports totalled $3.14 billion, up 3%, while Vietnamese imports amounted to $3.44 billion, a tiny drop of 0.2%.
These means Cambodia accumulated a trade deficit of $301.98 million with Vietnam, a decrease from the $398.4 million recorded in the same period last year. Over the whole of 2024, the Kingdom’s trade deficit with Vietnam was $468.9 million.
Vietnamese bilateral trade accounted for 12.53% of Cambodia’s international trade in 2024, which totalled $52.58 billion. Vietnam remains Cambodia’s third-largest trading partner, after China and the US.
Hong Vanak, an economist at the Royal Academy of Cambodia, told The Post on November 17 that the reduction in the trade gap is due to several major factors, including increases in agricultural output, improvements in local manufacturing and processing capacity, and greater diversification of Cambodia’s import sources. He added that a recent rise in Cambodia’s exports to Vietnam may also be linked to the temporary closure of the Cambodian–Thai border.
“The growth of agricultural production and new investments in Cambodia will help boost the country’s export capacity to international markets, including Vietnam,” he added.
He added that given the strong diplomatic relations and shared border between the two countries, actual trade volumes may well exceed recorded figures.
Recently, Cambodia and Vietnam reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation across all sectors, particularly in trade and tourism.
During the Cambodia–Vietnam Trade Promotion Programme, held in Cambodia on August 28, Seang Thai, secretary of state at the Ministry of Commerce, highlighted that the strong relationship between both governments and peoples is playing a crucial role in accelerating bilateral cooperation across all areas.
“The Cambodia–Vietnam Trade Promotion Forum is invaluable, as it provides an opportunity for both sides to meet, address challenges together and strengthen cooperation in key strategic sectors — especially agriculture, agro-industry, logistics and supply chain development,” he said.
He added that the rapid changes in global geopolitics and the world economy require every country to strengthen mutual friendship and trust by building effective cross-border trade networks, improving transport infrastructure and increasing the added value of agricultural production — efforts that are essential for economic growth and improving people’s livelihoods.