On the sidelines of the recent 6th ASEAN Digital Ministers’ Meeting (ADGMIN 6), Minister of Science and Technology Nguyen Manh Hung held a working session with a Cambodian delegation led by Mr. Chea Vandeth, Minister of Post and Telecommunications of Cambodia.

During the meeting, the Cambodian minister proposed three key areas for cooperation:

First, the two ministries should soon establish a joint working group to exchange expertise, discuss technical issues, and share experiences, particularly in the field of digital transformation.

Second, Cambodia requested continued support and favorable conditions for Metfone (Viettel’s brand in Cambodia) to expand and develop its operations within the country.

Third, Minister Chea Vandeth sought Vietnam’s assistance in resolving obstacles regarding a Cambodian subsea fiber optic cable project. The cable intersects with PV Gas pipeline systems within Vietnam’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), leading to insurance costs that are currently disproportionately high compared to the project's scale.

Responding to these proposals, Minister Hung affirmed that the Vietnamese Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) stands ready to coordinate closely with its Cambodian counterpart.

A joint working group will be established as early as January 2026, with the ministry’s International Cooperation Department serving as the primary focal point for Vietnam. 

The group will focus on sharing expertise in digital government, electronic invoicing (e-invoicing), online training platforms, support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications, 5G development, and the construction of legal and institutional frameworks for emerging technologies.

Regarding the subsea cable issue, Minister Hung emphasized that the MoST is willing to act as a bridge. He committed to discussing the matter directly with the Ministry of Industry and Trade to find a solution. He further requested that the Cambodian side submit an official document through the International Cooperation Department to ensure both parties can resolve the matter definitively as soon as possible.

Mr. Hung also reaffirmed Vietnam’s consistent stance requiring Vietnamese enterprises investing abroad, including Viettel, to strictly comply with the laws of the host country. He expressed his hope that Cambodia would continue to create favorable conditions for Viettel to expand its operations, particularly in the postal sector.

Source: VnEconomy