The Mayor of Vientiane, Athsaphangthong Siphandone (right), and the Governor of Phnom Penh, Khuong Sreng, shake hands after signing a Memorandum of Understanding on a friendship alliance.

Vientiane, Phnom Penh strengthen ties in trade, tourism, education

Vientiane and the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh have established a strategic alliance focused on trade, investment and tourism, while also actively promoting educational and cultural exchanges and cooperation in other sectors, to further strengthen Laos-Cambodia relations.
The alliance was formalised with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Vientiane Mayor Athsaphangthong Siphandone and Phnom Penh Governor Khuong Sreng in Cambodia, during a visit by a Lao government delegation on September 14-16.
The two sides agreed to expand cooperation in people-to-people links, information sharing, smart cities, digital education, and networking forums.

They will support the relevant government departments in Vientiane and Phnom Penh to enhance trade, investment, tourism, and cultural and educational exchanges, as well as other areas of mutual interest.
Mr Athsaphangthong praised Phnom Penh’s rapid development, noting progress not only in the capital but also across Cambodia’s provinces.
He noted that Laos-Cambodia relations have deepened following recent visits by senior Cambodian leaders to Laos and reciprocal visits by Lao officials to Cambodia.
Mr Athsaphangthong invited Mr Sreng to lead a Phnom Penh delegation to visit Vientiane to further strengthen cooperation. In response, Sreng said he would consider an official visit at an appropriate time.
Phnom Penh authorities welcomed the partnership between the two capital cities, saying such cooperation between neighbouring countries would deliver economic, educational, cultural, and political benefits to the people of both nations.
Collaboration between the capitals and provinces in both countries will support regional development through information and experience sharing on urban development, infrastructure, tourism, and economic growth.
Closer ties between capitals and provinces, whether with neighbouring countries, ASEAN states, or other nations, are viewed as crucial for the benefit of citizens, nations, and the global community.

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update September 18, 2025)