AKP Phnom Penh, October 6, 2026 --Phnom Penh and Ho Chi Minh City signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Monday to implement an US$8 million construction project for the Cambodia-Vietnam Friendship School, funded by the government and people of Vietnam.

The signing ceremony took place in Ho Chi Minh City on Monday afternoon, presided over by Maj. Gen. Vo Van Dien, commander of the Ho Chi Minh City High Command representing the Vietnamese government, and Phnom Penh Governor H.E. Khuong Sreng, representing the Royal Government of Cambodia.

Ms. Dor Samphors, Spokesperson for the Phnom Penh Municipal Administration, confirmed the agreement from Ho Chi Minh City late Monday evening.

Under the agreement, Vietnam will fund the construction of new facilities and the renovation of existing infrastructure at the school complex, according to Maj. Gen. Vo Van Dien.

The project features a primary school building with 80 new classrooms, a laboratory, and a computer room; a secondary school building with 24 new classrooms, a laboratory, and a computer room; and the renovation of 15 existing classrooms in the Samdech Techo building. It also includes a multi-purpose sports facility, a shared administrative building, and necessary teaching and learning equipment for more than 5,500 students and teachers.

The US$8 million project is scheduled for completion within approximately one year, with construction and financing managed directly by the Ho Chi Minh City High Command. Maj. Gen. Vo Van Dien also requested administrative coordination from Phnom Penh municipal authorities to ensure smooth execution.

In response, Governor Khuong Sreng assured the Vietnamese delegation that Phnom Penh authorities have already completed essential site preparation work — including demolishing old structures, preparing the construction site, and connecting water and electricity infrastructure — to facilitate a seamless launch.

Expressing gratitude on behalf of the Royal Government of Cambodia and the municipal administration, H.E. Khuong Sreng thanked the Party, government, and people of Vietnam, the Embassy of Vietnam in Cambodia, and the Ho Chi Minh City High Command for providing high-standard educational facilities to support human resource development in Phnom Penh.

"The Cambodia-Vietnam Friendship School not only serves the education sector and human resource training in Cambodia, but also reflects the strong spirit of solidarity, friendship, mutual respect, and close cooperation between our two neighbouring nations," H.E. Khuong Sreng said, citing the bilateral policy of "good neighbourliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation, and long-term stability."

The groundbreaking ceremony for the project was held earlier in 2026, presided over by Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, President of the Senate of Cambodia, and H.E. To Lam, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam and President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, during the latter's state visit to Cambodia.

By K. Rithy Reak