Vietnam and Cambodia: 'A friendship that will last forever'

On the morning of January 7th, the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Hanoi People's Committee solemnly organized a ceremony to commemorate the 45th anniversary of the victory in the war to defend the southwestern border of the Fatherland and the victory of the Vietnamese and Cambodian people against the genocidal regime (January 7, 1979 - January 7, 2024).

Attending the commemoration ceremony were President Vo Van Thuong; Standing Member of the Party Central Committee Secretariat and Head of the Central Organization Department Truong Thi Mai, along with leaders of the Party, State, political and social organizations, former experts, and Vietnamese volunteer soldiers who had served in Cambodia.

On the Cambodian side, there was Deputy Prime Minister Neth Savoeun and a delegation from the Cambodian People's Party, the National Assembly, and the Government of Cambodia; as well as Cambodian students and citizens studying and working in Vietnam.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Deputy Prime MinisterLe Minh KhaiRecalling the statement of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong during his visit to Cambodia (July 2017): “History will never be forgotten and no one will be forgotten. Eternal glory belongs to the outstanding sons and daughters who fell for the Fatherland of both nations.”

The Deputy Prime Minister reviewed Cambodian history, noting that after seizing power in April 1975, the Pol Pot regime exploited the achievements of the revolution, betrayed the Cambodian people, and implemented a genocidal regime, plunging Cambodia into an unprecedented catastrophe. In just 3 years, 8 months, and 20 days, more than 3 million Cambodians and tens of thousands of Vietnamese were brutally murdered.

The Deputy Prime Minister stated that, in response to the urgent appeal of the Cambodian National United Front for National Salvation and the Cambodian people, and to protect the sacred sovereignty of the Fatherland and the lives and property of its people, Vietnam exercised its legitimate right of self-defense, crushed acts of aggression, and, together with the Cambodian armed forces and people, overthrew the brutal genocidal regime.

The Deputy Prime Minister affirmed: "This is an action that is in accordance with the law and morality, demonstrating a noble, pure, righteous, and sincere international spirit, a willingness to sacrifice blood and lives for the long-standing and loyal relationship between the Party, State, and people of the two countries; it is a continuation of the tradition of solidarity in the struggle against the common enemy of the two nations."

The Deputy Prime Minister shared that this historic victory is a shared victory of the people of both countries, closing one of Cambodia's darkest chapters, saving the Cambodian people from the genocide, and ushering in a new era.

After liberation, thousands of Vietnamese experts and tens of thousands of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers continued to stand side-by-side with the Cambodian people in the effort to revive the country and prevent the return of the genocidal regime. Countless heroes, experts, Vietnamese volunteers, and members of the Cambodian revolutionary armed forces sacrificed their lives or shed their blood on the battlefield.

The Deputy Prime Minister stated that, after years of trial, on November 16, 2018, the Cambodian Special Judicial Tribunal, under the auspices of the United Nations, officially ruled that the former leaders of the Pol Pot regime were guilty of genocide against humanity.

"This verdict has restored justice to the innocent victims murdered by the Pol Pot genocidal regime and once again affirms the shining righteousness and selfless, pure assistance of the Vietnamese expert and volunteer forces," the Deputy Prime Minister emphasized.

Today, Vietnam and Cambodia continue to elevate their good neighborly relations, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation, and long-term sustainable development to new heights.

Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai shared: "There is a Vietnamese folk saying, 'The Mekong River flows for a thousand years, but the friendship will never fade,' and the Vietnam-Cambodia relationship will continue to develop."

Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Neth Savoeun emphasized: "January 7th has deeply touched the hearts of the Cambodian people. We always celebrate this day with the spirit of forever remembering the great contributions of the patriots and especially the Vietnamese volunteer soldiers."

The Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister stated that without the timely assistance and support of the Vietnamese volunteer army, the Cambodian people would have faced a serious risk of death and destruction.

"The victory on January 7th closed a bitter era and ushered in an era of rebirth for the Cambodian people. Without that event, there would be no Cambodia today. Cambodia was truly fortunate to escape a brutal and cruel regime," said Neth Savoeun.

He stated that Cambodia and Vietnam are neighboring countries, and despite experiencing historical ups and downs and great challenges, they have maintained good relations and developed them in all fields.

Reviewing the achievements in political, economic, and people-to-people relations between the two countries, the Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister affirmed: "Vietnam and Cambodia are exemplary neighbors in the world, demonstrating kindness, brotherly friendship, and unwavering loyalty."

As someone who directly participated in combat, fighting alongside the Cambodian people, Colonel Nguyen Dinh shared: "When the Vietnamese volunteer troops advanced into Cambodia, we were warmly welcomed by the people throughout all regions of Cambodia, who actively helped, cooperated with, and protected us."

In the early days of liberation, Vietnamese volunteer soldiers, undeterred by difficulties, actively assisted hundreds of thousands, even millions, of impoverished and starving people in various places to return to their hometowns, stabilize their lives, help them rebuild their homes, re-establish hospitals and schools, and restore temples. Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts also cared for thousands of Cambodian children orphaned after the genocide.

After seven troop withdrawals, on September 26, 1989, the last Vietnamese units and soldiers returned to their homeland, marking the day when Vietnamese volunteers and experts completed their glorious international duty in Cambodia.

Colonel Nguyen Dinh shared that today, the "Nurturing Friendship" program, launched by the Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Association more than 10 years ago, has sponsored over 300 Cambodian students to study in Vietnam, contributing to bringing the younger generations of the two countries closer together, fostering affection, and a better understanding of the tradition of solidarity and friendship between Vietnam and Cambodia.

Tran Thuong - Pham Hai