Vietnam-Cambodia 'forever friendship'

On the morning of January 7, 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 held a ceremony to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the victory of the war to protect the southwestern border of the Fatherland and the victory of the Cambodian army and people over the genocidal regime (January 7, 1979 - January 7, 2024).

Attending the ceremony were President Vo Van Thuong; Permanent member of the Secretariat, Head of the Central Organizing Committee Truong Thi Mai; leaders of the Party, State, socio-political organizations, former experts, and Vietnamese volunteer soldiers who performed international duties in Cambodia.

On the Vietnamese side, there were Deputy Prime Minister of Cambodia Neth Savoeun and delegations from the Cambodian People's Party, National Assembly, Government of Cambodia; Cambodian students and people studying and working in Vietnam.

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

The Deputy Prime Minister reviewed Cambodia's history. After taking power in April 1975, the Pol Pot group took advantage of the revolutionary achievements, betrayed the Cambodian people, and carried out a genocidal regime, plunging Cambodia into a terrible disaster unprecedented in history. 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 said that in response to the urgent call 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 the people, Vietnam exercised its legitimate right to self-defense, crushed the acts of aggression, and together with the Cambodian armed forces and people, overthrew the brutal genocidal regime.

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

The Deputy Prime Minister shared that this historic victory is a common victory of the people of the two countries, closing the darkest page of Cambodia's history, saving the Cambodian people from the disaster of genocide, opening a new era.

After liberation, thousands of Vietnamese experts and volunteers continued to stand side by side with the Cambodian people to carry out the revival and prevent the return of the genocidal regime. Countless Vietnamese heroes, experts, volunteers and Cambodian revolutionary armed forces sacrificed their lives or left some of their blood on the battlefield.

The Deputy Prime Minister said that after many years of trial, on November 16, 2018, the Special Court of Justice of Cambodia under the auspices of the United Nations officially ruled that the former leaders of the Pol Pot group committed genocide against humanity.

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

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

Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai shared: "Vietnamese folk songs say the Mekong River still flows for thousands of years/Friendship will never fade", the Vietnam-Cambodia relationship will continue to develop.

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

The Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister said that without the timely help and support of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers, the Cambodian people would have faced a serious risk of death.

"The victory on January 7 ended a bitter era and opened an era of revival for the Cambodian people. Without that event, there would be no Cambodia today. Cambodia was truly lucky to escape from a barbaric and cruel regime," said Mr. Neth Savoeun.

He said that Cambodia and Vietnam are neighboring countries. Despite historical ups and downs and great challenges, they still maintain good relations and develop 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 typical examples of the best neighbors in the world, demonstrating kindness, brotherhood, friendship and loyalty."

As someone who directly participated in the fight, fighting side by side with the Cambodian people, Colonel Nguyen Dinh shared: "When the Vietnamese volunteer army marched into Cambodia, we were joyfully welcomed by people from all regions in Cambodia and actively helped, cooperated, and protected us."

In the early days of liberation, Vietnamese volunteer soldiers, regardless of difficulties, actively supported and helped hundreds of thousands, millions of people who were starving and suffering in various places to return to their hometowns, stabilize their lives, help people rebuild their houses, rebuild hospitals, schools, and restore pagodas. Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts also raised thousands of Cambodian children orphaned after the genocide.

After 7 withdrawals, on September 26, 1989, the last units and soldiers of Vietnam returned to the Fatherland, marking the day when Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts completed their glorious international duty in Cambodia.

Colonel Nguyen Dinh confided that today, the "Nurturing Friendship" program launched by the Vietnam - Cambodia Friendship Association over the past 10 years has sponsored more than 300 Cambodian students to study in Vietnam, contributing to making the young generations of the two countries closer, more affectionate, and more knowledgeable about the tradition of solidarity and friendship between Vietnam and Cambodia.