President Tô Lâm presenting a gift for the Khmer-Vietnamese Association. VNA/VNS Photo

PHNOM PENH President Tô Lâm on July 13 met with representatives of Vietnamese representative agencies and the Vietnamese community in Cambodia as part of his state visit to the neighbouring country.

Ambassador Nguyễn Huy Tăng informed the leader that there are more than 100,000 Vietnamese living, working and studying in the country.

The representatives of the Vietnamese community proposed the Vietnamese Party and State call on the Cambodian Government to create more favourable conditions for them in matters relating to nationality, education, training and employment, while facilitating the operation of Vietnamese associations and businesses.

They also noted wish for scholarships for disadvantaged children, the building of schools and education institutions for Vietnamese people in Cambodia. 

Briefing the overseas Vietnamese (OVs) on his meetings with Cambodian leaders, the President said the two sides agreed to continue giving high priority to strengthening their traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation.

The President said he called on Cambodia to roll out more favourable policies in support of people of Vietnamese origin, along with more incentives towards Vietnamese firms.

Affirming that the Party and the State always pay attention to OVs, especially people of Vietnamese origin in Cambodia who are still facing a host of difficulties, President Lâm asked them to raise their legal status and observe local laws. 

He asked the Khmer-Vietnamese Association, Vietnamese associations and the Vietnamese community in Cambodia to stay united, support each other, and try their best to contribute to the socio-economic development of the host country and the homeland, as well as the close-knit relationship between the two countries.

On this occasion, the President presented US$20,000 to the Khmer-Vietnamese Association to support its operation, and 200 gift packages to people in difficult circumstances. VNS