Vietnam, Cambodia agree to open seaways

Cambodia and Vietnam have agreed to boost cooperation to promote tourism in the countries’ seaside border provinces by the end of this year.

When realised, tourists will be able to travel between the countries’ coastal provinces by sea instead of overland.

Ministry of Tourism’s Undersecretary of State Thok Sokhom said the sea connection would cover Cambodia’s Preah Sihanouk, Koh Kong, Kep and Kampot provinces to southern Vietnam’s Kieng Giang and Can Tho provinces.

Sokhom said the move will boost and facilitate the travel of tourists between the countries’ coastal provinces.

“It will also generate jobs and improve the living standards of Cambodians living in the coastal provinces,” he said on Friday.

According to Sokhom, the Ministry of Tourism is doubling its effort to promote tourism in the country.

“We have had it bad for two years and now that our country has reopened its borders we must get tourism back to pre-pandemic levels, if not better,” he said.

He said the ministry held a “Cambodia Tourism Roadshow” in Jakarta from June 21 to June 25 and in Can Tho city in southern Vietnam from July 18 to July 22.

The roadshow, he said, was part of the ministry’s plan to restore and promote tourism in the Kingdom.

Cambodia Association of Travel Agents (CATA) advsor Ho Vandy applauded the ministry’s efforts, saying that it will generate more jobs and incomes for the two countries’ people living in the coastal border provinces, especially the people living in popular tourist destinations and the nearby areas.

“I appreciate the Ministry of Tourism’s hard work and promotional efforts,” Vandy said yesterday.

“We have already started to network with tourism associations and cooperated with CATA’s members and other informal tourism communities to advertise about this plan to open seaways and to prepare for it,” he said.

Vandy said tourists’ arrival has been improving since March.

Par Buth Reaksmey Kongkea – Khmer Times – July 25, 2022