AKP Phnom Penh, July 24, 2025 —

Cambodia and the Lao People's Democratic Republic have pledged to reinvigorate their 2022 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Tourism Cooperation, aiming to significantly enhance both domestic and international tourist exchanges between the two Southeast Asian nations.

The commitment was solidified during a productive meeting on July 23 between Cambodian Minister of Tourism H.E. Huot Hak and H.E. Buakeo Phumvongsay, Lao Ambassador to Cambodia, at the Ministry of Tourism in Phnom Penh.

Discussions centred on practical measures to improve cross-border travel and connectivity. 

Key areas of focus included: Enhancing land and air travel: Exploring ways to make journeys between the two countries more efficient; Expanding direct flight routes: Strengthening existing air links to facilitate easier access for tourists; Streamlining travel procedures: Simplifying bureaucratic processes to encourage more visitors; Facilitating border-area tourism: Making it easier for citizens residing along the shared border to visit attractions in neighbouring provinces.

Both Minister Huot Hak and Ambassador Buakeo Phumvongsay underscored the mutual understanding that tourism is a vital sector, recognised by the leaders of both nations for its crucial role in driving economic growth and improving livelihoods. 

They also emphasised that robust tourism cooperation serves to strengthen the enduring bonds of solidarity and friendship between the Cambodian and Lao peoples.

By K. Rithy Reak