Launching a campaign to record stories about Vietnam-Cambodia friendship

Towards the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Cambodia (June 24, 1967 - June 24, 2027), the Vietnam - Cambodia Friendship Association in Ho Chi Minh City organized a campaign to record true stories about solidarity and mutual assistance between the people of the two countries, especially in the period 1979 - 1989.

The campaign takes place from September 15, 2026 to the end of April 30, 2027, and also aims to commemorate the 50th anniversary of former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen's journey to find a way to save the country (June 20, 1977 – June 20, 2027).

According to the Organizing Committee, the content focuses on true stories about cooperation and mutual support in the fields of defense, security, economy, culture, society, health, education and daily life. In which, memories of the period when Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts performed international missions in Cambodia are the focus.

Mr. Nguyen Van Trieu, Standing Vice Chairman, Secretary General of the Vietnam - Cambodia Friendship Association of Ho Chi Minh City, said that the campaign not only records the process of Vietnam helping Cambodia but also reflects the support and care of the Cambodian people for the Vietnamese people through historical periods.

According to Mr. Trieu, in the late 1960s and early 1970s, some areas on Cambodian territory became the foothold and activity of the Vietnamese revolutionary forces. The people of the friendly country helped cadres and soldiers, and supported the transportation routes of weapons and supplies to serve the resistance war.

In the opposite direction, in the period 1979 – 1989, Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts participated in helping the Cambodian people overcome the consequences of the war, stabilize their lives and rebuild the country. In the process of performing their duties, many Vietnamese officers and soldiers also received the protection and support of the Cambodian people.

Having worked in Cambodia for more than 10 years, Mr. Nguyen Van Trieu said that he has witnessed many touching stories about the bond between volunteer soldiers and Vietnamese experts and the people of the friendly country.

The stories being searched for do not necessarily have to be major events, but may originate from simple actions such as a Cambodian family taking care of a wounded Vietnamese soldier, people helping soldiers in difficult times, or sharing between Vietnamese officials and experts and the local community.

According to the Organizing Committee, recording true stories will contribute to highlighting the two-way nature of the friendly relationship, while preserving the memories of historical witnesses before precious documents are lost over time.

The campaign is for a large number of people, including soldiers, former volunteer soldiers, youth volunteers, officials, experts who have worked in Cambodia; Vietnamese people in Cambodia, Cambodians living and studying in Vietnam, businesses, members of friendship organizations and people with stories related to the relationship between the two countries.

Entries are written in the memoir genre, not exceeding 6,000 words long. Each author can submit a maximum of 5 stories. The work must reflect real people and real events; in case of recording according to narration or audio recording, it is necessary to clearly verify the author and the source of information. The Organizing Committee encourages the submission of photos, memorabilia and supporting documents.

For elderly witnesses, especially generals, former volunteer soldiers and experts who have served in Cambodia but do not have the conditions to directly write articles, the Organizing Committee can arrange people to support meetings and recording stories. Selected works can be translated into English and Cambodian to be widely disseminated.

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