Tan Nam – Meun Chey border gates open to boost Vietnam, Cambodia trade
The new gates are expected to add momentum for both sides to move toward the US$20 billion target set by senior leaders, accelerate the completion of the remaining 16% of border demarcation and open the way for future international crossings.
THE HANOI TIMES — The Tan Nam – Meun Chey international border gate was opened today [December 8] under the joint chairmanship of Vietnam's Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his Cambodian counterpart Hun Manet.
Vietnam's Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) and Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Manet at the opening of Tan Nam - Meun Chey international border gate on December 8. Photos: Nhat Bac/VGP
The Tan Nam International Border Gate project in Vietnam’s southern province of Tay Ninh, opposite Cambodia’s Meun Chey Border Gate in Prey Veng Province, has a total investment of VND274 billion (US$10.4 million).
It comprises five components, namely the national gate, an integrated control station with a square and ceremonial area, a Border Guard station, the main axis road and supporting infrastructure including power, water and fire safety systems.
All structures follow a design approach that ensures solemnity, symbolism and national identity while remaining in harmony with the landscape and project scale.
The event marked a new phase of economic cooperation on one of the busiest land corridors between the two neighbors.
The ceremony marks the participation of many senior officials of both countries.
On the same day, the two leaders also inaugurated the Tan Nam – Meun Chey Friendship Bridge in front of officials from both governments and crowds of residents.
Vietnam’s southern province of Tay Ninh upgraded the Tan Nam gate to international status on a 24 hectare site beginning in October 2024, while Cambodia completed the Meun Chey gate on nine hectares.
The Tan Nam - Meun Chey international border gate connects Vietnam’s southern economic region with Cambodia and ASEAN markets.
This is the 4th international border gate (namely Moc Bai, Xa Mat, Tan Nam, Binh Hiep) along the Tay Ninh’s border which spans more than 368 kilometers and connects Vietnam’s southern economic region with Cambodia and ASEAN markets.
Vietnam-Cambodia’s trade reached US$10.4 billion in the first 11 months of 2025, up 12.7% from the same period of 2024.
The new gates are expected to add momentum for both sides to move toward the US$20 billion target set by senior leaders.
Vietnam’s Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh speaks at the ceremony.
Vietnam’s Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said the shared border is not only a territorial line but a bridge of cooperation that supports sustainable growth in border provinces.
He thanked the Cambodian Government and people, especially Prey Veng Province for close coordination that kept the border gate project on schedule.
Chinh said the Tan Nam – Meun Chey border gate will serve as a model in digital transformation and modern management, bringing prosperity to border communities and helping turn the Vietnam–Cambodia border into a “security belt – bridge of friendship – engine of growth – anchor of public trust,” contributing to a peaceful and stable region.
To ensure smooth operations, he called for efforts from both sides to strengthen border management and crime prevention, simplify and digitalize clearance procedures, improve infrastructure and logistics, deepen regional connections and create better conditions for businesses to invest in agricultural processing and logistics.
He said the new gates will help accelerate the completion of the remaining 16% of border demarcation and open the way for future international crossings.
Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Manet at the event.
Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Manet said the project reflects goodwill, unity and determination between the two countries.
He noted that the new gates and supporting infrastructure will stimulate economic growth, expand trade in goods and services and create more livelihoods for people along the border.
“The opening of the new pair of international border gates today is another historic milestone in the development of Cambodia–Vietnam relations and cooperation in various fields, with the hope of turning the border area into a zone of opportunity for the peoples of both our countries,” stated Hun Manet.
He urged ministries and local authorities to maintain close coordination to facilitate trade investment and tourism while combating cross border crime.
He expressed thanks to Vietnam for its contribution to what he described as good neighborliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation and long term sustainable partnership.
The Tan Nam – Meun Chey gates together with new infrastructure along the border are expected to create fresh momentum for trade investment, services and people-to-people exchanges, supporting shared prosperity for Vietnam and Cambodia.
Vietnam’s border gates with Cambodia have become important corridors for trade and investment. They support faster movement of goods, reduce logistics costs and expand market access for businesses on both sides.
Newly upgraded checkpoints improve digital procedures and customs coordination, making cross-border supply chains more efficient.
Border communities benefit from rising commerce, tourism and service activities.
The network of international, main and auxiliary border gates helps connect Vietnam’s southeastern provinces with Cambodia’s key economic hubs and wider ASEAN markets.
These gateways also strengthen economic resilience by opening more routes for agricultural exports, consumer goods and industrial materials.
