Min Aung Hlaing Praises Cambodia’s Rich Heritage After Visiting Angkor Wat
Min Aung Hlaing Praises Cambodia’s Rich Heritage After Visiting Angkor Wat
SIEM REAP, Cambodia, Sept. 14, 2026 — Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing has expressed appreciation for Cambodia’s rich cultural heritage following his visit to Angkor Wat and Bayon in Siem Reap during his state visit to the Kingdom.
In a letter of appreciation dated September 12, addressed to Cambodian Senate President Samdech Techo Hun Sen, Min Aung Hlaing said his visit to Siem Reap, which he described as a sister city of Myanmar’s Bagan, allowed him to appreciate Cambodia’s rich heritage.
“Furthermore, my visit to Siem Reap which is a sister city of Bagan of Myanmar, allowed me to appreciate your country’s rich heritage,” Min Aung Hlaing wrote.
The Myanmar president and his delegation visited Angkor Wat and Bayon on September 12 as part of his two-day state visit to Cambodia. At Angkor Wat, the delegation viewed the temple’s monumental stone structures, sculptures and intricate bas-reliefs, while officials from the Angkor Archaeological Park provided explanations about the historic site. The delegation later visited Bayon and observed its distinctive stone faces and carvings depicting aspects of Khmer life and history.
Min Aung Hlaing also noted in his letter that the visit had been an opportunity to strengthen the longstanding relationship between Myanmar and Cambodia.
He expressed appreciation for the “cordial and warm hospitality” extended to him and the Myanmar delegation throughout the September 11–12 state visit, saying the discussions held during the trip could contribute to strengthening bilateral relations and opening new avenues for mutually beneficial cooperation.
The Myanmar president further said the outcomes of the visit would help nurture the longstanding bonds of friendship and closer people-to-people ties between the two countries.
His reference to Siem Reap as a sister city of Bagan, Myanmar’s renowned ancient cultural centre, also highlighted the shared heritage and tourism potential between the two historic destinations.
During his visit, Cambodian and Myanmar officials also discussed opportunities to promote tourism between Siem Reap and Bagan, while emphasizing the importance of protecting cultural heritage and supporting Myanmar citizens working in Cambodia’s tourism and service sectors in accordance with Cambodian law.
The Angkor visit formed part of Min Aung Hlaing’s first state visit to Cambodia as Myanmar’s president. The two countries used the broader visit to strengthen bilateral cooperation in areas including tourism, trade, investment, culture and people-to-people relations.
