Hun Sen Praises Pham Van Tra’s Role in Cambodia’s Liberation

Hun Sen Praises Pham Van Tra’s Role in Cambodia’s Liberation

PHNOM PENH, April 30, 2026 — Cambodia’s acting head of state Hun Sen on Thursday met former Vietnamese defence minister Pham Van Tra, describing him as an “old friend” who played a role in the country’s liberation from the Khmer Rouge regime.

The meeting took place at the Senate Palace, where Hun Sen expressed pleasure at reconnecting with the former Vietnamese military leader after a decade.

According to officials, Hun Sen acknowledged Pham Van Tra’s past contributions to efforts that helped end the rule of the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia, noting shared experiences and long-standing ties between the two sides.

Pham Van Tra, a former member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of Vietnam, said he was pleased to meet Hun Sen again and described the visit as an opportunity to reconnect and revisit sites linked to their past cooperation.

He said his trip aimed both to pay a courtesy call and to reflect on historical locations associated with the period of Cambodia’s liberation.

The meeting highlighted enduring historical links between Cambodia and Vietnam, rooted in cooperation during a period of conflict that continues to shape relations between the two countries.