Vietnam, Cambodia Customs Strengthen Anti-Smuggling Cooperation

The 6th Vietnam-Cambodia Border Customs Meeting, held in Lam Dong province at the end of October 2025, represented a new milestone in cooperation between the customs forces of both countries, especially in combating smuggling, trade fraud, and drug trafficking, while supporting border security and enhancing bilateral trade.

Cooperation deal signed between Vietnam and Cambodia Customs at the 6th Vietnam-Cambodia Border Customs Meeting

Close coordination to safeguard border security

Speaking at the meeting, Vu Quang Toan, Head of the Anti-Smuggling and Investigation Department and Head of the Vietnamese customs delegation, emphasized that over the past five meetings, the two sides have continuously strengthened information exchange, coordinated in border inspection and control, and implemented many practical professional cooperation activities. These efforts have helped maintain order, safety, and smooth trade in the border region.

The sixth meeting, held from October 29 to 30, further clarified specific coordination measures and provided a platform to share best practices in combating smuggling and the illegal cross-border trade of goods.

According to the Department of Vietnam Customs, as of September 15, 2025, the entire sector had detected, detained, and handled more than 13,000 violations, initiated legal proceedings in 15 cases, and transferred 93 cases for prosecution. Along the Vietnam-Cambodia border alone, 156 cases were detected, one case was prosecuted, and nine cases were referred for prosecution.

Violations have become increasingly sophisticated, with offenders exploiting corporate legal status to falsify declarations, smuggle restricted goods, or misuse transit shipments to conceal prohibited items. Other methods include intellectual property infringement and falsification of origin documents to legitimize smuggling and trade fraud.

These results reflect the proactive and effective coordination between the two Customs agencies in managing a long and complex border, thereby ensuring security, order, and the smooth flow of legitimate trade between Vietnam and Cambodia.

Delegates from both countries at the 6th Vietnam-Cambodia Border Customs Meeting

Cooperation in drug prevention strengthens strategic trust

Alongside anti-smuggling efforts, Vietnam Customs has also intensified its fight against drug trafficking. As of mid-September 2025, customs forces nationwide detected and handled 152 cases involving 194 suspects, seizing nearly 2.3 tons of drugs, mainly synthetic narcotics. Along the southwestern border with Cambodia, 10 cases involving 20 suspects were recorded, highlighting the area as a continuing hotspot requiring close cooperation.

In the spirit of practical collaboration, representatives from both countries’ customs agencies agreed to strengthen coordination in controlling high-risk goods at key border gates, update contact points from central to local levels to ensure fast, accurate, and effective information exchange, and jointly raise awareness among border residents and businesses about the economic, social, and national security risks of smuggling, trade fraud, and drug-related crimes.

Speaking at the meeting, Nou Sytha, Director of the Anti-Smuggling Department under Cambodia’s General Department of Customs and Indirect Tax, expressed gratitude to the Vietnamese Customs for their warm hospitality and praised the reliability and effectiveness of the bilateral coordination mechanism. He confirmed that Cambodia Customs will continue close operational cooperation, regular information exchange, and technical support to build strategic trust and strengthen long-term relations between the two forces.

At the meeting, both sides signed the Minutes of the 6th Vietnam-Cambodia Border Customs Meeting, agreeing to strengthen operational exchanges between technical points, maintain a regular meeting schedule, and use direct communication channels to address issues promptly.

The meeting’s success reaffirmed the shared commitment and leading role of both countries’ customs authorities in combating smuggling, trade fraud, and drug trafficking, contributing to a peaceful, stable, cooperative, and sustainably developed border.

Building on growing mutual trust, Vietnam and Cambodia Customs are jointly working toward a secure, smooth, and friendly border, facilitating economic and social development, trade, and investment between the two countries.

By Le Hien, Vietnam Business Forum