Da Nang, November 4, 2026 – Within the framework of the 2026 Trilateral Governor-level Dialogue among the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV), the National Bank of Cambodia (NBC), and the Bank of the Lao PDR (BOL), the SBV and the NBC held a bilateral meeting at the Governor level. The meeting was co-chaired by SBV Governor Pham Duc An and NBC Governor Chea Serey.
Bilateral meeting between the SBV and the NBC
The SBV delegation was led by Governor Pham Duc An and included Deputy Governor Nguyen Ngoc Canh, representatives of relevant SBV departments and units, and representatives of SBV Regional Branch 9. The NBC delegation was led by Governor Chea Serey and included Deputy Governor Rath Sovannorak and representatives of relevant NBC units. Representatives of Vietnamese commercial banks operating in Cambodia also attended the meeting.
SBV Governor Pham Duc An delivers his opening remarks
At the meeting, the two sides focused on exchanging experience in developing regulatory frameworks to ensure the safety and soundness of banking operations, promoting digital transformation in the banking sector, and identifying orientations for bilateral cooperation.
Regarding banking safety and soundness, discussions focused on Vietnam’s experience in improving the legal framework and implementing Basel II and progressing towards the adoption of Basel III standards to strengthen risk management capacity and safeguard the stability of the banking system. On this basis, the two sides exchanged views on developing roadmaps for adopting prudential standards in line with the practical conditions of each country. They also discussed strengthening information sharing and the exchange of supervisory experience to enhance resilience and promote the safe and sustainable development of their respective banking systems.
On digital transformation, the meeting acknowledged Cambodia’s achievements, particularly the Bakong payment system and the unified KHQR standard, which demonstrate the important role of digital payment infrastructure in promoting financial inclusion and encouraging the use of the local currency in Cambodia. The two sides also discussed challenges arising in the digital transformation process, particularly payment fraud prevention, cybersecurity, customer data protection, and narrowing the gaps in access to digital financial services.
NBC Governor Chea Serey speaks at the meeting
The meeting also reviewed cooperation outcomes between the two central banks in recent years, particularly the implementation of bilateral retail payment connectivity through QR codes since December 2023, which has facilitated trade, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.
Building on these achievements, the two sides discussed ways to enhance the effectiveness of cross-border QR payment connectivity, with a focus on expanding the VietQRGlobal acceptance network at tourist destinations, border gates, and commercial areas, as well as strengthening public communication and providing guidance to encourage wider use of the service.
An overview of the meeting
The two Governors also called for closer cooperation in sharing experience on interbank payment systems, promoting the use of local currencies in payments, strengthening the management and supervision of banking safety and soundness, and continuing to support each other at regional and international financial and banking forums, particularly within the ASEAN framework.
As part of the program, the two Governors also held a dialogue with representatives of Vietnamese commercial banks operating in Cambodia, including BIDV, Agribank, MB, Sacombank, and SHB. During the dialogue, the banks reported on their business performance and significant contributions to promoting economic, trade, and investment cooperation between the two countries. They also shared their development orientations and proposed solutions to improve operational efficiency, expand financial and banking services, and strengthen connectivity between the Vietnamese and Cambodian markets.
In his concluding remarks at the bilateral meeting and dialogue with commercial banks, SBV Governor Pham Duc An acknowledged the contributions made by Vietnamese commercial banks to investment, trade, and socio-economic development in Cambodia. He emphasized that the banks should continue to comply with the laws and regulations of the host country, strengthen their financial capacity and risk management, and ensure safe and sound operations.
He also called on the banks to accelerate technology adoption and develop payment and remittance services through official channels, thereby further facilitating trade and investment between the two countries.
Regarding the proposals raised at the meeting, the SBV Governor requested relevant units of the two central banks to maintain close coordination, share experience, and study appropriate solutions to further strengthen cooperation in the monetary and banking sectors, thereby contributing to the traditional friendship between Vietnam and Cambodia.
Delegates attending the meeting
Through the meeting, the two central banks reaffirmed the importance of bilateral consultation mechanisms in strengthening coordination, sharing experience, and promoting cooperation in areas of mutual interest. These efforts aim to enhance financial and banking connectivity and contribute to the sustainable development of Vietnam–Cambodia relations.