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Headlines:

Vietnam, Cambodia Tackle Canal Project Tensions

Canal Bring Economic Gains, Geopolitical Worry

Funan Techo Controversy and Strategic Worry

Canada Eyes Mekong Delta Opportunities

UK-Vietnam Trade Ties Grow Stronger

Foreign Investors Fuel Real Estate Surge

New Routes and Green Fuel for Aviation

Energy Crisis and Shift Toward Sustainable Solutions

Digital Payment Revolution Faces Security and Market Challenges

Record FDI Inflows and Plan Revisions

Inflation Nears Gov't Limit as Prices Rise

Hanoi Invests in Drones for Ag Efficiency

Wild Monkeys Wreak Preschool Havoc

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Vietnam, Cambodia Tackle Canal Project Tensions

Vietnam and Cambodia are navigating tensions over Cambodia's $1.7 billion Funan Techo Canal project, funded by China. While Cambodia wants to boost its economy and reduce dependence on Vietnamese seaports, Vietnam is raising concerns about water security and environmental impacts on the Mekong Delta. Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai is asking for close coordination with Cambodia and the Mekong River Commission to safeguard shared interests. The canal's potential military use by China also is also adding geopolitical anxiety.

Read more: Lowy Institute, Tuoi Tre News

In addition to the above, there has been a lot of coverage of this story from the Cambodian perspective over the past few weeks as well. If it is of interest to you, make sure you review these previous two articles from The Mekong Memo. Remember that you can turn on and off different editions of The Memo at any time by going to www.mekongmemo.com/account.

Canal Bring Economic Gains, Geopolitical Worry

From Mekong Memo Cambodia 20240520

Funan Techo Controversy and Strategic Worry

From Mekong Memo Cambodia 20240527

Canada Eyes Mekong Delta Opportunities

Canada is leveraging its Indo-Pacific strategy to strengthen ties with Vietnam, focusing on the Mekong Delta, a critical region facing severe environmental challenges. With expertise in agri-tech, clean technology, and water management, Canada wants to support Vietnam’s economic and environmental stability. Recent initiatives include a $40 million investment and partnership with the Mekong River Commission. Improved collaboration on climate and water governance could benefit both nations, better positioning Canada as a reliable regional partner.

Read more: Policy Options

UK-Vietnam Trade Ties Grow Stronger

The UKVFTA has doubled bilateral trade in a decade. Vietnam's growth and policies make it a key UK market. The UK's CPTPP accession opens more opportunities in digital tech and renewables. Vietnam's approval of UK pork exports, worth £12M over five years, is a result of growing market access and people in both countries are bullish on the future.

Read more: Vietnam Investment Review (Agreement Impact), Vietnam News (UK-Vietnam Trade Relations), The Pig Site (Pork Deal)