Tongan travellers remain stranded in Vietnam after suspending trips to Cambodia and Thailand due to a violent border conflict that left dozens dead.
Despite a ceasefire agreement reached earlier this week, safety concerns persist, prompting cancellations and delays for the tourists from the kingdom.
Jason Heimuli, a Tongan tourist currently in Vietnam, told Kaniva News that his group had planned to visit Cambodia and Thailand as part of a one-month holiday.
However, escalating violence along the border forced them to abandon their travel plans. “We are worried otherwise we will get injured, so it was safe to cancel it,” Heimuli said.
Heimuli had previously shared on Facebook that they were visiting Singapore before arriving in Vietnam.
He said they were near the Vietnam-Cambodia border when they received warnings from the Australian government advising residents to avoid travel to conflict zones.
“We were trying to return and wait in the city,” Heimuli said.
The conflict, which lasted five days, resulted in at least 43 deaths—mostly civilians—and displaced nearly 300,000 people.
While a ceasefire was brokered during a meeting in Malaysia, Heimuli expressed doubts about its durability.
According to Al Jazeera, the ceasefire was described as “immediate and unconditional,” with reports suggesting U.S. President Donald Trump’s economic pressure played a role in the negotiations.
However, Thailand has since accused Cambodia of launching fresh attacks, allegations Cambodia denies.
Why Are Thailand and Cambodia Fighting at the Border?
By Kaniva News, adapted from BBC
Deadly clashes erupted last Thursday along the Thailand-Cambodia border, reigniting a long-standing territorial dispute.
The conflict stems from a century-old disagreement over border demarcation, intensified in 2008 when Cambodia attempted to register an ancient temple in the disputed area as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Sporadic violence has occurred since, with tensions escalating in May after a Cambodian soldier was killed.
On Thursday, both nations offered conflicting accounts of the violence. Thailand accused Cambodia of deploying drones and rocket launchers, damaging civilian infrastructure. Cambodia claimed Thai troops violated a prior agreement by advancing on a sacred temple and initiating fire.
Both sides have since imposed border restrictions and increased military presence.
The situation remains volatile, with international observers urging restraint and dialogue.
