The Vietnamese era in Cambodia, lasting a decade, remains a topic of significant debate, with some viewing the Vietnamese as liberators and others as occupiers. Regardless of perspective, it is universally acknowledged that their intervention saved countless Cambodian lives. Upon their arrival in 1979, the Vietnamese encountered a nation with its infrastructure in ruins, and the devastation wrought by the Khmer Rouge was stark. Between 1979 and 1980, approximately 300,000 Cambodians perished from starvation, even after the Vietnamese troops entered the country.

With the establishment of the People’s Republic of Kampuchea (PRK), the Vietnamese set up a single-party socialist state. This interim government was headed by Heng Samrin, a former Khmer Rouge divisional commander, while the role of foreign minister was assigned to Hun Sen, another ex-Khmer Rouge member who had sought refuge in Vietnam in 1977.

Despite limited assistance from Western nations due to coverage of Cambodia’s humanitarian crisis, the international response to the Khmer Rouge’s atrocities was largely muted. Most major powers refused to acknowledge the legitimacy of the new PRK government, perceiving it as a puppet regime. Notably, the USSR and India were exceptions to this stance. Meanwhile, Pol Pot, who had found sanctuary in Thailand, was supported by the Thai, Chinese, and US governments, all of whom opposed the Vietnamese communists. The Khmer Rouge retained their seat at the United Nations, with Pol Pot being recognized as the rightful leader of the Cambodian government in exile. As reports of Khmer Rouge atrocities emerged, these supporters chose to continue their punitive measures against the Vietnamese-backed PRK rather than address the humanitarian crisis in Cambodia.

By 1980, the Vietnamese military largely controlled central and eastern Cambodia, but skirmishes continued in western regions. The Khmer Rouge persisted in their guerrilla tactics from strongholds in Pailin and Anlong Veng and from bases in Thailand. This pattern of conflict characterized much of the 1980s, with PRK and Vietnamese troops launching major offensives against the Khmer Rouge during the dry season, while Khmer Rouge fighters counterattacked during the wet season. Both factions also laid millions of explosives along the Thai border and throughout the west, marking the onset of the landmine crisis that continues to affect Cambodia today.

As the fighting continued, efforts to rebuild Cambodia proceeded, albeit under severe constraints due to a lack of international support and the PRK’s status as a pariah among many nations. Nevertheless, Buddhist monasteries, schools, and colleges were gradually restored, cities were repopulated, agricultural practices were revived, and a national administration was painstakingly reconstructed. This reconstruction effort faced significant challenges, particularly given that a large portion of the educated Cambodian populace had either perished or fled the country.

In conclusion, the Vietnamese era in Cambodia presents a complex legacy characterized by both the tragic consequences of the Khmer Rouge regime and the difficult process of rebuilding in the aftermath. The efforts to restore Cambodia continue to evolve, shaped by the historical context of foreign intervention and internal strife.