Injecting fresh momentum to Viet Nam–Thailand relations

Speaking to correspondents ahead of the visit, Pham described the visit as particularly significant as it marks the first visit to Thailand by a Vietnamese General Secretary and President. The visit also takes place as the two countries celebrate the 50th founding anniversary of diplomatic relations amid growing and increasingly comprehensive cooperation.

The visit will offer leaders of both countries an opportunity to look back on achievements over the past five decades while identifying new areas of cooperation, thereby deepening bilateral ties in line with the interests of the two peoples and the shared goals of regional peace, cooperation and development.

Reviewing bilateral relations, the Ambassador noted that Viet Nam-Thailand relations have continued to strengthen steadily, especially since Viet Nam joined the Association of Southeast Asian Nations on July 28, 1995. Cooperation has expanded across various sectors under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership established in May last year.

Political trust has been reinforced through regular high-level exchanges and close coordination between leaders of both countries. Viet Nam and Thailand currently maintain 10 cooperation and dialogue mechanisms covering diplomacy, defense, security and economic affairs, while more than 20 pairs of localities have established cooperative partnerships through memoranda of understanding.

Economic cooperation has become a key pillar of the bilateral relationship. Thailand is now one of Viet Nam's leading economic partners both within ASEAN and globally. The country ranks eighth among top foreign investors in Viet Nam, with nearly 800 investment projects capitalized at more than US$15 billion.

Two-way trade has also recorded strong growth, with both countries aiming to raise bilateral trade turnover to US$25 billion in the near future. Last year, trade volume surpassed US$22 billion, marking an increase of around 10 percent compared to the previous year.

People-to-people exchanges and tourism cooperation have also flourished, with over one million visits exchanged annually. Each year, approximately one million Vietnamese tourists travel to Thailand, while between 400,000 and 500,000 Thai visitors come to Viet Nam for tourism and business activities.

The diplomat said such exchanges not only promote tourism cooperation but also help strengthen mutual cultural understanding and create new opportunities for businesses and localities. Cooperation in education, culture, science-technology and sports has also been maintained regularly.

Regarding the highlights of the visit, the Ambassador said meetings and talks between General Secretary and President To Lam and Thailand's senior leaders are expected to further consolidate political trust and create a stronger foundation for expanded cooperation among ministries, agencies, localities and people of both countries.

Economic cooperation is also expected to feature prominently during the trip, with businesses from both sides engaging in exchanges aimed at boosting investment, trade and broader business partnerships.

Pham added that General Secretary and President To Lam will also meet representatives of the Vietnamese community of more than 100,000 people in Thailand. He described the overseas Vietnamese community as an important bridge of friendship that has contributed significantly to bilateral relations.

Looking ahead, the Ambassador stressed the need to translate the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership into more concrete and substantive cooperation through a detailed action program involving ministries, sectors and localities from both countries.

A central focus, he said, will be the implementation of the "Three Connections" initiative, which includes supply chain connectivity, connectivity between businesses and people, and cooperation in sustainable development.

The Ambassador expressed confidence that with strong political trust and vast cooperation potential, Viet Nam and Thailand will continue to work closely together to further deepen their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in the coming years./.