Top Vietnamese leader attends Viet Nam–Thailand business forum in Bangkok

The forum was jointly organized by Viet Nam's Ministry of Finance, the Vietnamese Embassy in Thailand, Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Thailand–Viet Nam Friendship Association.

Speaking at the event, General Secretary and President To Lam described the forum as a highlight of his official visit to Thailand, demonstrating both countries' determination to further deepen and effectively advance their comprehensive strategic partnership.

He stressed that while political ties provide a foundation of trust, economic cooperation must serve as the key engine for development. Governments can create favourable conditions, he said, but businesses play the leading role in turning commitments into concrete projects, unlocking potential and delivering practical benefits to people in both countries.

To Lam noted that Viet Nam and Thailand are among ASEAN's major economies, sharing a longstanding friendship, growing political trust and closely linked development interests. As the two countries prepare to celebrate the 50th founding anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2026, the upgrade of bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership last year has opened a new phase of cooperation requiring greater vision, quality and effectiveness.

He said both sides are implementing an action program for 2025–2030 aimed at translating strategic priorities into practical outcomes.

To Lam pointed out that the global economy is undergoing profound restructuring, with supply chains being reshaped and emerging trends such as artificial intelligence, green transition, circular economy development and energy security redefining national competitiveness.

In that context, he said Viet Nam and Thailand should move beyond traditional bilateral cooperation and jointly build a complementary economic space that strengthens both countries' positions in ASEAN value chains, enhances regional resilience and contributes to sustainable growth.

Highlighting the strengths of each country, he said one economy offers strong dynamism while the other possesses extensive industrial experience and depth. By combining these advantages through a shared strategic vision, the two nations could jointly develop supply chains, production and distribution centers, trade and service platforms, as well as new growth drivers for both countries and ASEAN as a whole.

The Vietnamese leader acknowledged that although bilateral economic cooperation has become increasingly substantive in recent years, significant untapped potential remains. Trade is still largely based on the exchange of goods, while two-way investment has yet to match the full capabilities of businesses on either side. Linkages in production, digital finance, tourism and services also remain fragmented.

He called on businesses from both countries to focus on developing Viet Nam–Thailand value chains within the broader ASEAN framework. Cooperation, he said, should extend beyond conventional trade towards joint production, processing, distribution and brand-building activities.

With complementary strengths in agriculture, food processing, consumer goods, retail, energy, tourism and services, the two countries could deepen collaboration in manufacturing, e-commerce, green standards and traceability systems to create new products, supply chains and ASEAN-branded value.

To Lam also emphasised the need to strengthen connectivity in production, infrastructure and transformation to build a more integrated and mutually supportive economic space. Such cooperation, he said, would help the two countries evolve beyond a traditional trading partnership into key components of ASEAN's emerging production and service networks.

Economic cooperation should also directly improve people's daily lives through tourism, services and digital finance, he added. He called for stronger links in air transport, joint tourism products, retail, cuisine, culture and education, as well as expanded cooperation in QR-code payments, e-wallets, digital commerce and digital finance.

He proposed that both sides soon develop a list of priority projects for the 2026–2030 period in areas such as logistics, agriculture, food processing, clean energy, digital commerce, tourism and workforce training.

In his opening remarks, Thai Prime Minister Anutin said that amid increasing global uncertainties and challenges, ASEAN member states must strengthen cooperation and rely more on one another to improve resilience and respond effectively to external pressures. He emphasized that both Thailand and Viet Nam play important roles in driving regional economic growth.

The two countries maintain close and mutually beneficial ties. Thailand is currently Viet Nam's largest trading partner within ASEAN, while Viet Nam is Thailand's second-largest ASEAN trading partner. Bilateral trade has reached nearly US$24 billion and is approaching the target of US$25 billion. Thailand is also Viet Nam's eighth-largest foreign investor.

On the sidelines of the forum, the two leaders and senior officials witnessed Viet Nam Airlines' announcement of a new direct route connecting Ho Chi Minh City and Phuket. The route, scheduled to begin operations in July, will use Airbus A321 aircraft with four flights per week, aiming to boost tourism, people-to-people exchanges and trade between the two countries.

Vietjet Air also announced a fleet expansion program involving 50 Boeing 737-8 aircraft for Vietjet Thailand to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Viet Nam and Thailand.

The leaders also witnessed the exchange of 17 strategic memoranda of understanding between Vietnamese and Thai enterprises./.