Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister of Thailand Anutin Charnvirakul arrived in Hanoi on June 8 morning, beginning an official visit to Vietnam and attendance at the third ASEAN Future Forum (AFF) 2026 from June 8 - 9, at the invitation of his Vietnamese counterpart Le Minh Hung.
Welcoming the Thai delegation at Noi Bai International Airport were Nguyen Dinh Khang, member of the Party Central Committee and Minister for Ethnic and Religious Affairs; Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Anh Tuan; and Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung.
Accompanying PM Anutin are his spouse Thananon Charnvirakul; Deputy PM and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sihasak Phuangketkeow; Deputy PM and Minister of Finance Ekniti Nitithanprapas; Deputy PM and Minister of Commerce Suphajee Suthumpun; Minister attached to the Prime Minister’s Office Paradorn Prissananantakul; Minister of Defence Lt Gen Adul Boonthumjaroen; Minister of Tourism and Sports Surasak Phancharoenworakul; Minister of Energy Akanat Promphan; and Minister of Industry Varawut Silpa-archa; Thai Ambassador to Vietnam Urawadee Sriphiromya; and other officials.
The year 2026 holds special significance as Vietnam and Thailand celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. The visit by PM Anutin takes place just 10 days after the official visit to Thailand by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and State President To Lam.
According to Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung, the visit serves as a clear demonstration of the importance the Thai Government attaches to further advancing bilateral friendship and cooperation following the elevation of ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in May 2025.
Meanwhile, Thai Ambassador to Vietnam Urawadee Sriphiromya described bilateral cooperation as being closer than ever before.
Urawadee highlighted the vigorous implementation of the two countries’ “Three Connects” strategy, which focuses on linking supply chains in sectors such as petrochemical refining, agriculture, machinery manufacturing and electronic components; strengthening connections between businesses and localities in both countries; and aligning sustainable development strategies.
She noted that bilateral cooperation is expanding beyond traditional industries, with both sides exploring new opportunities in semiconductors and digital economy./.
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☕ Afternoon briefing on June 8
The following is a brief review of the day’s events as reported by the Vietnam News Agency.
AFF side events highlight role of Mekong subregion, youth in advancing ASEAN Community Vision 2045
Speaking at a seminar on the Mekong in the bloc’s subregional cooperation architecture, Nguyen Manh Dong, Vice President of the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, stressed that Mekong cooperation should be viewed not merely as a collection of separate initiatives but as an integral component of the community-building process.
ASEAN Secretary-General highlights Vietnam’s agenda-shaping role through ASEAN Future Forum
ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn described the forum as an important Vietnamese initiative aimed at advancing ASEAN diplomacy at both regional and global levels. Vietnam’s decision to host the event for a third consecutive year in 2026, following the success of the 2024 and 2025 editions, demonstrates its strong commitment to ASEAN Community building as well as efforts to enhance the bloc’s international standing.
Hanoi promotes ASEAN urban cooperation toward smart, sustainable development
Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Vu Dai Thang emphasised that the presence of delegates at the event reflects ASEAN’s spirit of solidarity, cooperation, and shared aspiration to build sustainable, prosperous, and people-centred cities. He noted that ASEAN is among the world’s most dynamic regions, where rapid urbanisation has turned cities into key hubs of economic growth, innovation, and regional connectivity.
Party official urges Farmers’ Union to drive innovation, place farmers at centre of development
Farmers must be regarded as the centre, key stakeholder, goal, and driving force of all activities of the Vietnam Farmers’ Union, said Politburo member and Permanent member of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat Tran Cam Tu.
Vietnamese Prime Minister hosts welcome ceremony for Thai counterpart
The visit reflects the importance both sides attach to bilateral ties and their determination to further advance the Vietnam–Thailand Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
New mindset, vision necessary in marine development: Top leader
The sea should not be viewed solely as an area for resource exploitation or sectoral economic development. It must be recognised as a strategic national development space where economic growth, national defence, security, science and technology, and international integration converge, said Party General Secretary and State President To Lam.
ASEAN Future Forum highlights political parties’ role in bringing bloc closer to its people
In his opening remarks, Politburo member and Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung described the dialogue as a landmark for ASEAN cooperation, marking the first-ever exchange among political parties from across Southeast Asia.
ASEAN Future Forum 2026 expected to bolster regional resilience: Indonesian analyst
Beni Sukadis, Senior Coordinator at the Indonesian Institute for Defence and Strategic Studies (Lesperssi), described the AFF as a regional platform for policy innovation where new concepts can be explored, refined and developed before being translated into concrete action.
Cambodia strengthens strategic trust with Vietnam through PM’s official visit: experts
They noted that the visit also underscores the close and trusted relationship between leaders of both nations, who have continued to seek ways to deepen and expand cooperation across all areas at the bilateral, regional and international levels.
ASEAN Future Forum 2026 reflects Vietnam’s proactive, constructive role in ASEAN: Chinese scholar
Professor Xu Liping described the ASEAN Future Forum as a tangible contribution by Vietnam to the regional grouping, demonstrating the country’s sense of mission and responsibility as an emerging middle power.
ASEAN Future Forum 2026 spotlights Vietnam’s rising global prestige
Diplomats of Laos, the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Australia, and Timor-Leste have all described the forum as a timely and strategic initiative that provides a platform for forward-looking dialogue on the region’s future.
PM Hun Manet's presence in ASEAN Future Forum reflects Cambodia's high regard for Vietnam: expert
An expert of the Cambodian Centre for Regional Studies (CCRS) said PM Hun Manet’s visit demonstrates Cambodia’s desire to further strengthen cooperation with Vietnam in both bilateral and multilateral aspects while continuing to resolve outstanding issues through peaceful mechanisms and in the spirit of good neighbourliness.
Vietnamese Prime Minister hosts official welcome ceremony for Cambodian counterpart
The visit, PM Hun Manet’s second official trip to Vietnam since taking office, is expected to further strengthen the bilateral relations, enhance practical cooperation and contribute to regional peace, stability and ASEAN Community-building efforts.
9th National Congress of Vietnam Farmers’ Union opens in Hanoi
During the past tenure, with the Party’s leadership, effective State management and support from ministries, sectors and businesses, farmers nationwide overcame numerous challenges and achieved important accomplishments, VNFU President Luong Quoc Doan said.
Economic diplomacy – A focus of Thai PM Anutin Charnvirakul's Vietnam visit
The spokesperson said that the visit aims to identify areas that can be advanced immediately with Vietnam, including trade expansion, investment promotion, logistics connectivity, clean energy, food security, and human resource development.
Cambodian Prime Minister arrives in Hanoi for official visit, ASEAN Future Forum 2026
The visit comes as the two countries are actively implementing strategic directions agreed upon by their senior leaders.
Vietnam, Laos sign cooperation agreement to enhance financial management capacity for 2026–2030
The agreement was one of four cooperation documents exchanged during the Lao PM’s ongoing official visit to Vietnam, reflecting the determination of the two Parties, States, as well as ministries, and sectors of the two countries to further consolidate, strengthen and deepen the great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic cohesion between Vietnam and Laos.