Hanoi (VNA) - The upcoming official visit to Vietnam by Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from May 15-16 is expected to offer an opportunity for both sides to review the progress in promoting cooperation across all areas in order to deepen the bilateral relationship in the upcoming era of collaboration and development.
This is the first visit to Vietnam by PM Paetongtarn since she took office, and also the first by a Thai Government leader in 11 years. Additionally, it marks the first Joint Cabinet Meeting between the two prime ministers in 10 years.
Enhance Strategic Partnership records outstanding development steps
Since the establishment of diplomatic relations on August 6, 1976, the cooperation between the two countries has grown rapidly in both scope and depth. They have maintained a strong relationship and a high level of political trust between their leaders and people. This serves as a solid and important foundation for further deepening and strengthening the bilateral ties at all levels and across all channels.
The two countries elevated their relationship to a Strategic Partnership in June 2013, becoming the first pair of ASEAN member states to establish such a partnership. Subsequently, in 2015, the relationship was further upgraded to an “Enhanced Strategic Partnership” to promote stronger and more comprehensive cooperation. Since then, the Enhanced Strategic Partnership has made remarkable progress, achieving important, substantive, and effective outcomes. Thailand attaches great importance to strengthening and developing its friendship and collaboration with Vietnam. Political cooperation has been intensified through regular delegation exchanges and high-level contacts.
The two sides have maintained cooperation mechanisms such as the Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation at the foreign ministerial level, with the 5th meeting held in April 2024; political consultations at the deputy foreign ministerial level, with the 10th edition in September 2024; the Joint Trade Committee with its 4th meeting held in April 2022; the deputy minister-level Defence Policy Dialogue; and the Energy Forum whose 2nd edition held in October 2022. The two countries are effectively implementing the Action Programme for the Enhanced Strategic Partnership for the 2022–2027 period, signed in November 2022.
Vietnam and Thailand have also cooperated closely at regional and international forums, particularly within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the United Nations, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), and Mekong sub-regional cooperation mechanisms.
Economic, trade, and investment cooperation – A prominent pillar
One of the most outstanding pillars of bilateral cooperation in recent years has been economic, trade, and investment collaboration. Thailand is Vietnam’s largest trading partner in ASEAN and ranks 9th in the world. Bilateral trade reached 20.2 billion USD last year, and 3.1 billion USD in the first two months of 2025, marking a 6.2% increase compared to the same period in 2024. Both sides aim to raise their two-way trade turnover to 25 billion USD in the coming time, in a balanced and sustainable manner.
They have agreed to continue expanding market access and minimising trade barriers so that goods from each country, including fresh fruit products, can enter the other’s market more easily.
In terms of investment, as of January 2025, Thailand ranked 9th out of 149 countries and territories pouring capital into Vietnam, and 2nd among ASEAN countries (after Singapore), with 757 valid projects totalling over 14.35 billion USD. Meanwhile, Vietnam has 18 newly licensed investment projects in Thailand and three capital adjustment projects, with a total registered capital of 34.2 million USD, making Thailand rank 33rd out of 80 countries and territories receiving Vietnamese investments.
In addition, the two countries have effectively maintained bilateral mechanisms on defence and security, as well as cooperation in combating transnational crime.
Collaboation in labour, tourism, culture, and people-to-people exchanges has seen positive development. In 2024, more than 984,000 Vietnamese tourists visited Thailand and over 418,000 Thai holiday-makers chose Vietnam as their destination. Thailand is also currently promoting the “Six Countries, One Destination” tourism cooperation initiative.
At present, 19 pairs of provinces and cities from the two countries have signed cooperative and twinned agreements.
The 100,000-strong Thai-Vietnamese community in Thailand plays an important role as an important bridge fostering solidarity and friendship between the people of the two nations.
Lifting bilateral relations to new heights
Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung said that PMs Pham Minh Chinh and Paetongtarn Shinawatra will co-chair the 4th Vietnam - Thailand Joint Cabinet Meeting, a joint effort reflecting the high level of attention and shared determination to advance the bilateral ties. Both sides will address existing issues and chart directions for all-around cooperation.
In the realm of political and diplomatic ties, the focus will be placed on measures to further foster political trust, facilitate the exchange of delegations, and enhance collaboration through the Party, Government, National Assembly, and local channels. Additionally, both nations will work closely at global and regional forums, particularly within ASEAN and Mekong sub-regional mechanisms.
Economically, the agenda includes reviewing the progress of plans and initiatives, including the “Three Connectivity” initiative; expanding cooperation to lift two-way trade to 25 billion USD in more balanced and sustainable manner, while encouraging Thai investments in Vietnam’s priority sectors.
Cultural, educational, and people-to-people exchanges will also be a key focus, with plans to enhance locality-to-locality connections and boost cultural and tourism interactions. These aim to build a sustainable social foundation for the bilateral friendship.
Beyond traditional cooperation areas that already yielded positive results, Hung underscored untapped potential in emerging fields like digital transformation, digital economy, renewable energy, and green growth, which align with current development trends and each country's strategic priorities.
The cooperation agreements expected to be signed will pave the way for enhanced collaboration between localities, businesses, and social organisations, while strengthening people-to-people connection, thereby solidifying the friendship and deepening cooperation across various fields, the diplomat added./.
