50 Years of Vietnam–Thailand Relations: A remarkable journey
WVR - Commemorating the 50th anniversary of Vietnam - Thailand diplomatic relations (6/8/1976 - 6/8/2026), Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung emphasized the series of high-level visits, including the official visit to Vietnam by the President of the National Assembly and Speaker of the House of Representatives of Thailand, Sophon Zaram, which has provided new momentum for the bilateral relations.
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| Chairman of the National Assembly Tran Thanh Man presides over the welcoming ceremony for the President of the National Assembly and Speaker of the House of Representatives of Thailand, Sophon Zaram, during his official visit to Vietnam from August 5-7. (Source: Dai bieu Nhan dan) |
50 years is just a "blink of an eye" in history. Yet, the cooperative relationship between Vietnam and Thailand is a journey marked by many milestones. Reflecting on the journey from sowing seeds to nurturing and bearing fruit, which milestones would you like to highlight?
Looking back over the 50-year journey, I believe the Vietnam - Thailand relationship has undergone a very proud development journey, with many important milestones reflecting the continuous increase in political trust and depth of cooperation.
The first milestone was on August 6, 1976, when the two countries officially established diplomatic relations. In a region still fraught with volatility, this decision demonstrated the strategic vision of the leaders of both countries, laying the foundation for building long-term trust and cooperation. High-level visits in the early period from 1976-1989, especially the visit to Thailand by Prime Minister Pham Van Dong (September 6-10, 1978), laid the first bricks for the relationship between the two countries.
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| Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung. (Source: Bao Nhan Dan) |
A significant turning point was the visit to Thailand by General Secretary Do Muoi (October 15-18, 1993), the first visit by the head of the Communist Party of Vietnam to Thailand, which opened a period of more extensive cooperation. Subsequently, in February 2004, the two countries issued a Joint Declaration on the Framework of Vietnam - Thailand Cooperation, laying the groundwork for expanding cooperation in various fields.
The year 2013 marked a new development when Thailand became the first ASEAN country to establish a Strategic Partnership with Vietnam, ushering in a phase of more comprehensive, substantive, and effective cooperation. The two countries have also effectively maintained many important cooperation mechanisms, especially the Joint Cabinet Meeting mechanism co-chaired by the Prime Ministers of both countries - the only high-level cooperation mechanism Vietnam has with an ASEAN country.
A milestone of historical significance was the upgrade of relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in May 2025. This not only acknowledges the achievements made over nearly half a century of cooperation but also reflects the high level of political trust, intertwined strategic interests, and the aspiration to develop together in the new phase.
Especially in 2026, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations, a series of high-level visits have provided new momentum for the bilateral relations. The official visit to Thailand by General Secretary, President To Lam (May 27-28), the official visit to Vietnam by Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul just 10 days later (June 8-9), and this occasion, the visit by the President of the National Assembly and Speaker of the House of Representatives of Thailand, Sophon Zaram (August 5-7), have affirmed political trust, demonstrating the determination of the leaders of both countries to effectively implement the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership framework.
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| The President of the National Assembly and Speaker of the House of Representatives of Thailand, Sophon Zaram, receives the Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand, Pham Viet Hung, on July 22, 2026. (Source: Vietnamese Embassy in Thailand) |
Separated by less than a 2-hour flight, sharing the ASEAN home, and cherishing the historical footprints of President Ho Chi Minh on Thai soil... How significant is the human factor - the enduring connection, according to you, in strengthening Vietnam - Thailand relations?
Beyond political, economic, or defense-security cooperation, the most sustainable foundation of Vietnam - Thailand relations is the bond between the peoples of the two countries. Not only are the two nations less than a two-hour flight apart and share the ASEAN home, but they have also been connected for hundreds of years by the Mekong River, the Gulf of Thailand, and similar cultural values of the wet rice civilization, Buddhism, and the tradition of valuing family and community. Notably, the sites associated with President Ho Chi Minh in Thailand have become vivid symbols of friendship, reminding today's generations of the historical foundations of the two countries' relationship.
The increasingly robust people-to-people exchanges are a clear testament to this closeness. In 2025 alone, over 1.1 million Vietnamese and Thai people visited each other. About 20 twin localities have been and are promoting cooperation in education, culture, tourism, and trade, bringing bilateral relations closer to the people of both countries.
One of the most valuable assets of Vietnam - Thailand relations is the community of over 100,000 Thai people of Vietnamese descent. With a history of over a century, they have always been attached to and integrated with the host country while preserving their ethnic identity and looking towards their homeland. The community not only serves as a natural bridge in people-to-people exchanges but also contributes positively to Thailand's socio-economic development, thereby fostering a positive image of Vietnam.
Annually, they closely coordinate with local authorities in preserving and promoting sites and museums associated with President Ho Chi Minh in Udon Thani, Nakhon Phanom, and Phichit. Notably, Vietnam Town in Udon Thani - the first Vietnamese street in the world - has become a symbol of Vietnam - Thailand friendship. Additionally, Vietnamese language classes, traditional festivals, and activities of the Thai - Vietnamese Business Association continue to contribute to preserving cultural identity, enhancing investment and trade connections, and strengthening the bond between the peoples of the two countries.
During the recent official visit to Thailand by General Secretary, President To Lam, both sides signed an Action Program to implement the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for the 2026-2031 period. According to the Ambassador, how should we utilize the next five years to truly transform the quality of bilateral cooperation in the key areas agreed upon in the new relationship?
I believe the most important thing in the next five years is not only to fully implement the contents of the Action Program but also to turn commitments into concrete results, bringing tangible benefits to the people and businesses of both countries. This is also the spirit of the Action Program to implement the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for the 2026-2031 period.
First and foremost, the two countries need to continue to strengthen political trust, maintain high-level delegation exchanges, and effectively utilize existing cooperation mechanisms, especially the Joint Cabinet Meeting mechanism, the Joint Committee on Bilateral Cooperation, and sectoral dialogue mechanisms. This will be the foundation for closer coordination on regional and international issues, contributing to peace, stability, and ASEAN's central role.
In terms of the economy, the goal is not only to increase trade turnover but more importantly to enhance the quality of linkage between the two economies. The action plan has clearly defined the "Three Connections" strategy, including supply chain connectivity, local economic connectivity, and sustainable development connectivity. In my opinion, this will be a new driving force for businesses in both countries to participate more deeply in the regional value chain in areas such as semiconductors, electronics, electric vehicles, high-tech agriculture, and logistics.
A noteworthy aspect of the Action Program is the orientation to build a Partnership for a Sustainable Future. The two countries will enhance cooperation in digital transformation, innovation, artificial intelligence (AI), digital economy, clean energy, green finance, healthcare, and science and technology. These are all strategic areas that will determine the competitive capacity of each nation in the coming decades.
In addition, I believe that people-to-people exchanges must remain the continuous thread. Expanding cooperation between localities, universities, and businesses, promoting the learning of Vietnamese and Thai languages, preserving sites associated with President Ho Chi Minh in Thailand, and leveraging the role of the community of over 100,000 Thai people of Vietnamese descent will create a solid social foundation for the bilateral relationship.
| During the talks between Chairman of the National Assembly Tran Thanh Man and the President of the National Assembly and Speaker of the House of Representatives of Thailand, Sophon Zaram, on August 5, both sides expressed delight at the positive developments in Vietnam – Thailand relations across all fields since the establishment of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership; agreed to continue close coordination to effectively implement high-level agreements, maintain exchanges of delegations at all levels, and bilateral cooperation mechanisms; promote cooperation in defense - security, economy, trade, and investment towards balance and sustainability; strive to soon achieve bilateral trade turnover of 25 billion USD; enhance infrastructure connectivity; agreed to continue coordinating to preserve and promote cultural values associated with Vietnam - Thailand friendship; pay attention to promoting the bridging role of the Vietnamese community in Thailand... |
Execution capability is a concern for many diplomats today amidst the dynamic pace of foreign affairs on all fronts. How is this issue perceived and addressed in Thailand, Ambassador?
I believe that for the current Vietnam - Thailand relationship, the issue is no longer "what to do" but "how to achieve the highest effectiveness". The two countries have a very solid relational foundation, reinforced by high-level political trust between senior leaders, along with the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership framework and the 2026-2031 Action Program with very specific goals, tasks, and implementing agencies. What is important now is to organize implementation in a synchronized, decisive, and effective manner.
In my view, first of all, the ministries, sectors, and localities of the two countries need to proactively review the cooperation contents within their respective fields, clearly identify priority tasks, and develop specific implementation roadmaps. Along with that, it is necessary to enhance exchanges with Thai partner agencies to soon agree on coordination methods, implementation progress, and monitoring mechanisms, ensuring that high-level commitments are soon realized.
In this process, the coordinating role of the two Ministries of Foreign Affairs and the Vietnamese Representative Missions is extremely important. Not only do we act as a bridge between relevant agencies, but we also have the responsibility to monitor the implementation of agreements, promptly coordinate to resolve difficulties and obstacles, and propose new cooperation initiatives. The Vietnamese Embassy in Thailand will continue to accompany the ministries, sectors, localities, and businesses of both countries to promote the effective implementation of the 2026-2031 Action Program, thereby transforming high-level commitments into specific cooperative results, bringing tangible benefits to the people and businesses of both countries.
Thank you, Ambassador!
