General Secretary, President To Lam’s visit to Thailand marks 50 years of bilateral cooperation: Ambassador Pham Viet Hung
WVR - According to Pham Viet Hung, the Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand, the visit by General Secretary and President To Lam will provide new momentum for the Vietnam-Thailand relationship to continue developing in a more substantive, effective, and sustainable manner in the coming time, contributing positively to peace, stability, and cooperation in the region.
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| Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung. (Source: Vietnamese Embassy in Thailand) |
At the invitation of the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, Anutin Charnvirakul, and his spouse, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee, President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam To Lam and his spouse, along with a high-level Vietnamese delegation, will pay an official visit to Thailand from May 27-29, 2026.
On this occasion, Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung gave an interview to The World & Vietnam Report about the significance of the visit and the notable highlights in the bilateral relations over the past period.
Could the Ambassador share the objectives, significance, and expectations of the high-level Vietnamese leadership's visit to Thailand?
This official visit to Thailand by General Secretary and President To Lam holds special significance, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and a year after upgrading the relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.
This is also the first time a General Secretary and President of Vietnam has officially visited Thailand. The visit demonstrates Vietnam's regard for its friendship and cooperation with Thailand, one of Vietnam's foremost partners in the ASEAN region.
Additionally, this is an opportunity for the high-level leaders of both countries to reflect on the 50-year journey of cooperation, strengthen political trust, and discuss major orientations to promote cooperation in areas such as defense, security, trade, investment, supply chain connectivity, digital transformation, green transition, and people-to-people exchanges.
I am confident that the visit will provide new momentum for the Vietnam-Thailand relationship to continue developing in a more substantive, effective, and sustainable manner in the coming time, contributing positively to peace, stability, and cooperation in the region.
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| Ambassador Pham Viet Hung at the sail ship 286 Le Quy Don, together with a delegation from the Vietnam People’s Navy, docked at Chuk Samet Port of the Sattahip Naval Base during a goodwill visit and exchange with the Royal Thai Navy. (Source: People's Army Newspaper) |
The visit of General Secretary and President To Lam takes place amid a very positive phase in Vietnam-Thailand relations. What are the highlights of the bilateral relations in recent times, Ambassador?
Over the past 50 years, especially recently, Vietnam-Thailand relations have seen very positive, substantive, and comprehensive developments. The two countries have upgraded their relationship from a strategic partnership to an enhanced strategic partnership, and now to a comprehensive strategic partnership, reflecting the increasing political trust between the two sides.
The first highlight is the increasingly close political-diplomatic relations, with regular high-level visits and contacts across all channels, from the Party, Government, and National Assembly to local levels and people-to-people exchanges. Bilateral cooperation mechanisms have been effectively implemented, contributing to enhanced understanding and substantive coordination between the two countries.
Next is the highlight in the strong development of economic, trade, and investment cooperation. Thailand is currently Vietnam's largest trading partner in ASEAN, with bilateral trade turnover in 2025 exceeding 22 billion USD.
Thailand ranks among the top 10 largest investors in Vietnam with nearly 800 valid projects and total registered capital of approximately 15.4 billion USD. Both sides are actively promoting the "Three Connections" strategy, including supply chain connectivity, business and local connectivity, as well as connecting sustainable growth strategies.
Moreover, cultural, educational, tourism, and people-to-people cooperation continues to achieve many positive results. Currently, about 20 local pairs from both countries have established cooperative and twinning relationships. The community of over 100,000 Vietnamese in Thailand continues to be an important bridge of friendship, contributing to enhancing exchanges and connections between the peoples of the two countries.
I believe that with the strong foundation of friendship nurtured over the past half-century, Vietnam-Thailand relations will continue to develop strongly, substantively, and effectively in the coming time.
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| Ambassador Pham Viet Hung speaks at the seminar "Vietnam's Next Step: Transitioning from Market Entry to Market Leadership – Strategic Steps for Thai Businesses Operating in Vietnam". (Source: Vietnamese Embassy in Thailand) |
Thailand is currently one of the leading investors in Vietnam. What is the Ambassador's view on the prospects for cooperation in new fields such as the digital economy, renewable energy, and electric vehicles – Thailand's current strengths?
It is evident that the economic cooperation between Vietnam and Thailand has developed very substantively and comprehensively, with Thailand being one of Vietnam's most important trade and investment partners in the region.
On this foundation, I assess the prospects for expanding cooperation into new fields such as the digital economy, renewable energy, and electric vehicles as very positive and full of potential. These are all areas where Thailand is strongly oriented towards development within the framework of the Thailand 4.0 model, which also aligns perfectly with Vietnam's orientation towards digital transformation, green transition, and sustainable development.
The strategic development similarities between the two countries create favourable conditions for businesses on both sides to enhance connectivity, share experiences, attract investment, and participate more deeply in regional and global value chains.
I believe that in the coming time, cooperation between Vietnam and Thailand will not only continue to grow in scale but also shift significantly towards higher quality, technology-driven, innovative, and sustainable development.
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| On May 24, the Vietnamese Embassy in Thailand organized a cultural exchange and joint painting program between Vietnamese and Thai artists to promote cultural diplomacy, especially as the two countries celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations. (Source: Vietnamese Embassy in Thailand) |
The community of over 100,000 Vietnamese in Thailand has been contributing to building bridges of friendship between the two countries. How do you see their role, Ambassador?
The Vietnamese community in Thailand plays a particularly important role in fostering the social foundation of Vietnam-Thailand relations.
This is a long-established community, living stably and well-integrated into the local society, while always preserving the national cultural identity, Vietnamese language, and emotional ties with their homeland. This connection has helped the community become an important part of the people-to-people exchange network between the two countries.
In recent times, the Vietnamese community in Thailand has played a role as a bridge of friendship, contributing to promoting people-to-people exchanges, enhancing mutual understanding, and deepening bilateral cooperation in various fields such as culture, education, economy, and trade. Many expatriates are also actively involved in business and investment activities, thereby creating additional practical connection channels between businesses and people of the two countries.
I believe that the Vietnamese community in Thailand is a vibrant, enduring, and meaningful bridge of friendship, significantly contributing to strengthening the social foundation and people's sentiments, thereby making a practical contribution to the increasingly deep, substantive, and sustainable development of the Vietnam-Thailand Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Thank you very much, Ambassador!
