Trade Dialogue: Towards a sustainable future in Vietnam-Thailand trade cooperation
WVR - On March 17, in anticipation of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Thailand (August 6, 1976 - August 6, 2026), the Consulate General of Vietnam in Khon Kaen, Thailand, in collaboration with Khon Kaen University, organized the dialogue program "Towards a Sustainable Future in Vietnam-Thailand Trade Cooperation".
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| Consul General Dinh Hoang Linh speaking at the dialogue program 'Towards a Sustainable Future in Vietnam-Thailand Trade Cooperation'. (Source: Consulate General of Vietnam in Khon Kaen) |
Attending the program were Mr. Somchart Pongkapanakrai, Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce of Northeast Thailand, Mr. Pobpon Kasemnan Na Yathaya, Chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries in the region, representatives from the trade and industry sectors of the northeastern provinces of Thailand, university leaders, and a large number of students from Khon Kaen University.
Speaking on Vietnam's economic development prospects for the 2026-2030 period, Consul General Dinh Hoang Linh emphasized that the successful 14th National Congress of the Party has ushered in a new era of development for Vietnam.
The 14th Naitonal Congress established a long-term development vision, closely linking goals to 2030, aiming for Vietnam to be a developing country with modern industry and upper-middle-income status, with a GDP per capita of approximately $8,500, and by 2045, to become a developed, high-income nation.
To achieve an annual growth target of 10% or more during the 2026-2030 period, Vietnam identifies science-technology, innovation, and national digital transformation as the main drivers, affirming the crucial role of the private sector in mobilizing and utilizing social resources for development.
Additionally, Vietnam continues to accelerate institutional reforms, infrastructure investment, and enhance human resource quality to boost national competitiveness.
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| Consul General Dinh Hoang Linh affirms continuous support for Vietnam-Thailand businesses. (Source: Consulate General of Vietnam in Khon Kaen) |
Building on this foundation and the increasingly positive economic relations between Vietnam and Thailand, with continuously rising trade and investment, Consul General Dinh Hoang Linh affirmed that Vietnam's economic prospects in the coming period offer tremendous opportunities for Thai businesses.
Vietnam remains an attractive market for Thai enterprises, especially in manufacturing and industry, retail and consumer goods, high-tech agriculture and green agricultural exports, renewable energy and infrastructure development, green energy, logistics, and e-commerce.
In discussions with Thai businesses, the Consul General offered several recommendations, emphasizing the importance of thorough market research, leveraging corporate income tax incentives, especially in priority sectors, taking advantage of Vietnam's free trade agreements like CPTPP and EVFTA to enjoy export tax benefits to other markets, enhancing cooperation with local partners, and developing long-term investment strategies.
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| Vietnam's booth at the event. (Source: Consulate General of Vietnam in Khon Kaen) |
Consul General Linh also affirmed that the Consulate General of Vietnam consistently supports Vietnam-Thailand businesses in economic development cooperation through economic diplomacy activities such as the Vietnam Goods Fair - Northeast Thailand or the "Vietnam-Thailand Economic Development Cooperation in the New Era" Business Forum and the Go Global - Vietnam Private Sector Economic Forum (VPESF) thematic dialogue session.
Within the program's framework, Consul General Linh provided additional information to Thai media on new and notable aspects of the 14th Party Congress, highlighting "strategic autonomy" as a consistent mindset, reflecting a confident, proactive, and responsible Vietnam in integration amidst profound, rapid, and unpredictable global changes.
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| Delegates take a commemorative photo. (Source: Consulate General of Vietnam in Khon Kaen) |
According to statistics from the General Department of Customs, Vietnam's total import-export turnover with Thailand in 2025 reached $22.1 billion, an increase of 8.3% compared to 2024, accounting for 24% of Vietnam's import-export turnover with ASEAN. Thailand remains Vietnam's largest trading partner in ASEAN, with the goal of soon reaching a bilateral trade turnover of $25 billion.
Regarding investment, as of November 2025, Thailand has invested in 789 projects in Vietnam with a total value of $15.2 billion, ranking eighth among countries investing in Vietnam by cumulative value, rising one place compared to previous times.
According to the Department of International Trade Promotion of Thailand (DITP), Vietnam's consumer market size has established a new baseline after years of continuous expansion, attracting Thai exporters.
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| The dialogue program "Towards a Sustainable Future in Vietnam-Thailand Trade Cooperation" took place on March 17. (Source: Consulate General of Vietnam in Khon Kaen) |
Vietnam is becoming a strategic destination, not only as a populous market but also as a growth space with rapidly changing consumption structures. At the beginning of 2026, retail sales of goods increased by 8%, while the service sector expanded by 20.2%, indicating increased and more diverse spending, particularly in high-value-added services.
The accommodation and food service sector recorded a 14.6% increase. The strong recovery of international tourism, along with improved household incomes, has boosted demand for experiences. As consumption shifts from "essential shopping" to "spending for quality of life", the service supply chain benefits significantly.
Another significant driver is e-commerce. The market size reached $32 billion, accounting for 12% of total national retail and service revenue. With an average growth rate of over 20% per year, Vietnam is among the leaders in Southeast Asia in digital trade expansion.
(Source: Consulate General of Vietnam in Khon Kaen)
