Vietnam-Thailand conference on people-to-people connectivity and cultural exchange
WVR - On July 17, in the capital city of Bangkok, Thailand, the Embassy of Vietnam in Thailand, in collaboration with the Faculty of Arts, Chulalongkorn University, organized an academic conference titled “Towards the 50th Anniversary of Vietnam-Thailand Diplomatic Relations: People Connection and Cultural Exchange”.
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| Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung speaking at the academic conference “Towards the 50th Anniversary of Vietnam-Thailand Diplomatic Relations: People Connection and Cultural Exchange”. (Photo: Xuan Son) |
Attendees included Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung, lecturers, scholars, and students from many of Thailand's leading universities, such as Chulalongkorn University, Kasetsart University, Chiang Mai University, Thammasat University, Srinakharinwirot University, Khon Kaen University, among others.
In his opening remarks on the theme “The Future of Thailand-Vietnam Relations after Five Decades of Diplomatic Ties”, Ambassador Pham Viet Hung reviewed significant milestones in the bilateral relationship since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1976 until its elevation to a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2025. Ambassador Pham Viet Hung also affirmed that the long-standing historical ties, cultural similarities, and people-to-people exchanges serve as a bridge fostering friendship, laying a solid foundation for cooperation between the two countries.
Ambassador Pham Viet Hung stated that the conference is an opportunity to affirm the important role of universities in preserving historical values and contributing to shaping the future of bilateral relations through educational cooperation, research, and people-to-people exchanges.
To further enhance people-to-people and cultural exchanges between the two countries, Ambassador Pham Viet Hung suggested that educational cooperation should continue to be promoted through increased faculty and student exchanges, joint research, and stronger partnerships between universities in both countries. He also emphasized the importance of preserving historical heritage sites that connect the two nations, including the Ho Chi Minh memorial sites in Thailand, to ensure that future generations continue to nurture the enduring friendship between the two countries.
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| Academic conference “Towards the 50th Anniversary of Vietnam-Thailand Diplomatic Relations: People Connection and Cultural Exchange”. (Photo: Minh Thang) |
On behalf of Chulalongkorn University, Associate Professor Dr. Suradech Chotiudompan, Head of the Faculty of Arts, stated that the conference was organized in the context of both countries engaging in activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations. He emphasized the importance of creating an academic space that reflects close cooperation, focusing on the aspect of “people connection and cultural exchange”.
Dr. Suradech Chotiudompan noted that this is the foundation and core of building mutual understanding and lasting friendship. Language and culture are not just tools for communication but also bridges connecting people, fostering cooperation in increasingly robust educational, economic, and social fields.
At the conference, Dr. Pisit Amnuaygerntra from the Faculty of Humanities, Kasetsart University, presented a paper on “Trends and Directions for Vietnam’s Socio-Economic Development”, analyzing Vietnam's economic growth process in recent times and outlining the country's major future directions.
Assessing that Vietnam's economy is growing rapidly and achieving impressive results, Dr. Pisit Amnuaygerntra cited numerous statistics in fields such as industry and agriculture, asserting that the goal of an average GDP growth rate of over 10% per year by 2030 is feasible.
According to Dr. Pisit Amnuaygerntra, the policy of streamlining the apparatus and reforming the administrative system is a major reform, contributing to improving management and operational efficiency. He believes that with development strategies up to 2030 and a vision to 2045, along with the implementation of many key projects, Vietnam will have additional momentum for rapid development, aiming towards a large-scale economy. These projects not only promote growth in scale but also enhance development quality, laying the foundation for realizing long-term goals.
Associate Professor Dr. Montira Rato from the Faculty of Arts, Chulalongkorn University, praised the Vietnamese people's spirit of solidarity and resistance against foreign invaders. Referring to Vietnam's “Era of Rising”, Dr. Montira Rato noted that the policies proposed by the Communist Party of Vietnam are of significant importance and orientation, motivating and encouraging the Vietnamese people to actively participate in the country's common cause. These policies consider people as the center, subject, primary resource, and goal of development.
Regarding the teaching and learning of the Vietnamese language in Thailand, Mr. Songphon Baolopet from the Faculty of International Studies, Rajabhat Udon Thani University, shared that Udon Thani is a province with many universities and major educational centers in Thailand, particularly some centers for Vietnam studies or educational institutions related to Vietnamese language research.
Mr. Songphon Baolopet stated that Rajabhat Udon Thani University has always been at the forefront of teaching and learning the Vietnamese language, as well as connecting friendship activities with educational centers and universities in Vietnam. Locally, the university regularly liaises with the Consulate General of Vietnam in Khon Kaen to organize various activities promoting Vietnam-Thailand cultural cooperation and exchange, as well as activities related to teaching and learning the Vietnamese language. The university also maintains regular contact with the Ho Chi Minh Memorial Site in Udon Thani Province to organize extracurricular activities for Thai students and participate in joint events held there.
Several other opinions presented at the conference indicated that many Thai universities have developed Vietnamese language teaching curricula according to their own criteria and training objectives, with most aiming for students to acquire basic Vietnamese language skills. The opinions also agreed with the assessment that currently, the demand for learning about and studying the Vietnamese language and culture at Thai universities is increasing.
Ms. Do Thuy Ha, a lecturer from the Faculty of Arts, Chulalongkorn University, noted that to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Vietnam-Thailand diplomatic relations, many events related to the economy and business have taken place this year, emphasizing the aspect of people connection and cultural exchange.
According to Ms. Do Thuy Ha, the issues discussed at the conference are all pieces that create a bridge for Vietnam-Thailand relations. Ms. Do Thuy Ha stated that the conference organized by the Faculty of Arts included participation from many lecturers specializing in Vietnam studies from universities across various provinces and cities in Thailand. As a Vietnamese language lecturer, Ms. Do Thuy Ha feels that Thai students are increasingly interested in Vietnam and its people, as well as in learning the Vietnamese language.
On the afternoon of July 17, at the conference themed “Connecting Thailand-Vietnam Relations through Cultural Pieces”, delegates focused on listening to scholars present their papers on topics such as Thailand-Vietnam relations through trust and sacred values; Thailand-Vietnam diplomacy through cuisine; music connecting Thai and Vietnamese youth; or issues regarding Vietnamese temples in Thailand, films, and more.
