Party General Secretary, President To Lam and his spouse will pay an official visit to Thailand from 27-29/5, at the invitation of Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and his spouse.

In an interview published today by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Manh Cuong affirmed the event's significant importance. This marks the first visit to an ASEAN country by the Party General Secretary, President in his new capacity, occurring as relations between the two nations were recently elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

"The visit primarily underscores Vietnam's high regard for its relationship with Thailand and the Southeast Asian region. It also provides an opportunity for high-level leaders from both nations to hold extensive discussions on key directions for effectively implementing the new cooperation framework, thereby generating fresh momentum for bilateral relations," he stated.

Party General Secretary, President To Lam at an event in April. *Photo: Ngoc Thanh*

Vietnam and Thailand are close neighbors with many shared interests in maintaining regional peace, stability, cooperation, and development. Over nearly 50 years since diplomatic ties were established, relations between the two countries have continuously strengthened and developed comprehensively, becoming dynamic and effective within ASEAN.

A significant milestone was the upgrading of relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2025. This reflects a high level of political trust between the two nations and demonstrates the leaders' shared resolve to foster deeper, more substantive, and effective bilateral relations in this new phase.

Thailand is currently Vietnam's largest trading partner in ASEAN, with two-way trade reaching over 22 billion USD in 2025. The two economies are increasingly integrated into regional supply chains.

Thailand is also one of ASEAN's largest investors in Vietnam, with many large-scale projects in energy, processing industry, retail, logistics, and infrastructure. The two countries hold significant potential for cooperation in: supply chain development, transport connectivity, logistics, and Mekong sub-regional cooperation.

"Given the important geostrategic position of each country, both sides have favorable conditions to become connectivity hubs for mainland Southeast Asia," Deputy Minister Nguyen Manh Cuong noted.

In defense and security cooperation, both sides coordinate closely to combat: transnational crime, drug trafficking, human trafficking, cybersecurity, and non-traditional security challenges. This contributes significantly to strengthening trust and maintaining a peaceful, stable environment in the region.

Cultural, educational, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges have also developed strongly. The two countries currently have about 20 pairs of sister provinces and cities. The Vietnamese community in Thailand is an important bridge of friendship between the two nations. Particularly, the President Ho Chi Minh relic sites in Thailand hold deep historical and emotional significance, fostering the traditional friendship between the peoples of the two countries.

A key expectation is to further strengthen and deepen political trust between the two countries. Amid rapid, complex global and regional developments, strengthening strategic exchanges, coordinating positions, and maintaining high-level contacts are crucial. This forms the foundation for both nations to expand cooperation across all sectors.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Manh Cuong. *Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs*

Economically, the visit aims to unlock new developments in trade, investment, logistics, and supply chain connectivity. Both sides hold significant potential for cooperation in emerging areas, including: digital transformation, green economy, circular economy, renewable energy, innovation, and industrial transformation. These areas align with the development strategies of both countries in this new phase.

The visit also aims to boost regional connectivity, particularly in Mekong and ASEAN cooperation. Vietnam and Thailand both play important roles in promoting intra-ASEAN economic integration, enhancing infrastructure connectivity, trade, and people-to-people exchanges in the region.

Cultural, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges will continue to expand. Enhanced air connectivity, tourism cooperation, and exchanges among youth, students, and local communities will help consolidate a sustainable social foundation for bilateral relations.

Both sides are also expected to continue close coordination at regional and international forums, especially within ASEAN, contributing to regional peace, stability, cooperation, and development.

"With a foundation of strong friendship, high political trust, and broad cooperation potential, this visit will generate new momentum to further develop Vietnam-Thailand relations, aiming for new heights," Deputy Minister Nguyen Manh Cuong emphasized.

Huyen Le