Fresh impetus for Vietnam – Thailand relations
VOV.VN - Vietnam and Thailand first established diplomatic ties on August 6, 1976, and their co-operative relationship has since developed in a fruitful manner on the back of high-level agreements reached by various senior leaders of the two countries.
Both countries successfully boosted their relationship to the level of a strategic partnership level during Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong’s visit to Thailand back in June 2013. They have so far signed more than 50 co-operation agreements across various fields, whilst 13 pairs of sister localities have also managed to establish friendly relations.
The two countries have co-operated closely and continue to support each other at regional and international forums, especially through ASEAN and the Mekong Sub-region co-operation mechanism. They continue to advocate for the building of a strong, self-resilient, and united ASEAN community that possesses a common voice in addressing a range of regional and international issues.
At present, Thailand is the ninth largest foreign investor out of 132 countries and territories that invest in Vietnam, with a total investment capital of over US$12.3 billion. It also represents one of the country’s largest trading partners in Southeast Asia, with two-way trade value between both sides reaching US$17.5 billion in 2019 and approximately US$16 billion last year.
Despite the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the opening six months of this year saw bilateral trade turnover gross roughly US$10 billion, marking an annual rise of 27%. Both sides are working on a goal of raising their annual trade value to US$25 billion by 2025.
Thanks to their close geographical location and convenient flight routes, the two countries are among the group of 12 leading tourism markets for each other. The number of Thai travelers entering Vietnam ranks 10th among foreign tourists to the nation, and fourth among ASEAN countries.
Currently, more than 100,000 Thai people of Vietnamese origin are residing, studying, and working in Thailand, serving as a bridge to connect the two countries. Indeed, this community is integrating well into the local culture, while also making a significant contribution back in their home country.
During phone talks held in May, Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his Thai counterpart Prayut Chan-o-cha agreed to strengthen bilateral co-ordination as a means of cushioning the impact caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, along with building momentum for future co-operation.
They therefore agreed to hold the fourth Joint Cabinet meeting between Vietnam and Thailand at an appropriate time in the future, and soon sign an Action Programme aimed at implementing the enhanced Vietnam-Thailand Strategic Partnership in the 2021 - 2025 period.
According to Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Phan Chi Thanh, Thailand represents the only country that Vietnam has maintained a very effective joint cabinet meeting with.
Forty-five years have elapsed since both countries first established diplomatic ties, the enhanced Strategic Partnership between Vietnam and Thailand is becoming increasingly extensive, effective, and substantive, creating a solid foundation for the two countries to forge stronger relations moving forward.