This is Paetongtarn’s first official visit to Vietnam since assuming office in August 2024. The trip is an important opportunity for both countries to review progress across all areas of cooperation and chart a course for deepening the relationship in the next phase of development and partnership.

Over the past 49 years since diplomatic relations were established and 10 years since the Enhanced Strategic Partnership was launched,

Vietnam - Thailand relations have achieved substantial and effective results across multiple sectors since the two countries established diplomatic ties in August 1976, especially after they upgraded their ties to an enhanced strategic partnership in 2015.

The two sides enjoy strong political trust, with regular high-level exchanges and sustained bilateral cooperation mechanisms. They also work closely at multilateral forums such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) United Nations, and Mekong subregional frameworks.

Economic, trade, and investment cooperation remain cornerstones of bilateral relations. Thailand is Vietnam’s largest trading partner in ASEAN and ranks 9th globally, with two-way trade reaching over US$20.2 billion in 2024.

As of January 2025, Thailand ranked 9th out of 149 countries and territories investing in Vietnam, and 2nd in ASEAN, with 757 active projects valued at over US$14.35 billion. Meanwhile, Vietnam has 18 new investment projects and 3 capital adjustment projects in Thailand, with a total value of US$34.2 million.

Cooperation also expands into culture, labour, education and training, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges. The Thai Government supports Vietnamese universities in teaching Thai language, and provides scholarships for Vietnamese students and lecturers to study in Thailand. Notably, Thailand is advancing the “Six Countries, One Destination” regional tourism initiative, that includes Vietnam. The Vietnamese-Thai community of over 100,000 people plays a vital role in strengthening friendship and people-to-people bonds between the two countries.

During the visit, the Thai and Vietnamese Prime Ministers will co-chair the fourth Joint Cabinet Meeting. They will also attend the Vietnam–Thailand Business Forum in Hanoi.

Vietnam, Thailand aim for US$25 billion trade by 2030 based on complementary strengths

VOV.VN - Both sides should utilize complementary strengths in areas such as the digital economy, green energy, regional supply chains, and smart agriculture, while making full use of free trade agreements like the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), to achieve the US$25 billion bilateral trade target by 2030.