Thailand fires 21-gun salute to welcome Vietnam leader To Lam on official visit
VOV.VN - Thailand on May 27 held a ceremonial 21-gun salute at Don Mueang International Airport in Bangkok to welcome General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam and State President To Lam, his spouse and a high-level Vietnamese delegation at the start of their official visit to the kingdom.
The 21-gun salute is a high-level diplomatic protocol traditionally reserved for heads of state during official visits, reflecting the host country’s respect and the significance attached to the visit.
Among Thai officials attending the welcoming ceremony were Thai Deputy Prime Minister Pakorn Nilprapunt, Minister attached to the Prime Minister’s Office Karom Polpornklang, Thai Ambassador to Vietnam Urawadee Sriphiromya, Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung, along with representatives of diplomatic agencies and the Vietnamese community in Thailand.
Following the ceremony, Party General Secretary and State President To Lam is expected to begin a series of official activities, including meetings with Thai leaders and representatives of major Thai corporations and businesses.
The visit takes place as Vietnam and Thailand are celebrating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations and continue to strengthen cooperation, particularly in trade, investment and economic connectivity.
The official visit is considered one of the key highlights of the anniversary year, providing an opportunity for both sides to reaffirm political trust and open a new chapter in Thailand–Vietnam relations.
Thailand and Vietnam currently maintain close and increasingly interdependent ties, with their economies and supply chains becoming more deeply connected and both countries benefiting from each other’s growth.
Thailand is Vietnam’s largest trading partner within ASEAN and the eighth largest foreign investor in Vietnam, while Vietnam is Thailand’s second largest trading partner in ASEAN.
Bilateral trade reached nearly US$24 billion last year and is moving toward the target of US$25 billion.