Mr Dung noted that both Vietnam and Thailand are close neighbours and members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which have treasured traditional friendship and cooperative ties for a long time.

He said bilateral relationship has developed well in many areas, especially in economics, trade, investment, culture, security and national defence, bringing benefit to the two nations and making an active contribution to building an ASEAN community. The two countries have cooperated closely in building this community based on three pillars: security-politics, economics, and culture-social affairs, and the ASEAN Charter to establish a prosperous community by 2015.

However, Mr Dung pointed out that Vietnam and Thailand have huge potential for cooperation in investment, trade and tourism and that the ambassador should work closely with Vietnamese ministries and agencies to increase cooperation in these areas.

The Vietnamese government will create favourable conditions for the ambassador to fulfil his tasks during his office term in the country, said Mr Dung.  

Ambassador Chanvitan said he will do his utmost to promote cooperation in trade, investment and tourism between Thailand and Vietnam. He also affirmed the Thai government’s strong support for Vietnam when this neighbouring country takes over the ASEAN Presidency in 2010.