This visit holds special significance, as it marks Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s first visit to Vietnam since taking office, the first visit by a Thai Prime Minister to Vietnam in over a decade, and the first joint cabinet meeting between the two countries’ prime ministers in more than nine years. This underscores the importance that both Vietnam and Thailand place on their bilateral relationship.
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Prime Minister of Thailand Paetongtarn Shinawatra arrives in Hanoi, starting the official visit to Vietnam. |
Looking back on history, Vietnam and Thailand officially established diplomatic relations in August 1976. After Vietnam joined ASEAN in 1995, the "common home" provided new impetus to the blossoming Vietnam–Thailand relationship. Vietnam and Thailand became the first two ASEAN member states to establish a bilateral strategic partnership in 2013, which later evolved into the current enhanced strategic partnership.
Despite ups and downs in their history, over the past 50 years of diplomatic ties and more than 10 years of strategic partnership, Vietnam and Thailand have made significant strides in their relations. The bilateral relationship has developed based on mutual respect, trust, and understanding, bringing tangible benefits to the peoples of both countries. Leaders from both sides have consistently affirmed their respect for, and determination to develop, the enhanced strategic partnership in a deeper, more effective, and substantive manner.
In recent years, political trust between the two countries has been continually strengthened through high-level meetings and bilateral mechanisms. The Communist Party of Vietnam maintains good cooperative relations with major political parties in Thailand, including the ruling Pheu Thai Party. Vietnam and Thailand are effectively implementing the Action Program to realize the Enhanced Strategic Partnership for the 2022–2027 period.
Defense and security cooperation continues to be reinforced, and economic cooperation stands out as a key pillar of the bilateral relationship. Thailand is currently Vietnam’s largest trading partner within ASEAN and the ninth-largest foreign investor in the country. Local-level cooperation is expanding, with numerous Vietnamese and Thai provinces and cities having signed agreements and established twinning relationships.
Cooperation in other key areas such as labor, culture, tourism, education, and people-to-people exchanges has also yielded many positive results. Notably, the Thai Government has facilitated the preservation and promotion of cultural and religious sites of the Vietnamese community, including sites dedicated to President Ho Chi Minh and the world’s first officially recognized "Vietnam Town" in Udon Thani province. This has enabled over 100,000 Vietnamese living in Thailand to actively participate in Thai political, economic, and social life, becoming a vital bridge of friendship between the two peoples. Additionally, Vietnam and Thailand regularly agree on shared viewpoints at regional and international forums, particularly within ASEAN, the United Nations, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, and Mekong sub-regional cooperation mechanisms.
Reflecting on the achievements made over nearly half a century, there is every reason to believe in a bright future for the Vietnam–Thailand relationship under the ASEAN "common home." The visit by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is expected to further elevate the enhanced strategic partnership between Vietnam and Thailand to new heights, for the benefit of both peoples and for peace, stability, cooperation, and prosperous development in the region.
By Editorial Board
Translated by Tran Hoai