Over the past five decades, growing political trust, deep bonds between the two peoples and fruitful bilateral cooperation have provided a solid foundation for Viet Nam and Thailand to open new chapters in their relationship, helping both nations realise their development aspirations.
Geographical and cultural proximity has long forged strong bonds between Viet Nam and Thailand, fostering greater mutual understanding between their peoples.
In particular, Viet Nam-Thailand friendship carries the enduring imprint of President Ho Chi Minh’s legacy. An article recently published in the Thai newspaper The Nation noted that President Ho Chi Minh’s humanistic legacy has served as an important foundation for the development of friendship between the two nations.
According to the article, although President Ho Chi Minh’s time in Thailand was brief, the warm affection and support of the Thai people made a profound impression on him. He emphasised the importance of solidarity between the Vietnamese community and local people, while reaffirming the close relationship between the two countries.
Thanks to the tireless efforts of successive generations of leaders and people of both nations, the comprehensive Viet Nam-Thailand relationship has grown steadily stronger.
Shared interests and aspirations for peace, independence and self-reliance, together with a common vision of security, prosperity, sustainable development, and a rules-based international order, have provided a strong foundation for bilateral ties and enabled the two countries to achieve significant results.
Viet Nam and Thailand established a strategic partnership in 2013 and upgraded ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership in May 2025, creating new opportunities to deepen economic ties between the two countries.
Economic cooperation remains a key pillar of bilateral relations, with Thailand standing as one of Viet Nam’s leading trading partners and a major source of investment within ASEAN. Thai investors are primarily active in manufacturing, wind power development, petrochemicals, real estate, and wholesale and retail trade. The two countries are working towards a two-way trade target of 25 billion USD in the coming years.
To realise this goal, in addition to traditional sectors, Viet Nam and Thailand are also prioritising cooperation in new areas such as digital transformation, e-government, the green economy, just energy transition, and innovation.
The governments of both countries are striving to reduce trade barriers, promote more balanced and mutually beneficial bilateral trade, and encourage enterprises to expand long-term investment and business operations in each other’s markets.
In recent years, Viet Nam-Thailand relations have been further strengthened by the deep friendship between the two peoples. More than 100,000 overseas Vietnamese in Thailand, together with numerous students studying and conducting research in both countries, serve as living ambassadors of this friendship. The Thai government has recognised the Vietnamese community’s legal rights regarding residence and employment.
In several localities, overseas Vietnamese hold respected positions and enjoy a strong standing in their communities. The Vietnamese community in Thailand has a proud revolutionary and patriotic tradition, deep respect for President Ho Chi Minh, and close ties to the homeland, and has made important contributions to the struggle for national liberation, reunification and national development.
On the international stage, Viet Nam and Thailand continue to coordinate closely within regional and multilateral mechanisms, promoting cooperation on peace and security, international peacekeeping, humanitarian assistance, sustainable development, and addressing global challenges.
Alongside other ASEAN member states, Viet Nam and Thailand continue to strengthen regional solidarity, uphold ASEAN centrality, and support efforts to realise the ASEAN Community Vision 2045.
From the depth of their shared history to their strategic vision for the future, Viet Nam and Thailand are pressing ahead with efforts to nurture and deepen bilateral relations, benefiting the peoples of both countries and contributing to peace, stability, and shared prosperity across the region.
