At the meeting, Ambassador of Viet Nam to Thailand Pham Viet Hung reviewed important milestones in Viet Nam–Thailand relations; emphasised that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries (1976–2026). The Ambassador said that Viet Nam and Thailand cooperate closely in many fields, such as trade, investment and tourism; affirming that the achievements gained by both sides bring practical benefits to the people of the two countries.
Emphasising the importance of education and training to Viet Nam–Thailand relations, Ambassador Pham Viet Hung expressed his thanks to generations of leaders and lecturers of UDRU for always paying attention to and contributing to the development of relations between the two countries. The Ambassador expressed his wish that UDRU would continue to strengthen coordination with partners in Viet Nam, contributing to enhancing educational cooperation between the two countries; affirming that the Embassy of Viet Nam in Thailand is ready to support the promotion of mutually beneficial cooperation between the two sides.
Ambassador Pham Viet Hung stressed that people-to-people exchange is one of the bridges connecting Viet Nam–Thailand relations. The Ambassador expressed his wish that UDRU would continue to pay attention to and work together to consolidate this solid bridge between the two countries in the coming time. The Ambassador also hoped that Vietnamese students in Thailand would strive in their studies, while contributing to fostering good relations with Thai lecturers and students, thereby helping to nurture friendship between the two countries.
In the coming time, Ambassador Pham Viet Hung expressed his wish to coordinate with UDRU, the Viet Nam Studies Centre and the Vietnamese community in Thailand to organise activities to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Viet Nam and Thailand, thereby creating opportunities for meetings, exchanges and enhancing mutual understanding between the peoples of the two countries. This will be an occasion for the younger generations of the two countries to further appreciate and contribute to fostering Viet Nam–Thailand relations.
At the meeting, Ambassador Pham Viet Hung also informed that the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Viet Nam, which has just taken place in Ha Noi, has set orientations for Viet Nam’s development in the coming period, in which sustainable development is an important objective. Viet Nam will focus on the green economy, digital economy and encourage innovation. Ambassador Pham Viet Hung said that Thailand has experience in these fields; noting that research and training institutions of both sides can promote cooperation in relevant areas.
At the meeting, Assistant Professor, Dr Kanisara Thanyasuntornsakul, Rector of Udon Thani Rajabhat University, emphasised that the meeting is an opportunity for both sides to exchange views on future cooperation orientations, especially in the context where universities are playing an increasingly important role in promoting regional cooperation and people-to-people exchanges.
Kanisara Thanyasuntornsakul said that Udon Thani province is home to many Thai people of Vietnamese origin; emphasising that UDRU is proud to be an academic and cultural centre of this community. Academic projects, cultural exchanges and community engagement initiatives will contribute to preserving cultural heritage and promoting mutual understanding and good friendship between Thailand and Viet Nam.
Assistant Professor Charoon Thawornchak, Chairman of the Council of Udon Thani Rajabhat University, emphasised that this meeting is an important motivation for UDRU to continue promoting increasingly in-depth academic cooperation. Charoon Thawornchak expressed his expectation that in the coming time, the two countries will strengthen cooperation through joint research programmes, development of training programmes, as well as expanding participation in ASEAN cooperation frameworks in an increasingly practical and effective manner. Charoon Thawornchak believes that the meeting will open a new stage of development, contributing to consolidating strong and long-term cooperative relations between UDRU and partners in Viet Nam.
At the meeting, the two sides exchanged views on cooperation orientations in the coming time. UDRU is expected to implement many programmes for the younger generations of Thailand and Viet Nam. Accordingly, UDRU will direct the Viet Nam Studies Centre to coordinate with the Vietnamese community in Thailand and the Thai–Viet Nam Entrepreneurs Association in Thailand to develop ideas on business as well as projects on digital and innovative start-ups for students of the two countries. UDRU will also implement a human resource development programme in education, including organising training courses and lecturer exchanges with the Vietnamese side. UDRU expressed its wish to receive the support and accompaniment of the Embassy of Viet Nam in Thailand in building and implementing these programmes.
Udon Thani Rajabhat University is a reputable and long-established educational institution in Thailand. UDRU has established partnerships with more than 20 educational institutions in Viet Nam and is continuing to expand this network. Each year, UDRU trains around 200 Vietnamese students in many different majors through long-term and short-term training programmes. UDRU and its partner educational institutions in Viet Nam maintain close relations through academic exchange programmes, joint research, lecturer and student exchanges, promoting teaching and learning activities on language and culture.
In addition, UDRU also supports activities to strengthen integration within ASEAN. In the coming time, UDRU commits to continuing to enhance cooperation in the above-mentioned activities and expand into new fields such as innovation, start-ups, digital transformation and sustainable development between the two sides.
After the meeting, Ambassador Pham Viet Hung visited the Fabric and Textile Creative Design Centre (FTCDC) and the Isan Textile Museum at Udon Thani Rajabhat University.
Earlier the same day, Ambassador Pham Viet Hung paid a courtesy call on the Chairman of the People’s Committee of Chieng Pin commune, where the Ho Chi Minh President Relic Site in Udon Thani province is located within the administrative boundary.
