The visit will create strong momentum for the development of the comprehensive strategic partnership in the context of the two countries celebrating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations (1976-2026).
Building a bridge connecting Viet Nam and Thailand
The official visit to Thailand by General Secretary and President To Lam and his spouse takes place on the occasion of Viet Nam and Thailand celebrating their 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.
This is the first visit to Thailand by General Secretary and President To Lam in his new capacity. It not only reflects the very high level of political trust between the two countries, demonstrating the shared determination of both leaders to develop bilateral relations in a deeper, more substantive, and more effective manner in the new phase, contributing to promoting peace, cooperation, and development in the region and the world, but also shows the deep concern of the head of the Party and state for the Vietnamese community abroad in general and the Vietnamese expatriates in Thailand in particular.
For the Vietnamese community in Thailand, this visit is not only an honour and a source of pride, but also a great encouragement for them to continue preserving their national cultural identity, promoting solidarity, remaining connected to their homeland, and contributing even more to the friendly relations between the two countries.
The visit will open more opportunities for cooperation between Viet Nam and Thailand, between localities, businesses, educational institutions, and people’s organisations of the two countries. At the same time, it is also an opportunity for the Vietnamese community in Thailand to continue playing a bridging role between the people, contributing to strengthening the close ties and trust between the two nations.
Luong Xuan Hoa, Member of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front Central Committee, Vice President of the Association of Vietnamese People in Thailand, and President of the Association of Vietnamese People in Udon Thani Province, excitedly shared with us that he was deeply moved and honoured to learn that General Secretary and President To Lam’s official visit to Thailand will include meetings with high-ranking Thai leaders to discuss in-depth directions for effectively implementing the new cooperation framework, thereby creating further momentum for bilateral relations in the future.
This is also an opportunity for high-level leaders of the two countries to have in-depth discussions on major directions to effectively implement the new cooperation framework, thereby creating further momentum for bilateral relations in the coming time. Vietnamese expatriates in Thailand are always enthusiastic about the positive developments in Viet Nam-Thailand relations.
The visit will open many more opportunities for cooperation between Viet Nam and Thailand, localities, businesses, educational institutions, and people’s organisations of the two countries. At the same time, it is also an opportunity for the Vietnamese community in Thailand to continue to play a bridging role between the people, contributing to strengthening the close ties and trust between the two nations.
Over the past half-century, based on mutual trust and understanding, the friendship and cooperation between Viet Nam and Thailand have developed well, bringing practical benefits to the people of both countries. With the desire to open a new chapter for peace, stability, and prosperity, the two countries upgraded their bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership in May 2025.
On that foundation, cooperation between the two countries in many fields such as economics, trade, defence and security, tourism, culture, people-to-people exchanges, education and training, etc., continues to be strengthened while achieving tangible results.
Hoa said that among the provinces of Thailand, the Vietnamese community in Udon Thani is the largest. The community is very proud to have the Ho Chi Minh Memorial Site and Viet Nam Town there and strives to continue maintaining and promoting traditional cultural preservation activities, caring for, preserving, and promoting the value of these two locations so that they may serve as spaces for preserving Vietnamese cultural identity and as bridges connecting the people of Viet Nam and Thailand.
According to Dinh Thi Kim Loan, Head of the Overseas Vietnamese Women’s Committee in Thailand, said that the community wishes to meet and report to General Secretary and President To Lam on outstanding activities in the recent past, especially efforts to preserve national identity and connect with their roots through cultural exchange activities during traditional holidays and major national events.
Last February, the Vietnamese Ao Dai Culture Association in Thailand was established with the desire to spread the image of the graceful and elegant ao dai, honouring the beauty and soul of Vietnamese women. Vietnamese expatriates in Thailand aspire for the ao dai to be widely promoted not only in Thailand but also worldwide.
The official visit to Thailand by General Secretary and President To Lam and his wife, along with a high-level Vietnamese delegation, will be a great encouragement to the Vietnamese community in Thailand, demonstrating the Party and state’s deep concern for overseas Vietnamese.
The visit will open a new, broader, and higher-level space for the development of stronger and more effective bilateral relations, further consolidating and deepening political trust between the two countries.
In the context of many changes in the world and the region, strengthening strategic exchanges, coordinating positions, and maintaining high-level contacts is of great importance, serving as a foundation for Viet Nam and Thailand to continue expanding cooperation in all fields.
A heart dedicated to the Homeland
Ho Van Lam, Chairman of the Association of Vietnamese People in Thailand, affirmed that Vietnamese expatriates in Thailand have a tradition of patriotism and always look towards their homeland.
For them, President Ho Chi Minh is not only a great leader of the nation but also a sacred symbol of patriotism, solidarity, resilience, and the aspiration for peace. The years of his revolutionary activities in Thailand have left a deep mark on the hearts of the local people as well as the Vietnamese community there.
Continuing this fine tradition of devotion to the homeland, the Vietnamese community in Thailand always remains united, actively preserving the Vietnamese language and national cultural identity, while also complying with local laws, contributing to the strengthening and sustainability of the friendship between Viet Nam and Thailand.
Notably, the younger generation of overseas Vietnamese continues to study and emulate the morals and style of Ho Chi Minh; constantly striving to learn, work, preserve their national roots, and become a bridge of friendship between the people of the two countries.
Lam affirmed that overseas Vietnamese will continue to promote the spirit of solidarity, preserve national traditions, build an increasingly strong and prosperous community, make positive contributions to their homeland, and contribute to fostering the ever-growing friendship between Viet Nam and Thailand for the benefit of the people of both countries.
With approximately 100,000 people, the Vietnamese community in Thailand lives in many provinces and cities throughout the country but is mainly concentrated in the northeastern region. Around 2,000 to 3,000 Vietnamese students are studying and researching in Thailand. Overseas Vietnamese are recognised by the Thai government regarding their legal status in residence and work. In some localities, overseas Vietnamese have a certain role, position, and prestige, making positive contributions to the development of the local society.
They always strive to preserve, maintain, and beautify the “red addresses,” places that bear the footprints of President Ho Chi Minh’s revolution in Thailand during the years 1928-1929 on his arduous journey to find a way to save the country. The memorials to President Ho Chi Minh in the provinces of Udon Thani, Nakhon Phanom, and Phichit not only express the respect and gratitude of overseas Vietnamese for his great contributions, but also serve as vivid symbols of friendship between the people of the two countries.
Pham Duc Dau, Head of the Management Board of the President Ho Chi Minh Memorial Area in Udon Thani Province, said that the memorial area was built on the old land where President Ho Chi Minh once carried out revolutionary activities, formerly known as Thau Chin. The current historical site covers an area of 11,200 square metres and is undergoing expansion with many new features.
Among them, the Ho Chi Minh Stilt House was inaugurated on December 14, 2025. Other key projects in the expansion area are being actively implemented, including: the Ho Chi Minh Monument, the One Pillar Pagoda, and other supporting structures. A multi-purpose hall with a capacity of approximately 400 people is expected to be completed in 2028, coinciding with the 100th anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh’s arrival in Thailand for revolutionary activities.
According to Dau, the historical site holds profound historical and cultural significance for the Vietnamese community in Thailand and is a vivid symbol of the traditional friendship between the peoples of Viet Nam and Thailand.
