General Secretary and State President To Lam’s visit takes place as the two countries celebrate their 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations. It provides an opportunity for high-ranking leaders of both sides to review half a century of companionship and effective cooperation, which has yielded numerous achievements, and to discuss strategic directions and measures to further promote bilateral ties in the new period.
Notably, Thailand is the first ASEAN country visited by a key Vietnamese leader following the 14th National Party Congress and the election of the 16th National Assembly. The visit also comes just one year after Viet Nam and Thailand upgraded their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership, and after Thailand successfully held a general election and formed a new government.
With these significant meanings, the visit marks an important milestone in the history of bilateral relations, affirming the high importance Viet Nam attaches to its relationship with Thailand and providing fresh momentum to elevate the bilateral relations to new heights.
The visit marks an important milestone in the history of bilateral relations, reaffirming the high importance Viet Nam attaches to its relationship with Thailand and providing fresh momentum to elevate the bilateral relations to new heights.
The close bond between Viet Nam and Thailand, often referred to as the “Land of Smiles”, stems from natural connections created by geographical proximity and cultural similarities. These factors have helped the peoples of the two countries to strengthen mutual understanding and nurture friendship. Looking back through history, Thailand was also a place where President Ho Chi Minh left a profound mark during his journey to seek a path for national salvation.
Historical and commemorative sites dedicated to President Ho Chi Minh built in various locations across Thailand carry deep and sacred significance. They serve as “red addresses” where people from both countries, including younger generations of Vietnamese descendants in Thailand and international friends, can learn about President Ho Chi Minh’s revolutionary life and career. They are also vivid symbols of the close and enduring ties between the peoples of the two nations.
Fifty years ago, in 1976, Viet Nam and Thailand officially established diplomatic relations. Since that important beginning, the two countries have developed a good story of cooperation based on mutual respect, understanding, and a spirit of mutually beneficial collaboration. In recent years, Viet Nam–Thailand relations have continued to make significant progress. The two countries upgraded their relationship to a strategic partnership in 2013 and, two years later, further elevated it to an enhanced strategic partnership.
The year 2025 marked another important milestone when the two countries upgraded their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership, opening a new chapter in bilateral cooperation built on substantive pillars: Partnership for Sustainable Peace; Partnership for Sustainable Development; and Partnership for a Sustainable Future.
One of the most notable features of Viet Nam–Thailand relations is the steadily strengthening political trust between the two countries. Thailand highly values the development of its cooperative and friendly relations with Viet Nam. For Viet Nam, Thailand is a geographically close neighbour and an important partner in the region. Leaders of both countries have affirmed their determination to deepen bilateral relations in a more substantive and effective manner in the new period.
Built on a solid foundation of friendship, strong political trust, and shared aspirations for peace, independence, self-reliance, and a common vision for security, prosperity, and sustainable development, Viet Nam–Thailand relations have achieved many proud accomplishments. Thailand is currently Viet Nam’s largest trading partner in ASEAN. In 2025, two-way trade revenue reached 22.1 billion USD, up 9% compared with 2024.
In the first four months of 2026, the bilateral trade revenue totalled nearly 8.6 billion USD, an increase of 24% compared with the same period of 2025. Thailand ranks eighth among countries investing in Viet Nam and the second among ASEAN investors in the country. Alongside economic cooperation, collaboration in labour, culture-tourism, and education-training has also progressed positively, further strengthening the connections between the two economies and peoples.
At the regional level, Viet Nam–Thailand relations stand as a model of dynamic and effective cooperation in Southeast Asia. Sharing common interests in maintaining peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region, the relationship between Viet Nam and Thailand — two members of the ASEAN family — has made an important contribution to ASEAN’s shared prosperity.
Taking place against the backdrop of Vietnam and Thailand celebrating half a century of partnership, the official visit to Thailand by General Secretary and State President To Lam offers an opportunity for both sides to review the achievements attained over the years while setting directions for further enhancing bilateral relations in a deeper and more effective manner, meeting the common interests of the peoples of both countries and contributing to promoting peace, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.
