At the invitation of Thailand Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and his spouse, Party General Secretary and President To Lam, accompanied by his spouse and a high-level Vietnamese delegation, is paying an official visit to Thailand from May 27 - 29, 2026.

The visit carries significant diplomatic importance and is expected to generate fresh momentum for cooperation between the two strategic neighbours in Southeast Asia, as Vietnam and Thailand move toward the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties (1976 - 2026).

A significant milestone in Vietnam - Thailand relations

Vietnam and Thailand are two Southeast Asian nations with a long-standing tradition of friendship. Relations between the peoples of the two countries were established early on and are closely associated with President Ho Chi Minh’s revolutionary activities in Thailand in 1928.

Since officially establishing diplomatic relations on August 6, 1976, Vietnam - Thailand ties have continued to strengthen and expand comprehensively across all fields. From political and diplomatic cooperation to defence-security, trade, investment, tourism and people-to-people exchanges, bilateral ties have recorded substantive and effective progress.

A particularly significant milestone came in June 2013, when Vietnam and Thailand upgraded ties to a Strategic Partnership, becoming the first two ASEAN members to establish such a relationship with one another. In 2015, the relationship was further elevated to an Enhanced Strategic Partnership and officially upgraded to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in May 2025.

On the international stage, the two countries maintain close coordination at regional and global forums, particularly within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the United Nations, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum and Mekong sub-regional cooperation mechanisms. Together with other ASEAN members, Vietnam and Thailand continue to strengthen intra-bloc solidarity, uphold ASEAN centrality and support efforts to realise the ASEAN Community Vision 2045.

Speaking to the Newspaper of Industry and Trade, Le Huu Phuc, Commercial Counsellor and Head of the Vietnam Trade Office in Thailand, stressed that Vietnam and Thailand are close neighbours with many shared interests in maintaining peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region.

Strengthening economic and trade cooperation

Economic, trade and investment ties continue to stand out as key highlights of bilateral cooperation.

According to Le Huu Phuc, Thailand is currently Vietnam’s largest trading partner within ASEAN, ranking sixth among Vietnam’s global trading partners, while also being one of the country’s leading foreign investors.

Bilateral trade has maintained steady growth over the years. In 2013, when the two countries established their Strategic Partnership, two-way trade turnover stood at around USD 9.17 billion. By 2025, the figure had climbed to USD 22.1 billion, representing nearly a 2.5-fold increase over just more than a decade.

Notably, strong growth momentum has continued into 2026. In the first four months of the year alone, total import-export turnover between the two countries reached approximately USD 8.6 billion, up nearly 24% year-on-year.

Vietnam’s exports to Thailand amounted to USD 3.76 billion, surging 37.9%, while imports totalled USD 4.84 billion, up 14.9%. The figures reflect the growing competitiveness of Vietnamese goods in the Thai market, as well as a more balanced bilateral trade structure.

Beyond raw materials and traditional industrial products, many Vietnamese-made manufactured goods, electronic components, machinery and technology equipment have gradually integrated more deeply into regional supply chains in Thailand.

Investment also remains a major bright spot in bilateral relations. As of April 2026, Thailand had around 800 valid investment projects in Vietnam, with total registered capital reaching USD 15.4 billion, ranking eighth among countries and territories investing in Vietnam.

Thai investment projects are concentrated in strategic sectors such as renewable energy, petrochemicals, processing industries, logistics and retail. The growing presence of Thailand’s leading conglomerates in Vietnam is widely viewed as evidence of the Thai business community’s long-term confidence in Vietnam’s investment environment.

At the same time, an increasing number of Vietnamese enterprises are actively expanding into the Thai market, particularly in food, consumer goods, technology and services.

Expectations for new momentum

According to Commercial Counsellor Le Huu Phuc, as both Vietnam and Thailand pursue green growth, digital transformation and innovation-driven development strategies, bilateral cooperation is entering a period of significant new opportunities.

One of the key directions being promoted by both sides is the “Three Connections” strategy, which includes connecting business supply chains; enhancing logistics, transport and infrastructure connectivity; and aligning sustainable development strategies in areas such as green energy, the circular economy and industrial supply chains.

High-tech sectors including semiconductors, electronic components, printed circuit boards (PCBs), computers and electronic equipment are emerging as promising areas for future cooperation. Renewable energy, the green economy, high-tech agriculture, deep-processed food products and sustainable tourism are also regarded as sectors with strong potential for bilateral collaboration in the years ahead.

From a trade promotion perspective, Le Huu Phuc noted that the Vietnam Trade Office in Thailand places businesses at the centre of its support activities in an effort to realise the target of raising bilateral trade turnover to USD 25 billion in the coming period.

The Trade Office regularly monitors, gathers and evaluates information on Thailand’s economic development policies, with a focus on trade, industry, energy and investment. At the same time, it has strengthened market analysis and forecasting to support businesses in developing production, business and import-export strategies.

Trade promotion activities are being implemented in a more in-depth and practical manner through supply-demand matching initiatives, helping Vietnamese enterprises directly access Thailand’s major retail and distribution systems such as Central Retail and Big C, thereby expanding consumption channels for Vietnamese products in the Thai market.

Market information, consultancy and trade risk warnings are also being prioritised. Businesses are regularly updated on consumer trends, import regulations, technical standards and policy changes, helping improve adaptability and minimise risks in commercial activities.

The Trade Office is also promoting investment and technology cooperation by strengthening connectivity among businesses, industry associations and chambers of commerce from both countries, particularly in promising sectors such as information technology, digital transformation, processing industries and energy.

With a strong foundation of traditional friendship, growing political trust and the determination of leaders and business communities from both countries, Vietnam - Thailand relations are expected to continue developing in a stronger, more substantive and more effective manner in the years ahead, contributing positively to peace, stability and prosperity in Southeast Asia.