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According to the press release by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at the invitation of Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand Anutin Charnvirakul and his spouse, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam and President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam To Lam, together with his spouse and a high-level Vietnamese delegation, will pay an official visit to Thailand from May 27 to 29, 2026.

On May 24, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ online portal published an interview with Party Central Committee member, Standing Deputy Secretary of the Ministry’s Party Committee, and Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Manh Cuong regarding the official visit to Thailand by General Secretary and President To Lam.

General Secretary and President To Lam. (Photo: VNA)

- Could you share some of the most notable developments in Vietnam-Thailand relations in recent years, especially after the two countries upgraded ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership?

- Vietnam and Thailand are close neighbors that share many common interests in maintaining peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region. Over nearly 50 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, bilateral ties have continuously been strengthened and expanded in a robust and comprehensive manner, becoming one of the most dynamic and effective relationships within ASEAN.

A particularly significant milestone was the elevation of bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2025. This reflects the very high level of political trust between the two countries and demonstrates the shared determination of leaders on both sides to deepen bilateral relations in a more substantive and effective manner in the new phase.

A key highlight of Vietnam-Thailand relations is the increasingly solid political trust between the two sides. The two countries maintain regular high-level visits, exchanges, cooperation mechanisms and strategic dialogues across various fields. In particular, the Joint Cabinet Meeting mechanism at the prime ministerial level is a unique feature of bilateral relations, demonstrating the close bonds and coordination in promoting comprehensive cooperation.

Economic cooperation continues to serve as a bright spot. Thailand is currently Vietnam’s largest trading partner within ASEAN, with two-way trade turnover exceeding USD 22 billion in 2025. The two economies are becoming increasingly integrated into regional supply chains. Thailand is also among the largest ASEAN investors in Vietnam, with many large-scale projects in energy, processing industries, retail, logistics and infrastructure. The two countries hold significant potential for cooperation in supply chain development, transport connectivity, logistics and Mekong subregional cooperation. Given each country’s important geostrategic position, both sides are well positioned to become major connectivity hubs in mainland Southeast Asia.

Beyond the economic sphere, defense and security cooperation between the two countries is becoming increasingly substantive and in-depth. The two sides coordinate closely in combating transnational crime, drug trafficking, human trafficking, cybersecurity threats and other non-traditional security challenges. This contributes significantly to strengthening mutual trust and maintaining a peaceful and stable regional environment.

Cooperation in culture, education, tourism and people-to-people exchanges has also developed strongly. The two countries currently have around 20 pairs of twinned provinces and cities. The Vietnamese community in Thailand serves as an important bridge of friendship between the two peoples. In particular, President Ho Chi Minh memorial sites in Thailand carry profound historical and emotional significance, helping nurture the traditional friendship between the peoples of the two countries.

On that foundation, the two countries are well placed to further deepen and substantively advance their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

- Could you share what new prospects and momentum are expected from General Secretary and President To Lam’s official visit to Thailand this time for bilateral relations in the coming period?

This official visit to Thailand by General Secretary and President To Lam carries particularly important significance. It is the General Secretary and President’s first visit to an ASEAN country in his new capacity, and it takes place shortly after the two countries upgraded their ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Manh Cuong. (Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

First and foremost, the visit demonstrates Vietnam’s high regard for its relationship with Thailand as well as for Southeast Asia as a whole. It also provides an opportunity for the senior leaders of the two countries to engage in extensive discussions on major orientations for effectively implementing the new cooperation framework, thereby creating fresh momentum for bilateral relations in the coming period.

One important expectation is to further consolidate and deepen political trust between the two countries. Amid rapidly evolving and complex regional and global developments, strengthening strategic exchanges, coordinating positions and maintaining high-level contacts are of great significance. This serves as the foundation for the two countries to continue expanding cooperation across all fields.

Economically, the visit is expected to open up new developments in trade, investment, logistics and supply chain connectivity. Both sides possess significant potential for cooperation in emerging areas such as digital transformation, green economy, circular economy, renewable energy, innovation and industrial transformation. These are all areas aligned with the development strategies of both countries in the new phase.

The visit is also expected to further promote regional connectivity, particularly within Mekong and ASEAN cooperation frameworks. Vietnam and Thailand both play important roles in advancing intra-ASEAN economic integration, strengthening infrastructure connectivity, trade and people-to-people exchanges within the region.

In addition, cooperation in culture, tourism and people-to-people exchanges will continue to be expanded. Enhancing air connectivity, tourism cooperation, and exchanges among youth, students and localities will help strengthen the sustainable social foundation of bilateral relations.

The two sides are also expected to continue coordinating closely at regional and international forums, especially within ASEAN, to contribute to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region.

It can be affirmed that, with the strong foundation of friendship, high political trust and broad cooperation potential, this visit will generate new momentum for Vietnam-Thailand relations to develop even more robustly and reach new heights in the time ahead.

- Thank you very much!

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