On August 29, the Consulate General of Vietnam in Khon Kaen, Thailand, held a ceremony marking the 81st National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (September 2, 1945-September 2, 2026) and the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam-Thailand diplomatic relations (August 6, 1976–August 6, 2026).

The event was attended by Consul General of Vietnam in Khon Kaen Dinh Hoang Linh; leaders of provinces in northeastern Thailand; representatives of the Thailand-Vietnam Friendship Association, the Association of Vietnamese People in Thailand, the Thai-Vietnamese Entrepreneurs Association of Thailand, Vietnamese community associations, and around 1,000 Vietnamese expatriates in northeastern Thailand.

The ceremony marked the 81st National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (September 2, 1945-September 2, 2026) and the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam-Thailand diplomatic relations (August 6, 1976-August 6, 2026).

Speaking at the event, Chairman of the Association of Vietnamese People in Thailand Ho Van Lam emphasized that the occasion was particularly meaningful for the Vietnamese community to turn its thoughts toward the homeland, take pride in its roots, and look back on half a century of friendship, cooperation and close ties between the two peoples.

For Vietnamese people living far from their homeland, particularly the Vietnamese community in Thailand, National Day carries a sacred significance. Wherever they live, and across generations, each person continues to carry a love for the homeland and pride in their roots.

Ho Van Lam called on every Vietnamese person in Thailand to be a good citizen, preserve the Vietnamese language and culture, and maintain their love for the homeland, while promoting their role as a bridge to help strengthen friendship between the peoples of the two countries.

The role of the Vietnamese community was also recognized by Thai delegates. Udon Thani Deputy Governor Nattapong Khamwongpin said that Thailand-Vietnam relations have developed across numerous fields over the past 50 years, from politics and economics to social affairs. He emphasized that in Udon Thani, the Thai community of Vietnamese descent plays an important role in the province’s economic and social development.

Chairman of the Thailand-Vietnam Friendship Association Sanan Angubolkul said that over the past five decades, relations between the two countries have evolved from friendship into close cooperation across the fields of economics, trade, investment and people-to-people exchanges.

He expressed his hope that Thai people of Vietnamese descent, particularly younger generations, would take pride in Thailand while also recognizing and cherishing the values of their Vietnamese roots, language, culture and identity. This provides a foundation for the community to continue contributing to the development of the host society while further nurturing friendship between the peoples of the two countries.

Speaking at the program, Consul General of Vietnam in Khon Kaen Dinh Hoang Linh affirmed that over 81 years of nation-building and development, Vietnam has continuously advanced, achieved numerous accomplishments, proactively and actively integrated into the international community, expanded its external relations, and increasingly affirmed its role and position in the region and on the international stage.

Referring to the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam-Thailand diplomatic relations, Consul General Dinh Hoang Linh said that the milestone was an occasion for the two countries to continue working toward an increasingly bright future of cooperation.

Building on the foundation nurtured over five decades and the steadily strengthened political trust between the two countries, he expressed his confidence that the Vietnam–Thailand Comprehensive Strategic Partnership would continue to develop in an increasingly profound and substantive direction, for the benefit of the peoples of both countries, and become a model of development cooperation within ASEAN.

Khon Kaen Governor Khajornkiat Rakphanitmanee emphasized that the Thai and Vietnamese peoples have maintained long-standing close relations. The two peoples share many similarities in culture, social traditions and daily life, creating a foundation for greater exchanges, mutual learning and cooperation in trade, investment, tourism, education, culture and the arts.

Thai artists perform a traditional dance.

As part of the program, delegates watched a video clip entitled “81 years of Vietnam’s National Day and 50 Years of Vietnam-Thailand diplomatic relations,” introducing Vietnam’s development achievements and key milestones in bilateral relations.

Delegates also attended the Vietnam-Thailand Music Festival, featuring performances by singers from both countries, and the awards ceremony for the first Vietnam-Thailand Vietnamese Ao Dai Beauty Contest 2026.

The activities were part of a series of political, cultural diplomacy and educational cooperation events organized by the Consulate General of Vietnam in Khon Kaen in Udon Thani on August 28-29, marking the 81st National Day of Vietnam and the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam-Thailand diplomatic relations.

30 Years of People-to-People Diplomacy between Vietnam and Thailand The year 2026 marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Thailand (1976-2026) and the 30th anniversary of the establishment and development of the Vietnam-Thailand Friendship Association (1996-2026). Throughout the history of bilateral relations, the Association has consistently nurtured the friendship between the two countries while gradually expanding its activities from traditional exchanges to cooperation among localities and businesses, as well as in education, culture and among younger generations, thereby contributing to greater understanding and cooperation between the peoples of Vietnam and Thailand.

Honoring Enduring Friendship and Close Cooperation Between Vietnam and Thailand Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung said the 81st National Day celebration marks a pivotal year for Vietnam, following the successful organization of the 14th National Party Congress.