The visit is particularly significant as the two countries mark 50 years of diplomatic relations. It reflects the close bonds and mutual trust between Vietnam and Thailand, and opens a new chapter in bilateral ties, creating fresh momentum for deeper, more substantive and effective cooperation.
Vietnam and Thailand are neighboring countries in Southeast Asia who share historical and cultural similarities as well as a common aspiration for peace and development. Since establishing diplomatic relations in 1976, the two countries have achieved a number of significant milestones in their bilateral ties, including the elevation of their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2025.
A visit of profound symbolic significance
The State visit by the Thai King and Queen comes at a particularly meaningful time as Vietnam and Thailand celebrate their 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations. The visit, which reflects the Thai Royal Family’s special attachment of friendship to Vietnam, will strengthen political trust at the highest level and provide fresh momentum for implementing the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung said: “This is the first State visit to Vietnam by the King and Queen of Thailand in the past 50 years. It is the King’s third visit to Vietnam, but his first two visits were made when he was Crown Prince. This time, he is visiting as Head of State, a highly significant and symbolic milestone. Earlier this year, General Secretary and President To Lam visited Thailand. The reciprocal visits by the two heads of state in the same year demonstrates the strong commitment of both countries to continue working together and nurturing bilateral cooperation over the next 50 to 100 years.”
The Thai King’s visit is expected to help translate high-level diplomatic commitments into concrete cooperation, in particular, effective implementation of the “Three Connects” strategy: supply-chain connectivity; business and local connectivity; and connectivity between sustainable growth strategies, with a focus on green and circular development and innovation.
Building bridges between the two peoples
Over the years, Vietnam and Thailand have strengthened community links and people-to-people exchanges. The Thai Royal Family has paid close attention to community-support projects in Vietnam. Ambassador Hung said: “These are practical, humanitarian projects. Since 2006, Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn has sponsored and implemented numerous projects at schools in Ninh Binh, Hoa Binh, Quang Ninh, and other localities which focus on improving nutrition and healthcare, providing clean water, and developing farming, livestock-rearing and life skills. What’s even more valuable is that these projects don’t simply address immediate needs, but are linked to life-skills training and contribute to the long-term and comprehensive development of future generations.”
The Vietnamese community’s contributions to Thailand are another important part of the close bonds between the two nations. Vietnam Town, inaugurated in 2023 in Udon Thani province, is a good example.
Kavi Chongkittavorn, a senior fellow at the Institute of Security and International Studies at Chulalongkorn University in Thailand, said: "This is the first road named after Vietnam in the region. It reflects the strong presence and significant contributions of the Vietnamese community overseas. It is also recognition by the Thai authorities, particularly the Udon Thani provincial administration, of a place known as Vietnam Town. This is significant in Thailand, where more than 100,000 Vietnamese people live and work."
From high-level exchanges to connections in everyday community life, Vietnam-Thailand relations are built on a solid foundation – the development of bilateral ties over the past 50 years and a shared vision for the future. The visit by the King and Queen of Thailand is expected to strengthen mutual understanding and trust and generate fresh momentum for turning the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership into concrete results.
