Prime Minister Chính Hosts Official Welcome Ceremony for Thai Counterpart in Hanoi
Hanoi, The Gulf Observer: Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính hosted a welcome ceremony in Hanoi on Friday morning for Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who is leading a high-ranking delegation on an official visit to Vietnam.
The visit marks Prime Minister Paetongtarn’s first to Vietnam since taking office and represents the first official visit by a Thai government leader to the country in over a decade. It also coincides with the 4th Vietnam–Thailand Joint Cabinet Meeting, the first such high-level engagement in ten years.
Following the welcome ceremony, the two prime ministers visited a special exhibition jointly organized by the Government Office and the Vietnam News Agency. The exhibit highlights the land, people, and growing relationship between the two nations.
The visit is of significant diplomatic importance, reflecting the close and trusted relationship that has developed between Vietnam and Thailand since the establishment of diplomatic relations on August 6, 1976. Over the decades, bilateral ties have expanded in both breadth and depth, underpinned by strong political trust and cooperation across multiple levels.
In June 2013, Vietnam and Thailand became the first pair of ASEAN member states to elevate their ties to a Strategic Partnership. This relationship was further enhanced in 2015 with the establishment of an “Enhanced Strategic Partnership,” marking a new phase of deeper, more comprehensive collaboration.
The Enhanced Strategic Partnership has yielded notable achievements across various sectors. Economic, trade, and investment cooperation remains a key pillar, with Thailand currently Vietnam’s largest trading partner within ASEAN and its ninth-largest globally. In 2024, bilateral trade reached US$20.2 billion, and in the first two months of 2025, trade volume totaled US$3.1 billion — a 6.2% year-on-year increase.
Both nations have set an ambitious goal to raise two-way trade to US$25 billion in a balanced and sustainable manner in the near future.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Phạm Việt Hưng emphasized the importance of the 4th Joint Cabinet Meeting, describing it as a reflection of the two countries’ shared commitment to advancing comprehensive cooperation. The leaders are expected to address outstanding issues and outline key priorities to further enhance bilateral relations across all sectors.
The visit is expected to inject new momentum into the Vietnam–Thailand partnership, reaffirming their shared vision of peace, stability, and prosperity in the region.
