Ambassador Pham Viet Hung: The time is 'ripe' to bring Vietnam-Thailand relations to a new level, more substantive and effective

Prime Minister of Thailand

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra on the occasion of attending the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits in Vientiane, Laos (October 2024). (Photo: Dinh Bac)

Could you please evaluate the significance and key contents of Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra's visit to Vietnam this time?

This is the first official visit to Vietnam by a Thai Prime Minister 11 years after the visit by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha in 2014, taking place at a time when the two countries are looking forward to the 50th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations (1976 - 2026), an important milestone in the history of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

In the context of the enhanced strategic partnership between Vietnam and Thailand continuing to develop well, comprehensively and increasingly in depth in all fields, the visit will be an important occasion for both sides to continue to develop that relationship to a new height, more substantive and effective.

Prime Minister of Thailand

Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung. (Source: Vietnamese Embassy in Thailand)

During the visit, the two sides will hold the 4th Joint Cabinet Meeting, a mechanism with a very special name that demonstrates high interest and common determination to develop bilateral relations.

Under the co-chairmanship and direct guidance of the two Prime Ministers, the two sides will review and resolve emerging issues and determine directions for cooperation in all fields.

In terms of politics and diplomacy , the two sides will focus on discussing measures to continue strengthening political trust, exchanging delegations and cooperating between all channels of the Party, Government, National Assembly and localities, and closely coordinating at regional and international forums, especially within the framework of ASEAN and Mekong sub-regional mechanisms.

Regarding economics, trade and investment , the two sides will review the progress of implementing plans and initiatives in this field, including the “Three Connectivity” initiative, and promote measures to expand cooperation, aiming to increase bilateral trade turnover to 25 billion USD in the coming time in a balanced and sustainable manner; attracting Thai investment in Vietnam’s priority areas.

Regarding culture, education and people-to-people exchange , the two sides will discuss measures to connect localities, as well as enhance cultural and tourism exchange activities, creating a sustainable social foundation for friendly relations between the two countries.

How important is the Joint Cabinet Meeting, which was restarted after more than nine years, to promoting cooperation goals in the new period between the two countries, Ambassador?

The 4th Joint Cabinet Meeting takes place at a pivotal time for each country and Vietnam-Thailand relations.

Vietnam is accelerating the successful implementation of the goals and tasks set out in the Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress; summarizing 40 years of Renovation and gradually preparing for the 14th National Congress.

In relations with regional partners, Vietnam has recently upgraded its relations with Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore to the level of Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Thailand is making efforts to implement the 13th National Socio-Economic Development Plan (2023-2027) and the Thai Government's agenda for 2025, focusing on economic development and social welfare.

After more than 10 years since its establishment in 2013, the Vietnam-Thailand Enhanced Strategic Partnership framework has been extremely effective in strengthening and deepening the friendship and cooperation between the two countries in all channels and fields, at the bilateral and multilateral levels.

After taking office, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn prioritized visiting neighboring countries and regions such as China, Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia and now Vietnam.

Both countries clearly understand the paramount importance of bilateral relations in the development of each country.

In that context, the Session is an opportunity for the two countries to review, evaluate and resolve difficulties and outstanding issues in the cooperation relationship in the past time, including the implementation of the Action Program to implement the Enhanced Strategic Partnership for the period 2022 - 2027; deepen strategic exchanges, identify major orientations and measures, establish a new framework for the relationship, create new momentum to develop the Vietnam-Thailand relationship more substantially and sustainably for the benefit of the people of the two countries, contributing to maintaining peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world, practically towards the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam-Thailand diplomatic relations in 2026.

Prime Minister of Thailand

Ambassador Pham Viet Hung attended the opening ceremony of the "Happy Vietnam 2024" photo exhibition in Thailand. (Source: Embassy of Vietnam in Thailand)

How does the Ambassador assess the target of 25 billion USD in trade turnover between the two countries, as well as the prospects for bilateral economic cooperation in the context of the two countries strongly promoting the Action Program to implement the Vietnam-Thailand Enhanced Strategic Partnership for the period 2022-2027 or the "Three Connectivity" Strategy?

Thailand and Vietnam are each other’s top economic partners in the region. Thailand’s FDI in Vietnam remains in the top 10 largest investors in cumulative terms, estimated at about 15 billion USD at present.

Thailand is Vietnam's largest trading partner in ASEAN and Vietnam's 9th largest investor with two-way trade turnover reaching 19.5 billion USD in 2023 and 20.18 billion USD in 2024 (up 6.5%). Bilateral trade turnover in the first 3 months of 2025 reached over 1.2 billion USD, up 8.02% over the same period in 2024.

The target of reaching 25 billion USD in bilateral trade turnover was set in 2021, but for various reasons, including the significant impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, this target has not been achieved as trade exchange between the two countries in recent years has only reached around 20 billion USD/year.

However, achieving and exceeding the target of 25 billion USD is completely feasible in the coming time because both countries have great potential. In addition, the effective implementation of the "Three Connections" Strategy, including increasing bilateral investment and tourism, will be a driving force and have a very effective impact in increasing trade turnover.

According to the Ambassador, how meaningful is Thailand's creation of conditions for the preservation of cultural and religious sites of the Vietnamese community, the world's first Vietnamese Street in Udon Thani province... in promoting friendly exchanges between the two countries?

Thailand's support for the Vietnamese community to preserve cultural and religious sites - notably the Vietnam Street in Udon Thani - has profound significance, not only for overseas Vietnamese but also for the friendly relations between the two countries.

Over the years, the relic sites of President Ho Chi Minh, the Vietnamese street in Udon Thani and recently in Nakhon Phanom, along with more than 20 Vietnamese pagodas and the An Nam Buddhist sect have always received attention, support for preservation and development from the Thai Government.

These projects have become unique cultural and spiritual exchange venues for people of the two countries to understand and become closer to each other, and are also evidence of the sustainable presence, positive contributions and integration of the Vietnamese community in Thailand over many generations.

Besides, annual cultural events of overseas Vietnamese such as Lunar New Year, Hung Kings' death anniversary, and President Ho Chi Minh's birthday always have the presence and support of local authorities and people.

This clearly affirms the recognition and respect of the Thai government and people for the cultural and historical values of the Vietnamese community, demonstrating an open, humane approach and increasing closeness between the two peoples.

Vietnamese cultural symbols in Thailand, with the attention of the local government, are contributing to deepening the enhanced strategic partnership between Vietnam and Thailand, especially in terms of people-to-people exchange - an increasingly important pillar in regional cooperation today.

Prime Minister of Thailand

Ambassador Pham Viet Hung presented awards at the Vietnamese Speaking Contest at Universities in Thailand in November 2024. (Source: Embassy of Vietnam in Thailand)

As active and proactive members of the ASEAN “common home”, how does the Ambassador assess the cooperation efforts between Vietnam and Thailand in realizing the goals and visions of the ASEAN Community?

Vietnam-Thailand relations have gone through nearly 50 years of strong development, including 30 years of the two countries accompanying and contributing to the development of ASEAN since Vietnam joined the organization on July 28, 1995. Throughout that process, Vietnam and Thailand have always been two strategic partners, active and proactive members in promoting the common goals and visions of the ASEAN Community:

In terms of politics and security , the two countries closely coordinate in maintaining solidarity and unity within the bloc, promoting ASEAN's central role in the face of regional and global developments. Vietnam and Thailand share the same stance on the importance of peace and stability in the East Sea, and support the full implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties (DOC) and work towards an effective and substantive Code of Conduct (COC).

Economically , Vietnam and Thailand are major trading partners, with bilateral trade turnover growing steadily. The two countries also play an important role in promoting intra-bloc trade, developing regional supply chains, and actively contributing to the building of a dynamic and integrated ASEAN Economic Community.

At the same time, Vietnam and Thailand participate in regional initiatives such as the East-West Economic Corridor and the ASEAN Smart Cities Network to enhance connectivity and sustainable development.

In terms of culture and society , the two countries maintain educational cooperation programs, youth exchanges, student exchanges and tourism cooperation. These activities contribute to strengthening people-to-people friendship, enhancing mutual understanding and building a unified ASEAN identity, towards a community for the people, with the people at the center.

In particular, Vietnam and Thailand are both leading countries in implementing the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 and are actively contributing to the development of the ASEAN Vision after 2025. The two countries prioritize areas such as digital transformation, sustainable development, climate change response and narrowing the development gap between member countries.

It can be affirmed that the cooperation between Vietnam and Thailand plays an important role in promoting the process of building and consolidating the ASEAN Community. With a solid foundation of cooperation, high political trust and a new strategic cooperation framework, I believe that the Vietnam-Thailand relationship will continue to develop deeply and comprehensively, contributing more effectively to a peaceful, stable, prosperous and sustainable ASEAN.

The two countries will have many opportunities to deepen cooperation and support each other in exploiting their own potential and strengths to make a more important contribution to the process of building the ASEAN Community in the new phase.

Thank you very much Ambassador!

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/dai-su-pham-viet-hung-thoi-diem-chin-muoi-dua-quan-he-viet-nam-thai-lan-len-tam-cao-moi-thuc-chat-va-hieu-qua-hon-314204.html