New expectations of the Vietnamese expatriate community in Thailand

The Vietnamese Embassy in Thailand organized a

The Vietnamese Embassy in Thailand organized a "Homeland Spring" event to connect with the Vietnamese diaspora. (Photo: VIETNAMESE EMBASSY IN THAILAND)

The visit will provide strong impetus for the development of the comprehensive strategic partnership, especially as the two countries are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations (1976-2026).

Building bridges connecting Vietnam and Thailand.

The official visit to Thailand by General Secretary and President To Lam and his wife took place on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Thailand.

This is the first visit to Thailand by General Secretary and President To Lam in his new capacity. It not only reflects the very high level of political trust between the two countries and demonstrates the shared determination of both leaders to develop bilateral relations in a deeper, more substantive, and more effective way in the new phase, contributing to promoting peace, cooperation, and development in the region and the world, but also shows the deep concern of the head of the Party and State for the Vietnamese community abroad in general and the Vietnamese expatriates in Thailand in particular.

For the Vietnamese community in Thailand, this visit is not only an honor and a source of pride, but also a great encouragement for them to continue preserving their national cultural identity, promoting solidarity, staying connected to their homeland, and contributing even more to the friendly relations between the two countries.

The visit will open up more opportunities for cooperation between Vietnam and Thailand, including between localities, businesses, educational institutions, and people's organizations of the two countries. At the same time, it is also an opportunity for the Vietnamese community in Thailand to continue playing a bridging role between the people, contributing to strengthening the close ties and trust between the two nations.

Mr. Luong Xuan Hoa, Member of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, Vice President of the Association of Vietnamese People in Thailand, and President of the Association of Vietnamese People in Udon Thani Province, excitedly told us that he was deeply moved and honored to learn that General Secretary and President To Lam's official visit to Thailand would include meetings with high-ranking Thai leaders to discuss in-depth major directions for effectively implementing the new cooperation framework, thereby creating further momentum for bilateral relations in the future.

This is also an opportunity for high-ranking leaders of the two countries to have in-depth discussions on major directions to effectively implement the new cooperation framework, thereby creating further momentum for bilateral relations in the coming time. Vietnamese expatriates in Thailand are always enthusiastic about the positive developments in Vietnam-Thailand relations.

Over the past half-century, based on mutual trust and understanding, the friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Thailand have developed well, bringing practical benefits to the people of both countries. With the desire to open a new chapter for peace, stability, and prosperity, the two countries upgraded their bilateral relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in May 2025.

Building upon that foundation, cooperation between the two countries in various fields, such as economics, trade, defense and security, tourism, culture, people-to-people exchanges, education and training, etc., continues to be strengthened and has achieved tangible results.

Mr. Hoa stated that among the provinces of Thailand, the Vietnamese community in Udon Thani is the largest. The community is very proud to have the Ho Chi Minh Memorial Site and Vietnam Town here, and they strive to continue maintaining and promoting traditional cultural preservation activities, caring for, protecting, and enhancing the value of these two locations, so that they serve as spaces for preserving Vietnamese cultural identity and as a bridge connecting the people of Vietnam and Thailand.

Vietnamese intellectuals in Thailand discuss the potential for cooperation between the two countries.

Sharing with us, Ms. Dinh Thi Kim Loan, Head of the Overseas Vietnamese Women's Committee in Thailand, said that the community wishes to meet and report to General Secretary and President To Lam on outstanding activities in the recent past, especially efforts to preserve national identity and connect with their roots through cultural exchange activities on traditional holidays and major national events.

Last February, the Vietnamese Ao Dai Culture Association in Thailand was established with the desire to spread the image of the graceful and elegant ao dai, honoring the beauty and soul of Vietnamese women. Vietnamese expatriates in Thailand aspire for the ao dai to be widely promoted not only in Thailand but also throughout the world.

The official visit to Thailand by General Secretary and President To Lam and his wife, along with a high-level Vietnamese delegation, will be a great encouragement to the Vietnamese community in Thailand, demonstrating the profound concern of the Party and State for our compatriots abroad.

The visit will open up a new, broader, and higher-level space for the bilateral relationship to develop more strongly and effectively, further consolidating and deepening political trust between the two countries.

In the context of a volatile global and regional situation, strengthening strategic exchanges, coordinating positions, and maintaining high-level contacts are crucial and form the foundation for Vietnam and Thailand to continue expanding cooperation in all fields.

With hearts devoted to our homeland and country.

Speaking to a reporter from Nhan Dan Newspaper based in Thailand, Mr. Ho Van Lam, Chairman of the Association of Vietnamese People in Thailand, affirmed that Vietnamese expatriates in Thailand have a tradition of patriotism and always look towards their homeland.

For overseas Vietnamese, President Ho Chi Minh was not only a great leader of the nation but also a sacred symbol of patriotism, solidarity, resilience, and the aspiration for peace. His years of revolutionary activity in Thailand left a profound mark on the local people as well as the Vietnamese community there.

Continuing the fine tradition of patriotism and love for their homeland, the Vietnamese community throughout Thailand remains united and actively preserves the Vietnamese language and national cultural identity, while also complying with local laws, contributing to the strengthening and sustainability of the friendship between Vietnam and Thailand.

In particular, the younger generation of overseas Vietnamese continues to study and emulate Ho Chi Minh's morals and style; constantly striving to learn, work, preserve their national roots, and become a bridge of friendship between the people of the two countries.

Mr. Lam affirmed that overseas Vietnamese will continue to uphold the spirit of solidarity, preserve national traditions, build an increasingly strong and prosperous community, make positive contributions to their homeland, and help foster the ever-growing friendship between Vietnam and Thailand for the benefit of the people of both countries.

With approximately 100,000 members, the Vietnamese community in Thailand lives in many provinces and cities throughout the country, but is mainly concentrated in the northeastern region. Around 2,000 to 3,000 Vietnamese students are currently studying and researching in Thailand. The Thai government recognizes the legal status of Vietnamese expatriates residing and working in the country. In some localities, expatriates hold significant roles, positions, and prestige, making positive contributions to the development of the local society.

The Vietnamese community has always strived to preserve, maintain, and beautify the "red addresses," places that bear the footprints of President Ho Chi Minh's revolution in Thailand during 1928-1929 on his arduous journey to find a way to save the country. The memorials to President Ho Chi Minh in the provinces of Udon Thani, Nakhon Phanom, and Phichit not only express the reverence and gratitude of overseas Vietnamese for his great contributions, but also serve as vivid symbols of the friendship between the people of the two countries.

Speaking to a reporter from Nhan Dan Newspaper based in Thailand just before the official visit of General Secretary and President To Lam to Thailand, Mr. Pham Duc Dau, Head of the Management Board of the Ho Chi Minh Memorial Site in Udon Thani province, said that the memorial site was built on the old land where President Ho Chi Minh used to carry out revolutionary activities, formerly known as Thau Chin. The current memorial site covers an area of 11,200 square meters and is undergoing expansion with many new facilities.

Among the projects, the Ho Chi Minh Stilt House was inaugurated on December 14, 2025. Other key items in the expansion area are being actively implemented, including: the Ho Chi Minh Monument, the One Pillar Pagoda, and other supporting facilities. In particular, the multi-purpose hall with a capacity of approximately 400 people is expected to be completed in 2028, coinciding with the 100th anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh's arrival in Thailand to engage in revolutionary activities.

According to Mr. Dau, the historical site has profound historical and cultural significance for the Vietnamese community in Thailand and is a vivid symbol of the traditional friendship between the people of Vietnam and the people of Thailand.

XUAN SON-MINH THANG

Reporter of Nhan Dan Newspaper based in Thailand

Source: https://nhandan.vn/ky-vong-moi-cua-cong-dong-kieu-bao-tai-thai-lan-post964917.html