Some special things in Vietnam-Thailand relations

'A new turning point, challenging but with many interesting things' - that's what I told myself when I knew I would be working in Thailand.

Ambassador Pham Viet Hung presented his credentials to the King of Thailand Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua on June 22, 2024. (Photo: Embassy of Vietnam in Thailand)

As someone who specializes in languages and relations with the Korean Peninsula, and has been associated with the Northeast Asian region for many years since my first day working at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs , I never thought that one day I would be assigned to a vibrant and colorful Southeast Asian country like Thailand – a place I have never set foot in. Perhaps it was fate, and also an opportunity for me to experience this new land more deeply and for longer.

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

History and trusted relationships

Speaking of Vietnam-Thailand relations, since the 12th century there has been exchange between the Vietnamese and Thai communities. During his revolutionary activities, in 1928, President Ho Chi Minh visited Thailand and spread patriotism among the Vietnamese community. He proposed a policy of Thai-Vietnamese friendship and advised our compatriots to have friendly relations with the Thai people.

Having gone through many ups and downs in history, today the Vietnam-Thailand relationship has developed remarkably, making the two countries become each other's leading important partners. After nearly 50 years of establishing diplomatic relations, especially in just over the past 10 years, the two countries have upgraded their relationship three times to Strategic Partnership (in 2013), then 2 years later to Enhanced Strategic Partnership and 10 years later to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during the official visit to Vietnam by the Thai Prime Minister in May 2025.

Exchanges of delegations, contacts, and cooperation in the fields of politics, diplomacy, defense, and security have been effectively maintained at all levels. Mutual understanding and trust have been built and increasingly consolidated. Many bilateral cooperation mechanisms have been established and effectively promoted, such as: Joint Committee on Bilateral Cooperation, Defense Policy Dialogue, High-level Security Dialogue on Crime Prevention and Control and Security Issues, Political Consultation, etc. In particular, the Joint Cabinet Meeting mechanism is a unique bilateral cooperation mechanism between Vietnam and Thailand, co-chaired by the Prime Ministers of the two countries, setting out major orientations in the friendly and cooperative relationship.

Looking back at my time working in Thailand as well as my nearly 25 years working at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, I am even more proud of the development of the country and people, of the 80-year historical tradition of the industry, and grateful to the leaders and previous generations who have supported, guided, and trained me and the following generations to have the opportunity to develop and contribute to the cause of protecting and building the country and the industry.

Economically, Thailand is Vietnam's largest trading partner in ASEAN and the 9th in the world, with two-way trade turnover in 2024 reaching over 20.2 billion USD. Thailand is also one of the 10 countries with the largest FDI in Vietnam, with more than 700 valid projects and a total registered capital of over 14 billion USD. People-to-people exchanges are also very vibrant with impressive numbers: More than 1 million Vietnamese people visited Thailand and more than 400,000 Thai people visited Vietnam in 2024.

Ambassador Pham Viet Hung takes a photo with the Vietnamese community at the Ho Chi Minh Memorial in Nakhon Phanom. (Source: Vietnamese Embassy in Thailand)

Cultural-historical space and "prestigious people's messenger"

The Vietnamese and Vietnamese-origin community in Thailand is estimated to have about 100,000 people. It is one of the communities with a long history of formation, having witnessed and accompanied our country through many historical ups and downs.

What impresses not only me personally but everyone else about the Thai expatriates is their deep attachment to their homeland Vietnam, their support and trust in the leadership of the Party and State, and their utmost respect for President Ho Chi Minh. Despite having lived in the host country for many generations, they have made tireless efforts to preserve and promote the cultural identity and Vietnamese language, and to nurture the fine traditions of the nation.

I had the opportunity to visit Vietnam Town in Udon Thani, One Pillar Pagoda in Khon Kaen; visit children and volunteer teachers teaching Vietnamese at Khanh An School; attend the traditional Tet festival, the birthday celebration of President Ho Chi Minh and many other meaningful programs.

The locals have also worked hard to build and preserve Uncle Ho's relic sites in Nong On village, Udon Thani province and Nong Nhat commune, Nakhon Phanom province, volunteering to look after and welcome visitors. Over the years, these sites have become special cultural and historical spaces, reminding generations of overseas Vietnamese of a heroic period of the nation and the deep gratitude of Thai overseas Vietnamese towards Uncle Ho.

Not only preserving cultural identity, the Vietnamese community in Thailand is also an important bridge promoting the friendly relationship between Vietnam and Thailand. Many people in the community have become successful, creating a position and prestige in society, contributing to the development of the Thai economy.

Through the network of businesses, associations, outstanding individuals, and cultural and social exchange activities, our overseas Vietnamese have contributed to deepening the understanding, trust, and cooperation between the people of the two countries. In many provinces and cities, the prestigious Vietnamese community, recognized and highly appreciated by the Thai government, is an important factor in promoting local cooperation. Young Vietnamese and Vietnamese-origin students and intellectuals are also increasingly demonstrating their mettle, intelligence, and dedication, and are a valuable resource for future cooperation in education, science, and innovation.

The Vietnamese community in Thailand is not only a part of the nation, a resource for national development, but also a "people's ambassador", promoting the best image of the spirit of overcoming difficulties and the will to rise of the Vietnamese people in the new era.

The year 2026 will mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Thailand (August 6, 1976 - August 6, 2026). After half a century of developing relations with special achievements in cooperation and strong friendship, this will be a golden opportunity for the two countries to look back on the past and together design the future path ahead for the future of peace, friendship and common prosperity of the two peoples of Vietnam and Thailand.

I and the staff of the Vietnamese Embassy in Thailand are honored to be a small part of that historic moment and will work together to overcome difficulties, closely coordinate with Thai partners and relevant agencies, and contribute to further developing the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries, going deeper, more practical, and more effective.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/mot-so-dieu-dac-biet-trong-quan-he-viet-nam-thai-lan-324353.html