Vietnam – Thailand: Strong friendship, foundation from the people of the two countries

On May 16, in Hanoi , Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra co-chaired the 4th Vietnam-Thailand Joint Cabinet Meeting. At this meeting, the two sides agreed to upgrade bilateral relations to the level of Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, opening a new chapter in the relationship between the two countries in the Southeast Asian region.

This is the first official visit to Vietnam by a Thai Prime Minister 11 years after the visit of former Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha in 2014, right on the occasion of the two countries' 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations (August 6, 1976 - August 6, 2026), marking an important milestone in the history of relations between the two countries.

This is also Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra's first official visit to Vietnam since she took office in August 2024, becoming the youngest Prime Minister in Thai history.

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra's visit takes place at a time when Vietnam and Thailand are looking forward to celebrating the 50th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations (1976-2026), an important milestone in the history of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Strong friendship, the foundation of the two peoples

Sharing about this important event, Mr. Luong Xuan Hoa, Member of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, Chairman of the Vietnamese Association of Udon Thani Province, expressed his joy and pride: "The upgrading of the relationship between the two countries to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership is a big step forward, reflecting the trust and extensive cooperation between Vietnam and Thailand. The Vietnamese community in Thailand feels honored to be a bridge contributing to promoting this relationship."

Currently, the Vietnamese community in Thailand has about 100,000 people, mainly concentrated in the Northeastern provinces such as Udon Thani, Nakhon Phanom, Sakon Nakhon... They are descendants of Vietnamese people who lived abroad from the pre-uprising period, then the period of resistance against France, and made important contributions to the Vietnamese revolutionary movement abroad.

“From farming families, small grocery stores, to small and medium-sized enterprises today, Vietnamese people in Thailand have constantly strived to improve, integrate well into the local society, while always preserving their cultural roots and feelings towards their homeland,” said Mr. Hoa.

Mr. Luong Xuan Hoa, Member of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, Chairman of the Vietnamese Association of Udon Thani Province, Thailand.

The Vietnamese community in Thailand is considered one of the model Vietnamese communities abroad - always united, law-abiding, making many contributions to the local society, and at the same time playing the role of an economic and cultural bridge between the two countries.

In particular, the Vietnamese Association in Thailand currently has a close network with branches in each province. Exchange activities, teaching Vietnamese, preserving culture, celebrating major holidays... are organized regularly, demonstrating national identity and contributing to promoting the image of Vietnam in Thailand.

The world's first Vietnam Town in Thailand

One of the highlights that cannot be missed is the first “Vietnamese Street” in the world, located in the center of Udon Thani city - where Mr. Luong Xuan Hoa lived and worked almost his entire life.

Udon Thani Vietnamese Street is not only a place where many Vietnamese people gather, but also becomes a symbol of Vietnamese-Thai cultural exchange, where there are shops with strong Vietnamese identity, a memorial statue of President Ho Chi Minh, a Vietnamese language school, traditional Tet festival...

“When the two countries upgrade to a comprehensive strategic partnership, I believe that Vietnam Street in Udon Thani will become an important cultural, tourism, and people-to-people diplomacy destination, helping Thai people understand more about our country, and vice versa ,” Mr. Hoa expected.

Currently, Pho Viet Nam is also welcoming a wave of investment from young overseas Vietnamese businessmen – the second and third generation born in Thailand but still looking back to their roots. They are investing in expanding food stores and cultural spaces, contributing to reviving the Vietnamese soul in the heart of Udon Thani.

"Vietnamese Street" in Udon Thani - Symbol of overseas Vietnamese culture and Vietnam - Thailand friendship.

Responsibilities and expectations of overseas Vietnamese

Looking back at the relationship between the two countries after 10 years of establishing a strategic partnership, the highlights are: political and strategic trust has been constantly enhanced, delegation exchanges have been promoted in all fields and at all levels. Defense and security cooperation has increasingly deepened, becoming an important pillar of the two countries. Economic, trade and investment cooperation has grown remarkably in both quality and quantity.

Since 2016, Thailand has been Vietnam's largest trading partner and Vietnam is Thailand's second largest partner in ASEAN, with two-way trade turnover in 2024 reaching more than 20 billion USD and aiming for 25 billion USD in the coming years.

“Upgrading the relationship between the two countries is not only a joy, but also a responsibility. We - the children living abroad - are fully aware that we not only represent the Vietnamese community in Thailand, but also the image of Vietnam in the eyes of international friends,” Mr. Luong Xuan Hoa affirmed.

He said the Vietnamese Association in Thailand is actively developing projects to connect overseas Vietnamese youth with their homeland, promote the Vietnamese language in Thailand, and organize bilateral trade and tourism promotion activities at the community level.

The Vietnamese community in Thailand will continue to actively contribute to promoting this relationship, for the common interests of the two countries and peoples.

“I believe that with support from the two governments, diplomatic agencies and overseas Vietnamese organizations, the Vietnamese community in Thailand will continue to be a solid bridge, making practical contributions to the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Thailand,” he said.

The Thai Prime Minister’s visit to Vietnam has left a strong impression not only at the high level, but also spread to every citizen of the two countries. For the Vietnamese community in Thailand, this is an important milestone affirming the position, role and influence of overseas Vietnamese in building sustainable Vietnam-Thailand cooperation relations.

From a small "Vietnamese Street" in the heart of Udon Thani, to educational, business, and cultural exchange projects..., Vietnamese people here are contributing to realizing the concept of "comprehensive partnership" with practical actions - with their love for their homeland and their persistent integration in the Land of the Golden Pagoda.

Cam Lai - Vtcnews.vn

Source: https://vtcnews.vn/viet-nam-thai-lan-quan-he-huu-nghi-ben-chat-nen-tang-tu-nhan-dan-hai-nuoc-ar943563.html