Ceremony spotlights growth of Vietnam – Thailand relations
The Vietnam Consulate General in Thailand’s Khon Kaen together with the association of Thai people of Vietnamese origin in Nakhon Phanom province held a ceremony on October 22 to mark the 45th anniversary of the naions’ diplomatic relations (August 6, 1976 – 2021).
Vietnamese Consul General in Khon Kaen Chu Duc Dung (R) and Governor of Nakhon Phanom Chathip Ruchanaseri exchange keepsakes at the event (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – The Vietnam Consulate General in Thailand’s Khon Kaen together with the association of Thai people of Vietnamese origin in Nakhon Phanom province held a ceremony on October 22 to mark the 45th anniversary of the nations’ diplomatic relations (August 6, 1976 – 2021).
The event, taking place at the Vietnam-Thailand friendship village in Nachok village, Muang district, Nakhon Phanom, featured a photo exhibition on late Vietnamese President Ho Chi Minh and the 45-year ties as well as a trade fair showcasing Vietnamese and Thai products.
Addressing the ceremony, Vietnamese Consul General in Khon Kaen Chu Duc Dung stated Vietnam and Thailand have made efforts together to strengthen their practical relations across all fields as well as foster their friendship, cooperation, and mutual trust and respect in a fair and win-win manner.
Thailand is the 9th biggest foreign investor out of 139 countries and territories investing in Vietnam and is Vietnam's largest trading partner in ASEAN.
Dung recalled a phone conversation between the Vietnamese and Thai Prime Ministers in May, during which the leaders agreed to boost effective and practical bilateral cooperation with an aim to push the bilateral trade up to 25 billion USD in 2025.
He affirmed with the nations’ high political trust, efforts, strengths and potential, their ties will continue to grow stronger.
Governor of Nakhon Phanom Chathip Ruchanaseri expressed his belief in the development of the Vietnam – Thailand friendship, adding that Nakhon Phanom, home to large number of Vietnamese-Thai people, has implemented a series of activities to boost its friendship with Vietnamese localities across the sectors of education, culture, trade, investment and tourism, among others.
Supachai Phosu, Second Deputy speaker of Thailand’s House of Representatives, said the nations share a long-standing relationship which has been upgraded to enhanced strategic partnership.
He noted Thai people of Vietnamese origin, particularly those living in Nakhon Phanom, have integrated deeply into Thailand in economy, trade and politics, among other aspects.
The official suggested Vietnam and Thailand seek orientations and dialogue mechanisms for socio-economic development and facilitation of travel and trade between them amid COVID-19.
On the occasion, the general association of Vietnamese-Thai people in Thailand donated 250,000 THB (7,500 USD) to the renovation of the memorial site for President Ho Chi Minh in Nachok village, which was built to commemorate the President’s revolutionary activities in the province./.
The 45-year ties between Vietnam and Thailand were highlighted at an online conference jointly held by the Vietnamese Embassy in Bangkok, the Thai Embassy in Hanoi and the Vietnam Diplomatic Academy on August 26.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Thailand, in collaboration with the Thai Embassy in Hanoi, co-organised a webinar themed “Vietnam-Thailand economic cooperation in response to the COVID-19 pandemic” on September 23.
Deputy Prime Minister and Health Minister of Thailand Anutin Charnvirakul spoke highly of the close cooperation with Vietnam, especially in health, during his meeting with Vietnamese Ambassador Phan Chi Thanh on September 27.
The visits reflected the elevated position of Vietnam’s foreign policy in the new era—aimed at not only advancing ties with key regional partners like Egypt and Angola but also delivering a strategic message about Vietnam’s commitment to deepening relations with African nations as a whole.
At their talks and meetings, President Cuong and Angola’s top leaders affirmed that the close brotherhood and traditional friendship are a valuable shared asset and a solid foundation for the two nations to advance into a new phase of development.
The ruling People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) attaches great importance to the friendship, solidarity, and comradeship with the Communist Party of Vietnam, and voiced her Party’s wish to further deepen and expand relations between the two sides for the benefit of the Vietnamese and Angolan people.
Vietnam pledges to do its utmost to build an ASEAN of solidarity, consensus, and unity in diversity, and to foster a fast and sustainable development path for ASEAN, grounded in science, technology, and innovation, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
Party General Secretary To Lam called on the criminal police force to accelerate the application of science, technology, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation in criminal investigation tasks such as crime prevention, detection, tracking and verification, ensuring that no area remains out of their reach.
Many Koreans living, studying, and working in Hanoi see the upcoming state visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK) by Party General Secretary To Lam as an opportunity to generate strong synergy in economic cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, and cultural understanding.
The achievements of the five decades of Vietnam–Angola cooperation provide a strong and enduring foundation, as well as momentum for the two sides to consolidate, expand, and bring their partnership into a new phase of development.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed that the emulation and commendation work is a vital driver, fostering patriotism, dedication, and collective momentum in the run-up to the 11th National Patriotic Emulation Congress, Party congresses at all levels, and the 14th National Party Congress.
Emphasising the need for sustainable, long-term collaboration, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man called on Japanese investors not only to bring in capital but also to share expertise and modern technology, especially in areas such as green transformation, the circular economy, and advanced corporate governance.
President Luong Cuong's activities during his state visit to Angola, the celebration of the financial sector's 80th traditional day, and the Foreign Ministry's flag-hoisting ceremony marking the 58th founding anniversary of ASEAN are among news highlights on August 8.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung praised the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ meaningful initiative, noting that the ASEAN Family Run was not only a sporting activity but also an opportunity for diplomats and their families to show unity, connection, and solidarity within the ASEAN family.
Politburo member, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 8 attended the first congress of the Party Organisation of Tay Ho ward of Hanoi for the 2025–2030 term, during which he called for fresh momentum to turn the ward into a model that takes the lead in all fields.
The size of the economy increased from over 5 billion USD in 1986 to over 476 billion USD by 2024, making Vietnam the fourth-largest economy in Southeast Asia and the 34th largest in the world.
The ASEAN flag-hoisting ceremony is observed by the 10 ASEAN member countries on August 8 every year, aiming to spread and promote the ASEAN identity and affirm the determination to unite and cooperate for the common aspiration of long-term peace and prosperity of Southeast Asian countries under the common roof of the ASEAN Community.
Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Manh Cuong highlighted ASEAN’s nearly six decades of development, during which the region transformed from division to harmony, from confrontation to cooperation, and from poverty to dynamic growth, becoming a global bright spot for regional cooperation.
Thirty years ago, on July 28, 1995, Vietnam’s accession to ASEAN marked a historic strategic decision, opening a new chapter in the country’s integration process and beginning its strong rise.
Ambassador Vu Le Thai Hoang has outlined specific priorities and proposals for cooperation with the UNODA in preparation for the upcoming 11th Review Conference of the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).
The Vietnamese Party leader's visit is therefore expected to mark a new stage in the development of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries, with a focus on such areas as digital transformation, supply chains, semiconductors, clean energy, and maritime security, Choe assessed.
At their meeting, which took place in the Angolan capital of Luanda on August 7 as part of State President Luong Cuong’s ongoing state visit to the African nation, the two officials also agreed to make full use of existing cooperation mechanisms, particularly the Vietnam – Angola Intergovernmental Committee, and step up exchanges of delegations at all levels.
President Luong Cuong's talks with his Angolan counterrpart João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, Vietnamese leader's receptions for a delegation from the Japan – Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance, and the Government's regular meeting for July are among news highlights on August 7 evening.
Vietnamese Consul General in Khon Kaen Chu Duc Dung (R) and Governor of Nakhon Phanom Chathip Ruchanaseri exchange keepsakes at the event (Photo: VNA) 
