Minister of National Defence receives Thai ambassador
Vietnam always attaches importance to its relations with neighbouring and ASEAN countries, including comprehensive cooperation with Thailand, Minister of National Defence General Phan Van Giang said at a reception for newly-appointed Thai Ambassador to Vietnam Nikonrndej Balankura in Hanoi on November 18.
Minister of National Defence Gen. Phan Van Giang (R) receives Thai Ambassador Nikonrndej Balankura in Hanoi on November 18. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam always attaches importance to its relations with neighbouring and ASEAN countries, includingcomprehensive cooperation with Thailand, Minister of National Defence General Phan Van Giang said at a reception for newly-appointed ThaiAmbassador to Vietnam Nikonrndej Balankura in Hanoi on November 18.
Giang expressed his delight at the growing relationship between Vietnam and Thailand in all fields from economy, trade and culture todefence and security.
He spoke highly of the Thai government's efforts in effectivelycontrolling the COVID-19 pandemic, and lauded the role, position and positive contributions ofThailand in regional issues, especially in cooperation mechanisms within theASEAN framework.
Giang expressed his hope that Thailand will continue to promote its role instrengthening intra-bloc unity, maintaining ASEAN’s central role andbuilding the ASEAN Community, while coordinating with other ASEAN membercountries in maintaining the bloc's common stance on regional issues and in ensuring peace, stability, adherence to international law, security, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea.
The minister affirmed that over the years, defenceties between Vietnam and Thailand have been maintained and reinforced,bringing practical efficiency, with the focus placed on the exchange of delegations, especiallyhigh-level ones.
The two countries have effectively maintained cooperationmechanisms such as defence policy dialogue, joint working group on military-defencecooperation, bilateral naval consultation, and joint working group on air forcecooperation, as well as collaboration among armed services and strategic researchagencies.
Giang hoped that the Thai ambassador will continue paying due attention to promoting ties between the two countries, including defence cooperation,thus contributing to deepening the Vietnam-Thailand intensive strategic partnershipfor the interests of both countries and the region.
For his part, Nikonrndej congratulated Vietnam onsuccessfully controlling COVID-19, and thanked the Ministry of National Defence of Vietnam forcreating the best conditions for Thailand’s defence attaché to completing all assigned tasks.
He pledged to work hard to promote the relations between thetwo countries in a deeper and stronger manner in all fields, including defence cooperation. Heunderlined that defence and security will continue to be a pillar for thedevelopment of the bilateral strategic partnership./.
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 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).
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with President of the US Joe Biden, President of the Republic of Korea (RoK) Moon Jae-in, Prime Minister of Thailand Prayut Chan-o-cha, and the Chairperson and CEO of the Global Environment Fund (GEF) in Glasgow, the UK, on late November 1 (UK time).
The Government of Thailand has presented medial supplies worth 2.5 million THB (75,000 USD) to help Vietnam in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
Party General Secretary To Lam and his spouse Ngo Phuong Ly, along with a high-ranking delegation of Vietnam arrived in Seongnam Air Base in Seoul on August 10 afternoon (local time), beginning a state visit to the Republic of Korea from August 10-13.
General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee To Lam and his spouse Ngo Phuong Ly departed from Hanoi on August 10 morning for a four-day state visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK), which is made at an invitation of RoK President Lee Jae Myung.
As part of the ASEAN Day celebrations, the Vietnamese embassy will also host the ASEAN Family Day 2025 in Ottawa to foster solidarity and community spirit among ASEAN members in Canada.
State President Luong Cuong’s trip once again reaffirmed the Party and State’s foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, diversification and multilateralisation of relations. It also reflected the strong trend of enhanced cooperation among countries of the Global South in shaping a new, more multipolar, fair and equitable world order.
The outcomes of Party General Secretary To Lam's visit will serve as a driving force and source of inspiration for the two countries to inherit, promote, and elevate their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, contributing to the national construction and development cause in each country, and to peace, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 9 inspected the construction site of the new Phong Chau bridge, and surveyed a planned route for the Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong railway section running through the northern province of Phu Tho.
Across print, broadcast, and online platforms, Angolan media portrayed State President Luong Cuong's visit as a warm and historic occasion, strengthening bilateral ties and boosting Vietnam’s presence in Africa through the AU.
The 500kV Lao Cai – Vinh Yen power transmission line has a total investment of over 7.41 trillion VND (282.5 million USD), and a total length of 229.5 km, passing through 31 communes in the two provinces, and comprising 468 transmission tower foundations.
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.
Minister of National Defence Gen. Phan Van Giang (R) receives Thai Ambassador Nikonrndej Balankura in Hanoi on November 18. (Photo: VNA) 
