Dong Nai helps strengthen Vietnam-Thailand ties (Final part)

Part 1: Five decades of building comprehensive bilateral ties

Part 2: Building a favorable environment for cooperation

Final part: Strengthening ties for shared development

During Party General Secretary and State President To Lam's recent official visit to Thailand, the two sides signed an action program to implement the comprehensive strategic partnership for 2026-2031.

Workers at Lighting & Equipment (Vietnam) Co., Ltd. in Amata Industrial Park (IP).

The agreement marks an important step forward, laying a foundation for Vietnam and Thailand to strengthen strategic cooperation, coordinate more closely on regional and international issues, and contribute to peace, stability and development in ASEAN. To translate these commitments into concrete action, Dong Nai is stepping up efforts to deepen ties and expand cooperation with Thai localities and businesses.

Investors' expectations

As they invest and operate in Dong Nai, many Thai businesses hope to strengthen ties with local authorities and receive greater support from them.

Kongwit Lertwisestheerakun, Deputy Director of Auromex Vietnam Co., Ltd. in Amata IP, said Thai businesses investing in Dong Nai benefit from the free trade agreements to which Vietnam and Thailand are parties. For example, Auromex Vietnam enjoys tariff preferences when importing goods from Thailand and exporting products to other countries under ASEAN's free trade agreements with its partners. Vietnam's skilled workforce, ranging from production workers and engineers to senior managers, is another advantage, helping businesses meet their staffing needs.

However, Kongwit Lertwisestheerakun said businesses have recently faced difficulties due to changes in laws and the introduction of new regulations in Vietnam. Foreign-invested companies such as Auromex therefore have to closely monitor and update themselves on new legal requirements to ensure compliance. The company hopes local authorities will provide timely and clear guidance on the implementation of new laws and regulations, enabling businesses to maintain smooth operations and ensuring a stable and predictable investment environment.

During his visit to Thailand in late May 2026, General Secretary and State President To Lam called on the two sides to quickly establish a joint working group to develop plans for effectively implementing the important “three connections” strategy: supply-chain connectivity; connectivity among businesses and localities; and connectivity in sustainable development strategies. He also called for stronger transport and logistics links and expanded cooperation in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, digital transformation, the digital economy, the green economy, innovation and a just energy transition.

Ekkalak Borimasporn, General Director of Lighting & Equipment (Vietnam) Co., Ltd. in Amata IP, said Dong Nai enjoys favorable geographical conditions and well-developed transport infrastructure. Its industrial and supporting-industry ecosystem also enables investors to easily find input suppliers and build supply chains, thereby increasing localization rates. As a result, goods exported to countries with which Vietnam has free trade agreements can enjoy preferential tariffs. Dong Nai also has a large workforce, allowing newly established and expanding businesses to recruit skilled workers. The city has also introduced various policies to support businesses through administrative reforms aimed at simplifying procedures and shortening processing times.

The city also regularly holds dialogues with businesses to address their concerns and resolve difficulties. These efforts give businesses greater confidence in investing and expanding production, encouraging them to establish long-term operations in Dong Nai. At the same time, foreign businesses investing in Dong Nai may encounter differences in culture, customs and practices, which can affect communication, personnel management and relationships with customers and partners. However, regular interaction between local agencies and businesses has helped companies better understand the local culture, create a favorable working environment and improve business efficiency.

Strengthening external relations and attracting investment

Tran Thuy Tien, Standing Vice Chairwoman of Dong Nai Union of Friendship Organizations (DNUFO), said the union considers consolidating and developing Vietnam-Thailand friendship an important task in its people-to-people diplomacy efforts. Accordingly, the DNUFO will continue to serve as a bridge linking local authorities, friendship organizations, businesses and the Thai community in Dong Nai. It will expand its membership, encourage Thai businesses to join the organization, and study the establishment of friendship chapters within Thai companies.

The DNUFO also aims to strengthen its role as a bridge for promoting investment and cooperation. Through its network of partners, businesses and members of the Thai community, it will coordinate with relevant authorities to introduce Dong Nai's potential, strengths and investment environment, helping attract more Thai businesses and investors, particularly projects aligned with the city's priorities in green growth, high technology, supporting industries and sustainable development.

Tran Thuy Tien stressed: “One issue we are particularly focused on is encouraging foreign-invested businesses, including Thai companies, to fulfill their social responsibilities. The DNUFO will continue to connect businesses with local authorities and encourage them to contribute to education, healthcare, social welfare, environmental protection and community development.”

Regarding external relations, Nguyen Viet Thang, Deputy Director of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DoFA), said that, in response to the special 500-day-and-night emulation campaign themed “Solidarity – Discipline – Efficiency – Breakthrough for a civilized and modern Dong Nai,” the department has advised the City People's Committee to consider renewing its cooperation agreement with Thailand's Chonburi province in areas of mutual interest and in line with the two sides' respective strengths. The DoFA will also proactively advise on and seek approval for timely people-to-people exchanges and cultural diplomacy activities, organize delegations for visits and working sessions, and facilitate the exchange of information between businesses in the two localities, thereby strengthening trade and service cooperation. These efforts are expected to deepen ties between Dong Nai and Thailand and produce practical results. They will also strengthen solidarity and friendship between the peoples of the two countries while expanding cooperation in the fields of economy, investment, trade, education and training, culture and tourism.

Regarding economic diplomacy, speaking at a meeting with Thai Ambassador to Vietnam Urawadee Sriphiromya in late 2025, then Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee (now City Party Committee) Vo Tan Duc said Dong Nai hopes that meetings and information exchanges will give the Thai Embassy and Thai businesses a better understanding of the city. This, he said, would help open up new opportunities for cooperation and development between Dong Nai and Thai partners and localities.

The Thai Embassy in Vietnam is expected to continue serving as an effective bridge, helping introduce Thai partners and businesses to Dong Nai to explore investment opportunities in the city in the coming period. With the motto “government accompanies businesses,” Dong Nai pledges to continue creating favorable conditions for foreign investors in general and businesses and investors in particular throughout their investment and business activities, with a shared goal of sustainable, effective and long-term development.

By N. Lien – Translated by M.Nguyet, Thu Ha