Vietnam-Thailand ties grow stronger, deeper, more substantive and effective

The Dong Nai City People's Committee on August 18 held a ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam-Thailand diplomatic relations (August 6, 1976 – 2026), followed by an art exchange programme. Attending and addressing the event were Le Truong Son, Member of the City Party Committee (CPC)’s Standing Board and Vice Chairman of Dong Nai People's Committee, and Wiraka Moodhitaporn, Consul General of Thailand in Ho Chi Minh City.

Le Truong Son, Member of the CPC’s Standing Board and Vice Chairman of the Dong Nai People's Committee, addresses the ceremony. Photo: Ngoc Lien

Also attending the ceremony were leaders of the CPC’s Commission for Information, Education and Mass Mobilization; representatives of departments and agencies; the Dong Nai Union of Friendship Organizations; and Thai businesses operating in Dong Nai.

Wiraka Moodhitaporn, Consul General of Thailand in Ho Chi Minh City, addresses the ceremony. Photo: Ngoc Lien

Addressing the ceremony, Consul General Wiraka Moodhitaporn said that friendship and cooperation between Thailand and Vietnam had been continuously consolidated and strengthened over the past 50 years. In particular, in 2025, the two countries officially upgraded their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. This marked an important milestone, reflecting the mutual trust, close ties and determination of the two countries to elevate bilateral relations to a new height.

Vice Chairman Le Truong Son presents a commemorative gift to Consul General Wiraka Moodhitaporn. Photo: Ngoc Lien

In 2026, Vietnam and Thailand set a goal of organizing a range of practical activities throughout the year to mark this important milestone. Notably, in late May, Party General Secretary and State President To Lam paid an official visit to Thailand, during which the two sides signed an Action Plan to implement the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for 2026-2031.

In early June 2026, just 10 days after Party General Secretary and State President To Lam's visit to Thailand, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul paid an official visit to Vietnam to attend the third ASEAN Future Forum.

Thai artists perform traditional Thai art. Photo: Ngoc Lien

For Thailand, Vietnam is not only a close friend within the ASEAN community but also an important partner, with cooperation extending across a wide range of areas, from government-to-government relations and business ties to people-to-people exchanges.

An art performance by the Dong Nai Art Theatre. Photo: Ngoc Lien

At the ceremony, Vice Chairman of the Dong Nai City People's Committee Le Truong Son stressed that since Vietnam and Thailand established diplomatic relations in 1976, bilateral ties have grown stronger, deeper and more substantive, delivering practical and effective results. The two countries have now agreed to pursue a new cooperation framework based on three major pillars: Partnership for sustainable peace, Partnership for sustainable development and Partnership for a sustainable future.

Thailand is currently among the 10 largest foreign investors in Vietnam and ranks second among ASEAN countries in terms of foreign direct investment in the country. Beyond traditional areas of cooperation, renewable energy cooperation is emerging as a new bright spot in bilateral relations.

Le Truong Son, Vice Chairman of the Dong Nai People's Committee, presents certificates of merit from the City People's Committee to outstanding collectives. Photo: Ngoc Lien

Thai investors were among the early foreign investors in Dong Nai. The city is now home to 88 Thai-invested projects with total registered capital of more than US$1.9 billion. These projects have maintained relatively stable operations, mainly in processing and manufacturing, as well as in services, retail, chemical production, mechanical engineering, plastics and animal feed production. They have contributed to job creation and local socio-economic development.

People-to-people diplomacy between Dong Nai and the Thai people has also been strengthened in recent years. In 2015, Dong Nai established the Vietnam-Thailand Friendship Association, which now has more than 150 members. During the 2021-2026 period, the Vietnam-Thailand Friendship Association in Dong Nai organized numerous cultural and people-to-people exchange activities. These activities have helped enrich and deepen ties between the people of Dong Nai and Thailand.

Vice Chairman Le Truong Son affirmed that the 50th anniversary ceremony marked an important milestone in the development of friendship and cooperation between the two countries in general and between Dong Nai and its Thai partners in particular. The ceremony not only provided an opportunity to look back on the past five decades but also marked the beginning of a new phase of cooperation, backed by stronger confidence and determination.

On the occasion, the Dong Nai People's Committee presented certificates of merit to several collectives and individuals for their outstanding achievements in socio-economic development and contributions to promoting cooperation between Dong Nai and Thai partners during the 2021-2026 period.

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