PM to visit Vietnam next week

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is scheduled to pay a two-day official visit to Vietnam next week to strengthen and upgrade bilateral ties, according to informed sources.

The sources said that Thailand and Vietnam are expected to elevate their relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership during the visit.

Vietnam has already established similar ties with Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia. Thailand was initially scheduled to proceed with the upgrade last June, but the visit was postponed by then Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin.

During the visit, Prime Minister Paetongtarn will hold talks with her Vietnamese counterpart, Pham Minh Chinh. She will also pay courtesy calls on Communist Party Secretary-General To Lam, State President Luong Cuong, and National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man. Additionally, she will attend the 4th Thailand-Vietnam Joint Cabinet Retreat.

Over the past 48 years, the Thai-Vietnamese partnership has matured significantly. The upcoming upgrade to a comprehensive strategic partnership marks a milestone, reflecting mutual respect, trust, and deepening cooperation in areas such as the economy and cultural exchange.

“It is a new milestone for the two countries,” said one of the sources, who requested anonymity.

U.S. tariffs—36 percent on Thai exports and 46 percent on Vietnamese exports, imposed under former President Donald Trump—have impacted both economies. This issue is expected to be high on the agenda during the bilateral discussions, the sources added.

The two countries established a strategic partnership in 2013, which was upgraded to a "Strengthened Strategic Partnership" in 2019.

Thailand is Vietnam’s largest trading partner in ASEAN, accounting for 24 percent of ASEAN trade with Vietnam. In the first 10 months of last year, bilateral trade reached US$16.6 billion—a 5.1 percent increase year-on-year. During the same period, Thailand recorded a trade surplus of US$3.6 billion.

In a related development, the Thai Cabinet has approved 30 projects worth 16.4 billion baht in the Northeast region of Thailand, home to a large Thai-Vietnamese community. The visit will also include discussions on digital innovation, renewable energy, and tourism cooperation.

Thailand’s "Six Countries, One Destination" tourism initiative has received strong support from Vietnam.

Vietnam recently marked the 50th anniversary of its reunification.

Vice Foreign Minister Dr Lalivan Kanchanachari attended the commemorative event in Ho Chi Minh City and held talks with Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Manh Cuong on regional and global issues.