PM Pham Minh Chinh and PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra meet on the sidelines of the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits held in Vientiane, Laos, in October 2024.
As part of the visit, the two leaders will co-chair the fourth Vietnam–Thailand Joint Cabinet Meeting, the Ministry announced in a press communique on May 12.
The visit follows a meeting between PM Pham Minh Chinh and PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra on the sidelines of the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits held in Vientiane, Laos, in October 2024.
During their discussion, the two leaders expressed satisfaction with the positive development of the amicable and strategic partnership between Vietnam and Thailand. They agreed to enhance high-level and all-level exchanges, and instructed relevant agencies to effectively implement existing bilateral cooperation mechanisms.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to the Vietnam–Thailand Enhanced Strategic Partnership Action Plan 2022–2027, aiming for stronger collaboration across a range of sectors.
One of the key targets is to raise bilateral trade to USD25 billion in a balanced manner, through reducing trade barriers, expanding market access, resolving obstacles, and promoting trade and investment ties between the two countries.
The two leaders also emphasized the importance of implementing the "Three Connectivity" Strategy, particularly in areas such as supply chain integration, transportation, digital economy, green economy, and energy transition. They agreed to establish a joint working group to develop the strategy's framework and concrete action plans.
Additionally, the two countries will look to broaden cooperation in promising fields such as economic development, tourism, transportation, intermodal connectivity, and local-level partnerships. They will also work with other relevant countries to pilot the “Six Countries, One Destination” tourism cooperation initiative.
PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra reaffirmed Vietnam's significance as one of Thailand’s key partners in Southeast Asia and expressed her desire to elevate bilateral relations to a new level in the near future.
Vietnam and Thailand established diplomatic ties in 1976 and elevated their relationship to an Enhanced Strategic Partnership in 2019. The two nations maintain a wide range of cooperative mechanisms, including political and defence dialogues and joint cabinet meetings aimed at strengthening bilateral collaboration.
Thailand is currently Vietnam’s largest trading partner within ASEAN. Bilateral trade reached USD20.18 billion in 2023, a 6.4 percent increase year-on-year. Thailand also ranks as Vietnam’s ninth-largest foreign investor, with total registered investment exceeding USD14 billion as of the end of last year. Both sides are targeting USD25 billion in bilateral trade turnover by 2025.
Vietnam and Thailand also coordinate closely in multilateral forums such as ASEAN, the United Nations, and APEC, as well as regional sub-mechanisms like the Mekong–Lancang Cooperation. Their joint efforts focus on advancing sustainable development in fields including renewable energy, the digital economy, and e-commerce.
The upcoming joint cabinet meeting is expected to enhance cooperation between ministries, sectors, and localities from both countries, and address strategic issues in the bilateral agenda.