Thai and Vietnamese leaders jointly celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations at the Thailand-Vietnam Business Forum 2026, aiming to push bilateral trade value beyond 50 billion U.S. dollars while highlighting a strategy for sustainable mutual growth.
The Thailand–Vietnam Friendship Association organized the event. Thailand–Vietnam Business Forum 2026. Under the theme. “Growing Together.” Officially supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and leading partners including the Thai Chamber of Commerce, the Thai-Vietnam Business Council, and the Thai Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam, the forum celebrated the 50th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between Thailand and Vietnam and aimed to elevate economic cooperation towards sustainable regional growth. The event was honored by high-level leaders from both countries: H.E. Mr. Tô Lâm, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam and President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, and Anutin Charnvirakul, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior of Thailand, who shared their visions for the future of Thai-Vietnamese cooperation amid a large gathering of government leaders, senior executives, investors, and top private sector representatives from both countries at the ballroom of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Bangkok.
This event marks a significant chapter in Thai-Vietnamese relations, demonstrating cooperation between the public and private sectors of both countries to advance their relationship from friendship to a strategic economic partnership. It provided a platform for businesses to exchange views, network, and develop concrete collaborations in key economic sectors of both nations.
H.E. Mr. Tô Lâm, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam and President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, said that in today's world, no country can grow in isolation. Thailand and Vietnam must move forward together to build economic strength and contribute significantly to sustainable ASEAN development. Vietnam, with a population exceeding 100 million, is rapidly growing as a key production and industrial base in the region. Meanwhile, Thailand has expertise in various industries including automotive, food, energy, trade, and services, along with a strong and highly capable private sector. Therefore, Thailand and Vietnam can combine their strengths to jointly develop supply chains, connect production bases, and become major production and export hubs in the region for the mutual benefit of both countries and ASEAN as a whole.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, stated that currently Thailand is Vietnam's top trade partner in ASEAN, while Vietnam ranks second as a trade partner of Thailand within ASEAN. Bilateral trade is around 24 billion U.S. dollars, with a short-term target of 25 billion U.S. dollars. Looking ahead, they should jointly strive to increase trade to 50 billion U.S. dollars. Thailand has substantial investments in Vietnam and hopes to see more Vietnamese businesses invest in Thailand as well. Given the similar economic sizes, they are not competitors but partners growing together. Importantly, their economies are deeply interconnected—over half of Thailand's exports to Vietnam are raw materials and parts used in Vietnam's manufacturing for export. This shows that their economic relationship is not just competition but shared growth through a common supply chain, truly embodying the meaning of a Strategic Partnership.
Sanan Angubolkul, President of the Thailand–Vietnam Friendship Association and Senior Chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce and the Thai Chamber of Commerce Council, said that this event reflects the commitment of both countries to drive cooperation through the “Three Connects” concept: connecting modern supply chains and economies, linking businesses, localities, and people, and connecting towards a sustainable future with technology and innovation. A key highlight was the Vietnamese President providing Thai private sector representatives one-on-one meetings to hear directly about challenges, obstacles, and suggestions, which will help promote tangible cooperation in trade, investment, and economic integration. He expressed confidence that with the potential of both countries and the leadership of Thai-Vietnamese business leaders, the trade target of 25 billion U.S. dollars can be achieved soon. He reaffirmed that the Thailand–Vietnam Friendship Association and the Thai private sector network stand ready to be a bridge for cooperation between the business communities and peoples of both countries.
The Thailand–Vietnam Business Forum 2026 included discussions and strategic exchanges across multiple dimensions such as trade, investment, value chain connectivity, digital economy transition, logistics development, and enhancing cooperation in key industries of both countries. It featured high-level business executive panels, business matching activities, and signing ceremonies of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) between Thai and Vietnamese private sectors—marking an important step toward practical cooperation to boost competitiveness and expand economic opportunities in the ASEAN region.
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