The Thai and Vietnamese governments joyfully move forward toward the 50th anniversary of "Growing Together," witnessing the signing of four key cooperation agreements to accelerate progress in economy, technology, and future industries.
On 28 May 2026 at 11:35 a.m. at the Government House, Ms. Ratchada Thanadirek, spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, announced that Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul and H.E. Mr. To Lam, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam and President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, jointly witnessed the exchange of memoranda of understanding and key cooperation documents between Thailand and Vietnam. They then co-chaired the launch ceremony of the emblem marking the 50th anniversary of Thai-Vietnamese relations and held a joint press conference. The atmosphere during the plenary talks and ceremonies was warm and joyful, reflecting the strong friendship and close ties between Thailand and Vietnam, as well as demonstrating the shared commitment of both leaders to continue and elevate cooperation across all dimensions for the sustainable benefit of their peoples.
Both sides jointly witnessed the exchange ceremony of four memoranda of understanding and cooperation documents, which included:
1. The Plan of Action for Implementing the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Thailand and Vietnam for 2026–2031.
2. The Exchange of Diplomatic Notes between the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation of Thailand and the Ministry of Science and Technology of Vietnam confirming these ministries as the lead agencies responsible for implementing and coordinating cooperation under the bilateral agreement on science, technology, and innovation.
3. A Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation for developing an aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) center.
This MOU is between the Eastern Economic Corridor Office (EECO) and Vietjet Group regarding the MRO Center at U-Tapao International Airport.
4. A Memorandum of Understanding between the Academy of Public Administration and Governance of Vietnam and Khon Kaen University.
Following this, the Prime Minister and the Vietnamese President co-chaired the launch of the emblem commemorating 50 years of diplomatic relations between Thailand and Vietnam, themed "Growing Together." This marks the upcoming 50th anniversary on 6 August 2026. The emblem symbolizes the long-standing friendship, shared growth, and strong cooperation between the two countries, featuring the number “5” representing continuous progress and development, and “0” symbolizing stability and unity, guiding both nations toward a sustainable future together.
After the launch ceremony, both leaders held a joint press conference summarizing the key points as follows:
The Prime Minister expressed his pleasure that the Vietnamese President chose Thailand as his first ASEAN country visit after taking office, reflecting the close friendship and relations between the two countries, especially during the 50th anniversary year of diplomatic relations. Both leaders jointly launched the emblem celebrating this milestone and witnessed the signing and exchange of the Plan of Action under the comprehensive strategic partnership between their foreign ministries, setting clear and concrete directions for future cooperation.
The Vietnamese President expressed his delight in officially visiting Thailand during this important 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations and thanked the Thai government and people for their warm and honorable welcome. He praised Thailand's achievements in economic and social development and expressed confidence that Thailand will successfully implement its strategic and development plans. He also commended Thailand's key role in promoting regional cooperation and strengthening the ASEAN community, emphasizing Vietnam's strong commitment to developing its relationship with Thailand and its readiness to cooperate closely to promote peace, stability, and shared prosperity in the region.
Additionally, both sides held plenary discussions covering the following topics:
1. Politics and security: Both parties agreed to enhance military cooperation, crime prevention, and suppression of transnational crimes, especially online scams and combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. They reaffirmed the principle that neither side allows its territory to be used for political activities against the other and committed to actively implementing the ASEAN Extradition Treaty. They also emphasized ASEAN's central role in addressing regional challenges.
2. Economy: Both sides recognized the need to strengthen close cooperation to address global economic uncertainties. They planned to open a Thai-Vietnam business seminar later that day and set a goal to raise bilateral trade to 25 billion USD annually as soon as possible, along with continuing to promote mutual investment. They also witnessed the exchange of an MOU between Vietjet and the EEC to study the feasibility of investing in an aircraft maintenance center within the EEC.
Thailand and Vietnam will jointly promote the "Three Connects" strategy to boost the competitiveness of both countries, including linking supply chains in future industries, connecting local economies, and linking green strategies, with an emphasis on cooperation in energy security.
3. Science, technology, and innovation: They welcomed the exchange of diplomatic notes between their science agencies to promote knowledge sharing in space technology, satellites, semiconductors, biotechnology, and agricultural technology. They also discussed regional and international developments. The Prime Minister proposed that Thailand and Vietnam, as the two largest economies in the Mekong subregion, jointly play a constructive and sustainable role in regional development.
At the end, the Vietnamese President invited the Prime Minister to visit Vietnam at the earliest opportunity, while the Prime Minister emphasized that these discussions will further strengthen the stable growth of Thai-Vietnamese relations over the past 50 years, under close cooperation between government and private sectors of both countries to bring mutual benefits to their peoples.
