Thailand and Vietnam have long enjoyed friendly relations as close neighbors, even before the two countries established diplomatic ties on 6 August 1976. The year 2026 marks a new chapter: the 50th anniversary of Thailand-Vietnam diplomatic relations.

To commemorate this occasion, Mr. To Lam, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam and President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, accompanied by his spouse, is paying an official visit to Thailand on 27-28 May 2026 as guests of the Thai government.

Vietnam and Thailand elevated their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in May 2025. They have agreed to expedite the finalization of a Plan of Action to implement the Thailand-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Advancing the partnership is a major topic of discussion between Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and the General Secretary and President on 28 May at Government House. On the same day, Vietnam's President and General Secretary of the Communist Party will preside over the opening ceremony of the Thailand-Vietnam Business Forum at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Bangkok.

He will also be granted an audience with Their Majesties the King and Queen at Amphorn Sathan Residential Hall on 28 May at 17.00 hr. This is Mr. To Lam’s first official visit to Thailand since assuming the position of President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in April 2026. After Thailand, he will visit Singapore and the Philippines.

In international trade, Vietnam is Thailand’s sixth-largest trading partner and the second in ASEAN, while Thailand is Vietnam’s seventh-largest trading partner and the first in ASEAN. In 2025, bilateral trade between them reached 23.6 billion US dollars, an increase of 13 percent over 2024. Thailand gained a trade surplus of 1.9 billion dollars with Vietnam. Both sides aim to achieve 25 billion dollars in two-way trade soon.

They have agreed to jointly advance the “Three Connects” strategy toward tangible outcomes. The strategy focuses on integrating the two nations' economies through (1) connecting supply chains, (2) connecting local economies, and (3) connecting sustainable development.

The friendship between the two countries has grown from strength to strength, and they have steadily deepened cooperation over the past decade. The celebration of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations also marks a new era of Thai-Vietnamese relations and cooperation.