Mr. Sophon Zaram, President of the National Assembly and Speaker of the House of Representatives, stated that his official visit to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam on 5-7 August 2026 proved highly successful, reflecting the proactive role of the legislative branch in advancing Thai-Vietnamese relations.

The visit was at the invitation of Chairman of the National Assembly of Vietnam Tran Thanh Man. It was meant not only to commemorate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Thailand and Vietnam, but also to translate their longstanding friendship into tangible opportunities for economic cooperation and regional security, according to Mr. Sophon.

Both sides agreed to strengthen inter-parliamentary cooperation and exchanged views on Vietnam’s efforts to develop future-oriented industries. They were also of the view that parliamentary cooperation is a key pillar of bilateral relations, helping to strengthen political trust.

Mr. Sophon emphasized that fostering good relations among countries in the region and avoiding confrontation would contribute to peace and stability in the wider international community. 

He also highlighted the role of the legislative branch in pushing forward laws and measures that support the two countries’ goal of increasing bilateral trade to more than US$25 billion by 2027. In this regard, Vietnam was urged to continue facilitating operations for Thai investors in Vietnam, while Thailand affirmed that it would likewise support Vietnamese investors.

The Thai delegation also learned Vietnam’s public administration reform model, particularly its experience in reducing duplication and streamlining government operations. The two sides also discussed cooperation in addressing drug-related challenges, with Thailand seeking to draw relevant lessons for the further development of its policies and legislation.

Mr. Sophon added that the visit demonstrated how “legislative diplomacy” can help enhance bilateral cooperation, strengthen regional stability, and deliver tangible benefits to the peoples of both countries.

During his visit to Vietnam, he also attended the opening ceremony of the exhibition "Woven Ties – 50 Years of Thailand-Viet Nam Diplomatic Relations," organized jointly by the Royal Thai Embassy and the Vietnamese Women's Museum.