Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra arrived in Hanoi on May 15 for a two-day official visit at the invitation of Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. The visit aims to strengthen the long-standing partnership between the two nations through high-level discussions and bilateral cooperation.

Soon after her arrival, Prime Minister Paetongtarn met with Vietnamese National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man. Both leaders emphasized the vast potential for economic collaboration, particularly in the digital economy, green energy, regional supply chains, and smart agriculture. They also underscored the importance of leveraging free trade agreements like the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) to meet the bilateral trade target of USD 25 billion by 2030.

Chairman Tran reaffirmed Vietnam’s commitment to creating a business-friendly environment and improving its legal framework to support innovation and sustainable development. He expressed Vietnam's readiness to collaborate with Thailand in areas of mutual strength, including high-tech agriculture and green transformation.

A key highlight of the visit is the 4th Vietnam–Thailand Joint Cabinet Meeting (JCM), which Prime Minister Paetongtarn will co-chair on May 16. This marks the first such meeting between the two countries' prime ministers in over nine years and coincides with the 20th anniversary of the JCM mechanism, a unique framework that Thailand maintains only with Vietnam. Discussions will focus on enhancing cooperation in trade, investment, and economic development.

Prime Minister Paetongtarn proposed expanding inter-parliamentary exchanges, sharing best legislative practices, and boosting connectivity through air and rail links. Both sides also agreed to deepen cultural and people-to-people ties, building on their shared values and close historical relationship.

On May 15, the two prime ministers participated in a cultural event featuring traditional Vietnamese tea, presentations on local craftsmanship, and a photo exhibition highlighting Vietnam–Thailand relations. The exhibition, with nearly 20 images, depicted key milestones in bilateral ties from the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1976 to their current status as an “Enhanced Strategic Partnership” since 2015.

This visit is Prime Minister Paetongtarn’s first to Vietnam since taking office in August 2024. It comes ahead of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties in 2026. Bilateral trade reached over USD 20.2 billion in 2024, a 6.6% increase from 2023, making Thailand Vietnam’s top trading partner within ASEAN.

Thailand is also Vietnam’s second-largest ASEAN investor, with 761 projects totaling more than USD 14.8 billion in registered capital. Local-level ties are growing, with 19 sister-city and provincial partnerships in place.

At regional and global forums, both nations regularly coordinate and support each other’s initiatives, especially within ASEAN. They advocate for regional peace, stability, and a rules-based international order, including cooperation on the South China Sea and Mekong River governance.

During this visit, Vietnam and Thailand are expected to elevate their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, joining Vietnam’s current list of 12 such partnerships, which includes major global powers and regional peers.