Vietnamese and Thai Officials Call for Deeper Supply Chain and Local Economic Cooperation

The Vietnamese Embassy in Thailand held a seminar in Bangkok on November 11 to mark 50 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Phạm Việt Hùng said their decision to elevate relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in May 2025 had given momentum to deeper cooperation. He said economic, trade and investment cooperation should focus on building stronger ties between businesses and supply chains, helping both economies withstand global volatility.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Phạm Việt Hùng.（VietVance）

Thai Deputy Foreign Minister Vijavat Isarabhakdi proposed advancing cooperation through “three connections” at the seminar. The first is to connect supply chains through transport infrastructure, logistics and cross-border transport via Laos, while expanding cooperation in high-value-added fields such as aircraft maintenance, information technology, artificial intelligence and semiconductors.

The second is to strengthen local economic ties. He noted that the two countries have 20 twinning agreements and about 250 direct flights a week; Thai Airways plans to launch a Bangkok–Da Nang route on December 1, 2026. The third concerns sustainable development, the digital economy and cross-border finance. As examples, he cited 37 renewable energy projects by Thai investors in Vietnam, with total investment of about US$2.64 billion, and a bilateral QR code payment system.

Participating businesses and scholars also discussed supplier networks, technology transfer, workforce training and green trade. The seminar addressed the goal of bringing bilateral trade to US$25 billion soon. The two countries established diplomatic relations on August 6, 1976, and will mark their 50th anniversary in 2026.

Source: VietVance