At Ngoc Son Temple (Hanoi), the Thai parliamentary leader was introduced to the history of the Pen Tower, Ink Slab Pavilion, The Huc Bridge, the temple itself, and the legend of Hoan Kiem Lake and its sacred turtle.

The Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple complex was designated a Special National Relic in 2013. The lake is closely associated with the legend of Emperor Le Loi returning a magical sword after defeating foreign invaders, making it one of Hanoi's most enduring cultural and historical symbols.

Speaker Sophon Zaram offered incense at the temple and viewed the preserved specimen of the Hoan Kiem turtle during his visit.

Earlier in the day, he joined National Assembly Vice Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Thanh at the opening of the exhibition "Woven Ties: 50 Years of Thailand–Vietnam Diplomatic Relations" at the Vietnam Women's Museum.

The exhibition showcases traditional costumes and cultural heritage from both countries, highlighting the close people-to-people ties that have developed over five decades of diplomatic relations.

Speaker Sophon Zaram said the exhibition reflected the enduring friendship, mutual trust and close cooperation that Thailand and Vietnam have built over the past half-century. He noted that bilateral relations had evolved from good-neighborly ties into a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership founded on mutual respect, shared interests and a common vision for peace and prosperity.

He reaffirmed Thailand's commitment to further strengthening cooperation with Vietnam across all sectors.

Vice Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Thanh said the exhibition symbolized not only the cultural identities of the two nations but also the strong bonds connecting their peoples, legislatures and governments. She described the past 50 years as a period of remarkable growth in bilateral friendship and cooperation, with both countries becoming trusted partners and working together to build a stronger and more resilient ASEAN.

Later on the day, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung met with Speaker Sophon Zaram in Hanoi.

The Prime Minister described Thailand as a close neighbor, an important partner and a trusted friend that shares many strategic interests with Vietnam. He praised the Thai Parliament's contribution to expanding bilateral cooperation and expressed confidence that the visit would generate fresh momentum for implementing high-level agreements.

Speaker Sophon Zaram reaffirmed Thailand's strong commitment to its traditional friendship and Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Vietnam. He also praised Vietnam's socio-economic achievements and its recent efforts to streamline the state apparatus, saying Thailand was interested in learning from Vietnam's experience.

Both leaders agreed to effectively implement the Vietnam–Thailand Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Action Program for 2026–2031, with concrete cooperation in defense, security, trade, science and technology, culture, tourism and people-to-people exchanges.

They also pledged to advance the "Three Connects" strategy by strengthening supply chains, business and local government cooperation, while improving connectivity through the East–West Economic Corridor, the Southern Economic Corridor, and expanded road, air and maritime transport links.

Vietnam and Thailand reaffirmed their goal of raising bilateral trade to US$25 billion in the near term, with a longer-term ambition of reaching US$50 billion through balanced and sustainable growth.

Speaker Sophon Zaram also praised the Vietnamese community in Thailand for its contributions to local socio-economic development and its role in strengthening mutual understanding and political trust between the two countries.

Tran Thuong