A special aircraft carrying Prime Minister Anutin, his spouse and a high-level Thai delegation landed at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi. The visit is being made at the invitation of Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung.

The delegation includes Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow; Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas; Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun; Minister attached to the Prime Minister’s Office Paradorn Prissananantakul; Defence Minister Adul Boonthumjaroen; Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul; Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit; Energy Minister Akanat Promphan; Industry Minister Varawut Silpa-archa; and Thai Ambassador to Vietnam Urawadee Sriphiromya.

Minister of Ethnic and Religious Affairs Nguyen Dinh Khang welcomed the Thai Prime Minister and his spouse upon their arrival at the airport. Also present were Deputy Foreign Minister Le Anh Tuan, Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung, Thai Ambassador to Vietnam Urawadee Sriphiromya, and representatives of several departments under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Later today, Prime Minister Anutin will attend an official welcoming ceremony hosted by Prime Minister Le Minh Hung at the Government Headquarters. The two leaders are scheduled to hold talks, witness the signing and exchange of cooperation documents, and discuss measures to further strengthen bilateral relations. The Thai Prime Minister will also meet with senior Vietnamese leaders and take part in a series of other important activities.

Prime Minister Anutin is also expected to attend the opening session of the ASEAN Future Forum on Tuesday morning.

Coming shortly after the late-May visit to Thailand by Party General Secretary and State President To Lam, Prime Minister Anutin’s trip reflects the importance Thailand attaches to cooperation with Vietnam, as well as Bangkok’s determination to further deepen the friendship and Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries.

Vietnam and Thailand are two influential members of ASEAN and share common goals in sustainable development, digital transformation, green transition, and addressing both traditional and non-traditional security challenges.

The visit provides an opportunity for leaders of the two countries to exchange views, share experiences and propose initiatives to address challenges facing not only their respective nations but also the wider region.

Vietnam and Thailand remain among each other’s most important partners in Southeast Asia. The two countries share many similarities and possess strong potential to become major global manufacturing hubs.

Thailand is Vietnam’s largest trading partner within ASEAN and the eighth-largest foreign investor in the country, while Vietnam is Thailand’s second-largest trading partner in the bloc. Bilateral trade has reached nearly USD 24 billion.

Both countries are working toward raising two-way trade to USD 25 billion in a balanced and sustainable manner, while accelerating licensing procedures and expanding market access for a range of promising agricultural products.

People-to-people exchanges continue to serve as a solid foundation for bilateral ties, with tourist arrivals between the two countries recording significant growth in recent years.

Tran Thuong