Prime Minister hosts welcome ceremony for Thai counterpart
This is the first visit to Vietnam by PM Paetongtarn since she took office, and also the first by a Thai Government leader in 11 years. Additionally, it marks the first joint cabinet meeting between the two countries’ prime ministers in 10 years.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (left) and Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra inspect the guard of honour in Hanoi on May 16. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) - ꦏPrime Minister Pham Minh Chinh hosted a welcome ceremony for Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and a high-ranking delegation of Thailand in Hanoi on May 16 morning.
PM Paetongtarn is paying an official visit to Vietnam, where she will also co-chair the 4th Vietnam-Thailand joint cabinet meeting.
PM Chinh and his Thai counterpart visited an exhibition featuring the land and people of the two countries and their relations, jointly organised by the Government Office and the Vietnam News Agency, before co-chairing the fourth Vietnam – Thailand Joint Cabinet Retreat.
This is the first visit to Vietnam by PM Paetongtarn since she took office, and also the first by a Thai Government leader in 11 years. Additionally, it marks the first joint cabinet meeting between the two countries’ prime ministers in 10 years.
Since the establishment of diplomatic relations on August 6, 1976, the cooperation between the two countries has grown rapidly in both scope and depth. They have maintained a strong relationship and a high level of political trust between their leaders and people. This serves as a solid and important foundation for further deepening and strengthening the bilateral ties at all levels and across all channels.
The two countries elevated their relationship to a Strategic Partnership in June 2013, becoming the first pair of ASEAN member states to establish such a partnership.
Subsequently, in 2015, the relationship was further upgraded to an “Enhanced Strategic Partnership” to promote stronger and more comprehensive cooperation. Since then, the Enhanced Strategic Partnership has made remarkable progress, achieving important, substantive, and effective outcomes.
One of the most outstanding pillars of bilateral cooperation in recent years has been economic, trade, and investment collaboration. Thailand is Vietnam’s largest trading partner in ASEAN and ranks 9th in the world. Bilateral trade reached 20.2 billion USD last year, and 3.1 billion USD in the first two months of 2025, marking a 6.2% increase compared to the same period in 2024. Both sides aim to raise their two-way trade turnover to 25 billion USD in the coming time, in a balanced and sustainable manner.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung said that the two PMs will co-chair the 4th Vietnam - Thailand joint cabinet meeting, a joint effort reflecting the high level of attention and shared determination to advance the bilateral ties. Both sides will address existing issues and chart directions for all-around cooperation./.
On the morning of 16 May, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired the official welcome ceremony for Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand Paetongtarn Shinawatra who is on an official visit to Vietnam and co-chairs the fourth Vietnam–Thailand Joint Cabinet meeting.
Since the establishment of their diplomatic relations (August 6, 1976), the friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Thailand have been continuously strengthened and expanded across all fields. In particular, after the official upgrade of their relations to a strategic partnership in 2013, the ties between the two nations have grown even deeper, reaching new heights of substance and effectiveness.
At the invitation of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra leads the high-level delegation of the Royal Thai Government to pay an official visit to Vietnam and co-chair the 4th Vietnam–Thailand Joint Cabinet Retreat on May 15 - 16, 2025. The visit provides an opportunity for both sides to review cooperation across all areas and to propose measures to further strengthen bilateral relations in the coming period.
The ambassador highlighted the longstanding, close, and warm relationship between Vietnam and Thailand, noting that this visit is significant as both sides are working together for upgrading their ties to a higher level.
The trip will be made at the invitations of Chinese Premier Li Qiang and WEF President and CEO Børge Brende, according to an announcement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Long spoke highly of the dynamic, positive, and comprehensive development of Vietnam – Russia relations in recent years. He affirmed that the Vietnamese Party and State place great importance on further strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia in a substantive and effective manner, in line with the development needs of both nations.
At the conference, participants reported that the Government has so far issued 28 decrees on the delegation of responsibilities and powers between the central Government and two-tier local administrations. Several localities have already piloted the new governance model.
Reality is the ultimate benchmark for success, he said, urging drafting agencies to work out policies that foster development, reduce bureaucratic hurdles, and respect practical conditions.
Under the official dispatch signed on June 20, ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, and chairpersons of provincial and municipal People’s Committees are requested to concentrate efforts on implementing core measures to ensure the smooth operations of the new administrative framework.
The Party chief underscored the need for the press to innovate relentlessly, evolve to keep pace with the country's development, transform into a truly professional, humanistic, and modern sector that serves the cause of the Party, the State, and the people on the path to national construction and development.
The UN Secretary-General praised Vietnam’s remarkable achievements in socio-economic development and international integration in recent years, noting that the country has emerged as a model in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), promoting international peace and security, and engaging in key UN processes.
Nghia affirmed that this is a milestone of special significance, affirming and honouring the the Vietnamese revolutionary press’s glorious tradition of 100 years of serving the revolutionary cause of the Party, serving the Fatherland, and serving the people.
The Party and State of Vietnam always attach great importance to and give top priority to the development of Vietnam–China relations. Vietnam is ready to work with the Chinese Party and State to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promote the building of the Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.
Under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the CPV, President Cuong said, the press has been a steadfast force on the ideological and cultural front, rallying the masses to pursue national aspirations.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence and smart teaching equipment, innovate teaching and assessment methods, and further improve the quality of formal education.
He also pledged that the NA will promote its ongoing supervision, making sure that every promise must lead to results, and every commitment must bring about real changes.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien welcomed the proposals put forward by the US side and reiterated Vietnam’s request for consideration of key areas of interest, including reciprocal tariff policies and access for Vietnamese key export products to the US market.
Deputy PM Le Thanh Long proposed countries promote shared values, including building trust, sincerity, and solidarity among nations and peoples; fostering cooperation spirit and responsible behaviour as well as upholding international law and the UN Charter; and placing people at the centre and as the goal, the key player, and the driving force of all policies.
The show, together with a grand parade to be held silmutaneously at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution, the National Day, and the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA).
In particular, in April 2023, the two sides successfully carried out a joint operation that dismantled a major organised, transnational drug trafficking ring involving both Vietnamese and Cambodian suspects.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel is closely coordinating with relevant local agencies to stay informed and provide the utmost support possible for Vietnamese nationals.
The launch of Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, even before the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam, is considered a testament to President Ho Chi Minh’s strategic foresight and strong belief in the guiding power of the revolutionary media.
