On 5 August 2016, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand hosted the reception in celebration for the 40th anniversary of Thailand – Vietnam diplomatic relations. The reception was co-chaired by H.E. Mr. Vitavas Srivihok, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ministery of Foreign Affairs of Thailand and H.E. Mr. Nguyen Tat Thanh, Ambassador of Vietnam to Thailand.

          The reception was a memorable, joyful and friendly event, representative of bilateral relations between Thailand and Vietnam that have flourished quickly in all dimensions over the past 40 years, in line of the current bilateral strategic partnership between both countries. Over 300 guests attended this special event, including prominent figures in Thailand – Vietnam bilateral relations, representatives from both Thai and Vietnamese public and private sectors, and the Vietnamese youth delegation under the familiarisation project organized by the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Ho Chi Minh City.

          At the reception, a variety of Thai and Vietnamese food as well as Thai and Vietnamese cultural troupe performances were presented. Moreover, there were raffles for return tickets between Thailand and Vietnam supported by the Vietnamese Embassy, Thai Airways and Vietnam Airlines to promote tourism between the two countries, as a means to encourage more people to people exchanges between both countries.

          On this occasion, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration led the highly prominent delegation from the People’s Committee of Hanoi, the People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City and the People’s Committee of Thua Thien Hue Province, who visited Thailand at the invitation of the Governor of Bangkok on the occasion of the 40th Anniversary of diplomatic relations to attend the event. Also, the Thai Consul-General in Ho Chi Minh City invited a delegation of Vietnamese participants in the 8th Thailand – Vietnam Youth Exchange Program to attend the reception. This is a testimony of the strong ties between Thailand and Vietnam that have flourished over the past 40 years.

          This reception is part of the celebration plan to mark the 40th anniversary of Thailand – Vietnam diplomatic relations this year. Both sides attach high importance to this special occasion and have encouraged participation by all sectors of society. Among others, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand invited students to participate in a 40th anniversary logo contest and hosted a press conference to officially launch activities to make the anniversary in January 2016. In addition, the Ministry, in cooperation with the Thailand Research Fund has supported the research project, initiated by the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Ho Chi Minh City, on special relationship between Thailand and Vietnam during Vietnam’s fight for independence by Dr. Thanyathip Sripana, an expert on Thailand – Vietnam relations, and its publication. The Ministry is also collaborating with the Institute of Asian Studies, Chulalongkorn University in organizing public seminars on 40 years of Thailand – Vietnam diplomatic relations both in and outside Bangkok.

          In Vietnam, the Royal Thai Embassy in Hanoi has organized several celebration activities, such as a Hun Lakhon Lek (traditional small puppets) performance, at Hanoi Opera House, co-organized by the Ministry of Culture of Thailand, the Office of Contemporary Art and Culture of Thailand, Thai Airways International and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vietnam in June 2016, and Thai Cultural Days in Vietnam co-organized by the Ministry of Culture of Thailand and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vietnam during 28 – 31 July 2016. The Embassy also plans to organize Thai cultural performances in Thua Thien-Hue Province in the central part of Vietnam.

          The Royal Thai Consulate-General in Ho Chi Minh City also organized a Thai village fair in Ho Chi Minh City and is collaborating with Vietnam’s Youth Union to publish Dr. Thanyathip Sripana’s biography book on Mme. Ngo Thi Hue, a prominent Vietnamese heroin who once resided in Thailand. Furthermore, Thailand Post and Vietnam Post have worked together to issue commemorative stamps. The Vietnamese side in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture of Thailand will soon organize Vietnamese cultural days in Thailand, and has published a book on the collection of photographs taken by H.R.H. Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn during H.R.H. visits to Vietnam to commemorate this special event.

          With the solid foundation of friendship, Thailand and Vietnam will join hands and move forward into the 5th decade of diplomatic relations together with unity and solidarity, in order to grow and prosper further together with stability and in a sustainable manner, and for the benefit of the peace and prosperity of our region.