At the invitation of H.E. General Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister of Thailand, H.E. Mr. Nguyen Xuan Phuc, President of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, and Madam Tran Nguyet Thu paid an official visit to Thailand as guests of the Royal Thai Government on 16 November 2022 prior to attending the Asia - Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Bangkok.
 
This is the first visit to Thailand by President of Viet Nam since he assumed the Presidency in April 2021 and the first official visit to Thailand by the Head of State of Viet Nam in 24 years.
 
The Prime Minister of Thailand and the President of Viet Nam held extensive discussions on a broad range of issues covering all dimensions of Thailand – Viet Nam relations in an atmosphere of trust, sincerity and cordiality at the Government House. The two leaders welcomed the commemoration of the tenth anniversary of Strategic Partnership between the two countries in 2023 and agreed to open a new chapter of a stronger Strategic Partnership in all fronts to promote peace, stability and mutual prosperity. A Joint Statement was issued following the discussion.
 
The two leaders agreed that, as two major economies of Southeast Asia with immense potential, Thailand and Viet Nam will synergise their strengths to achieve a sustainable recovery from impacts of COVID-19 pandemic. Such efforts will help accelerate economic integration and development of the Mekong Sub-region, at the heart of thriving East Asia.
 
The two leaders agreed that, as two active and constructive players in regional and international affairs, Thailand and Viet Nam will join efforts to promote peace, stability and development in the Mekong Sub-region, ASEAN and the broader region.
 
On poltical and security cooperation, the two leaders noted with appreciation their excellent bilateral relations and supported regular exchange of high-level visits and among relevant agencies to build upon strategic trust and common interests between the two countries. Both leaders tasked defence and security agencies to intensify cooperation within existing frameworks to jointly tackle emerging security issues of mutual concerns, including maritime security, cyber security and transnational crimes.
 
On economic cooperation, the two leaders agreed to accelerate economic partnership in all areas with an aim to achieve the bilateral trade target set at USD 25 billion by 2025. In this regard, both sides would expedite trade facilitation, such as import-export procedures, reduce trade barriers, and facilitate cross-border trade and transit of goods to third countries. Both sides also agreed to cooperate in new areas of economic opportunities, especially digital economy and green economy which both countries have immense potentials.
 
President Phuc spoke highly of Thai investment in Viet Nam and pledged to extend full support and protection to Thai investors in Viet Nam. At the same time, Prime Minister Prayut welcomed the growing interest of Vietnamese investors in Thailand and expressed his hope to see more investment from Viet Nam in Thailand in the near future, as well as more business synergy between Thailand and Viet Nam.
 
Looking ahead, the two leaders expressed their commitment to further enhance Thailand – Viet Nam economic partnership through the “Three Connects” strategy, namely (1) Connecting the two countries’ complementary supply chains; (2) Connecting the two countries’ grassroots economies, especially MSMEs and local businesses; and (3) Connecting sustainable growth strategies between Thailand’s Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) Economy Model and Viet Nam’s Green Growth Strategy.
 
On people-to-people cooperation, both leaders were pleased with the strong bond between the the peoples of the two countries, and agreed to further enhance cooperation in the fields of culture, education, tourism and people-to-people connectivities which would deepen mutual understanding and appreciation of the bilateral relations.
 
President Phuc expressed appreciation for Thailand’s development programmes, including those in areas of agriculture, fishery, sustainable development and teaching Thai language. The two leaders also agreed to support the role of Friendship Associations and provincial cooperation frameworks to promote closer people-to-people ties.
 
On sub-regional and regional cooperation, the two leaders stressed the importance of coordinating their positions on issues of mutual concern, the current and future challenges in sub-regional, regional and multilateral frameworks. Both sides will continue to promote ASEAN’s unity, centrality and efforts in addressing challenges such as Myanmar, South China Sea and impacts from current geopolitical challenges.
 
After the meeting, the two leaders witnessed the signing of five documents, namely (1) Plan of Action on Implementing the Thailand – Viet Nam Strengthened Strategic Partnership 2022 -2027; (2) Agreement on Mutual Judicial Assistance between the Kingdom of Thailand and the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam; (3) Memorandum of Understanding on the Establishment of Sister City Relationship Between Khon Kaen Province, the Kingdom of Thailand and Da Nang City, the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam; (4) Memorandum of Understanding Between the Board of Trade of Thailand and Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry; and (5) Bilateral Trade and Investment Facilitation Agreement between Export-Import Bank of Thailand and Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Foreign Trade of Viet Nam (Vietcombank).
 
On 17 November 2022, President Phuc met with H.E. Mr. Chuan Leekpai, President of  the National Assembly and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chairman of Thailand - Viet Nam Friendship Association and a group of leading Thai business executives. He presided over opening of the Thailand – Viet Nam Business Forum, the “Vietnamese Week in Thailand 2022” exhibition, and the launching ceremony of the Thailand and Viet Nam Cross-border QR Payment Linkage. He also met with the Vietnamese community in Thailand as well as Thai people of Vietnamese descent.