Vietnamese PM welcomes Thai counterpart Shinawatra in Hanoi

The Presidential Palace was adorned with the national flags of Vietnam and Thailand, while children lined the walkway waving the two countries’ flags in anticipation of the visiting leader.

Shinawatra arrived in Hanoi at noon on Thursday at the invitation of her Vietnamese counterpart.

On Friday, the Thai prime minister paid tribute at the Monument to Heroes and Martyrs and laid a wreath at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum.

A child presented Shinawatra with a bouquet of flowers as she stepped out of her vehicle shortly afterward, before the two leaders walked side by side along a red carpet.

The official welcome included a ceremonial military band and a review of the honor guard. 

The national anthems of both countries were played in turn before the prime ministers proceeded to the Government Office for the fourth Vietnam-Thailand Joint Cabinet meeting.

This is Shinawatra’s first official visit to Vietnam since assuming office in August 2024, and the first visit by a Thai government leader in 11 years.

The visit is seen as a step toward strengthening the already close ties between Vietnam and Thailand as they approach the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2026.

The fact that the two prime ministers are co-chairing the fourth meeting of the Joint Cabinet demonstrates the strong interest and shared determination to advance bilateral relations, Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung said ahead of the visit.

During the visit, the two sides are expected to sign several cooperation agreements, laying the groundwork for deeper collaboration between businesses and local governments.

Vietnam and Thailand established diplomatic relations in 1976 and elevated their relationship to a strategic partnership in 2013. Two years later, the ties were upgraded to an enhanced strategic partnership.

Economic, trade, and investment collaboration has emerged as a cornerstone of the relationship. 

Thailand is currently Vietnam’s largest trading partner within ASEAN and its ninth-largest globally, according to the Vietnam News Agency.

In 2024, two-way trade reached $20.26 billion, a 6.8-percent increase from the previous year. 

Both countries aim to raise that figure to $25 billion in the near future.