Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh hosted a reception for Thai Minister of Foreign Affairs Maris Sangiampongsa in Hanoi on Monday during the top Thai diplomat’s visit to Vietnam from Sunday to Tuesday.

PM Chinh expressed his confidence that the trip will bring about new advancements in the enhanced strategic partnership between Vietnam and Thailand, as well as to the overall success of the second ASEAN Future Forum held in the Vietnamese capital between Tuesday and Wednesday.

The Cabinet leader appreciated Thailand for remaining Vietnam’s largest trade partner, suggesting both countries facilitate collaboration to soon achieve the target of US$25 billion in bilateral trade in a more balanced manner.

He emphasized the importance of infrastructure connectivity between Vietnam and Thailand, particularly in road and rail networks, as well as institutional and policy alignment. 

He also encouraged expanded cooperation in emerging fields, such as digital transformation, green energy, and renewable energy.

Minister Maris reaffirmed Vietnam’s strategic importance to Thailand, expressing his country’s commitment to enhancing trade, tourism, and transportation links. 

He specifically highlighted Thailand’s ‘Six Countries, One Destination’ initiative, which aims to boost regional tourism integration.

The top Thai diplomat also thanked the Vietnamese government for supporting Thai businesses operating in Vietnam and called for continued assistance in resolving investment challenges, particularly in the energy and financial sectors.

To strengthen economic ties, both sides agreed to establish a joint working group to address challenges and explore new opportunities. 

They also discussed preparations for the Thai prime minister’s visit to Vietnam in 2025 and the upcoming joint Cabinet meeting between the two governments.

Thailand has been actively promoting its ‘Six Countries, One Destination’ initiative, which focuses on streamlining cross-border travel and boosting regional tourism connectivity among Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Thailand.

On February 15, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra reaffirmed the country’s commitment to advancing the initiative, with Thai officials already working with Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia on potential implementation.

According to the Bangkok Post, the initiative could pave the way for an ASEAN-wide common visa, a move that would significantly boost regional tourism.

However, the biggest challenge lies in balancing competition between the countries’ tourism industries, as each nation seeks to maximize its share of international visitors.

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