Thai prime minister to lead delegation to Vietnam to deepen trade and investment ties

BANGKOK, 24 AUGUST 2026 —

THAI PM ANUTIN HEADS TO VIETNAM TO DEEPEN TRADE AND INVESTMENT TIES

Anutin, who also serves as Thailand’s Interior Minister, is scheduled to arrive in Hanoi on June 8 for an official two-day visit, followed by his participation in the 3rd ASEAN Future Forum on June 9, according to Prime Minister’s Office spokesperson Rachada Dhnadirek.

The visit follows the recent state visit to Thailand by Vietnamese Communist Party General Secretary and President To Lam from May 27–28, which saw the signing of four key cooperation agreements. It underscores efforts by both nations to move beyond diplomatic goodwill and into concrete projects that benefit businesses and citizens.

The Thai delegation includes eight deputy prime ministers, key economic ministers, military leaders, and executives from over 10 major Thai firms with operations in Vietnam. Among the officials joining the trip are Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas, Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun, Defence Minister Lt Gen Adul Boonthumjaroen, and Industry Minister Varawut Silpa-archa.

The composition reflects Thailand’s priorities in trade, investment, energy, tourism, industry, logistics, and private-sector cooperation, as outlined in Anutin’s directive to ministries to identify immediate areas for advancement, including supply-chain connectivity, clean energy, food security, and human-resource development.

Bilateral trade between Thailand and Vietnam reached approximately US$24 billion in 2025, according to Thai government data, with both countries targeting an increase to US$25 billion. Cooperation is guided by the "Three Connects" strategy, which focuses on supply-chain integration, local economic linkages, and sustainable development.

During the visit, Anutin will hold high-level meetings with Vietnam’s President, Prime Minister, and National Assembly Chairman, as well as engage with Thai business leaders operating in Vietnam to explore opportunities for expansion.

On June 8, Anutin is set to depart from Military Air Terminal 2, Wing 6, at 8:00 AM, arriving at Noi Bai International Airport at 10:00 AM. The day’s schedule includes bilateral talks, an official welcome ceremony, a full-delegation meeting at the Vietnamese Government Office, and a dinner hosted by Vietnam’s Prime Minister.

On June 9, Anutin will attend the opening ceremony of the 3rd ASEAN Future Forum at the Meliá Hanoi Hotel, followed by the Thailand-Vietnam Investment and Business Forum, organized by Vietnam’s Board of Investment. He is expected to return to Thailand later that evening.

Vietnamese government media confirmed the visit and noted that Anutin was invited by Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung. The broader ASEAN Future Forum, running from June 9–10, carries the theme "Shaping Our Future Together: Peace, Prosperity and People-Centred Development", with discussions on resilience, AI governance, and energy security.

This marks the first time a Thai prime minister will attend the ASEAN Future Forum in person, highlighting Thailand’s commitment to the platform and its close ties with Vietnam.

The visit builds on the upgrade of bilateral relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership on May 16, 2025, following the earlier designation as a Strategic Partnership in 2013. The two countries are also commemorating 50 years of diplomatic relations in 2025.

During To Lam’s visit to Thailand in late May, the two leaders witnessed the exchange of four cooperation documents, including: - The Plan of Action on Implementing the Thailand-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (2026–2031) - A science, technology, and innovation cooperation arrangement - An MOU on the development of an MRO centre at U-Tapao International Airport - An MOU between Vietnam’s Academy of Public Administration and Governance and Khon Kaen University

The leaders also jointly inaugurated the Thailand-Vietnam Business Forum 2026 in Bangkok, themed "Growing Together: Celebrating 50 Years of Thailand-Vietnam Relations". Anutin emphasized that the two economies are complementary rather than competitive, with shared interests in digital economy, AI, semiconductors, electric vehicles, green industries, future food, clean energy, and wellness.

Thai officials described To Lam’s visit as a milestone, reinforcing the momentum in bilateral ties as both nations seek new growth engines in high-potential sectors.

Regional and Malaysian Impact

The deepening of Thai-Vietnamese economic ties comes at a time when ASEAN seeks to reduce reliance on external supply chains and enhance intra-regional trade. Malaysia, as a key ASEAN economy, stands to benefit from increased trade flows and investment opportunities stemming from stronger Thai-Vietnamese cooperation, particularly in manufacturing, logistics, and energy.

Malaysian businesses with operations in Vietnam may find new partnership opportunities through Thai firms expanding their footprint in the country. supply-chain diversification efforts could see Malaysian companies integrating more closely with Thai-Vietnamese production networks, especially in automotive, electronics, and renewable energy.

The Three Connects strategy—focusing on supply chains, local economies, and sustainability—aligns with Malaysia’s own initiatives under the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) and the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR), which emphasize regional connectivity and green growth.

Stakeholder Perspectives

Rachada Dhnadirek, Prime Minister’s Office spokesperson, stated that the visit aims to translate diplomatic progress into tangible outcomes, ensuring that cooperation yields concrete projects and benefits for businesses and citizens in both countries.

Thai business leaders in Vietnam have highlighted logistics bottlenecks and regulatory hurdles as key challenges, though they acknowledge Vietnam’s growing consumer market and manufacturing base as major draws. The Thailand-Vietnam Investment and Business Forum is expected to address these issues, with discussions on investment facilitation and policy coordination.

Vietnamese officials have underscored the importance of people-to-people ties and educational exchanges, as outlined in the MOU between Khon Kaen University and Vietnam’s Academy of Public Administration and Governance. Such initiatives could strengthen long-term human-resource collaboration between the two nations.

Forward-Looking Outlook

The visit signals Thailand’s proactive approach to ASEAN economic integration, particularly as the grouping pursues supply-chain resilience and digital transformation. With both Thailand and Vietnam prioritizing clean energy, high-tech industries, and sustainable development, the partnership could serve as a model for sub-regional cooperation within ASEAN.

Looking ahead, the implementation of the 2026–2031 Action Plan and the expansion of the U-Tapao MRO centre are expected to create employment opportunities and technological spillovers, benefiting both economies. The ASEAN Future Forum will also provide a platform for regional leaders to align on shared challenges, including energy security and AI governance.

As Thailand and Vietnam mark 50 years of diplomatic relations, the visit underscores their commitment to deeper economic integration and positions them as key drivers of ASEAN’s future growth.

Details not yet available on specific project announcements or new investment commitments expected during the visit.

Related: Bangkok