HCMC – Economic and trade cooperation remains a strategic pillar of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Vietnam and Thailand, with both countries aiming to raise bilateral trade to US$25 billion in the near term and eventually to US$50 billion in a balanced and sustainable manner.
The goal was reaffirmed during talks between Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul on June 8 as part of the Thai leader’s official visit to Vietnam and his participation in the third ASEAN Future Forum.
At the meeting, the two prime ministers agreed to accelerate the implementation of the “Three Connects” strategy, which focuses on enhancing connectivity in transportation, logistics, aviation, and tourism. They also pledged to study the development of new road and coastal waterway transport routes linking the two countries and the broader Mekong subregion.
The leaders underscored the importance of making full use of the Vietnam-Thailand Joint Trade Committee mechanism and minimizing trade barriers to facilitate market access for goods from both countries.
Beyond traditional areas of cooperation, Vietnam and Thailand committed to expanding collaboration in emerging sectors, including science and technology, artificial intelligence (AI), the digital economy, green transformation, and a just energy transition.
Prime Minister Le Minh Hung reaffirmed Vietnam’s commitment to creating favorable conditions for Thai investors, while Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said Thailand would encourage its businesses to expand investments in sectors aligned with Vietnam’s development priorities. He also expressed hope that Vietnamese companies would step up investments in Thailand.
Noting that bilateral ties are at their strongest level ever, the two leaders highlighted the importance of maintaining ASEAN unity, promoting a common position on the East Sea based on international law, and strengthening coordination through Mekong subregional mechanisms to support sustainable regional development.
Trade between the two countries continued to grow strongly in the first four months of 2026, reaching nearly US$8.6 billion, up 24% year-on-year. Vietnam’s exports to Thailand rose 39% to US$3.76 billion, while imports from Thailand increased 15% to nearly US$4.84 billion.
Thailand remains Vietnam’s largest trading partner within ASEAN. It currently has 797 valid investment projects in Vietnam with total registered capital of US$15.4 billion, ranking eighth among 153 countries and territories investing in the country.
Bilateral trade reached US$22.1 billion in 2025, up around 8.3%-9% from 2024. Vietnam recorded a trade deficit of approximately US$4.48 billion with Thailand during the year.
