The Vietnamese Embassy in Thailand and the Thailand-Vietnam Business Council on January 14 jointly launched a commemorative book for the 45^th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations.

The book marks the 45th anniversary of Vietnam-Thailand diplomatic relations. Source: VNA

At the launching ceremony, the President of the Thailand-Vietnam Business Council and Thailand-Vietnam Friendship Association, Sanan Angubolkul, highlighted the fact that Thailand has now become Vietnam’s largest economic partner in ASEAN.

Angubolkul expressed his strong belief that both sides would continue to strengthen bilateral ties and aim for new heights in the coming time.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Phan Chi Thanh added that the year 2021 marked the 45^th anniversary of the Vietnam-Thailand diplomatic relations.

Delegates at the book launch.

“Throughout the years, both countries have attained successes in three major pillars of cooperation, including politics-security, economy, and culture-society, which are based on an enhanced strategic partnership,” Thanh said.

In terms of economic cooperation, Thanh stressed Vietnam-Thailand is among a handful of success stories in the region and beyond.

Thailand is currently Vietnam’s largest trading partner in ASEAN and the ninth-largest foreign investor in Vietnam with registered capital of US$12 billion. In the opposite direction, Vietnam remains Thailand’s fifth-largest trading partner globally.

Both are members of new generation trade agreements, including the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA), and the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA).

“These are the foundation for the two countries to bolster economic cooperation and businesses to further grasp opportunities in trade and investment,” Thanh said, noting both are determined to realize the bilateral trade target of US$25 billion by 2025.

The book covers key milestones in bilateral relations over the past 45 years, especially in the fields of the economy; gives guidance on investment activities; and tells success stories of businesses in both countries. It also provides a list of enterprises from Vietnam and Thailand with high potential for cooperation and business expansion in both countries.