Faculty of Oriental Studies attends the 50th anniversary of VIET NAM – THAILAND diplomatic relations
On August 10, 2026, in Nghe An, the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Viet Nam and Thailand (August 6, 1976 – August 6, 2026) was organized by the Viet Nam – Thailand Friendship Association, the Thai Embassy in Viet Nam, and the People's Committee of Nghe An Province. The event brought together about 300 delegates representing central and local agencies, friendship organizations, businesses, overseas compatriots, and Viet Nam – Thailand Friendship Associations from 16 provinces and cities.
Attending the program, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phan Thi Hong Xuan, Dean of the Faculty of Oriental Studies, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Viet Nam National University Ho Chi Minh City, and Vice President of the Viet Nam – Thailand Friendship Association of Ho Chi Minh City, along with the delegates, looked back at the half-century journey of friendship and cooperation between the two nations, while discussing orientations to enhance people-to-people exchange in the new phase. The event was attended by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ngo Le Van; Chairman of the People's Committee of Nghe An Province Vo Trong Hai; Thai Ambassador to Viet Nam Urawadee Sriphiromya; Vice President of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations Nguyen Ngoc Hung; President of the Viet Nam – Thailand Friendship Association Nguyen Van Thanh; President of the Thailand – Viet Nam Friendship Association Sanan Angubolkul, along with representatives from many agencies and organizations of both countries.
From 50 years of friendship to new connections
Viet Nam and Thailand established diplomatic relations in 1976. Over the past 50 years, the relationship between the two countries has been continuously consolidated and upgraded, from Strategic Partnership in 2013, Strengthened Strategic Partnership in 2019, to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2025.
A highlight of the anniversary was the orientation to move the friendship relationship from the foundations built over the past 50 years to increasingly concrete and practical forms of cooperation. President of the Viet Nam – Thailand Friendship Association Nguyen Van Thanh emphasized four priority directions: expanding local exchanges; strengthening connections among the younger generation, scholars, entrepreneurs, and social organizations; promoting historical-cultural values associated with President Ho Chi Minh and the Vietnamese community in Thailand; and promoting economic, trade, investment, tourism, and innovation cooperation.
Meanwhile, President of the Thailand – Viet Nam Friendship Association Sanan Angubolkul affirmed that the relationship between the people of the two countries is the "root" of bilateral relations, while highlighting two directions for cooperation in the coming period: connecting local economies and promoting digital transformation and artificial intelligence.
Promoting the role of education and the younger generation in people-to-people diplomacy
For the Faculty of Oriental Studies, participating in the event also opens up further directions to link training, research, and international cooperation activities with people-to-people diplomacy. Based on the strengths of regional studies, Asian culture and society, the Faculty aims to strengthen connections with Thai universities, scholars, and partners; and promote student and lecturer exchanges as well as research and cultural experience activities between the younger generation of the two countries.
The participation of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phan Thi Hong Xuan in her role as Dean of the Faculty of Oriental Studies and Vice President of the Viet Nam – Thailand Friendship Association of Ho Chi Minh City demonstrates the connection between education – research – cultural exchange – people-to-people diplomacy, thereby contributing to bringing the achievements of the Viet Nam – Thailand relationship closer to the academic community and the younger generation. In the context of Viet Nam and Thailand entering a new phase of Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, universities and friendship organizations have much room to become sustainable bridges between the people of the two countries.
From academic exchange programs, cultural exchanges, and joint research to youth connections and digital initiatives, specific activities at the community level will contribute to continuing to nurture the 50 years of Viet Nam – Thailand friendship, moving towards a journey of increasingly substantive, close, and sustainable cooperation.
