Vietnamese President To Lam Arrives in Udon Thani for Historic State Visit to Thailand

Vietnamese President and Communist Party General Secretary To Lam arrived at Udon Thani International Airport on Wednesday afternoon, marking the start of a three-day official visit to Thailand that commemorates 50 years of diplomatic relations between the two Southeast Asian neighbours.

President To Lam was accompanied by his wife Ngo Phuong Ly and a high-level delegation, arriving on a Vietnam Airlines flight. The choice of Udon Thani as the first stop is significant — the northeastern province is home to a large Vietnamese diaspora community and has deep historical ties with Vietnam dating back generations.

The visit comes at a pivotal time for both nations. Thailand and Vietnam are each navigating a complex geopolitical landscape shaped by US-China competition, regional economic integration, and the ongoing recovery from global disruptions. Strengthening bilateral ties is a priority for both governments, and this visit is expected to produce several major agreements on trade, investment, and cultural exchange.

For the people of Udon Thani, the president's arrival was a moment of pride. Many members of the local Vietnamese-Thai community gathered near the airport to welcome the delegation, waving flags and holding banners expressing their hopes for closer ties between the two countries.

The visit continues with meetings in Bangkok, where President To Lam is scheduled to hold talks with Thai leadership and address a joint business forum. The 50th anniversary of Thai-Vietnamese diplomatic relations is a milestone worth celebrating — and this visit is the centrepiece of the celebrations.

This is Ann Srisawat for Global1 News, reporting from Bangkok. 🇹🇭