Hanoi: Sophon Saram, President of the National Assembly and Speaker of the House of Representatives, has arrived in Vietnam for an official visit at the invitation of the President of the National Assembly. His visit marks the celebration of 50 years of diplomatic relations between the two nations. He was welcomed at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi with a grand ceremony held at the VIP lounge, joined by HE Mr. Nguyen Doan Anh, Vice President of the National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, and Hon. Mr. Vu Hai Ha, Vice Chairman of the Committee on National Defense, Security, and Foreign Affairs of the National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. Also present were Ms. Urawadee Sripirum, Ambassador of Thailand to Hanoi, along with representatives from the National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
According to Thai News Agency, later in the day, Mr. Sophon and the Thai parliamentary delegation visited the Royal Thai Embassy in Hanoi, where they were briefed on the development of relations between Thailand and Vietnam. Ambassador Urawadee Sripirum welcomed the delegation and highlighted the significance of this official visit, being the first in 15 years for a President of the Thai Parliament to Vietnam. This visit is particularly noteworthy as it coincides with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, established on August 6, 2026. During the briefing, the Ambassador outlined the progress in Thai-Vietnamese relations across various sectors such as politics, security, economics, trade, investment, education, and people-to-people cooperation, citing the robust relationship built over the past 50 years.
Economic cooperation between Thailand and Vietnam was emphasized, with Thailand being Vietnam's top trading partner in ASEAN, and Vietnam ranking as Thailand's second-largest trading partner in the region. This economic synergy is a key element in enhancing the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries. Later in the day, at 2:40 PM, Mr. Sophon participated in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Bac Son Martyrs' Memorial and the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum to honor the contributions of Vietnamese heroes and leaders. Following this, at 3:10 PM, he engaged in a courtesy call and bilateral discussions with Mr. Tran Thanh Minh, President of the National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, and toured the National Assembly building and museum. The day's schedule concluded with a dinner at 6:00 PM with Mr. Tran Thanh Minh and representatives of the National Assembly at the National Assembly building.