(VNF) - The Vietnam – Thailand Friendship Association of Vinh Phuc held a get-together on August 4 to celebrate the 42^nd anniversary of diplomatic relations between two countries (August 6, 1976 - 2018).

At the meeting.

Speaking at the event, President of the provincial Vietnam – Thailand Friendship Association Dong Van Cuong spoke highly of the fruitful relations between the two countries over the past four decades, particularly after they lifted their relations to a strategic partnership in 2013.

He highlighted that Thailand has always been one of Vietnam’s most important partners in the Southeast Asian region in particular and Asia in general. The establishment of the ASEAN Community in late 2015 is a strong ground the two countries to boost economic cooperation in the time ahead.

He went on to say that Vinh Phuc, with its open door policies, always welcomes and creates the best possible conditions for delegations, enterprises and people of the neighboring country to the northern province, adding that Vinh Phuc will actively support the Embassy of Thailand in Vietnam in effectively implementing cooperation programmes, helping to deepen the bilateral special bonds.

For her part, Wanthanee Viputwongsakul, Chargé d'affaires, the Royal Thai Embassy in Hanoi said the two countries’ relations have prospered with significant progress made over the past 42 years, while pledging to do her utmost to intensify the bilateral ties.

According to her, bilateral trade hit a record high of USD 16.6 billion in 2017. “With the given figure, the target of achieving USD 20 billion in revenue in 2020 will not be difficult,” she said.

Vietnam is currently Thailand’s seventh-largest trade partner in the world and the fourth in the ASEAN. Bilateral trade has expanded over the past few years, from USD 9 billion in 2012 to some USD 14 billion in 2016.

She added that the get-together has provided a good opportunity for the Vietnam – Thailand Friendship Association and Royal Thai Embassy in Hanoi to exchange knowledge and learn more about each other, while contributing to strengthening the mutual understanding between the two peoples.

Chargé d'affaires Wanthanee Viputwongsakul and participants visit Ba Chua Thuong Ngan Temple.

During the visit, earlier, the participants visited Ba Chua Thuong Ngan Temple in Tam Dao tourist site and Ha Tien pagoda, often called as Ha pagoda, in Dinh Trung commune, Vinh Yen town./.

Minh Chau