Delegates press the button to officially launch the Doan Hung Industrial Park – AMATA City Phu Tho project at the conference. — VNA/VNS Photo

PHÚ THỌ — The Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Thai Embassy in Việt Nam, and the People's Committee of Phú Thọ Province jointly held the Thai Connect in Phú Thọ 2026 programme on Wednesday, attracting around 400 representatives from government agencies, diplomatic missions, business associations, and enterprises from both countries.

The event featured a range of investment and trade promotion activities, business matching sessions, and the Thai Connect Expo.

A key highlight was the thematic discussion, "Thailand-Việt Nam connectivity: smart cities as a driver for economic growth and sustainable development", where participants exchanged experience and explored cooperation in digital transformation, smart urban development, green growth, and sustainable development.

On the occasion, Vietnamese and Thai partners exchanged many important cooperation documents, including a letter of intent by CP Group to expand its investment project in Phú Thọ with an estimated capital of US$320 million, as well as investment memoranda of understanding involving Central Retail Vietnam and MM Mega Market Vietnam.

The programme also officially launched the implementation of the Đoan Hùng Industrial Park – AMATA City Phú Thọ project, developed by Thailand's AMATA Corporation.

Covering nearly 500 hectares, the project is designed as a modern eco-industrial park and regional high-tech manufacturing centre, and is expected to create a new growth engine for the province.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyễn Mạnh Cường said the event was held during the year marking the 50th anniversary of Việt Nam–Thailand diplomatic relations (August 6, 1976–2026). Over the past five decades, bilateral ties have evolved into one of the region's most dynamic and effective partnerships.

Thailand is currently Việt Nam's largest trading partner within ASEAN, while Việt Nam ranks as Thailand's sixth-largest trading partner globally.

Bilateral trade reached US$22.07 billion in 2025, with both sides aiming to increase the figure to $25 billion in the coming years. Thailand also has 805 valid investment projects in Việt Nam with a combined registered capital of $15.4 billion.

Thai Ambassador to Việt Nam Urawadee Sriphiromya described the programme as one of the activities contributing to the implementation of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries.

She praised Phú Thọ authorities for creating favourable conditions for Thai businesses, saying this has strengthened investor confidence and encouraged further investment expansion.

Chairman of the Phú Thọ People's Committee Trần Duy Đông said the programme reflects the province's commitment to implementing Việt Nam's foreign policy and international integration strategies while promoting the Việt Nam–Thailand Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Action Programme for 2026–31. It also supports the "Three Connects" strategy, focusing on supply chain connectivity, business and local government partnerships, and the alignment of sustainable growth strategies.

As of June 2026, Thailand had 16 investment projects in Phú Thọ with a total registered capital exceeding $400 million, mainly in manufacturing, industrial infrastructure, trade and services, and real estate.

The province hopes to attract more Thai investment in high technology, logistics, smart cities, green energy, the circular economy, agriculture, and high-quality tourism. — VNA/VNS