Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính (right) had talks with outgoing Thai Ambassador Nikorndej Balankura during their meeting in Hà Nội on Wednesday. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính on Wednesday hosted a reception for Thai Ambassador Nikorndej Balankura who came to bid farewell to the Vietnamese Government leader at the end of his tenure.

Congratulating the Thai diplomat on his successful tenure that helps develop the Việt Nam-Thailand Strategic Partnership over the past time, Chính expressed his hope that Nikorndej Balankura, in his new position, will continue making contributions to the cooperation between the two nations.

The PM thanked the Thai side for renovating relic sites dedicated to President Hồ Chí Minh in Thailand, handling legal issues for Vietnamese expatriates, and creating favourable conditions for the building of the Việt Nam town, the first of its kind in the world, in Thailand.

Việt Nam looks forwards to visits to Việt Nam by the Thai high-level leaders in the coming time, he said, urging the Thai side’s coordination to make meticulous preparation for the Thai PM’s official visit to Việt Nam and the 4th Việt Nam-Thailand Joint Cabinet Meeting to discuss measures bolstering the sound relations and robust cooperation in various fields.

He suggested both sides push ahead implementation of necessary solutions to realise the target of US$25 billion in trade revenue in a balanced fashion, stressing the Vietnamese Government encourages and facilitate Thai investment in the country.

Besides, he recommended both nations continue strengthen infrastructure connectivity, especially in transportation and e-commerce, as well as work together in climate change response, digital transformation, tourism and sports.

The two nations should continue coordination, give consultations and support each other at multilateral forums, maintain solidarity and promote ASEAN’s central roles, cooperate to develop the Mekong sub-region, and manage and sustainable use the water resources.

The Thai Ambassador, for his part, thanked competent agencies in Việt Nam for helping him complete his mission, and spoke highly of Việt Nam's achievements over the past time.

He affirmed that both nations hold huge cooperation potential, particularly in the field of trade and investment, adding Thailand wants to be a leading investor in Việt Nam.

Describing Việt Nam as his second homeland, he committed to continuing efforts to nurture the Việt Nam-Thailand relations.

In a decade, two-way trade revenue increased from US$10.4 billion in 2013 to nearly $19 billion in 2023. Particularly, the value reached $21.6 billion in 2022, exceeding the $20-billion-band mark for the first time.

Thailand ranks 9th among 144 countries and territories having investment in Việt Nam as it has registered $13.7 billion to 715 projects so far. — VNS