Delegates cut the ribbon to open the photo exhibition marking 50 years of Việt Nam-Thailand relations. VNA/VNS Photos

HÀ NỘI A photo exhibition entitled “The Lens of Diplomacy: 50 Years of Thailand-Việt Nam Relations” opened in Hà Nội on Friday morning to mark 50 years since the two countries established diplomatic relations on August 6, 1976.

The exhibition is jointly organised by the Royal Thai Embassy and the Vietnam News Agency (VNA).

The opening ceremony was attended by Thai Ambassador to Việt Nam Urawadee Sriphiromya; VNA Director General and Deputy Head of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Information, Education and Mass Mobilisation Vũ Việt Trang; and representatives of central agencies, international organisations and diplomatic missions in Hà Nội.

Speaking at the ceremony, Ambassador Sriphiromya said the exhibition formed part of a series of events organised by the Thai Embassy throughout 2026 to commemorate the 50th anniversary.

Thai Ambassador to Việt Nam Urawadee Sriphiromya delivers remarks at the exhibition’s opening ceremony.

The two countries have held cultural events, youth exchanges, academic dialogues and business forums during this special year. These activities reflect the many dimensions of their partnership and demonstrate that the Thailand-Việt Nam friendship has been nurtured over time and continues to flourish with each new generation.

On behalf of the Thai Embassy, Sriphiromya thanked VNA for its close cooperation in bringing the exhibition to life.

She said every photograph had the ability to preserve moments and memories, as well as tell stories that words could not always fully express. Years later, when people looked at the photographs again, they would remember not only the events depicted but also the emotions associated with each moment.

The ambassador said she had been privileged to witness the friendship between the two countries through their daily exchanges and cooperation.

These included the warm hospitality extended by Vietnamese people to Thai visitors, the enthusiasm of young people taking part in exchange programmes, learning each other’s languages and forming lasting friendships, and the increasingly extensive ties among universities, businesses and local communities in both countries.

It was these everyday encounters and exchanges that brought the bilateral relationship to life, she said.

Former Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Phan Chí Thành presents a commemorative painting to Thai Ambassador to Việt Nam Urawadee Sriphiromya.

Sriphiromya expressed confidence that the exhibition would enable the public not only to revisit the past, but also to appreciate the friendship that had connected the two peoples for half a century and would continue to inspire them as they built their shared future.

She said the next 50 years would bring even greater opportunities for Thailand and Việt Nam to grow together, not only as Comprehensive Strategic Partners but also as neighbours and friends united by mutual trust.

Addressing the ceremony, VNA Director General Trang said relations between Việt Nam and Thailand had grown increasingly deep and comprehensive over the past half-century.

The two countries elevated their relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2025. Throughout 2026, numerous commemorative events and cooperation programmes have continued to reach across the political, economic, cultural and social spheres of both countries.

Vietnam News Agency Director General Vũ Việt Trang speaks at the opening ceremony.

Trang said the exhibition sought to introduce the public to notable achievements in bilateral cooperation across various fields, as well as the potential and opportunities for further development of the relationship.

The exhibition features defining milestones in bilateral relations through photographs selected from VNA’s archives, images collected by the Thai Embassy in Việt Nam and valuable documents from the State Records and Archives Department.

"As we selected the photographs for this exhibition, we were deeply moved by the opportunity to rediscover the warm and friendly moments shared by the leaders of our two countries during high-level exchanges, as well as the cultural exchanges and economic cooperation that began in the early days following the establishment of diplomatic relations," Trang said.

“While selecting the photographs for display, we were deeply moved to encounter moments of warmth between the two countries’ leaders at high-level meetings, as well as images of cultural exchanges and economic cooperation dating back to the early days of diplomatic relations,” Trang said.

"Together, these moments have helped shape the increasingly strong and enduring friendship and comprehensive cooperation between our two countries."

“The Lens of Diplomacy: 50 Years of Thailand-Việt Nam Relations” takes visitors through major milestones in bilateral relations, beginning with the establishment of diplomatic ties on August 6, 1976.

Thai Ambassador to Việt Nam Urawadee Sriphiromya, Vietnam News Agency Director General Vũ Việt Trang and other delegates tour the exhibition.

These include Prime Minister Phạm Văn Đồng’s visit to Thailand in September 1978, the first visit to the country by a senior Vietnamese leader, as well as subsequent high-level visits, major cooperation agreements and notable events marking the continued expansion of bilateral ties.

The exhibition also features images from Party General Secretary and State President Tô Lâm’s visit to Thailand in May 2026 and Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s official visit to Việt Nam the following month.

The two visits opened new prospects for cooperation under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Also on display are valuable archival documents provided by the State Records and Archives Department under Việt Nam’s Ministry of Home Affairs, together with materials collected by the Thai Embassy.

These historical materials document the initial steps in establishing and developing cooperation between the two countries. They also shed light on the foundations of what has become one of ASEAN’s most dynamic, effective and exemplary bilateral relationships.

The exhibition not only portrays the two countries’ shared journey of development over the past half-century, but also affirms their increasingly strong friendship and the determination of their leaders and peoples to deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in a substantive and effective manner.

This cooperation serves the interests of both peoples and contributes to peace, stability, cooperation and development within the ASEAN community.

The exhibition also encourages present and future generations to continue nurturing an increasingly deep, comprehensive and sustainable relationship between Việt Nam and Thailand.

It is open to the public until July 30 at the Vietnam National Fine Arts Museum, 66 Nguyễn Thái Học Street, Hà Nội. VNS

Delegates view photographs on display at the exhibition.

Delegates view photographs on display at the exhibition.

Thai Ambassador to Việt Nam Urawadee Sriphiromya and other delegates tour the exhibition.

Delegates view photographs on display at the exhibition.