MOMENTOUS: On August 6, 1976, in Hà Nội, Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyễn Duy Trinh (right) and his Thai counterpart, Bhicai Rattakul, signed a joint communiqué establishing diplomatic relations between Việt Nam and Thailand. VNA/VNS Photo Xuân Lâm

On August 6, 1976, the Socialist Republic of Việt Nam and the Kingdom of Thailand established diplomatic relations, opening a new chapter between two neighbours on opposite shores of the Mekong River.

HISTORY-MAKING: On September 6–10, 1978, people in Narathiwat Province, southern Thailand, welcome Prime Minister Phạm Văn Đồng during the first official visit by a high-ranking Vietnamese leader to Thailand since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1976. VNA/VNS Photo Xuân Lâm

Fifty years on, that relationship has grown steadily across every field – from politics and security to trade, investment, culture and people-to-people exchanges.

WARM WELCOME: Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and his wife host the welcoming ceremony for Party General Secretary and President Tô Lâm and his wife during the Vietnamese leader's official visit to Thailand on May 28, 2026. VNA/VNS Photo Thống Nhất

The bond reached a new milestone in May 2025, when the two countries elevated their ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, deepening cooperation to serve the common interests of both peoples and to contribute to peace, stability and development in the region and beyond.

This photo essay looks back at the defining moments of a partnership half a century in the making. VNS

RESEARCH: The Việt Nam Education Publishing House has released two bilingual books in Vietnamese and Lao about President Hồ Chí Minh: 'Bác là Hồ Chí Minh' (Our Uncle is Hồ Chí Minh) and 'Bác Hồ ở Thailand' (Uncle Hồ in Thailand). The books offer valuable insights into President Hồ Chí Minh's life and legacy while enriching documentary resources on his enduring contributions. VNA/VNS Photo Thanh Tùng

RELATIONS BUILD: Vietnamese Prime Minister Võ Văn Kiệt and his Thai counterpart, Chuan Leekpai, witness the signing of an agreement on industrial and trade cooperation between the two countries in Hà Nội in 1994. VNA/VNS Photo Minh Đạo

CONTRIBUTOR: Animal feed is produced at a plant operated by CP Vietnam Livestock Corporation, a Thai-invested company, in Tân Trường Industrial Park, Hải Phòng. VNA/VNS Photo Danh Lam

BUSINESS TIES: Motorcycle tyres are produced at the factory of CAMEL Vietnam Rubber Co Ltd, a wholly Thai-owned company, in the Lao Bảo International Border Gate Economic Zone of Quảng Trị Province. VNA/VNS Photo Vũ Sinh

BIG PRODUCTS: Beverage products are packaged at the factory of CHAICHAREON Việt Nam-Thailand Co Ltd, a wholly Thai-owned company, also at Lao Bảo Economic Zone in Quảng Trị Province. VNA/VNS Photo Vũ Sinh

TRIBUTE: On November 1, 2025, at the Việt Nam National Pagoda in Hồ Chí Minh City, the Việt Nam Buddhist Sangha, in coordination with the Embassy of Thailand in Việt Nam, organised the Royal Kathina Robe Offering Ceremony to pay tribute to the Supreme Patriarch and the senior dignitaries of the Việt Nam Buddhist Sangha. VNA/VNS Photo

CULTURAL STYLE: Thai artists perform the Nora dance at the Thailand Cultural Weekend programme, organised by the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology in collaboration with the Embassy of Thailand in Hà Nội. VNA/VNS Photo Minh Đức

LEARN FROM OTHERS: Artists from Việt Nam and Thailand perform at a cultural exchange programme in Thailand marking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. VNA/VNS Photo