The visit is made at the invitation of Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung in accordance with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)’s norms.

On August 6, 1976, the two Southeast Asian countries officially established their diplomatic ties and since 1991 have enjoyed a take-off in the partnership. Particularly after Vietnam joined ASEAN in July 1995 bilateral relations have been strongly developing. The two countries’ value has risen 21.3 percent to reach US$4.8 billion in 2007.

Thailand has invested in 169 FDI projects at a total capitalisation of US$1.66 billion, mostly in Vietnam’s industrial and construction sectors. Currently, Thailand ranks 22^nd out of 77 countries and territories and third among ASEAN member countries investing in Vietnam. Besides, Thailand has actively worked to boost trade, tourism and investment cooperation between its north-eastern provinces and central localities in Vietnam. In 2006, more than 120,000 Thai holidaymakers visited Vietnam and over 200,000 Vietnamese visited Thailand.

Being major rice exporters in the world, the two countries have created a common rice cooperative mechanism for boosting exports in the field.

Apart from bilateral cooperation, the two Southeast Asian countries have coordinated efforts to promote cooperation opportunities in the West-East Economic Corridor, within ASEAN, the Great Mekong Subregion, and the Ayayewady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy.