Thailand attaches great importance to promoting cooperation in tourism and sports with Vietnam.

Thailand always attaches great importance to promoting cooperation in tourism and sports with Vietnam, affirmed Thai Minister of Tourism and Sports Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn during a meeting with Vietnamese Ambassador Phan Chi Thanh.

During a meeting with Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, attended by the Minister's advisor, Ms. Srisuda Wanapinyosak, the President of the National Sport University of Thailand, Mr. Wisanu Laichapit, representatives from the Sports Association of Thailand, and representatives from the Department of International Relations of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports of Thailand, Ambassador Phan Chi Thanh expressed his pleasure at the positive development of the Vietnam-Thailand Enhanced Strategic Partnership over the past 10 years.

Thailand continues to be Vietnam's largest trading partner within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the ninth largest investor in Vietnam, with bilateral trade reaching US$20.51 billion in 2022.

In the field of tourism and sports, the two countries maintain close connections through bilateral cooperation and multilateral mechanisms in activities such as the ASEAN Tourism Forum, the ASEAN Tourism Ministers' Meeting (2019), and the APEC Tourism Ministers' Meeting (2022).

Ambassador Phan Chi Thanh requested Minister Phiphat to share Thailand's experience in recovering the tourism industry after the pandemic; suggested that Thailand promote cooperation in forming cultural tourism routes between the two countries to enhance the promotion of cultural tourist destinations on main and secondary routes of each location; and requested that Thailand promote investment in tourism services and infrastructure in Vietnam, as well as develop a joint action plan on tourism cooperation between the two countries.

For his part, the Thai Minister of Tourism and Sports congratulated Vietnam on its effective reopening roadmap and rapid economic recovery, especially the recent reopening of international flights with more than 20 countries, including Thailand.

Minister Phiphat agreed with the Ambassador's suggestions and affirmed that Thailand always attaches importance to promoting cooperation in tourism and sports between the two countries.

Thailand is implementing various tourism projects, such as lobbying for the Phuket Expo 2028 and lobbying to co-host the FIFA World Cup 2034 in ASEAN countries.

Minister Phiphat affirmed his continued support and commitment to facilitating training and exchanges of sports experts to develop knowledge and skills for athletes from both countries, and pledged his unwavering support for Vietnam in all regional and international tourism cooperation forums.

He also suggested that Ambassador Phan Chi Thanh continue working with relevant Thai agencies to contribute to promoting cooperation in tourism and sports between the two countries.

Phuong Thao is an editor at Travellive magazine. She is passionate about traveling and enjoys capturing moments with her camera in every place she visits. Travel, art, and lifestyle are Phuong Thao's favorite writing topics.

Phuong Thao