BANGKOK — Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida are set to make a historic State Visit to Vietnam from September 14 to 16, 2026, marking a major milestone in relations between the two Southeast Asian nations.
The visit, made at the invitation of Vietnam’s top leader and President To Lam and his spouse, will be the first State Visit by Thailand’s monarch to Vietnam in the history of bilateral relations. It will also serve as a highlight of celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Thailand and Vietnam.
Historic First for Thailand and Vietnam
The three-day visit comes as Thailand and Vietnam continue strengthening political, economic and cultural ties.
The two countries upgraded their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in May 2025 and later signed an action programme for cooperation covering the 2026 to 2031 period.
Thailand is currently Vietnam’s largest trading partner within ASEAN, while economic ties and investment between the two countries have continued to expand.
In 2025, two-way trade between Thailand and Vietnam reached approximately US$22.1 billion. During the first seven months of 2026, bilateral trade exceeded US$15 billion, representing a significant increase from the same period a year earlier.
Royal Couple to Attend Major Ceremonies in Hanoi
The King and Queen are expected to take part in a packed programme during their visit to Hanoi.
Their itinerary includes laying wreaths at the Bac Son Martyrs’ Monument and the Mausoleum of former Vietnamese President Ho Chi Minh.
The royal couple will also attend an official welcoming ceremony and meet Vietnam’s top leadership.
They are scheduled to hold meetings and audiences with senior Vietnamese officials, including the country’s top leader and President, the Prime Minister and the Chairman of the National Assembly.
A State Banquet will also be hosted in their honour.
Cultural Diplomacy Takes Centre Stage
The visit will not be limited to official meetings.
The King and Queen are also scheduled to visit Ngoc Son Temple, where they will view cultural performances.
On the final day, they are expected to visit Quan Su Pagoda, the headquarters of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha’s Executive Council.
The programme will also include a visit to the Thai Cultural Centre at Hanoi University.
The cultural stops are expected to underscore the longstanding historical, religious and people-to-people connections between Thailand and Vietnam.
Why the Visit Matters Now
The royal visit comes at a significant moment for Southeast Asia.
Thailand and Vietnam are two of ASEAN’s largest and most influential economies, and both countries are seeking to deepen cooperation in trade, investment, tourism and regional affairs.
Thailand has more than 800 valid investment projects in Vietnam, with registered capital exceeding US$15 billion, making it one of Vietnam’s biggest ASEAN investors.
Tourism between the two countries has also remained strong, with hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese and Thai travellers visiting each other’s countries in recent years.
The visit is therefore expected to carry significance beyond ceremonial diplomacy.
It could further reinforce a relationship that has become increasingly important to both countries as Southeast Asia navigates major economic and geopolitical changes.
A Major Moment for 50 Years of Relations
Thailand and Vietnam established diplomatic relations five decades ago.
Since then, their relationship has developed from traditional diplomatic engagement into deeper cooperation across trade, investment, security, tourism, education and culture.
The upcoming State Visit is being positioned as the centrepiece of this year’s anniversary commemorations.
Officials from both countries have described the occasion as an opportunity to further strengthen friendship, mutual understanding and long-term cooperation.
The Bottom Line
Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida will make a historic State Visit to Vietnam from September 14 to 16, marking the first royal State Visit of its kind in the history of relations between the two countries.
The visit comes as Thailand and Vietnam celebrate 50 years of diplomatic ties and deepen their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
With meetings involving Vietnam’s highest-ranking leaders, a State Banquet and major cultural engagements planned, the trip is expected to become one of the most significant moments in Thai-Vietnamese relations in 2026.
Fifty years after diplomatic ties were established, Thailand and Vietnam are preparing to open a new chapter — and this historic royal visit could send their relationship to an even higher level.
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