The programme, to be jointly organised by Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Royal Thai Embassy in Vietnam and the People’s Committee of Phu Tho province, is part of activities to commemorate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Thailand.
The event is expected to attract around 400 delegates, including government leaders, leaders from central ministries and agencies, representatives from 34 localities nationwide, and numerous associations and large businesses from Thailand.
Thai Connect will begin with the groundbreaking ceremony for the Doan Hung Industrial Park in Doan Hung and Tay Coc communes, covering an area of over 475 hectares with a total investment of over US$185 million, developed by the AMATA Group.
Later on June 17, Thai Connect 2026 conference will be held at the Phu Tho Provincial Cultural and Arts Centre. Participants will join a thematic discussion about smart cities which are driving forces for economic growth and sustainable development.
Discussions will focus on implementing the Vietnam–Thailand “Three Connects” strategy, which includes supply chain connectivity, connectivity among industries, localities and businesses, and cooperation on green growth strategies. Experts and business leaders will also share experiences and solutions related to smart city development and sustainable investment cooperation.
Several investment certificates and memoranda of understanding (MoUs) are expected to be awarded and signed at the conference between businesses from the two countries, including major Thai corporations such as Central Retail and CP Group.
Alongside the conference, the Thai Connect Expo will feature around 20 exhibition booths showcasing products, images and cooperation opportunities between Vietnam and Thailand. The exhibition will be open to visitors through June 18.
Hosting Thai Connect is seen as an opportunity for Phu Tho to promote its investment environment, expand partnerships with Thai businesses and strengthen cooperation in key sectors such as supporting industries, trade and services, tourism, ecological agriculture and smart farming.
During a meeting with representatives from the Thai Embassy in Vietnam in March 2026, Tran Duy Dong, chairman of Phu Tho provincial People’s Committee expressed the locality's desire to attract investment in the fields of trade and services, tourism, supporting industries for the automotive and motorcycle sectors, and ecological and smart agriculture linked to the supply chain for supermarkets and retail systems.
In addition, Phu Tho possesses significant tourism and cultural potential, featuring renowned destinations and eco-tourism sites. These strengths provide favourable conditions for expanding tourism cooperation, promoting cultural exchanges, and strengthening people-to-people ties between localities in Vietnam and Thailand.
Thailand is currently Vietnam's largest trading partner in ASEAN. In 2025, total bilateral trade reached US$22.1 billion, up 9% from 2024. In the first five months of 2026, Vietnam-Thailand import-export turnover was estimated at US$10.95 billion, marking year-on-year increase of 2.6%.
Thailand now has 797 investment projects with a total registered capital of US$15.4 billion, ranking 8th out of 153 countries investing in Vietnam and second among ASEAN countries. Meanwhile, Vietnam has more than 20 active investment projects with a total registered capital of approximately US$40 million.
Minh Khang
