Vietnamese - Thai businesses aim for a prosperous, green, and sustainable future

On October 7, a Vietnam-Thailand business dialogue forum with the theme "Strategic vision for investors and business leaders 2025" took place in Bangkok, Thailand. The event attracted more than 100 business representatives from Thailand and many legal experts from the two countries.

Ambassador Pham Viet Hung speaks at the Forum. Photo: Do ​​Sinh/VNA

According to a VNA reporter in Bangkok, the event was attended by Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung, Commercial Counselor Le Huu Phuc, Vice President in charge of trade and investment of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) Petcharat Eksangkul, along with many businesses from Thailand, as well as lawyers in many fields of trade and investment of the two countries.

Speaking at the event, Ambassador Pham Viet Hung said that the Vietnam-Thailand Comprehensive Strategic Partnership established in May 2025 has brought the bilateral cooperation to a new, more substantial stage. Vietnam and Thailand are aiming to reach a bilateral trade turnover of 25 billion USD by 2026. Thailand is currently Vietnam's largest trading partner in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the 9th largest foreign investor in Vietnam with a total registered capital exceeding 14 billion USD (in 2023), spread across key sectors such as energy, retail, food processing, green materials and logistics. Many large corporations as well as small and medium-sized enterprises of Thailand are present in Vietnam. Large corporations such as PTT, SCG, Central Retail, B.Grimm Power, Gulf Energy and CP Group are not only expanding their presence but are also shifting to green and sustainable fields, which is completely in line with Vietnam's development orientation.

In the field of foreign direct investment (FDI), Ambassador Pham Viet Hung emphasized that for many years, Thailand has always been the leading FDI investor in Vietnam, always maintaining its position in the Top 10 countries and territories investing in Vietnam and ranking second in ASEAN (after Singapore). In the first half of this year, Thai enterprises implemented 19 new projects in Vietnam with a total registered capital exceeding 869.65 million USD, an increase of more than 11 times over the same period last year. This is the highest level of investment from Thailand in Vietnam in the first half of the 2021-2025 period.

The Ambassador also said that over the years, the Vietnamese Government has carried out strong reforms with a deep understanding that a transparent, efficient and investor-friendly environment is the key to sustainable development, affirming that Vietnam is ready to accompany Thai businesses on the journey towards long-term, mutually beneficial cooperation, towards a connected, prosperous and sustainable future for both countries.

Lawyers at Baker McKenzie Vietnam presented on topics of interest to many businesses and investors at the Forum. Photo: Do ​​Sinh/VNA

Throughout the plenary session with the theme “Unlocking Growth and Opportunities: Investing in Vietnam”, lawyers at Baker McKenzie Vietnam presented on topics of interest to many businesses and investors such as: Investment trends and prospects: Vietnam’s growth sectors; Latest information on Vietnam’s Investment Law and Enterprise Law; Government restructuring, economic stimulus packages and regulatory reforms; Thai investors taking advantage of cross-border business and investment opportunities.

Also at the forum, representatives of lawyers from Baker McKenzie Vietnam and Thailand offices, as well as representatives of the Federation of Thai Industries, provided in-depth perspectives on FDI/M&A, financing, renewable energy projects, capital mobilization and dispute resolution. At the same time, speakers also provided information on legal regulations related to tax, labor and compliance, financial services, intellectual property, technology and data management, helping businesses promptly grasp regulations, supporting effective and transparent business operations.

Mr. Wynn Pakdeejit - managing attorney of Baker McKenzie Law Firm Thailand - assessed: "Vietnam is becoming one of the most dynamic economies in Southeast Asia with solid fundamentals, a young, skilled workforce, promoted by the Vietnamese Government's constant efforts and leadership in reform".

Ambassador Pham Viet Hung (center) with representatives of the Organizing Committee and delegates attending the Forum. Photo: Do ​​Sinh/VNA

The forum was organized by the Federation of Thai Industries in collaboration with Baker McKenzie - the world's leading law firm with over 75 representative offices in more than 45 countries worldwide - to provide businesses with practical perspectives on the legal environment and legal regulations in the ASEAN region, opening up cooperation prospects between businesses of Vietnam and Thailand, increasing bilateral investment as well as promoting economic and trade exchanges between the two countries.

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/kinh-te/doanh-nghiep-viet-nam-thai-lan-huong-toi-tuong-lai-ket-noi-thinh-vuong-xanh-ben-vung-20251007222924867.htm