Leaders of Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand are about to visit Vietnam

The visit of Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone took place on June 7-9. The visit of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul took place on June 8-9, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

All three visits took place at the invitation of Prime Minister Le Minh Hung. Leaders of Laos, Cambodia and Thailand will attend the third ASEAN Future Forum (AFF), taking place in Hanoi on June 9-10.

Vietnam and Laos established diplomatic relations on September 5, 1962. In February 2019, the two sides agreed to raise the level from “traditional friendship” to “great friendship”.

Bilateral trade turnover has grown continuously for many years and for the first time reached the 3 billion USD mark in 2025. Vietnam grants thousands of scholarships to Lao students each year. Tens of thousands of Lao officials and students have been studying in Vietnam, creating human resources and a bridge for long-term cooperation.

Vietnam and Cambodia established diplomatic relations on June 24, 1967. Vietnam is currently Cambodia’s third largest trading partner, after China and the US, and is also Cambodia’s largest trading partner in ASEAN. Two-way trade turnover reaches 11.33 billion USD in 2025, an increase of more than 11.7% compared to 2024.

Vietnam and Thailand established diplomatic relations on August 6, 1976. Thailand is currently Vietnam’s largest trading partner in ASEAN. In 2025, total two-way trade turnover reaches 22.1 billion USD, an increase of 9% compared to 2024.

With the theme “Shaping a common future: Peace, Prosperity, people-centered”, AFF 2026 is held in the context of ASEAN implementing the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and strategic plans.

This is the first major high-level multilateral foreign event hosted by Vietnam after the 14th Party Congress, contributing to demonstrating the foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, and peace, while strongly spreading the image of a reformed, developed, and deeply integrated Vietnam to the regional and international community.

This is the third consecutive year that Vietnam has hosted the ASEAN Future Forum, an initiative of Vietnam announced at the 2023 ASEAN Summit.