In her opening speech, Ms. Bùi Thị Ngọc Hiếu, Deputy Director of the Department of Tourism and Chairwoman of the Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam-Thailand Friendship Association, extended her congratulations on the occasion of the birth anniversary of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the beloved monarch of the Thai people, which also marks the National Day of the Kingdom of Thailand. Additionally, Ms. Hiếu congratulated the recognition of “Tom Yum Kung,” a symbol of Thailand widely known in Vietnam as “Lẩu Thái,” which was officially inscribed by UNESCO as a representative intangible cultural heritage of humanity on December 3, 2024.

 

Ms. Bùi Thị Ngọc Hiếu affirmed: “The relationship between Vietnam and Thailand, two neighboring countries in Southeast Asia, has been continuously growing stronger since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1976. Thailand is currently Vietnam’s largest trading partner within ASEAN, with bilateral trade turnover reaching over $21.6 billion in 2023 and is expected to hit $25 billion by 2025.”

“At the same time, Thailand is a major investor in Vietnam, with a total registered capital exceeding $13.7 billion. Ho Chi Minh City is also strengthening its collaboration with Thai businesses, with over 120 investment projects focusing on technology, renewable energy, and tourism. These collaborations contribute to realizing the three-pronged connectivity strategy between the two countries, which includes supply chain connectivity, green economic cooperation, and policy linkage,” Ms. Bùi Thị Ngọc Hiếu added.

The program opened with an impressive áo dài performance featuring the collection titled “City of Heritage Colors” meticulously crafted by Áo Dài Artisan Năm Tuyền and his team. The collection is not only a testament to exquisite craftsmanship but also a proud narrative showcasing the cultural, historical, and artistic values of the Vietnamese nation throughout different historical periods.

The program continued with a performance of the song “Tự Nguyện” by composer Trương Quốc Khánh, delivered by singer Han Sara. With a mission to honor Vietnamese music, Han Sara expressed her pride in presenting this song, a heartfelt gift symbolizing love for the homeland, a desire for peace, and compassion.

At the gathering celebrating Thailand’s National Day, Ms. Wiraka Moodhitaporn, the Consul General of Thailand in Ho Chi Minh City, expressed her heartfelt gratitude and extended her thanks to the Ho Chi Minh City Union of Friendship Organizations for organizing the event on the occasion of the birth anniversary of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great on December 5, 2024. This date also marks Thailand’s National Day and Father’s Day. She also emphasized her appreciation for the cooperation in cultural and social fields, particularly at the people-to-people level, which serves as the foundation for fostering collaboration between Thailand and Vietnam, thereby facilitating the promotion of trade, investment, and economic exchanges.

On behalf of the Royal Thai Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City, Ms. Wiraka Moodhitaporn reaffirmed the commitment to continue strengthening and expanding cooperation across all fields, contributing to the further deepening of the profound friendship between Thailand and Vietnam. She also emphasized the shared pursuit of common benefits, reinforcing the role of the two nations as sustainable and reliable strategic partners.

At this gathering to celebrate the National Day of the Kingdom of Thailand, Ăn Chay TV participated not only as an invited delegate but was once again honored to sponsor the event. The organization also expressed gratitude for the efforts of the Royal Thai Consulate General in promoting cooperation across various fields, including culture, tourism, education, training, and economics.

The program concluded with two captivating performances. The first was the song “Luồn Thẳng Vào Tim” performed by Cheng, a promising rising star in Vietnam’s music scene. Following this was an impressive Thai song presented by Mr. Ngô Đình Đôn, a teacher and Ph.D. candidate at Khon Kaen University in Thailand, currently working at the Vietnam-Southeast Asia Research Center of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Ho Chi Minh City.