Numerous cultural and educational cooperation activities between Vietnam and Thailand.

On August 26th and 28th, 2026, a series of key events celebrating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Thailand took place in Bangkok and Udon Thani province. These events marked a historic milestone, aiming to upgrade the relationship to a "Comprehensive Strategic Partnership," while also deepening friendship, economic cooperation, education, and cultural exchange between the people of the two countries.

Opening ceremony of the Vietnam Library at the Center for Vietnamese Studies (Photo: University of Social Sciences and Humanities)

As part of the series of events, the international scientific conference "5 Decades of Thai-Vietnamese Diplomatic Relations: History, Society, Culture and Cooperation" was successfully held at the Tha Prachan campus (Bangkok). The event was attended by Mr. Pham Viet Hung, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to the Kingdom of Thailand; Mr. Komirich Chongbunwatana, Director of the East Asia Division 2, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand; and former Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Thailand to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

In his opening remarks, Professor Hoang Anh Tuan, Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, emphasized the rich history of the two universities and affirmed the importance of maintaining people-to-people diplomacy. Future cooperation directions focused on: language policy research, digital cultural heritage preservation, and practical student exchange programs.

The highlight of the conference was the launch of the commemorative book of the same name, meticulously compiled by scholars from both countries, and the awards ceremony for the short video creation contest "TikTok 2026: Thailand-Vietnam 50 Years of Friendship," which attracted great interest from young people and contributed to promoting friendship on the digital platform.

Award ceremony for the short video creation contest “TikTok 2026: Thailand-Vietnam 50 Years of Friendship” (Photo: University of Social Sciences and Humanities)

Continuing the series of events, on August 28, 2026, the Vietnam-Thailand Cultural Festival took place in Udon Thani province – a region associated with the Ho Chi Minh Memorial Area and the capital of the Vietnamese community in Northeast Thailand. This is also the area where 3/4 of the high schools in Thailand (32 out of 41 schools) offer Vietnamese as a foreign language.

Professor Hoang Anh Tuan, Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (VNU Hanoi), presents books to Consul General Dinh Hoang Linh (Photo: University of Social Sciences and Humanities)

The festival was marked by the opening ceremony of the Vietnam Library at the Center for Vietnamese Studies, marking the first Vietnamese library in the region outside of Vietnam.

Mr. Dinh Hoang Linh, Consul General of Vietnam in Khon Kaen, attended and witnessed the University of Social Sciences and Humanities presenting the "Collection of Social Sciences and Humanities Books".

In particular, four important cooperation agreements were signed between the Royal University of Udon Thanee and its partners: the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam Education Publishing House, Vietnam National Drama Theatre, and the Vietnamese Cultural Heritage Club.

As part of the series of events, Professor Hoang Anh Tuan, Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, along with a delegation from the university, visited and discussed cooperation with the School of Public Service and Policy at Khonkae University, and attended the Vietnamese Cultural Festival at Udonthannee Royal University.

The delegation from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities plays a core role in providing professional and academic support to the UDRU Center for Vietnamese Studies. Many collaborative activities have been launched, contributing positively to the dissemination of the Vietnamese language and culture to the world.

2026 is a pivotal year as the two countries officially celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations (1976-2026). Bilateral cooperation continues to be strengthened, with culture and education being among the pillars.

VOV2: Numerous cultural and educational cooperation activities between Vietnam and Thailand.