The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has formalized a partnership with Vietnam Airlines by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) during the official visit of H.E. General To Lam, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam and President of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, from 27 to 29 May 2026. This visit coincides with the celebration of 50 years of diplomatic relations between Thailand and Vietnam.
Keynote speeches were delivered by H.E. General To Lam and H.E. Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, the Prime Minister of Thailand, at the Thailand–Vietnam Business Forum held in Bangkok. The MOU was signed by Ms. Thapanee Kiatphaibool, TAT Governor, and Mr. Le Hong Ha, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Vietnam Airlines. In addition to this agreement, Vietnam Airlines also entered into separate MOUs with Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited (AOT), represented by Ms. Paweena Jariyathitipong, AOT President, and with the Thai Travel Agents Association (TTAA), represented by Mr. Phumiphiphat Meesamran, TTAA Vice President.
According to Ms. Thapanee Kiatphaibool, the TAT Governor, this MOU serves as a concrete manifestation of the Thailand–Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership through tourism. She emphasized the importance of enhancing air connectivity, stating, “For TAT, stronger air links are not only about flights, but about connecting market demand with routes, trade partners, and targeted promotion. By working with Vietnam Airlines, we aim to make travel between the two countries more seamless, build trade confidence, and reinforce Thailand as a preferred destination for Vietnamese travellers and a regional gateway within ASEAN.”
The agreement entails cooperation in route development and increasing flight frequencies, focusing on important routes such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to Bangkok, as well as Da Nang to Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City to Phuket, and Hanoi to Chiang Mai. This initiative aims to facilitate easier access between the two nations and enhance travel options across ASEAN.
In a significant early development, Vietnam Airlines has announced the launch of its new service connecting Ho Chi Minh City to Phuket, which is set to commence on 2 July 2026, featuring four weekly flights. This route is a direct outcome of the MOU’s objectives to enhance air access, linking southern Vietnam with one of Thailand’s premier resort destinations.
The partnership also includes a framework for collaborative marketing, participation in international tourism fairs, buyer engagement, promotional content creation, tourism workshops, familiarization trips, Mega FAM Trips, official visits, and media and influencer initiatives, as well as an exchange of market information. A Joint Working Group will oversee the execution and maintain coordination between both entities.
TAT is actively enhancing Thailand’s visibility in Vietnam through collaborations with travel platforms, tour operators, financial partners, and tourism organizations. Present initiatives are centered on Thailand travel packages, water-based tourism experiences, ASEAN-related routes, sports tourism, and digital marketing under the “5 Must Do in Thailand” campaign.
Furthermore, TAT is leveraging key sales platforms, including the Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Festival 2026 and Vietnam Travel Mart 2026, to promote package sales, strengthen trade relations, and position Thailand as a diverse, accessible, and value-driven destination for Vietnamese tourists.
As of 25 May 2026, Vietnam stands as one of Thailand’s vital short-haul markets, with 219,986 Vietnamese visitors recorded since the start of the year. This demand is bolstered by geographical proximity, air access, and a growing interest in flexible, value-oriented travel, with Thailand’s events, shopping, lifestyle offerings, and family-friendly attractions encouraging repeat visits.
Source: The Voice of Chandigarh
