Vietnam and Thailand upgrade relations to strategic partnership

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Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, front center, walks to a meeting in Hanoi, Vietnam Friday, May 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Hau Dinh)

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Officers adjust honor guard attires before a welcome ceremony for Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra in Hanoi, Vietnam Friday, May 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Hau Dinh)

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Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, center left, and Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, center right, review honor guards during a welcome ceremony in Hanoi, Vietnam Friday, May 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Hau Dinh)

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Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, front right, and Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, front left, walk to a meeting in Hanoi, Vietnam Friday, May 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Hau Dinh)

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Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, right, and Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra shake hands in Hanoi, Vietnam Friday, May 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Hau Dinh)

By ANIRUDDHA GHOSAL

HANOI, Vietnam (AP) — Vietnam and Thailand have upgraded their ties to strategic partnership, state media said Friday.

Vietnam now treats Thailand the same way as it does the U.S., China and Russia, its main strategic partners.

The announcement was made after Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s visit to Hanoi and meeting with her Vietnamese counterpart, Pham Minh Chinh.

The closer ties aims to enhance political, defense and security cooperation, boost trade to $25 billion and increase tourism and green energy cooperation, state media said.