Thailand Week 2026 Kicks Off in Ho Chi Minh City

Thailand Week 2026, organized by the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) under Thailand's Ministry of Commerce, has commenced in Ho Chi Minh City, the major southern metropolis of Vietnam. The event offers visitors a wide array of products and services, including food and beverages, beauty and wellness products, electrical appliances and household goods, fashion and accessories, and mother-and-baby products. Highlights include offerings from the trade, tourism, banking, and hospitality sectors, featuring restaurants certified under the Thai SELECT program. This initiative aims to introduce Thailand's diverse industries and culture to the Vietnamese market, strengthening economic ties between the two nations. Ho Chi Minh City has expressed its intent to boost cooperation with Thailand, Cambodia, and the Philippines, and Thailand Week can be seen as part of these efforts. The Thai ambassador to Vietnam has also emphasized that people-to-people ties lay a firm foundation for stronger Vietnam-Thailand relations, with cultural events and exhibitions playing a crucial role. Past events, such as a photo exhibition celebrating 50 years of Vietnam-Thailand diplomatic relations, underscore the history of friendly relations between the two countries. Vietnam, under its one-party system, has experienced rapid economic growth and is a significant player in the ASEAN region. Its strategy of expanding economic ties with various countries while maintaining a complex relationship with China is fundamental to its foreign policy. Events like Thailand Week are expected to foster people-to-people exchanges and bring economic benefits as part of this economic diplomacy.