Thailand Vietnam tourism cooperation expands through a new agreement between TAT and Vietnam Airlines, supporting air connectivity, joint marketing initiatives and travel growth between the two countries.
Bangkok,
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and Vietnam Airlines have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen tourism cooperation, enhance air connectivity, and support travel growth between Thailand and Viet Nam.
The agreement was signed during H.E. General To Lam’s official visit to Thailand, from 27 to 29 May 2026, as General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam and President of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam. The visit coincides with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Thailand and Viet Nam.
The signing took place in Bangkok alongside the Thailand–Vietnam Business Forum, where H.E. General To Lam and H.E. Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, Prime Minister of Thailand, delivered keynote addresses.
The MOU was signed by Ms. Thapanee Kiatphaibool, Governor of TAT, and Mr. Le Hong Ha, President and Chief Executive Officer of Vietnam Airlines. Separate agreements were also signed between Vietnam Airlines, Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited (AOT) and the Thai Travel Agents Association (TTAA).
Expanding air connectivity between Thailand and Viet Nam
“This MOU gives practical expression to the Thailand–Viet Nam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership through tourism. 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,”said Ms. Thapanee.
Under the agreement, TAT and Vietnam Airlines will collaborate on route development and additional flight frequencies. Priority routes include Hanoi–Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City–Bangkok, Da Nang–Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City–Phuket and Hanoi–Chiang Mai.
As an early outcome of the partnership, Vietnam Airlines announced a new Ho Chi Minh City–Phuket service. The route will commence on 2 July 2026 with four weekly flights, creating a direct connection between southern Viet Nam and one of Thailand’s leading resort destinations.
Joint promotion and market development
The agreement establishes a framework for cooperation across marketing and trade activities. These include participation in international tourism fairs, buyer engagement programmes, promotional campaigns, tourism workshops, familiarisation trips, Mega FAM Trips, official visits, media initiatives, influencer activities and market intelligence exchange.
A Joint Working Group will oversee implementation and coordinate activities between the two organisations.
TAT continues to strengthen Thailand’s tourism presence in Viet Nam through partnerships with travel platforms, tour operators, financial institutions, and tourism organisations. Current campaigns focus on Thailand travel packages, water-based tourism experiences, sport tourism, ASEAN travel routes and digital promotion under the “5 Must Do in Thailand” concept.
The tourism authority is also using key industry events, including the Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Festival 2026 and Vietnam Travel Mart 2026, to expand trade engagement and support tourism package sales.
Viet Nam remains one of Thailand’s important short-haul source markets. From 1 January to 25 May 2026, Thailand welcomed 219,986 visitors from Viet Nam. Demand continues to be supported by strong air connectivity, geographical proximity and interest in value-for-money travel experiences, while Thailand’s shopping, events, lifestyle attractions and family-focused tourism offerings continue to attract repeat visitors.