He was accompanied by Mr. Nguyen Danh Hoang Viet, Director General of the Vietnam Sports Administration.
The visit contributed to affirming the strategic role of culture and sports in foreign relations and sustainable development, especially in the context of celebrating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Thailand (1976–2026).
At the working session, Ambassador Pham Viet Hung provided information on the bilateral cooperation situation, emphasizing that Vietnam is increasingly becoming a favorite destination for Thai people, especially young people.
Minister Nguyen Van Hung captured a memorable moment with Ambassador Pham Viet Hung
In response, Minister Nguyen Van Hung reaffirmed the consistent stance of the Party and State on the three pillars of diplomacy, in which culture and people-to-people exchanges are increasingly identified as important bridges, creating a solid foundation for all international relations. The Minister profoundly analyzed that all countries in the world first come to know Vietnam through its cultural depth and the beauty of its people, from which interest in economics, trade, and tourism arises.
The Minister further expanded this concept to the economic field, emphasizing the need to build a healthy "business culture"—respecting the law, sharing benefits, and jointly bearing risks—as a characteristic of Vietnamese businesses when cooperating abroad. This is precisely what creates the depth of Vietnamese culture in international conduct.
During the exchange, the Minister informed about the Politburo's upcoming important resolution on the development of Vietnamese culture in the new era, which places a major emphasis on "internationalizing Vietnamese culture." This is a key direction for strengthening cultural cooperation with Thailand and selectively absorbing the best of human culture.
Ambassador Pham Viet Hung requested the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism's support in organizing more exchange activities to commemorate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations. Minister Nguyen Van Hung highly appreciated this proposal and pledged that the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism would assign the Department of International Cooperation to coordinate and propose practical activities.
The formal meeting took place at the Vietnamese Embassy in Thailand
Instead of organizing separate events, the Minister suggested expanding the scale to a comprehensive "Vietnam-Thailand Culture, Sports and Tourism Festival." This event will combine a tourism forum, destination promotion, sports exchanges, and joint arts programs, promising to enhance understanding and promote multifaceted cooperation between the two countries. The Minister also suggested considering the alternating organization of "Vietnamese Culture Day in Thailand" and "Thai Culture Day in Vietnam" in the near future.
Regarding the Vietnamese expatriate community in Thailand, the Minister affirmed the crucial role of preserving the Vietnamese language – the core of national identity – emphasizing that the dissemination of cultural values must be carried out sustainably through exchange activities, arts, and education, in the spirit of "As long as culture remains, the nation remains."
Concluding the visit, the Minister expressed his hope that the Embassy would continue to accompany and provide maximum support to the Vietnamese Sports Delegation throughout the 33rd SEA Games, and encouraged the expatriate community to share their spirit and provide strong encouragement for the athletes to achieve the highest possible results.
Ha Phuong