Mekong Institute (MI) Executive Director, Mr. Suriyan Vichitlekarn, joined the celebrations marking the 80th Anniversary of Viet Nam’s National Day, hosted by the Consulate General of Vietnam in Khon Kaen. The commemorative events were held in Udon Thani Province on August 28, 2025.

In the afternoon, Mr. Suriyan participated as a speaker in the Business Seminar on “Strengthening Economic Cooperation between Vietnam and Thailand in the New Era.” Delivering his keynote on “Thailand–Viet Nam Cooperation: A Driving Force for the Mekong and ASEAN Economy”, he commended Viet Nam’s remarkable progress and highlighted the strength of Thailand–Viet Nam economic ties, with bilateral trade reaching nearly USD 6.9 billion in early 2025. He reaffirmed MI’s role in advancing regional cooperation through human resource development and economic corridors, stressing that Thailand–Viet Nam partnership is a vital driver of growth in the Mekong Subregion and ASEAN. The seminar also brought together distinguished speakers and participants from both countries to exchange insights on enhancing trade, investment, and partnership opportunities across the region.

In the evening, Mr. Suriyan extended his congratulations to Mr. Dinh Hoang Linh, Consul General of Viet Nam in Khon Kaen, at the official reception marking Vietnam’s National Day. The event brought together government officials, business leaders, and representatives from academia and development partners, underscoring the enduring bonds of friendship and cooperation between Viet Nam and Thailand, and other GMS member countries.