Vietnam and Thailand are deepening cooperation on religious affairs and ethnic minority development as they mark 50 years of diplomatic relations. This partnership aims to bring economic and cultural benefits to local communities, especially ethnic minorities.

Ambassador Urawadee announced that the Royal Kathina Robe Offering Ceremony will take place at Tam Chuc Pagoda in Ninh Binh, showcasing cultural exchange. The ceremony also backs Vietnam’s bid for UNESCO World Heritage status for the Van Long‑Kim Bang‑Tam Chuc landscape.

According to Ambassador Urawadee, the Thai Embassy has been active in Dien Bien province, a mountainous area with tourism potential. It has organized tourism development training courses, offered Thai‑language classes for residents, and sent Black Thai ethnic performers to local festivals.

Minister Khang proposed expanding cooperation by providing advanced tourism skills training, sharing technology, and linking tourism products between Dien Bien and international markets. He said these steps could help ethnic minority communities reach a wider customer base.

The two sides discussed cooperation that promotes sustainable poverty reduction, preserves cultural heritage, and creates sustainable livelihoods for ethnic minority communities. Both governments see these goals as essential for the long‑term development of the region.

If the plans succeed, ethnic minority people in Vietnam could see more jobs, better tourism services, and stronger cultural ties with Thailand. The partnership demonstrates how international cooperation can directly improve local lives.