Overview of the working session

Speaking at the meeting, Chairman of the Quang Tri Provincial People’s Committee Le Hong Vinh expressed his pleasure at welcoming the high-level delegation from Ubon Ratchathani Province to Quang Tri for a visit and working session. He emphasized that the visit takes place in 2026, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Thailand (1976–2026), and following the elevation of bilateral relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2025. This provides a meaningful opportunity for the two provinces to strengthen their friendship, review the outcomes of their cooperation, and agree on new, practical orientations for the coming period.

Since the two provinces signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the establishment of friendly relations on January 18, 2024, Quang Tri - Ubon Ratchathani relations have made positive progress. The two sides have maintained delegation exchanges and cultural exchanges while promoting cooperation in trade and investment, agriculture, education and training. In particular, the trial cultivation of several Thai-origin crop varieties in Quang Tri and cooperation with educational institutions in Ubon Ratchathani have yielded encouraging initial results.

Chairman of the Quang Tri Provincial People’s Committee Le Hong Vinh speaks at the working session

Following its administrative merger, Quang Tri Province covers an area of approximately 12,700 square kilometers and has a population of around 1.86 million, with 78 commune-level administrative units. The province now has expanded development space and considerable potential in marine economy, energy, tourism, high-tech agriculture, processing industries, logistics, and border-gate economy. In particular, Quang Tri holds a strategic position along the East–West Economic Corridor (EWEC), a route directly connecting Myanmar, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam. Quang Tri serves as an important gateway for the EWEC to the East Sea through its international border gates, cross-border transport routes and seaport system. This is a particularly important advantage for Quang Tri to strengthen economic linkages with localities in Laos and northeastern Thailand, including Ubon Ratchathani.

Along with its advantages from the EWEC, Quang Tri has a well-developed seaport system, with the My Thuy Deep-Water Port currently undergoing accelerated investment and development. This will facilitate the gradual formation of cross-border transport, logistics and supply chains. It also provides an important foundation for the two provinces to better explore the Ubon Ratchathani-Southern Laos-Quang Tri-East Sea connectivity route, expand the scope of economic cooperation, and facilitate the movement of goods, services and tourists.

Mr. Narong Thepsena, Governor of Ubon Ratchathani Province, speaks at the working session

The delegation from Ubon Ratchathani Province, Thailand

Chairman Le Hong Vinh proposed that, in the coming period, Quang Tri and Ubon Ratchathani strengthen trade and logistics connectivity and gradually promote Quang Tri's role as Ubon Ratchathani's gateway to the sea. The two sides should cooperate in developing and promoting interconnected tourism products, expand cooperation in agriculture, processing industries and the green economy, and continue to promote people-to-people exchanges, educational cooperation and human resource development.

Chairman Le Hong Vinh also asked relevant provincial departments and agencies to proactively review and translate these orientations into specific programs, projects and cooperation activities with clear priorities, focusing particularly on areas that can be implemented immediately, including trade and logistics connectivity, tourism, agriculture, investment and education.

Mr. Narong Thepsena, Governor of Ubon Ratchathani Province, presents a commemorative gift to Chairman of the Quang Tri Provincial People’s Committee

Mr. Narong Thepsena, Governor of Ubon Ratchathani Province, expressed his honor and pleasure at visiting and working with Quang Tri Province. He noted that the two localities share many similarities, particularly in terms of culture and traditions. Strengthening friendship and cooperation between the two provinces is therefore important for promoting cooperation in socio-economic development, education and training. Governor Narong Thepsena expressed his confidence that the visit and working session would contribute to expanding cooperation between the two localities, promoting socio-economic development and improving people's living standards. He also expressed his support for the cooperation orientations proposed by Chairman Le Hong Vinh and agreed with the recommendations regarding future cooperation between the two provinces.

Introducing the potential and advantages of Ubon Ratchathani Province, Governor Narong Thepsena said that the province is located in northeastern Thailand, covers an area of approximately 16,000 square kilometers, and is more than 600 kilometers from Bangkok. Ubon Ratchathani has extensive agricultural land and is one of the region's important transportation and logistics hubs. The province has an international airport, a railway system and a transport network connecting it with other localities in Thailand as well as countries in the region.

Chairman of the Quang Tri Provincial People’s Committee Le Hong Vinh presents a commemorative gift to Mr. Narong Thepsena, Governor of Ubon Ratchathani Province

Ubon Ratchathani has a rich history and distinctive cultural heritage, as well as a well-developed education system with a number of universities. Many Vietnamese students are currently studying in Ubon Ratchathani, creating favorable conditions for the two sides to further expand cooperation in education, training and human resource development. Regarding specific areas of cooperation, Governor Narong Thepsena proposed that the relevant departments and agencies of the two provinces continue to engage in direct discussions, reach agreement on specific programs, and gradually implement them in the coming period.

At the working session, representatives of departments and agencies from both provinces held direct discussions on the respective potential and advantages of the two localities, particularly in transportation, education and training, logistics and agriculture. They also proposed specific cooperation programs and activities suited to the development conditions and needs of both sides in the coming period.

Delegates pose for a commemorative photo following the working session

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