On September 14, 2026, at 4:10 PM, the King of Thailand, Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua, and Queen Suthida landed at Noi Bai Airport in Hanoi, Vietnam. This visit is significant as it marks the first state visit by the Thai royal couple since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1976.

Their arrival was part of a state visit from September 14 to 16, 2026, following an invitation from the General Secretary and President of Vietnam, To Lam, and his wife. Despite light rain at the airport, the royal aircraft landed safely and on schedule.

Notably, both the King and Queen occupied the cockpit of the Boeing 737-800 during the landing, showcasing a unique aspect of their arrival. Due to the weather conditions, they were transported by a special vehicle from the aircraft to the VIP terminal for the welcoming ceremony.

The welcoming delegation included Le Khanh Hai, Head of the Office of the President, and Vu Dai Thang, Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee, along with representatives from various departments of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Accompanying the royal couple were several high-ranking officials, including the Prime Minister and Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, the Thai Ambassador to Vietnam Urawadee Sriphiromya, and other royal aides. This visit is expected to strengthen the strategic partnership between Thailand and Vietnam, as both nations signed an action program for the period 2026-2031 during To Lam's recent visit to Thailand in May 2026.