Vietnam has encouraged Thailand-based Gulf Development to expand investment in liquefied natural gas (LNG) and renewable energy projects, reinforcing efforts to strengthen energy infrastructure and long-term supply security as electricity demand accelerates across Southeast Asia.

The Bangkok Post reported that Vietnam’s top leadership invited Gulf Development to deepen investment during high-level meetings in Thailand, with discussions centred on energy security, infrastructure delivery and long-term industrial cooperation.

During talks with Gulf Development chief executive Sarath Ratanavadi, Vietnamese officials encouraged the company to advance projects aligned with environmental and social responsibility standards while supporting technology transfer and workforce capability development.

Gulf Development expressed interest in becoming a long-term strategic energy partner for Vietnam through investments in LNG and renewable power generation. The company already has a history of energy investment in Vietnam, including solar and wind projects as well as LNG-related infrastructure ambitions.

Vietnam’s push for foreign energy investment comes as the country seeks to expand generation capacity to support industrial growth, urbanisation and rising electricity consumption. LNG and renewable energy are increasingly viewed as central to balancing energy security with decarbonisation objectives across the region.

Regional governments are increasingly engaging private energy operators to accelerate investment in generation assets, transmission infrastructure and fuel diversification strategies. Vietnam has continued to position itself as a destination for long-term infrastructure capital as it modernises its energy system.

The discussions underscore growing cross-border energy cooperation between Vietnam and Thailand as both markets pursue greater grid resilience and diversified power generation portfolios.

Discover the full details on Vietnam’s discussions with Gulf Development on energy investment here.