Can Tho Celebrates the 50th Anniversary of Vietnam - Philippines Ties

	Three Priorities for Advancing Viet Nam-Philippines People-to-People Relations
	People-to-People Bridges Across 50 Years of Vietnam-Philippines Relations

The program was jointly organized by the Can Tho Union of Friendship Organizations, the Philippine Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City, and Can Tho University to celebrate the half-century of friendship and cooperation between the two countries while enhancing people-to-people exchanges and promoting cooperation in the new period.

Attending the event were Former Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Philippines to Vietnam Meynardo Los Banos Montealegre; Acting Consul General of the Philippines in Ho Chi Minh City Shirley Nuevo; Former Honorary Consul General of the Philippines in Ho Chi Minh City Le Thi Phung; leaders of the Can Tho Party Committee, People's Council, People's Committee and Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Can Tho City; together with a large number of delegates, lecturers, students and representatives of friendship organizations.

Deputy Secretary of the Can Tho Party Committee Nguyen Tuan Anh (left) presents a commemorative gift to Acting Consul General of the Philippines in Ho Chi Minh City Shirley Nuevo during the gathering. (Photo: HV)

Half a Century of Building Trust

Addressing the gathering, Deputy Secretary of the Can Tho Party Committee Nguyen Tuan Anh emphasized that the event provided an opportunity to look back on the 50-year journey of friendship, cooperation and mutual trust between Vietnam and the Philippines, while reaffirming the determination to continue fostering the Enhanced Strategic Partnership between the two countries in an increasingly substantive, effective and sustainable manner.

Member of the Standing Committee of the Can Tho Party Committee and Permanent Vice Chairwoman of the Can Tho People's Council Ma Thi Tuoi (left), and Member of the Standing Committee of the Can Tho Party Committee and Permanent Vice President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Can Tho City Tran Van Chinh (second from right), present flowers and commemorative gifts to Former Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Philippines to Vietnam Meynardo Los Banos Montealegre and Former Honorary Consul General of the Philippines in Ho Chi Minh City Le Thi Phung. (Photo: HV)

Deputy Secretary Nguyen Tuan Anh said that over the past 50 years, Vietnam-Philippines relations have continued to develop on the basis of trust, respect and mutual understanding. In particular, the elevation of bilateral ties to an Enhanced Strategic Partnership during the State visit to the Philippines by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee To Lam in June 2026 has opened a new stage of cooperation with promising prospects in politics, economy, trade, education, science and technology, national defense, security, and people-to-people exchanges.

He affirmed that Can Tho City's selection as the host locality for the program was of special significance, not only contributing to stronger people-to-people exchanges but also creating opportunities to connect the city with Philippine localities, businesses and partners in various fields. At the same time, he expressed appreciation to the Embassy of the Philippines in Vietnam, the Philippine Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City, and organizations and individuals that have made significant contributions to promoting friendship between the two countries. He also acknowledged the contributions of Former Honorary Consul General Le Thi Phung in promoting cooperation and friendship between the Philippines and Can Tho City, as well as other southern localities.

Vice Chairwoman of the Can Tho People's Committee Nguyen Thi Ngoc Diep (fourth from right) and President of the Can Tho Union of Friendship Organizations Le Thi Thanh Giang (fourth from left) present flowers and commemorative gifts to the Executive Committee of the Vietnam–Philippines Friendship Association of Can Tho at the gathering. (Photo: HV)

Speaking at the program, Acting Consul General of the Philippines in Ho Chi Minh City Shirley Nuevo thanked the Can Tho Union of Friendship Organizations and Can Tho University for jointly organizing the meaningful event marking the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

According to Acting Consul General Shirley Nuevo, the past 50 years have demonstrated the strong relationship between the two countries as friends, trusted partners and active members of the ASEAN community. The program in Can Tho further translated the spirit of the Joint Statement on Strengthening the Vietnam-Philippines Enhanced Strategic Partnership through cultural exchange activities and people-to-people connectivity.

She also highly appreciated the contributions of former Honorary Consul General Le Thi Phung, who served for more than 16 years as Honorary Consul General of the Philippines in Ho Chi Minh City, making important contributions to strengthening friendship between the Philippines and Can Tho City as well as southern Vietnam.

Education and People-to-People Exchanges: Sustainable Bridge of Friendship

Sharing information on educational cooperation between the two countries, Vice Director of Can Tho University Le Van Lam said the university has established partnerships with a number of prestigious Philippine universities and organizations, including the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), Aklan State University, Quirino State University, Mindanao State University at Naawan, and Sorsogon State University.

To date, Can Tho University has signed eight memoranda of understanding and cooperation agreements with Philippine partners. A total of 28 lecturers have completed master's and doctoral training in the Philippines, while 80 students have participated in academic exchange programs between the two countries. Since the beginning of 2026, the university has welcomed 35 Philippine lecturers and students for study, research and academic exchange.

One of the cultural performances presented at the gathering marking the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the Philippines in Can Tho City. (Photo: HV)

The two sides have also implemented a number of research projects on sustainable agriculture, climate change adaptation, food systems development and educational capacity building, with a total budget of more than VND 3.5 billion. These achievements have reaffirmed the role of education and scientific cooperation in promoting sustainable development and strengthening friendship between the two countries.

Representing the Vietnam - Philippines Friendship Association of Can Tho City, People's Teacher, Professor, Dr. Vo Quang Minh, President of the Association, said that since its establishment in 2014, the Association has worked closely with the Can Tho Union of Friendship Organizations to organize cultural exchanges, delegation exchanges, seminars, and cooperation activities in education, science and business between Can Tho and Philippine partners.

Many lecturers and staff members from Can Tho University, the Mekong Delta Rice Research Institute and other educational institutions in the region have participated in training programs in the Philippines, contributing to stronger academic cooperation between the two countries. In particular, during the 1985-1990 period, cooperation between Philippine experts and Vietnamese scientists contributed to the successful breeding and development of brown planthopper-resistant rice varieties, making an important contribution to ensuring food security in the Mekong Delta.

Delegates pose for a commemorative photo with the organizing committee and the delegation from the Embassy and Consulate General of the Philippines at the gathering. (Photo: HV)

Professor Vo Quang Minh said that in the coming time, the Association will continue expanding cultural, educational, student, lecturer and youth exchange activities. He also expressed hope that the Embassy and the Consulate General of the Philippines would continue supporting connections with Philippine partners, businesses and investors to cooperate with Can Tho City in investment, trade, tourism and sustainable development.

Within the framework of the program, the Organizing Committee presented tokens of appreciation to Former Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Philippines to Vietnam Meynardo Los Banos Montealegre and Former Honorary Consul General of the Philippines in Ho Chi Minh City Le Thi Phung for their positive contributions to fostering friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and the Philippines.

The gathering in Can Tho not only helped promote the images, people and cultures of Vietnam and the Philippines, but also continued to strengthen solidarity and friendship between the peoples of the two countries, opening up new opportunities for cooperation in the future.

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