People-to-People Bridges Across 50 Years of Vietnam-Philippines Relations

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The year 2026 marks a significant milestone in Vietnam-Philippines relations as the two countries celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties (July 12, 1976 - July 12, 2026). A year earlier, in 2025, they commemorated the 10th anniversary of their Strategic Partnership, established during the State Visit to the Philippines by Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang in November 2015.

Over the past five decades, Vietnam-Philippines relations have continued to deepen across a wide range of fields. In particular, the State Visit to the Philippines by General Secretary and State President To Lam, his spouse, and a high-level Vietnamese delegation at the end of May 2026 marked a new milestone, with the leaders of the two countries agreeing to elevate bilateral ties from a Strategic Partnership to an Enhanced Strategic Partnership.

This upgraded relationship creates favorable conditions for strengthening political trust while generating new momentum for cooperation in such areas as economic, trade and investment cooperation, defense, maritime security, agriculture, education, culture, sports, tourism, digital transformation, and people-to-people exchanges. Within this broad framework of cooperation, people-to-people relations play a vital role in building a strong social foundation for bilateral ties.

Nguyen Thac Dinh, former Vietnamese Ambassador to the Philippines and Standing Vice President of the Vietnam-Philippines Friendship Association. (Photo: Courtesy of the interviewee)

Half a century of fostering mutual understanding between the two peoples

Looking back on 50 years of Vietnam-Philippines diplomatic relations, it is evident that people-to-people exchanges have evolved from initial friendship activities into increasingly diverse and substantive forms of cooperation.

The period from 1976 to 1994 laid the groundwork for people-to-people exchanges, primarily through exchanges of friendship delegations, youth organizations, women's organizations, and trade unions. Between 1995 and 2014, people-to-people diplomacy gradually expanded to include cultural, tourism, and educational cooperation. The number of Vietnamese trainees and students studying in the Philippines increased, while activities such as Vietnam and Philippines Cultural Weeks, artistic performances, exhibitions, film festivals, and showcases of each country's cuisine and traditional culture brought the peoples of the two nations closer together.

Since 2014, Vietnam-Philippines people-to-people relations have developed rapidly, beginning with the establishment of the Philippines-Vietnam Friendship Association on July 29, 2014, followed by the Vietnam-Philippines Friendship Association on October 29, 2014. This represented an important milestone, marking the first time that both countries established friendship organizations whose primary mission was to promote people-to-people exchanges and build a social foundation for bilateral relations, just before the two countries upgraded their ties to a Strategic Partnership in 2015.

The establishment of the two friendship associations has helped strengthen the bilateral people-to-people diplomacy mechanism, broaden the social foundation of bilateral relations, enhance mutual understanding, and build trust through regular exchange activities. This is especially meaningful given that both Vietnam and the Philippines are ASEAN members and share common interests in maintaining peace and stability in the East Sea.

Tangible connections

Since their establishment, the two friendship associations have become important bridges for people-to-people diplomacy, helping expand networks among businesses, scholars, young people, and civil society organizations in both countries. Their close coordination has actively contributed to enhancing mutual understanding, building trust, and creating a solid social foundation for Vietnam-Philippines relations.

In recent years, the leaders of the two associations have maintained regular exchanges and jointly organized activities commemorating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. One notable achievement was the Vietnam-Philippines Friendship Association's support for the construction of busts of President Ho Chi Minh and Philippine national hero Jose Rizal at Thai Nguyen University on May 2, 2019. The two monuments stand as meaningful symbols of mutual respect, understanding, and the close bonds between the two peoples.

Mario Ferdinand Ayano Pasion (second from left), President of the Philippines-Vietnam Friendship Association, during his visit to Hanoi in May 2025. (Photo: Courtesy of the interviewee)

For me personally, the Philippines is a country with which I have a deep and enduring connection. During my tenure as Vietnam's Ambassador to the Philippines, I accumulated many unforgettable memories, not only through diplomatic activities but also through my interactions with local people. What has remained with me most vividly is the sincere affection and warm hospitality that the Filipino people have extended to Vietnam.

At cultural events, people-to-people exchange activities, and ASEAN gatherings, I consistently experienced the goodwill and cooperative spirit of both Filipino partners and citizens. Cultural and culinary promotion programs organized by the Embassy during Vietnam's national celebrations and diplomatic events often attracted great interest from Filipino friends. Many were eager to learn about Vietnam's traditional attire and to enjoy dishes such as pho and nem, regarding them as enjoyable and meaningful cultural experiences.

Another particularly memorable experience was the visit to the Philippines in June 2023 by a delegation of the Vietnam-Philippines Friendship Association, which I had the honor of leading. During the trip, I visited the statue of President Ho Chi Minh at ASEAN Park in the historic Intramuros district of Manila. The statue was inaugurated during the State Visit to the Philippines by President Truong Tan Sang in October 2012, symbolizing the close friendship between Vietnam and the Philippines as well as Vietnam's friendship with its fellow ASEAN member states.

Standing before the statue of President Ho Chi Minh amid the greenery of ASEAN Park, I was deeply moved. My emotions were heightened when a group of Filipino schoolchildren visiting the park responded in unison, "Vietnam - Ho Chi Minh," when asked whether they knew whose statue it was. That simple yet meaningful moment reflected how the image of Vietnam and its people has become increasingly familiar to and appreciated by the people of the Philippines.

New momentum from the Enhanced Strategic Partnership

Fifty years after the establishment of diplomatic relations, people-to-people exchanges between Vietnam and the Philippines have evolved from modest beginnings into increasingly substantive and diverse cooperation. What began with friendship and cultural activities has expanded to encompass education, tourism, local-level cooperation, youth exchanges, business engagement, and initiatives that advance the shared interests of the two countries within the region.

Nguyen Thac Dinh (second from left), Standing Vice President of the Vietnam-Philippines Friendship Association, and leaders of the Philippines-Vietnam Friendship Association lay flowers at the statue of President Ho Chi Minh in ASEAN Park, Manila, the Philippines, in June 2023. (Photo: Courtesy of the interviewee)

The expansion of direct air connectivity, academic exchanges, tourism cooperation, and ties between the business communities of the two countries is creating more favorable conditions for their peoples to better understand one another. This serves as an important foundation for strengthening mutual trust and effectively supporting cooperation in politics, the economy, defense, security, and other areas of the bilateral relationship.

In recent years, the leaders of the two friendship associations have conducted visits, held working meetings, maintained regular exchanges, and reaffirmed their commitment to continuing to serve as bridges between the two peoples. Notably, the two Associations signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation for the 2025-2030 period, agreeing to promote cultural, tourism, educational, and sports exchanges, as well as practical people-to-people exchange activities.

The prospects for Vietnam-Philippines people-to-people relations are highly promising. The two countries have elevated their ties to an Enhanced Strategic Partnership, under which people-to-people exchanges continue to be accorded high priority. At the same time, the Vietnam-Philippines Friendship Association and the Philippines-Vietnam Friendship Association will continue to coordinate the implementation of their 2025-2030 Action Program, contributing to deeper friendship, greater mutual understanding, and stronger trust between the peoples of the two countries.

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