Party and State Leader Meets Vietnamese Community in Philippines
	Philippine President Hosts Official Welcome Ceremony for Vietnam’s Top Leader

- Ambassador, what has made Philippines-Viet Nam relations distinctive over the past 50 years?

- Viet Nam is the only Southeast Asian country with which the Philippines established a Strategic Relationship. During the recent State Visit to Manila by General Secretary and President To Lam, this relationship was elevated to an Enhanced Strategic Relationship. For the Philippines to decide to enter into a Strategic Relationship with Viet Nam demonstrates the high expectations of Manila that this relationship is important and beneficial to both countries.

The establishment of this Strategic Relationship between the Philippines and Viet Nam is not only symbolic but also carries a commitment by both sides to devote special attention and resources to achieve the declared objectives set out in a bilateral Plan of Action.

Consequently, the activities of both sides are calculated, planned, and conceptualized towards a specific objective, to strengthen the bilateral strategic relations. Unlike regular bilateral relations, the agreement on a bilateral Plan of Action motivates both sides to complete all agreed plans and programs within a set timetable. Both sides, therefore, become active partners and not mere passive actors.

Viet Nam and the Philippines established diplomatic relations in 1976, at a time when the region and the world were still marked by considerable uncertainty and change. The two countries chose to strengthen dialogue and cooperation in pursuit of their shared interests and national development. The establishment of diplomatic ties 50 years ago was therefore a pioneering step, demonstrating the determination of both sides to set aside differences in favor of the broader goal of promoting peace and prosperity in the region.

Philippine Ambassador to Viet Nam Francisco Noel R. Fernandez III (Photo: VGP)

- What practical benefits will the Enhanced Strategic Partnership bring to the peoples and business communities of the two countries?

- An Enhanced Strategic Partnership demonstrates a commitment by both sides to further elevate their level of exchanges and partnership in all aspects, including in the political, economic, and cultural dimensions.

In the political field, the two countries reiterated their commitment to promote peace in the region, renouncing the use of violence to settle disputes, and supporting regional and multilateral organizations, including the United Nations. This will deliver a peaceful environment for the people and business communities to enhance trade and increase cultural and touristic interactions. The end goal is to develop a prosperous people and community.

In the area of economic exchanges, the leaders of both sides have set a target to increase bilateral trade beyond the USD 10 billion target. This will necessarily mobilize the business sectors of both sides to explore more areas for exchange and encourage investments in each other’s territories.

The Philippines has invested more in Viet Nam in terms of the number of Philippine businesses establishing their long-term presence in Viet Nam. Vietnamese businesses will now be motivated to similarly invest in the Philippines as they tap new areas of trade, including maximizing the leading role played by the Philippine business process outsourcing industry in supporting global expansion of regional and multinational companies and business enterprises. Vietnamese enterprises are now rapidly expanding their reach outside of the country’s boundaries.

- During your tenure in Viet Nam, what has impressed you most about the country and its people?

- Prior to my arrival in Ha Noi on 17 January 2026 to commence my tenure as Philippine Ambassador, I did not have the opportunity to visit Viet Nam. I, therefore, arrived eager to learn about the country and its people.

Since my arrival, I have seen many similarities between the peoples of the Philippines and Viet Nam. Many of the natural wonders in Viet Nam have mirrored sites in the Philippines, and vice versa. With so many places and culture which are the same, I am optimistic that the relationship between the Philippines and Viet Nam can only develop for the better.

On a more specific situation, I was amazed at the growth of international tourism in Viet Nam. Touristic sites in places I have visited in Ha Noi, Ho Chi Minh, Ha Long Bay, Da Nang, and Ninh Binh are filled with foreign tourists. It is no wonder that tourism revenue has been calculated as representing ten per cent of Viet Nam’s GDP.

As Viet Nam grows its tourism industry, the Philippines can offer its support by helping deliver international-level of services and care through the management of many of Viet Nam’s tourism companies, such as hotels, resorts, and the entertainment industry. In addition, Filipino English-language teachers will play a critical role in equipping Vietnamese partners with the ability to communicate in the English language, which is the universal language for trade and tourism.

For its part, Vietnam is ideally situated to share best practices with the Philippines on advancing economic growth and sustaining the development of the country and its people. The economic growth of Viet Nam is admired by all.

- In your opinion, what should be done to further strengthen mutual understanding and people-to-people ties between Viet Nam and the Philippines, thereby contributing to the sustainable development of bilateral relations?

- There must be an earnest effort by both sides to explore more areas of trade and economic exchange. By exceeding the bilateral trade target set by the leaders of both countries, a robust trade and economic relationship will ensure that the momentum of improvement in bilateral relations will continue far into the future.

After all, one of the primary responsibilities of government is to ensure economic growth and promote better lives for their peoples. It is in the area of trade that this will be realized. Once the two countries are able to open new avenues for trade, the benefit will not only be to the participating companies but to the ordinary citizens who will be provided job opportunities as business enterprises expand their presence and operations.

The Philippine delegation receives a warm welcome during its visit to Hoi An Ancient Town. (Photo: VNA)

In the area of people-to-people exchange, Viet Nam should encourage more of its citizens to travel to the Philippines. In 2025, more than 482,000 Filipinos visited Viet Nam. In contrast, only 33,000 Vietnamese tourists visited the Philippines in the same year. By increasing the number of tourists travelling to each other’s territories, a robust people-to-people exchange will be an important motivation for both governments to ensure that our bilateral relationship will be strengthened, as it stands on a firm foundation of a close relationship between our citizens.

As regards investments, the level of Philippine investments in Viet Nam should be reciprocated by seeing Vietnamese companies investing in the Philippines. While selling products and merchandise helps increase the volume of trade between the two sides, this is a mere short-term measure. By investing in each other’s territory, however, the trade commitment becomes long-term and beneficial to both sides. The investing company will expand its market while the citizens of the receiving country will find new work opportunities.

It is, however, important to note that contractual obligations that encourage investments by business enterprises from one side to invest in the other’s territory should be honored and respected, regardless of any changes in the leadership of provincial or municipal governments. This will help strengthen the confidence of the business community and create a more conducive environment for expanding investment and trade cooperation between the two countries.

- Thank you very much!

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