Philippine President Hosts Official Welcome Ceremony for Vietnam’s Top Leader
	Viet Nam, Philippines Upgrade Relations to Enhanced Strategic Partnership

The event was jointly organized by the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations, the Viet Nam-Philippines Friendship Association, and the Embassy of the Philippines in Viet Nam.

The program was attended by Phan Anh Son, President of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations; Phung Duc Tien, former Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment and President of the Viet Nam-Philippines Friendship Association; Philippine Ambassador to Viet Nam Francisco Noel R. Fernandez III; representatives of ASEAN diplomatic missions, government ministries and agencies, people's organizations, businesses, Vietnamese alumni who studied in the Philippines, and the Filipino community in Viet Nam.

A performance by Filipino students studying at Thai Nguyen University. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

Bilateral cooperation expands across multiple sectors

Phan Anh Son said that the 50 years of diplomatic relations between Viet Nam and the Philippines represent a journey of building trust, strengthening mutual understanding, and fostering partnership between two countries that share common interests, responsibilities, and aspirations for a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Southeast Asia.

Although the two countries officially established diplomatic relations on July 12, 1976, exchanges between their peoples date back several centuries. As early as the 15th century, maritime trade across the East Sea connected the trading ports of Viet Nam and the Philippines, laying the foundation for economic and cultural ties.

Since establishing diplomatic relations, the two countries have steadily expanded cooperation, established a Strategic Partnership in 2015, and elevated ties to an Enhanced Strategic Partnership during the State visit to the Philippines by Party General Secretary and State President To Lam in June 2026.

Phan Anh Son, President of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations, addresses the Friendship Gathering. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

According to Philippine Ambassador to Viet Nam Francisco Noel R. Fernandez III, the new framework reflects the determination of both countries to deepen cooperation for the benefit of the peoples of Viet Nam and the Philippines, while creating favorable conditions for enhanced collaboration in defense, maritime affairs, the economy, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges.

In the areas of defense and maritime cooperation, the two countries have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on defense cooperation, opening new avenues for closer coordination between their defense authorities. The Philippine Coast Guard and the Viet Nam Coast Guard have also maintained exchange programs and professional cooperation, contributing to peace, security, and maritime safety.

Trade and investment cooperation remains a key pillar of bilateral relations. Two-way trade reached USD 7.8 billion in 2025, with both countries aiming to achieve and surpass USD 10 billion.

The Philippines encourages Vietnamese businesses to expand their investments in the Philippine market. Philippine enterprises are currently investing in Viet Nam in sectors including food processing, transport infrastructure, water treatment, education, and pharmaceuticals. Viet Nam also continues to be one of the Philippines' major rice suppliers, helping meet the country's food security needs.

Ambassador Francisco Noel R. Fernandez III also noted that, as of July 2026, the World Bank has classified both Viet Nam and the Philippines as upper-middle-income economies. He said this milestone reflects the effectiveness of the macroeconomic management and economic reforms implemented by the two countries in recent years.

Philippine Ambassador to Viet Nam Francisco Noel R. Fernandez III delivers remarks at the Friendship Gathering. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

In the tourism sector, the Viet Nam-Philippines Tourism Cooperation Program for 2026-2029, together with enhanced air connectivity, is expected to facilitate travel and promote tourist exchanges between the two countries.

Regarding the Filipino community living, studying, and working in Viet Nam, the Ambassador said that the Embassy of the Philippines will continue coordinating with relevant Vietnamese authorities to ensure the safety, rights, and well-being of Philippine citizens.

At the regional level, the Ambassador emphasized that the continued development of Viet Nam-Philippines relations will contribute to ASEAN's peace, stability, and prosperity. Both countries support resolving regional issues through peaceful means and in accordance with international law.

As ASEAN Chair in 2026, the Philippines highly values Viet Nam's support for the region's key agendas, including food security, energy security, building a resilient ASEAN Community, and protecting ASEAN citizens living and working abroad.

Expanding connections among local communities, businesses, and the younger generation

Phan Anh Son emphasized that while state diplomacy establishes the framework for cooperation, people-to-people diplomacy provides the enduring vitality that sustains relations between nations.

Over the past 50 years, Viet Nam-Philippines people-to-people relations have been advanced through cooperation in the fields of economy, education, culture, and connections among organizations, localities, educational institutions, and communities in both countries.

Delegates pose for a group photo. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

In the coming period, the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations will work closely with the Embassy of the Philippines and people-to-people partners to implement the Joint Statement on the Enhanced Strategic Partnership, focusing on three priorities.

First, expanding people-to-people exchange networks from major cities to localities and communities through cultural, educational, and friendship exchange activities.

Second, strengthening the bridging role of people-to-people diplomacy in connecting business associations, startups, and localities of the two countries, thereby supporting cooperation in trade, high-tech agriculture, and the digital economy.

Third, enhancing connections among the younger generation by gradually establishing networks for young leaders, scholars, students, and young entrepreneurs, while encouraging joint initiatives in education, digital capacity, and sustainable development.

Education was identified by participants as one of the key channels for strengthening bilateral ties. Hundreds of Vietnamese students have studied in the Philippines, while many Philippine nationals are studying, working, teaching English, and learning about Vietnamese culture.

Cultural and historical landmarks have also contributed to enhancing mutual understanding between the peoples of the two countries. Statues of President Ho Chi Minh have been erected in Manila and on the campus of Laguna State Polytechnic University, while statues of President Ho Chi Minh and Philippine national hero José Rizal stand at Thai Nguyen University.

According to Phan Anh Son, these monuments honor two great leaders and their shared ideals of national independence, while reminding younger generations of the common values embraced by both peoples: freedom, justice, and patriotism.

Representing Vietnamese alumni of Philippine universities, Nguyen Hung Binh, a graduate of Far Eastern University, said that his time studying in the Philippines enabled him to acquire knowledge, improve his language skills, develop effective learning methods, and gain a deeper understanding of the country's culture and society.

He noted that the open, multicultural learning environment, together with the support of lecturers, fellow students, and local communities, helped international students strengthen their ability to integrate while fostering understanding and respect for cultural diversity.

"Through my experiences in both academic and daily life, I have come to understand that Viet Nam-Philippines relations are reflected not only in the cooperation frameworks established by our two countries, but are also nurtured through the close bonds formed between our peoples," Nguyen Hung Binh said.

He suggested that the two countries continue expanding student exchange programs, youth exchanges, and alumni networks. The network of Vietnamese who have studied in the Philippines can serve as an effective bridge for cooperation in education, culture, the economy, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges.

Ambassador Francisco Noel R. Fernandez III affirmed that the achievements in bilateral relations are the result of the joint efforts of the governments and peoples of both countries. The close ties, mutual trust, and cooperation between the peoples of Viet Nam and the Philippines provide a solid foundation for the continued development of bilateral relations in the years ahead.

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