Bongbong off to Vietnam

PRESIDENT “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. leaves today for Vietnam where he is expected to discuss food security, agriculture, and trade with Vietnamese officials and traders.

The January 29 to 31 visit is on the invitation of Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong. It is Marcos’ first to Vietnam since as president, his second this year, and the 21st foreign trip since becoming president in 2022.

Accompanying him in the state visit are First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos and Cabinet officials led by Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo and members of the economic team.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Marcos will meet with several Vietnamese leaders including President Thoung, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, and National Assembly of Vietnam Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue and discuss with them the multi-faceted relationship between the Philippines and Vietnam and the possible ways of deepening bilateral relations and expanding cooperation across different areas.

The President is also expected to meet with business sectors to promote trade and investment relations between the two countries. He is also set to meet with the Filipino community, during which he will highlight contributions of overseas Filipinos workers in promoting a positive image of the Philippines in Vietnam. There are about 7,000 Filipinos working and residing in Vietnam.

Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Aileen Mendiola-Rau has said the state visit to Vietnam is in line with the President’s commitment to ensure food security in the country and is expected to result in an “in-depth discussion on our agricultural cooperation”. Vietnam is the leading exporter of rice to the Philippines.

Marcos is also expected to discuss important regional and international issues during the visit, including the importance of ASEAN centrality by forging closer and stronger relations with fellow ASEAN member-states.

Relations between Vietnam and the Philippines was were established in 1976 with the two nations engaged in various areas of cooperation, including defense and security, maritime, agriculture and people-to-people relations.

While Marcos is abroad, Vice President Sara Duterte is expected to head the caretaker