Philippines, Vietnam to expand strategic partnership

VIENTIANE – President Marcos met with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chính here on Tuesday, during which they agreed to expand the strategic partnership between the two countries.

The two leaders are attending the 44th and 45th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit and related summits in Laos’ capital from Oct. 9 to 11.

“We have made a good deal of progress since our very first discussion and some of the engagements between our two countries, and I am very happy that we will be able to pursue that,” Marcos told the Vietnamese leader during their bilateral meeting.

“And it gives us also the opportunity to explore new areas of cooperation and of partnership. So, thank you,” Marcos added.

The two leaders’ meeting focused on deepening economic cooperation, particularly in the areas of trade and agriculture, according to a statement released by the Presidential Communications Office last Tuesday night.

They also expressed their shared commitment to celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Philippines-Vietnam strategic partnership in 2025 by advancing collaboration in key sectors.

Marcos also extended his heartfelt condolences for the losses caused by Typhoon Yagi in Vietnam and the passing of general secretary Nguyen Phu Trong of the Communist Party of Vietnam.

For his part, the Vietnamese prime minister reaffirmed Vietnam’s unwavering commitment to the Philippines.

“I want to reaffirm that we always support the strategic partnership with the Philippines. I’m glad to note that the discussions that we began two years ago have been implemented effectively,” he said.

The prime minister also expressed his gratitude to Marcos for extending his condolences to typhoon victims in his country and to the family of the late general secretary.

During Marcos’ state visit to Vietnam in January, the two countries signed various agreements, including rice trade cooperation, incident prevention in the South China Sea, agriculture and cultural cooperation.

The Philippines and Vietnam are both claimants in the South China Sea, a resource-rich waterway claimed almost entirely by China.

In August, Vietnamese Defense Minister Gen. Phan Van Giang visited the Philippines