PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday announced that the Philippines and Vietnam have elevated bilateral relations to an Enhanced Strategic Partnership as both countries sealed deals in key areas including trade, investment, defense, maritime affairs, agriculture, and people-to-people exchanges.
Marcos announced the development following his meeting with Vietnamese President To Lam, who is the country for a two-day state visit.
The Vietnamese leader’s visit comes as Manila and Hanoi are set to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations this July and more than one decade since the strategic partnership was forged in 2015.
“Today, we elevate our ties to an Enhanced Strategic Partnership, which will be defined by wider pathways for cooperation, stronger political and defense cooperation, and closer linkages between the Filipino and Vietnamese peoples,” the chief executive said.
The ramped-up partnership, Marcos added, is “increasingly important” as the region navigates an ever-evolving and uncertain global environment “marked by geopolitical fragmentation, supply chain vulnerabilities, trade pressures, and the rise of emerging technologies, bringing both opportunities and risk.” “There is no doubt that the Philippines and Vietnam share a common interest in maintaining peace, stability, and a rules-based order in our region anchored firmly on international law, including the 1982 Unclos,” he said.
“Our robust bilateral trade exceeding $7 billion demonstrates our mutually beneficial and vital economic partnership,” he added.
As reaffirmation of the enhanced partnership, several agreements were signed as witnessed by Marcos and Lam.
First is the memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Defense Cooperation between the Department of National Defense (DND) and the Ministry of National Defense of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
“This strategically important framework will significantly bolster our joint capabilities in maritime security, military education, and disaster risk reduction and management,” Marcos said.
There is also the MOU between the Department of Information Communications and Technology (DICT) and the Ministry of Science and Technology of Vietnam on Information Technology and Digital Transformation Cooperation.
Another agreement is the Tourism Cooperation Program between the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism for the period 2026-2029.
“Building upon a strong performance in 2025, which saw nearly half a million Filipino travelers going to Vietnam and a rising number of Vietnamese tourists coming to our shores, we have agreed to work closely to enhance air connectivity and increase commercial flight frequencies,” the president said.
Lastly, an MOU was signed between the University of the Philippines and the Academy of Public Administration and Governance, Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics of Vietnam.
This, Marcos noted, would institutionalize student and faculty exchanges to internationalize our higher education systems.
“Ultimately, our exchanges today have made one truth abundantly clear: the Enhanced Strategic Partnership does not merely secure our bilateral interests,” he said.
“It firmly positions the Philippines and Vietnam as steadfast anchors of peace, innovation, dynamism, and sustainable growth across Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) and the wider Indo-Pacific region,” he added.
