PH, Vietnam upgrade bilateral relations
President Marcos and his Vietnamese counterpart To Lam on Monday said they were elevating bilateral relations of their two countries to an “Enhanced Strategic Partnership,” expanding their economic and security cooperation.
Speaking after bilateral talks in Malacañang, Mr. Marcos said: “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 people.”
The two countries upgraded bilateral ties to a “strategic partnership” in 2015.
An enhanced strategic partnership between nations is a diplomatic framework in which two countries agree to take a step higher for closer collaboration and synergy on mutual interests and advocacy, particularly in defense and security, economics, technology, and people-to-people exchanges.
Golden anniversary
“The partnership that we have has become increasingly important as our 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,” Mr. Marcos also said during a joint press conference with Lam.
The two countries also mark the 50th anniversary of their bilateral relations which began in 1976, a year after the end of the Vietnam War.
Although the Philippines had taken part in that conflict as an ally of the United States, Vietnam’s relations with the United States and its traditional allies have improved since. In today’s international order, the three countries share the same maritime interests amid China’s efforts to control the South China Sea.
But the Philippines and Vietnam also have overlapping maritime claims in this crucial waterway and geopolitical flashpoint in the region.
Despite this, the two countries conducted the first joint exercises between their coast guards in 2024.
“Ultimately, our exchange today has made one truth abundantly clear: this Enhanced Strategic Partnership does not merely secure our bilateral interests,” Mr. Marcos said. “It firmly positions the Philippines and Vietnam as steadfast anchors of peace, innovation, dynamism, and sustainable growth across Asean and the wider Indo-Pacific region.”
‘Important partner’
Lam’s visit marks the first state visit by a Vietnamese leader and comes amid growing efforts among Southeast Asian nations to strengthen regional cooperation.
The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the peaceful resolution of disputes, grounded firmly in international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos) and the 2016 South China Sea arbitral award.
Lam described the Philippines as “an important partner,” citing similar strategic interests and a strong commitment to peace, stability, the rule of law and respect for international law.
Agreements
The two leaders witnessed the signing of agreements focused on boosting defense cooperation, digital transformation and tourism.
Manila and Hanoi agreed to renew the 2010 Philippines-Vietnam Memorandum of Agreement on Defense Cooperation in a bid to strengthen joint capabilities in maritime security, military education, and disaster risk reduction and management.
They also signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Information Technology and Digital Transformation Cooperation, which the two leaders said would address “severe cross-border threats” such as internet fraud, human trafficking, illegal gambling and people smuggling.
“We have agreed to address these challenges decisively through accelerated intelligence sharing and coordinated law enforcement actions,” Mr. Marcos said.
On economic and agricultural cooperation, Mr. Marcos said he and Lam agreed to expand bilateral trade beyond their shared target of $10 billion.
According to Mr. Marcos, Vietnam is the Philippines’ 11th-largest trading partner, with total bilateral trade reaching $7.17 billion last year.
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