The Embassy of the Philippines in Viet Nam held a ceremony in Ha Noi on July 9 to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Viet Nam and the Philippines, reaffirming both countries' commitment to deepening cooperation following their recent upgrade to an Enhanced Strategic Partnership.

The visits also took place at a time when the Philippines is serving as ASEAN Chair in 2026, Singapore is preparing to assume the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2027, and Viet Nam is set to host the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in 2027.

Ngo Phuong Ly, spouse of Party General Secretary and State President To Lam, expressed her emotion at seeing the children’s optimism despite difficult circumstances, noting that both Viet Nam and the Philippines place children at the centre of their development policies, from education, health care to child protection.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Central Committee and State President To Lam, his spouse, and a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation left Manila on June 1, concluding their two-day state visit to the Philippines at the invitation of Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. and his spouse.

The Vietnamese leader urged the two sides to further promote two-way investment in highly complementary and long-term value-adding sectors, such as modern agriculture, food processing, clean energy, logistics, supporting industries, digital economy, and innovation. He stressed the need to move from mere trade exchange to co-investment, co-production, and deeper participation in regional value chains.

Viet Nam always values and wishes to further deepen its friendly neighbourly relations with the Philippines in all areas on the basis of a shared commitment to peace, stability and respect for international law, affirmed General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam (CPV) Central Committee and State President To Lam.

Viet Nam and the Philippines on June 1 issued a Joint Statement on the Enhanced Strategic Partnership during General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Central Committee and State President To Lam’s state visit to the Philippines.

Both sides emphasised the importance of international law and the United Nations Charter, the ASEAN Charter, and the principles of equality, cooperation, and mutual benefit; reaffirmed peace, stability, security, safety, and freedom of navigation and overflight in the East Sea/South China Sea; and stressed the need to resolve disputes peacefully on the basis of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

The trip marks the Vietnamese leader’s first visit to the Philippines as Party General Secretary and State President. It takes place as the two countries are preparing to celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations and as the Philippines assumes the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2026.

The Rizal Monument is one of the Philippines’ most significant historical landmarks. Located in the capital city of Manila, it was erected in honour of Dr. Jose Rizal, a physician, writer, and national hero who played a pivotal role in the country's struggle for independence.

Party General Secretary and State President To Lam, his spouse and a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation are paying state visit to the Philippines from May 31 to June 1 at the invitation of President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. and his spouse.