PH, Vietnam strengthen defense, economic ties under enhanced partnership

The Philippines and Vietnam on Monday formally upgraded their ties to an enhanced strategic partnership, which would deepen the diplomatic relations between the two countries.

According to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), 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.”

“Ultimately, our exchange today has made one truth abundantly clear: this Enhanced Strategic Partnership does not merely secure our bilateral interests,” Marcos said in a joint press conference with Vietnam President Tô Lâm.

“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,” he added.

Tô Lâm earlier in the day went to Malacañan Palace amid his two-day state visit to the Philippines.

The two leaders held a bilateral meeting and witnessed the signing of four agreements on defense cooperation, information technology and digital transformation, a tourism cooperation program, and an education partnership.

Marcos said his meeting with Tô Lâm also tackled economic and agricultural cooperation, as the countries eyed expansion of bilateral trade beyond their mutual target of US$10 billion.

Vietnam was the Philippines’ 11th largest trading partner in 2025, with total bilateral trade reaching US$7.17 billion. —LDF, GMA News