A key outcome of the visit was the agreement between Vietnam and the Philippines to elevate bilateral relations to an Enhanced Strategic Partnership, opening a new era of development in bilateral cooperation.
During talks in Manila, To Lam and President Marcos agreed to issue a Joint Statement upgrading bilateral ties and agreed to work together on an action programme to implement the new partnership framework.
The two sides also agreed to strengthen political trust and reinforce the strategic foundations of bilateral relations through increased high-level exchanges, effective use of existing cooperation mechanisms, and closer engagement among ministries, sectors, localities and relevant agencies of both countries.
The two leaders also consented to augment substantive cooperation in defence and security, maritime affairs and ocean-related issues, while promoting freedom of navigation and aviation and maintaining regional peace and stability through existing coordination mechanisms. They also outlined broad directions for creating breakthroughs in economic cooperation to bring practical benefits to their people and support national development.
President Marcos reaffirmed that the Philippines welcomes Vietnamese investors seeking to expand operations in areas such as renewable energy, healthcare and digital transformation, adding that favourable conditions and incentives will be provided for Vietnamese businesses. The two sides also agreed to bolster practical cooperation in a number of priority sectors.
On regional and international issues, the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to close coordination and mutual support at multilateral forums. They underlined the importance of maintaining peace and stability, ensuring maritime and aviation security, safety and freedom, and resolving disputes through peaceful means in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
They also concurred to work with other ASEAN member states to speed up negotiations on an effective and substantive Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) in line with international law, particularly UNCLOS 1982.
During meetings with Philippine organisations and businesses, To Lam reaffirmed Vietnam’s commitment to further improving the investment environment and offering the best possible conditions for businesses to invest and operate in Vietnam, particularly in science and technology, innovation and digital transformation. Business representatives spoke highly of Vietnam’s socio-economic development achievements and reiterated their long-term commitment to the Vietnamese market.
At a meeting with Vietnamese Embassy staff and Vietnamese community representatives in the Philippines, the top leader reaffirmed the Party and State’s consistent policy that overseas Vietnamese are an inseparable part of the Vietnamese nation and an important resource for national development.
Vietnam will continue supporting overseas Vietnamese communities, helping them secure stable legal status, integrate into local societies and contribute to national development, To Lam continued.
He also expressed hope that the Vietnamese community in the Philippines will continue to reinforce solidarity, comply with local laws, contribute to their homeland and help forge friendship between the two countries.
Upon arriving in Manila on May 31, To Lam, his spouse and the high-level Vietnamese delegation laid flowers at the Ho Chi Minh Monument in the ASEAN Garden within the historic Intramuros district, expressing profound gratitude to the late Vietnamese leader for his lifelong dedication to national independence and world peace.
The Vietnamese leader and his spouse also laid flowers at the Jose Rizal Monument in Manila. As one of the Philippines' most important historical landmarks, the Jose Rizal Monument was built to honour doctor, writer and national hero Jose Rizal.
