Philippines, Vietnam Elevate Ties to Enhanced Strategic Partnership
By Reuters | 31 May, 2026

During a visit by Vietnam's top leader To Lam Manila President Ferdinand Marcos said the Philippines and Vietnam share a common interest in maintaining peace, stability and a rules-based order in the region and that a partnership is increasingly important.

Vietnam's Prime Minister Le Minh Hung poses for a photo with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his wife Liza Araneta Marcos during the welcome ceremony of the 48th ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings in Cebu, Philippines, May 8, 2026. Ezra Acayan/Pool via REUTERS

The Philippines and Vietnam are elevating their ties to an enhanced strategic partnership, President Ferdinand Marcos said on Monday during a state visit by Vietnam's top leader To Lam to Manila.

Marcos said there is no doubt the Philippines and Vietnam share a common interest in maintaining peace, stability and a rules-based order in their region, and that the partnership has become increasingly important as the region navigates an evolving and uncertain global environment.

• Marcos said the deeper ties will be "defined by wider pathways for cooperation, stronger political and defence cooperation, and closer linkages between the Filipino and Vietnamese people".

• Vietnam is the Philippines' lone strategic partner in the ASEAN region, after they upgraded ties 10 years ago in a show of unity against China.

• To Lam said the Philippines is an "important regional partner of Vietnam", citing similar vision and strategic interests, and strong commitments for peace and stability. "We always want to bring the strategic partnership with the Philippines to a new high."

• The Philippines and Vietnam coast guards held their first joint exercises in 2024, despite overlapping claims to some South China Sea features.

(Reporting by Mikhail Flores; Additional reporting by Khanh Vu in Hanoi; Editing by John Mair)