President Marcos and Vietnamese President and Communist Party leader Tô Lâm have elevated Philippines-Vietnam relations to an Enhanced Strategic Partnership as the two nations marked 50 years of diplomatic ties.

During bilateral talks in Malacañang on Monday morning, June 1, Marcos described the move as a major step in expanding cooperation between Manila and Hanoi amid an increasingly uncertain global environment.

“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 peoples,” he said in his opening remarks.

Lâm is currently in the Philippines for a two-day State Visit — the first by a General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam who concurrently serves as president of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

Marcos said the Philippines and Vietnam share a common interest in preserving peace and stability in the region.

“There is no doubt that the Philippines and Viet Nam share a common interest in maintaining peace, stability, and a rules-based order in our region anchored firmly on international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS,” he said.

The President noted that the partnership between the two Southeast Asian nations has become increasingly important amid geopolitical fragmentation, supply chain vulnerabilities, trade pressures, and the rise of emerging technologies.

Vietnam remains the Philippines’ only Strategic Partner in Southeast Asia, with the partnership now entering its 10th year.

President Marcos highlighted the strong economic relationship between the two countries, saying bilateral trade has already exceeded $7 billion.

He also pointed to growing cooperation in agriculture, defense initiatives, and regional and multilateral engagements.

The President said both countries are also seeking to expand tourism collaboration and deepen educational and cultural exchanges as part of stronger people-to-people ties.

“As we embark on this new chapter in our bilateral relations, the vibrant cultural and human connections between our people will remain the bedrock of our enduring solidarity,” Marcos said.

For his part, Lâm congratulated the Philippines on its economic performance and expressed confidence in Marcos’ leadership.

“The Philippines, for many years, has been among the top countries in ASEAN in terms of economic growth rate and stability,” the Vietnamese leader said.

“I am fully confident that under your excellent leadership, the Philippines will successfully achieve the goal of becoming an upper-middle developed country by 2028,” he added.

Lâm also said Vietnam hopes to work closely with the Philippines to further elevate bilateral relations “to a greater height, with ever-increasing substance, comprehensiveness, and effectiveness.”

The State Visit coincides with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Vietnam and comes as Manila chairs ASEAN in 2026.