Vietnam - Philippines people-to-people relations are increasingly flourishing.

On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of Vietnam and the Philippines upgrading their Strategic Partnership (November 2015) and at the invitation of the President of the Vietnam - Philippines Friendship Association, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Phung Duc Tien, the delegation of the Philippines - Vietnam Friendship Association led by Mr. Mario Ferdinand Ayano Pasion, President of the Association, visited and worked in Vietnam from May 29 to 31, 2025. The delegation also included Ms. Myrna Estrella Taruc, Vice President and Treasurer of the Association and Mr. David Taruc Pasion, Head of the Youth Committee of the Philippines - Vietnam Friendship Association.

During the visit and working period in Vietnam, the delegation visited the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, visited his residence and workplace; paid a courtesy call to the President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations Phan Anh Son; paid a courtesy call to the Philippine Ambassador to Vietnam Maynardo LB. Montealegre; worked with President Phung Duc Tien and leaders of the Vietnam - Philippines Friendship Association; attended the welcoming party for the delegation chaired by President Phung Duc Tien; visited and worked with Thai Nguyen University.

President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations Phan Anh Son (right) received and worked with President of the Philippines - Vietnam Friendship Association Mario Ferdinand Anyon Pasion. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

During the meetings and visits, both sides expressed their delight at the rapid development of the multifaceted relationship between the two countries since the signing of the Joint Statement establishing the Strategic Partnership on November 17, 2015 during President Truong Tan Sang's visit to the Philippines. Both sides said that the working visit to Vietnam by the Delegation, which took place on the occasion of the two countries celebrating the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Strategic Partnership, was even more meaningful, a practical activity to celebrate a milestone in the bilateral relationship. The leaders of the two Associations agreed that in the context of rapid and unpredictable changes in the region and the world , strengthening cooperation between Vietnam and the Philippines, especially in the field of people-to-people exchange, is becoming increasingly important.

The two sides were pleased to see that the cooperation between the two countries in many fields is increasingly developing. Regarding trade relations, bilateral turnover continues to grow: if in 2015 - the time when the two countries upgraded their Strategic Partnership - bilateral turnover only reached over 3 billion USD, then by 2024 it had increased to 8.66 billion USD. The two countries strive to soon reach the target of 10 billion USD as Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. committed at the bilateral meeting on May 26, 2025 on the sidelines of the 46th ASEAN Summit and other related Summits in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Notably, over the past two decades, Vietnam has continued to be the largest rice exporter to the Philippines; Filipinos are used to Vietnamese rice because of its good quality and more reasonable price compared to some other sources.

Another area that cannot be ignored when mentioning the Strategic Partnership between the two countries is cooperation in culture, education and tourism. The two Friendship Associations agreed in the Minutes of the Meeting to promote cultural exchanges through the organization of “Vietnamese Cultural Days in the Philippines” and “Philippine Cultural Days in Vietnam”, art exhibitions, and culinary festivals, thereby helping the people of the two countries get closer together and gain a deeper understanding of each other’s culture and national identity. The two sides also agreed to increase tourism exchanges, share experiences in sustainable tourism development; promote the exchange of sports delegations, organize friendly matches in football, volleyball, basketball, etc.

The Philippines-Vietnam Friendship Association and the Vietnam-Philippines Friendship Association signed a meeting minutes on promoting cultural exchange. (Photo: Nguyen Van)

Regarding education, the two Associations agreed to promote cooperation between universities of the two countries in general and between Thai Nguyen University and some universities of the Philippines in particular; increase exchanges of students, lecturers, training programs and teaching experiences.

It can be said that the visit and working session in Vietnam of the Philippines - Vietnam Friendship Association delegation was a great success, with a tight, effective working program and many practical contents. All activities were carefully organized, demonstrating the deep interest of the Vietnamese side in the traditional friendship and people-to-people diplomacy with the Philippines. The friendly side highly appreciated the warm and thoughtful reception; was satisfied with the results of the visit; and expressed the desire to continue expanding exchanges and coordination between the two Associations and Vietnamese partners in the coming time.

This visit laid a solid foundation for moving from “initial goodwill” to “in-depth cooperation” in the fields of education, economy, agriculture, culture and non-traditional security. The results of the visit are a vivid demonstration of the active contribution of the Vietnam - Philippines Friendship Association in promoting people-to-people diplomacy between the two countries - one of the three diplomatic pillars of our Party and State. At the meeting, the leaders of the two Associations expressed their firm belief that the Strategic Partnership between the two countries in general and between the two peoples in particular will continue to flourish - not only for the benefit of the two peoples but also for peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

Source: https://thoidai.com.vn/quan-he-nhan-dan-viet-nam-philippines-ngay-cang-dam-choi-nay-loc-214001.html