Vietnam and the Philippines have overlapping claims in the South China Sea, but as Vietnamese President and Communist Party leader To Lam heads to Manila next week, analysts say the two neighbours are increasingly focused on what they can do together rather than what divides them.Lam’s two-day state visit on Sunday and Monday comes as both countries mark 50 years of diplomatic relations and a decade of strategic partnership, with Manila and Hanoi seeking to deepen cooperation on trade, food security, defence and maritime issues.Manila confirmed the visit on Wednesday, saying Lam and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr were expected to discuss how to build on “five decades of robust cooperation” between the two countries.The two leaders would “seek to reinforce the relationship, centred on more dynamic collaboration in trade and investment, food security, defence and maritime cooperation, education, tourism and people-to-people exchanges”, the Presidential Communications Office said.Lam’s first visit since being elected as state leader comes as Marcos has sought to expand and strengthen security partnerships and alliances.Vietnam is the Philippines’ only strategic partner within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, with cooperation extending across government, business and people-to-people ties.More than 7,000 Filipinos are currently based in Vietnam, with a Philippine consulate general expected to open in Ho Chi Minh City in mid-2026.