President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (R) and Vietnam’s President To Lam (L) shake hands during a bilateral meeting at Malacanang Presidential Palace in Manila on June 1, 2026. Agence France-Presse
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines and Vietnam have entered into an Enhanced Strategic Partnership, upgrading their defense and political cooperation, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced on Monday.
During a bilateral meeting with Vietnamese President Tô Lâm in Malacañang, Marcos pledged to further deepen ties with the fellow Southeast Asian nation, with a specific focus on expanding tourism cooperation.
“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 people,” he said.
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