PBBM off to Vietnam for state visit

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s first state visit to Vietnam this year aims to strengthen not only the bilateral ties with the Philippines, but also strengthen maritime cooperation, trade and investment deals as he is set to visit the Filipino community in the southeast country. (PCO Photo)

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday flew to Vietnam for a state visit that aims to strengthen bilateral ties, and strengthen maritime cooperation, trade, and investment deals between the two countries.

In his departure speech, Marcos said Vietnam is the only strategic partner of the Philippines in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region.

He added that his state visit will be an avenue to reaffirm the country’s commitment to further strengthen the bilateral relations between the Philippines and Vietnam.

“Maritime cooperation will be one of the cornerstones of the Strategic Partnership which we are going to forge, and we hope to strengthen this aspect during my visit to promote peace and stability in our region,” Marcos said.

“I will also discuss cooperation in defense and security, trade and investments, education, tourism, as well as regional and multilateral issues of [mutual] concern,” the President added.

At present, there are 39 signed agreements between the Philippines and Vietnam in the fields of trade and investments, customs, air services, agriculture, visa waivers for diplomatic and official passport holders, visa facilitation, and tourism, among others.

President Marcos said he will be meeting with the business sector to explore how the Philippines and Vietnam can further strengthen trade and investments between the two countries.

He said the two countries have a “vast array of opportunities, especially in a post-pandemic world” as he emphasized that he will also take the opportunity to visit the Filipino community there.

The chief executive will visit Vietnam upon the invitation of President Vo Van Thuong.

President Marcos will meet President Vo Van Thuong and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Chairman of the National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue.

Vietnam is home to 7,000 overseas Filipino workers whose remittances have amounted to USD13.6 million.