Viet Nam treasures ties with Philippines, top Vietnamese leader says
VGP – Viet Nam always treasures its relations with the Philippines, considering the neighbouring country as an important partner in the region, said General Secretary and President To Lam.
General Secretary and President To Lam (right) hosts the Philippines' National Security Adviser Eduardo S.L. Oban Jr in Ha Noi, August 20, 2026. Photo: VGP
The top Vietnamese leader made the above statement during his reception for the Philippines' National Security Adviser Eduardo S.L. Oban Jr in Ha Noi on August 20.
To Lam congratulated the Philippines on undertaking its role as the ASEAN Chair in 2026 and its efforts to push for the implementation of the ASEAN Vision 20245. He reassured Viet Nam's support for and readiness to coordinate with the Philippines and other ASEAN Member States in consolidating peace and security, expanding prosperity corridors, enhancing connectivity, and promoting inclusive, sustainable and people-centric development.
To Lam also congratulated the Philippines on its socio-economic achievements and becoming a high middle-income country, expressing his confidence that the Philippines would continue its sustainable and strong development trajectory in the coming time.
Given the current regional and global context, Viet Nam and the Philippines need to further consolidate political trust, intensify cooperation, solidarity, unity, resilience, and strategic autonomy while beefing up delegation exchanges across all channels, effectively utilizing cooperation mechanisms, and soon signing an action program to implement the enhanced strategic partnership between the two countries, said To Lam.
Both sides should enhance exchanges and consultation over strategic issues in the region and the world, promote and expand substantive security cooperation, and continue mutual support for each other's positions and initiatives within ASEAN and regional cooperation frameworks.
The top Vietnamese leader also urged the two countries to continue coordinating their positions and addressing issues of shared interests in the East Sea, contributing to peace and stability in the region.
He affirmed Viet Nam's readiness to participate in and back the Philippines in fruitfully implementing maritime cooperation initiatives within ASEAN in a bid to reach an effective and substantive Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) consistent with international law and the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Oban, for his side, reiterated that Viet Nam is one of the Philippines' top partners in Southeast Asia.
Viet Nam and the Philippines share many common interests in promoting exchanges and dialogue, maintaining and strengthening a peaceful and stable environment in the region, and resolving differences and disputes through peaceful means on the basis of international law and the UNCLOS 1982, said Oban./.