PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday announced that the Philippines and Vietnam have elevated bilateral relations to an Enhanced Strategic Partnership as both countries sealed deals in key areas including trade, investment, defense, maritime affairs, agriculture, and people-to-people exchanges.
Marcos announced the development following his meeting with Vietnamese President To Lam, who is the country for a two-day state visit.
The Vietnamese leader’s visit comes as Manila and Hanoi are set to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations this July and more than one decade since the strategic partnership was forged in 2015.