President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. reinforced this renewed commitment after a courtesy visit at Malacañang Palace on Friday, August 30, with General Phan Van Giang, Minister of National Defense of Vietnam.
“We have elevated Philippines-Vietnam relations to greater heights with the visit of Vietnam’s Defense Minister, General Phan Van Giang,” he said.
Marcos also thanked Vietnam for supporting the 2016 Arbitral Award, indicating that China’s rights over the South China Sea territories had “no basis” under law, an arbitration award that China itself has subsequently rejected.
The Philippines and Vietnam further elevated their cooperation in January 2024 with a ceremonial memorandum of understanding between the Coast Guards of both countries, creating a joint Coast Guard committee and a hotline communication mechanism, to encourage the need for cooperation on maritime security.
