In an interview with VOV ahead of the visit, Lazaro called it a valuable opportunity for leaders of both countries not only to reflect on five decades of diplomatic relations, but also to shape the future direction of the Vietnam-Philippines strategic partnership.

According to the Philippine diplomat, the visit comes at a particularly meaningful moment as 2026 marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries and the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Vietnam-Philippines Strategic Partnership.

This is not only an occasion to celebrate past achievements, but also an opportunity for both sides to build a shared vision for the future, she said.

From five decades of partnership to a broader strategic relationship

Looking back on the development of bilateral ties, Lazaro noted Vietnam and the Philippines have built a strong, dynamic and steadily expanding partnership over the decades.

One of the most important milestones, she highlighted, was the establishment of the Strategic Partnership in 2015, which created a framework for deeper cooperation in politics, economics, defence and regional affairs.

According to Lazaro, defence and maritime cooperation has become among the most prominent pillars of bilateral relations. The two countries maintain regular dialogue mechanisms and coordinate closely on issues related to regional peace, security and the preservation of a rules-based order.

Both the Philippines and Vietnam share a strong commitment to international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), she said.

At the same time, economic cooperation has continued to record strong momentum. Bilateral trade reached more than US$7.1 billion in 2025, maintaining steady growth.

Lazaro also highlighted the growing presence of Vietnamese companies in the Philippines, including VinFast, GSM, THACO Auto and FPT Software. At the same time, major Philippine corporations such as Jollibee Food Corporation, San Miguel Corporation, Universal Robina Corporation, ACEN Corporation, Manila Water Company are expanding investments in Vietnam across sectors such as food, energy, infrastructure and water supply.

Three new drivers for bilateral cooperation

According to Lazaro, the visit is expected to generate new momentum for Vietnam-Philippines cooperation in three strategic areas.

The first is trade and investment. Both countries are working toward raising bilateral trade beyond US$10 billion while creating more favourable conditions for businesses to expand operations. Emerging sectors such as the green economy, digital transformation and high-tech manufacturing offer major opportunities for future cooperation.

The second driver is maritime cooperation. As coastal nations and ASEAN members, both Vietnam and the Philippines share common interests in maintaining peace, stability, maritime security and freedom of navigation.

Beyond existing coordination mechanisms, the two countries could further expand cooperation in marine scientific research, environmental protection and sustainable management of ocean resources.

The third area is people-to-people exchanges, which Lazaro described as the most important foundation for long-term relations between the two countries.

Cooperation in education, culture, sports and tourism not only strengthens mutual understanding but also builds a durable social foundation for bilateral ties in the decades ahead.

Responding together to emerging regional challenges

Beyond traditional cooperation areas, Lazaro pointed out Vietnam and the Philippines also have opportunities to deepen coordination in addressing emerging regional challenges.

The rise of transnational crimes such as online scams, cybercrime and other non-traditional security threats requires ASEAN countries to work more closely together.

This is an area where Vietnam and the Philippines can play a leading role in strengthening regional resilience and security cooperation, she said.

Strengthening ASEAN centrality

From a regional perspective, the Philippine Foreign Secretary affirmed the Vietnam-Philippines Strategic Partnership contributes not only to bilateral interests but also to broader ASEAN goals.

By promoting dialogue, cooperation and respect for international law, both countries are helping to strengthen peace, stability and freedom of navigation in the region.

At the same time, increasingly deep economic linkages between the two economies are enhancing the resilience of regional supply chains and supporting ASEAN’s vision of sustainable, inclusive and people-centered development.

For the chief diplomat, the Vietnamese leader’s visit is not only an important diplomatic milestone during the 50th anniversary year of Vietnam-Philippines relations. More importantly, it offers both countries an opportunity to shape the next chapter of a partnership built and nurtured over the past half century.

Top leader's visit marks historical milestone in Vietnam-Philippines ties

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and State President To Lam’s upcoming state visit to the Philippines is a historic milestone that reflects both countries’ determination to elevate bilateral ties to a new height, according to Vietnamese Ambassador to the Philippines Lai Thai Binh.