By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora
MANILA – The Philippines is seeking to expand cooperation in various areas with Vietnam, including cybersecurity, digital infrastructure development, and renewable energy.
At the Vietnam National Day reception in Manila on Tuesday night, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Maria Theresa Dizon-De Vega underscored the growing ties between Manila and Hanoi, particularly since the elevation of their strategic partnership.
“We look forward to reaching even greater heights in our cooperation as we explore new areas for mutually beneficial collaboration on renewable energy and green energy,” she said in her remarks.
“The continued development of technologies also encourages us to pursue greater collaboration in safeguarding our cyber landscape and strengthening our digital infrastructure.”
Dizon-De Vega said that the entry of VinFast cars in the Philippines alone sends a positive signal about the future of clean mobility and sustainable transportation options in the region.
In June, Vietnam-based Vingroup Corporation introduced the Green and Smart Mobility (GSM) transport network vehicle service (TNVS) in the Philippines, with an initial 2,500 VinFast electric taxis hitting the roads of Metro Manila.
Beyond sustainability, the official also sees opportunities in advancing the two nations’ cooperation on maritime.
“As seafaring nations with proud maritime identities, we are also well-positioned to continue advancing cooperation in maritime security and the blue economy, enabling us to safeguard the seas and the resources upon which our people depend,” she said.
Hanoi, for its part, reaffirmed its commitment to forging stronger ties with Manila and keeping conversations going to bring stable development in the region.
“As Vietnam embarks on a new chapter for development, we remain committed to building a peaceful, prosperous nation, and deepening our strategic partnership with the Philippines and global partners for regional stability and shared prosperity,” Vietnamese Ambassador Lai Thai Binh said.
Vietnam and the Philippines established formal diplomatic relations on July 12, 1976.
The two nations have an active cooperation in defense and security, trade and investment, agriculture, tourism, education, cultural cooperation, and people-to-people relations, which improved since the elevation of strategic partnership in 2015 and President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s state visit to Vietnam in 2024.
From a bilateral trade of USD5.87 million in the 1980s, two-way trade between the two neighbors in 2024 stood between USD7 billion and USD8 billion, according to the Philippine Embassy in Vietnam.
At present, both sides are working to foster a more beneficial market access to reach an agreed target of USD10 billion. (PNA)
