Vietnam and Philippines celebrate 50 years of diplomatic ties, upgrade to enhanced strategic partnership

On 9 July 2026, a ceremony at the Philippine Embassy in Hanoi marked the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the Philippines. Attended by Vietnamese Politburo member and Foreign Minister Lê Hoài Trung and Philippine Ambassador Francisco Noel R. Fernandez III, the event highlighted the long‑standing partnership and the recent state visit by Vietnam’s President‑General Secretary Tô Lâm at the end of May 2026, which led to the upgrade of relations to an “enhanced strategic partnership.”

The two countries first established formal ties in 1976 and have since carried out numerous high‑level visits, signed trade and scientific cooperation agreements, and facilitated visa arrangements. Both sides view the partnership as a strategic asset within ASEAN, aimed at deepening cooperation across political, economic, cultural and educational fields and supporting regional stability and multilateralism.