The reception for general secretary and president To Lam and his spouse took place on the morning of 1/6 at the presidential palace in the Philippines, according to the Vietnam News Agency. Philippine president Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. welcomed general secretary and president To Lam at the parking area. The two leaders walked on the red carpet for the flag-raising ceremony. A 21-gun salute echoed with the national anthems of both nations. Afterward, president Marcos Jr. drove general secretary and president To Lam in an electric car around the presidential palace grounds.

General secretary and president To Lam and Philippine president Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. reviewed the honor guard. Photo: Vietnam News Agency

Deputy foreign minister Nguyen Manh Cuong assessed that general secretary and president To Lam's visit to the Philippines holds special significance. This marks the first visit by a general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam to the Philippines. The visit occurs as both countries approach the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations and with the Philippines serving as ASEAN Chair in 2026. General secretary and president To Lam and his spouse paid a state visit to the Philippines from 31/5-1/6 at the invitation of president Marcos Jr. and his spouse.

According to deputy foreign minister Nguyen Manh Cuong, Vietnam and the Philippines are two Southeast Asian nations with traditionally good friendly relations. They share many strategic interests in maintaining regional peace, stability, cooperation, and development. Since establishing diplomatic relations in 1976, ties between the two countries have continuously strengthened and developed across various sectors. In 2015, the two nations established a strategic partnership, a significant milestone that created a foundation for promoting comprehensive cooperation.

The Philippines is currently one of Vietnam's important markets within ASEAN, particularly in agriculture and food. Vietnam serves as a crucial rice supplier for the Philippines, helping ensure food security for the friendly nation and providing a stable market for Vietnamese agricultural products.

Philippine president Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. drives general secretary and president To Lam in an electric car. Photo: Voice of Vietnam

Following the reception, the two leaders were scheduled to hold talks and witness the signing of cooperation agreements. The visit underscores Vietnam's high regard for its friendly relations and cooperation with the Philippines, as well as with ASEAN and the Southeast Asian region. It also presents an opportunity for both sides to elevate economic cooperation into a more significant pillar, particularly in areas such as trade, investment, logistics, high-tech agriculture, renewable energy, digital transformation, and marine economy.

Ngoc Anh