HCM City gathering marks Vietnam-Philippine strategic partnership
Assoc. Prof. Phan Thi Hong Xuan, Chairwoman of the Ho Chi Minh City’s Vietnam–Southeast Asia Friendship Association described the event as a reflection of the enduring solidarity between the two nations and a shared commitment to a future of deeper, long-term cooperation within the ASEAN community.
The gathering held by the HCM City Union of Friendship Organisations on June 16 (Photo: VNA)
HCM City (VNA) - The Ho Chi Minh City Union of Friendship Organisations (HUFO) held a gathering on June 16 to mark the 127th anniversary of the Independen✅ce Day of the Philippines (June 12) and a decade of the Vietnam–Philippines Strategic Partnership.
In her speech, Assoc. Prof. Phan Thi Hong Xuan, Chairwoman of the Ho Chi Minh City’s Vietnam–Southeast Asia Friendship Association, described the event as a reflection of the enduring solidarity between the two nations and a shared commitment to a future of deeper, long-term cooperation within the ASEAN community.
Since they sealed the strategic partnership in 2015, trade has been booming, hitting 7.8 billion USD in 2023, up nearly 70% from a decade back.
National defence and security ties have also strengthened, with joint maritime patrols signaling enhanced trust. Cultural and educational exchanges have flourished, with thousands of students and professionals engaging across borders.
Assoc. Prof. Phan Thi Hong Xuan, Chairwoman of the Ho Chi Minh City’s Vietnam–Southeast Asia Friendship Association, addresses the gathering on June 16. (Photo: VNA)
Xuan further said that her association has closely worked with the Philippine Honorary Consulate General and the Philippine Business Association to organise a range of cultural, educational, and business exchanges, further strengthening mutual understanding and bonds between the two peoples.
Philippine Ambassador to Vietnam Meynardo Los Banos Montealegre pointed to the state visit to Vietnam by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in January 2024 as a milestone, with agreements signed in agriculture, culture, rice trade, and maritime cooperation. He noted expanding collaboration in national defence, security, agriculture, trade, and education, alongside a boost in tourism and commerce driven by increased direct flights.
With Ho Chi Minh City playing a pivotal role in bilateral engagement, Montealegre announced plans for cultural exchanges and business meetups in 2026 to mark 50 years of diplomatic ties./.
State President Luong Cuong and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh sent congratulatory messages to Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr., while National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man congratulated Speaker of the House of Representatives Martin Romualdez and Senate President Francis Escudero.
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Party General Secretary To Lam urged the Philippine Ambassador to focus on promoting several areas of bilateral cooperation, including enhancing political-diplomatic cooperation through facilitating high-level exchanges and contacts; boosting economic connectivity for the goal of 10 billion USD in bilateral trade; strengthening collaboration in security-defence, and maritime and oceanic matters; and promoting cooperation in other fields such as culture, sports, tourism, education and training, climate change adaptation, and disaster mitigation.
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The General Secretary underlined the resolve to achieve a growth rate of at least 8% in 2025, laying the groundwork for double-digit growth in the following period. He noted that these are mandatory targets, with no alternative path to success.
Restructuring and improving the quality of officials, civil servants, and public employees is no longer a choice, but an urgent requirement to transition from administrative management to governance in service of the people.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel has advised Vietnamese people living there to proactively prepare and seek ways to leave the country via land border crossings, especially toward Jordan or Egypt, when security and safety conditions allow.
Vietnam and New Zealand are working toward a breakthrough to achieve a bilateral trade target of 3 billion USD by 2026. Education and training will remain a key pillar of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, with diverse joint programmé and attractive scholarships to build a high-quality workforce for the future.
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India and Can Tho city agreed to enhance multi-sector bilateral cooperation at a working session on June 17 between municipal leaders and Indian Ambassador to Vietnam Sandeep Arya.
From July 1, 2025 to December 31, 2026, the VAT rate will be reduced to 8% from 10% for goods and services specified in Clause 3, Article 9 of the Law on VAT No. 48/2024/QH15.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son described Australia as one of Vietnam’s most trusted and important partners in the region, with high level of political trust and shared strategic vision on key issues.
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The reforms included the NA’s resolution on the amendments and supplements to several articles of the Constitution of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, the revised Law on Organisation of Local Government, and the ordinance amending and supplementing Article 10 of the Population Ordinance.
During the session, Nguyen Thi Quyen Thanh, a deputy from the Mekong Delta province of Vinh Long, proposed that the drafting committee further specify support policies to further encourage and facilitate the participation of women in UN peacekeeping missions.
Discussions centred on appointments to the NA Ethnic Council and the NA Committee on Deputy Affairs, as well as personnel proposals to be submitted for consideration at the 15th NA’s ongoing ninth session.
