Highlights of the visit

Minister Le Manh Hung accompanied General Secretary and State President To Lam to the official welcoming ceremony hosted by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.; attended high-level talks between the Vietnamese leader and President Marcos; witnessed the exchange of cooperation documents between the two countries; participated in the Vietnam - Philippines Business Forum; and joined the General Secretary and State President in meetings with leaders of several major Philippine and international organizations and corporations, including Aboitiz Group, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Grab, and the World Health Organization (WHO).

During high-level talks and meetings, the leaders of the two countries agreed to elevate Vietnam - Philippines relations to an Enhanced Strategic Partnership, opening a new phase of cooperation with a more long-term, comprehensive, and substantive vision. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in economic affairs, trade, investment, agriculture, food security, energy, the digital economy, and innovation, while working toward the goal of raising bilateral trade turnover to USD 10 billion in the near future.

Strengthening cooperation in rice trade and food security

On the sidelines of the visit, Minister Le Manh Hung held bilateral talks with Philippine Secretary of Agriculture Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. to discuss measures to enhance agricultural cooperation, rice trade, and food security between the two countries.

At the meeting, Minister Le Manh Hung highly appreciated the Philippines’ role as one of Vietnam’s key partners within ASEAN, emphasizing that agricultural cooperation and rice trade remain among the most important pillars of bilateral economic relations. He affirmed that Vietnam consistently regards the Philippines as one of its most important rice export markets and stands ready to continue serving as a stable, reliable, and responsible supplier contributing to the Philippines’ food security.

Minister Le Manh Hung welcomed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on Rice Trade Cooperation in 2024, noting that it has established a long-term framework for cooperation and delivered tangible benefits to both countries. He stressed that Vietnam has consistently worked to ensure a stable supply of rice to the Philippines, including during periods of significant global market volatility caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, supply chain disruptions, and export restrictions imposed by several major rice-producing countries.

The Minister also engaged in frank discussions regarding several recent Philippine policies related to rice imports, including temporary suspensions of rice imports at certain times, safeguard investigations concerning imported rice, and the application of price ceilings on certain rice varieties.

In a constructive and cooperative spirit, Minister Le Manh Hung proposed that the two sides strengthen consultations and regularly exchange information before introducing policies with significant implications for rice trade. He also expressed the hope that any review of measures concerning imported rice would be conducted objectively, transparently, and in accordance with international rules, while fully taking into account the role of imported rice in ensuring supply and stabilizing prices in the Philippines.

For his part, Secretary of Agriculture Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. highly valued Vietnam’s role in ensuring rice supplies for the Philippines and affirmed that Vietnam remains the country’s most important and reliable rice supplier.

Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. stated that the Philippine government seeks to build a more stable and predictable policy environment for businesses. He also stressed that the government does not intend to pursue trade-restrictive measures that could adversely affect rice supplies.

The two ministers agreed to maintain regular exchanges between relevant agencies of both countries, enhance information-sharing on rice production, supply, demand, and trade, and coordinate closely to promptly address emerging issues. They also agreed to expand cooperation into other agricultural sectors, including fisheries, fruits and vegetables, processed food products, agricultural technology, and agricultural supply chain development.

The two sides further agreed to promote market access for agricultural products in which each country has strengths, contributing to the objective of increasing bilateral trade turnover to USD 10 billion in the coming years.

The State Visit to the Philippines by General Secretary and State President To Lam and his spouse concluded successfully, creating new momentum for the further deepening of Vietnam - Philippines Comprehensive Strategic Partnership relations. Economic cooperation, trade, agriculture, and food security will continue to be priority areas with substantial potential for expanded cooperation in the years ahead.