Kuala Lumpur: The Philippines and Vietnam are currently engaged in discussions to elevate their existing strategic partnership to what is being termed a "comprehensive strategic partnership." This development follows a bilateral meeting between Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, which took place on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit in Malaysia.

According to Philippines News Agency, President Marcos highlighted ongoing discussions between ministers from both countries regarding this potential upgrade in their partnership. "I believe there are already productive conversations between our two countries," Marcos remarked during their meeting, as per a Malaca±ang news release. In response, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh acknowledged the significant progress in bilateral relations since President Marcos' state visit to Vietnam in January 2024, expressing optimism about elevating their partnership further.

During the meeting, President Marcos extended his condolences to Prime Minister Chinh over the passing of former Vietnamese President Tran Duc Luong on May 20, 2025. Both leaders also noted the expanding economic and trade cooperation between the Philippines and Vietnam. They further committed to strengthening collaboration in agriculture and food security, as well as enhancing people-to-people exchanges in education, tourism, and cultural engagement.

The discussions come as the Philippines and Vietnam celebrate the 10th anniversary of their strategic partnership, a milestone that underscores a decade of strengthened cooperation and enduring friendship between the two nations.