Marcos in Vietnam for maritime, rice pacts

HANOI – Enhancing maritime security cooperation and agriculture is high on President Marcos’ agenda during his two-day state visit here, which began yesterday with meetings with business executives and later with the Filipino community.

Marcos is set to meet today with Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue.

President Marcos’ plane landed at the Noi Bai International Airport at 4:05 p.m. (Philippine time) yesterday.

The President, shortly after his arrival, was scheduled to meet with executives of Vingroup, the largest private enterprise of Vietnam.

Afterwards, he was scheduled to meet the Filipino community at the Melia Hotel here at 8 p.m.

There are about 7,000 Filipinos working and residing in Vietnam. Most of them are professionals, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

The President is also expected to witness the signing between the two countries of a memorandum of understanding on cooperation between their coast guards.

Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Aileen Mendiola-Rau of the DFA Office of the Asian and Pacific Affairs earlier said the President is expected to tackle “general topic” on maritime issues with Vietnam’s leaders.

The Philippines and Vietnam have competing claims over parts of the South China Sea, which is believed to have large reserves of oil and gas.

The two nations are also set to sign today a five-year rice deal that would guarantee the stable supply of the staple to the Philippines.

The two countries seek to boost their bilateral trade to $10 billion in the coming years, Rau said.

In his departure statement, Marcos expressed hope that his two-day state visit to Vietnam would lead to a “new era” of friendship between Manila and Hanoi.

His Vietnam trip is his 21st foreign travel since becoming president in 2022. It is also his first state visit this year.