- The Philippines and Vietnam elevate ties through new strategic partnership agreements
- The countries expand cooperation in digital transformation, defense, tourism and education
- The technology pact focuses on AI, cybersecurity and emerging digital capabilities
The Philippines and Vietnam have signed four cooperation agreements spanning defense, digital transformation, tourism and education after formally elevating bilateral relations to an enhanced strategic partnership.
The agreements were presented to Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vietnamese President To Lam following their bilateral meeting at Malacañang Palace during Lam’s state visit to the Philippines, the Philippine Presidential Communications Office said Monday.
What Areas Does the Digital Transformation Agreement Cover?
The bilateral engagement extended beyond defense. The Philippines’ Department of Information and Communications Technology and Vietnam’s Ministry of Science and Technology inked an MOU on information technology and digital transformation cooperation.
According to Vietnam’s Ministry of Science and Technology, the agreement focuses on three primary areas: digital inclusion, e-government, and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, blockchain and the Internet of Things.
Officials from both countries also discussed potential collaboration involving telecommunications, OpenRAN and AI-RAN technologies, semiconductors, data centers, cloud computing, low-Earth-orbit satellite internet, digital identity systems, data sharing, cybersecurity, and digital workforce development.
Vietnamese Minister of Science and Technology Vu Hai Quan said the agreement is the first MOU between the two agencies.
What Other Agreements Were Signed?
The Philippines also confirmed the signing of an MOU on defense cooperation between the Philippine Department of National Defense and Vietnam’s Ministry of National Defence; a tourism cooperation program covering 2026 through 2029 between the Philippine Department of Tourism and Vietnam’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism; and education cooperation between the University of the Philippines and Vietnam’s Academy of Public Administration and Governance at the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics.
