Vietnamese President and General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Tô Lâm, arrived in Manila on Sunday for a historic two-day State Visit to the Philippines from May 31 to June 1, 2026.
President Lâm’s visit marks a significant milestone in Philippine-Vietnam relations as it is the first State Visit by a Vietnamese Communist Party leader to the Philippines.
Accompanied by First Lady Madame Ngo Phuong Ly, President Lâm arrived aboard a Vietnam Airlines flight at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City at 12:40 p.m. and was accorded full arrival honors. He was welcomed on behalf of the Philippine Government by Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.
As part of his official engagements, President Lâm will pay tribute to Philippine national hero Dr. José Rizal by laying a wreath at the Rizal Monument in Manila before proceeding to Malacañang Palace on Monday for a meeting with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
The bilateral meeting between President Marcos and President Lâm is expected to further strengthen the longstanding partnership between the Philippines and Vietnam. Discussions will focus on enhancing cooperation in key areas, including trade and investment, food security, defense and maritime collaboration, education, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges.
Following their talks, the two leaders will witness the presentation of signed agreements and hold a joint press conference, where they are expected to outline the outcomes of their discussions and reaffirm their commitment to advancing bilateral relations.
President Marcos will also host a State Luncheon in honor of the Vietnamese leader.
Vietnam remains the Philippines’ only Strategic Partner in Southeast Asia and is home to more than 7,000 Filipinos. Further underscoring the growing ties between the two nations, the Philippines is scheduled to open a Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City in mid-2026.
President Lâm’s visit coincides with two important milestones: the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Vietnam and the 10th anniversary of their Strategic Partnership. The visit highlights the shared commitment of both nations to deepen cooperation and promote regional peace, stability, and prosperity.
