PASAY CITY -- The Senate on Wednesday, November 23, 2022, received Vietnam National Assembly President Vuong Dinh Hue, Members of the Parliament and other high-ranking officials, together with Vietnamese Ambassador to the Philippines Hoang Huy Chung. A resolution was adopted commending the National Assembly of Vietnam for strengthening Philippines-Vietnam inter-parliamentary relations and fostering economic cooperation.

In the bilateral meeting that took place thereafter with Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri leading the Senate contingent, matters relating to agriculture and food security, and areas of cooperation including defense, maritime security, pandemic recovery, economy and trade were discussed as common issues shared by both countries.

Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda raised that Vietnam is a strategic partner of the Philippines in ASEAN, and took account of the critical role of parliamentarians in building effective bilateral relations through legislation and foreign policy direction.

“We realize that as we face global security issues such as the increasing challenges brought about by climate change, ongoing conflicts around the world, as well as global economic challenges, it is necessary to establish cooperation and mutual understanding among nations,” she said.

Central to PH-Vietnam ties is the maritime dispute in the South China Sea, as both countries have aggressive assertion of claims and thus benefit from a strategic partnership.