President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said that the Philippines and Vietnam are moving toward establishing a long-term rice trade mechanism aimed at ensuring a stable supply and strengthening food security cooperation between the two countries.

Marcos raised the proposal during his bilateral meeting with newly elected Vietnamese Prime Minister Lê Minh Hưng on the sidelines of the 48th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit.

According to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), both leaders agreed to deepen cooperation in agriculture, with rice trade identified as a key area of focus.

“On agriculture, both sides agreed to establish a long-term rice trade mechanism aimed at ensuring stable supply and strengthening food security cooperation between the two countries,” the PCO said.

The President also congratulated Hưng on his appointment and welcomed him to his first ASEAN Summit. The meeting highlighted the importance of marking 50 years of Philippines–Vietnam diplomatic relations this year.

“Both leaders underscored the significance of the 50th anniversary of Philippines–Viet Nam bilateral relations, expressing confidence that the milestone would pave the way for stronger cooperation, particularly in trade and economic engagement,” the PCO added.

Beyond agriculture, both countries also discussed expanding collaboration in addressing transnational crimes, including scam hubs and human trafficking, which both sides identified as shared concerns requiring closer coordination.

“The two leaders also discussed expanding cooperation in addressing transnational crimes, including scam hubs and human trafficking,” the PCO said.

The Philippines and Vietnam likewise agreed to strengthen cooperation in tourism, aiming to boost people-to-people exchanges and deepen economic ties.

-Paraluman News