Top Vietnamese Legislator Busy in the Philippine's Trip

Chairman of the Vietnamese National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue (right) met with Vice President of the Philippines Sara Duterte on November 24. Photo: VNA

Chairman of the Vietnamese National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue on November 24 met with Vice President of the Philippines Sara Duterte during which they agreed to strengthen ties across all channels of the Party, government, parliament and people-to-people exchanges.

At the meeting, as part of his official visit to the Philippines from November 23-25, the top Vietnamese legislator briefed the host on the positive results of talks and meetings with senior Philippine leaders, affirming that the visit was aimed at consolidating and promoting relations between Vietnam and the Philippines in general and between the legislatures of the two countries in particular.

Both host and guest expressed their delight at the positive development of trade relations between the two countries over the past time, saying the first 10 months of 2022 saw bilateral trade reach USD 6.6 billion, nearly equal to the total turnover in 2021.

They held that there remains a lot of room for cooperation in several fields, including investment, culture, education, and agriculture.

The two leaders agreed to increase bilateral cooperation on education, and set forth collaboration programmes on education and human resources development which are in line with the interests of each country, especially in fields of the Philippines' strength, including teaching English, electronic assembly, accounting and auditing.

The legislator said the NA of Vietnam always supports and facilitates investment and business activities of Philippine enterprises in Vietnam.

He proposed the Vice President continue to facilitate economic, trade and investment relations between the two countries and hoped that the Philippines will continue to create favourable conditions for Vietnamese citizens living and studying there.

On this occasion, the NA Chairman conveyed Vietnamese leaders’ invitation to Vice President Duterte to visit Vietnam soon.

For her part, Vice President Duterte congratulated Vietnam on many impressive achievements it has recorded in post-Covid-19 recovery and socio-economic development, becoming an economic hub in the region.

The Vice President, who is also President of the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas CMD) Party, said she wishes to strengthen relations with the Communist Party of Vietnam, and that she supports continued cooperation between the two countries’ localities.

Vice President Duterte also thanked Vietnam for always being a reliable partner in helping the Philippines ensure food security.

NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue speaks at the event. Photo: VNA

The same day, Chairman Hue on November 24 reiterated the goal of lifting two-way trade between Vietnam and the Philippines to USD 10 billion in a more balanced manner by 2026 when they celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties.

Addressing the Vietnam-Philippines Investment-Trade Forum, Hue said the two countries share similar strategic benefit values, with two-way trade hitting USD 7 billion.

Vietnam will continue to perform well in farm produce trade, ensuring a high and stable export of rice at reasonable prices while staying ready to import products of the Philippines’ strength, he said.

The two Governments and legislatures will offer all possible support for investors and enterprises, he said, adding that the two economies are not competitive but supplementary to each other. So far, Vietnam has been the only strategic partner of the Philippines in ASEAN while their geographical distance is close.

Philippine corporate representatives expressed their interest in electric vehicles, apparel, and renewable energy. Several opinions highlighted the potential of cooperation in cement, construction steel and materials, footwear, e-commerce and industry.

Vietnamese Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan said the Philippines and other ASEAN member states are always key markets for Vietnam’s farm produce.

Meanwhile, Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Tran Duy Dong suggested further expanding bilateral ties in green growth, circular economy and innovation.

Deals on export-import of cement and clinker, and distribution of vaccines against African swine flu in the Philippines were also signed at the event.

In the morning the same day, Chairman Hue laid wreaths at Rizal Monument and President Ho Chi Minh Monument at ASEAN Park.

He also met Davao Oriental province's Governor Corazon Nunez Malanyaon on November 24 in Manila during which the governor said her province wants to establish twin relations with Hau Giang province in Vietnam, focusing on promoting cooperation in trade and agriculture as well as exchanges on cultural and educational collaboration between the two provinces and other issues of common interest.

The top Vietnamese legislator voiced support for cooperation between Davao Oriental and Hau Giang provinces. Hue said he hoped the two sides will complete preparations so that a cooperation document can be signed soon.

He then visited the Vietnamese Embassy in the Philippines, as part of his first official trip to the nation since he took office last year.

There are about 3,000 Vietnamese living and working in the Philippines.

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