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Secretary for Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo visits Viet Nam for the 10th PH-VN Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation

Secretary for Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo visits Viet Nam for the 10th PH-VN Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation

Secretary for Foreign Affairs H.E. Enrique A. Manalo recently led the Philippine delegation to the 10th Philippines-Viet Nam Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) held in Hanoi from 1 to 2 August 2023. The official visit to Viet Nam is Secretary Manalo’s first bilateral visit to an ASEAN member country in his capacity as Foreign Affairs Secretary.

The JCBC, which was co-chaired by Viet Nam’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son, discussed how to further bolster the PH-VN Strategic Partnership. Among the areas of cooperation discussed in detail were defense, maritime cooperation, economic, and people-to-people ties.

On 1 August 2023, the Secretary for Foreign Affairs also delivered a policy speech at the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam DAV) on the Philippines - Viet Nam Strategic Partnership in the Age of Change. SFA Manalo is the first ASEAN Foreign Minister to give a speech at the DAV.

The visit also allowed for an opportunity to conduct the first bilateral political consultation between high level officials of the Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs and Viet Nam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

On the last day of his official visit, Secretary Manalo also paid a country call on Viet Nam Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.

Vietnamese Foreign Minister, H.E. Bui Thanh Son, welcomes Philippine Secretary for Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo during the 10^th Philippines – Viet Nam Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation held in Hanoi from 01 to 02 August 2023. (Photo courtesy of VN MOFA)

Members of the Philippine and Vietnamese delegation headed by Secretary for Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son discuss measures to effectively implement the bilateral cooperation between the two countries during the second day of the 10^th Philippines – Vietnam Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation held in Hanoi. (Photo courtesy of VN MOFA)

Secretary for Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo during his courtesy call on Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chin during his two-day official visit in Hanoi. (Photo courtesy of VN MOFA)

COMMEMORATION OF THE 125TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PROCLAMATION OF PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE THROUGH DIPLOMATIC RECEPTION

The Philippine Embassy in Vietnam Successfully Hosts Its First Independence Day Diplomatic Reception After Five Years

On the evening of 12 June 2023, Ambassador Meynardo LB. Montealegre successfully hosted the Philippine Embassy in Hanoi’s first diplomatic reception after five years to commemorate the country’s 125^th anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence. Joining him as guest of honor in the said event was Vietnamese Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, H.E. Do Hung Viet.

Nearly 300 guests headed by the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassadors, and heads of international organizations from different missions in Vietnam attended the event together with Vietnamese officials and former Vietnamese ambassadors to the Philippines. In addition, heads of union of friendship organizations from different provinces and cities, business leaders, officials of various universities and Filipino community members likewise attended.

In his speech, Ambassador Montealagre highlighted the strengthening of the diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Vietnam and the contribution of the Philippine economy in the steadfast development of Vietnam and the ASEAN community in general.

“Across the sea, both the Philippines and Vietnam are bound by a common desire for peace and prosperity. Through no uncertain terms, both of our leaders have emphasized resolution of differences through peaceful means based on the rule of law, and in conformity with international law particularly the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, which concepts were clarified in the 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling for the benefit of all those which are similarly situated.”

Vice Minister Viet likewise recognized the importance of the occasion. “For all Filipinos, June 12^thholds significant cultural and historical importance. It is a reminder of the day when the Philippines became the first country in Southeast Asia to achieve independence from colonial rule. It is also a day for the celebration of national pride and identity.”

“As two active members of the ASEAN Family, we are connected by shared values, strategic interests, and mutual respect, with a common vision of sustainable development and prosperity, underpinned by strong political and strategic trust. I am confident that the Strategic Partnership between Viet Nam and the Philippines will continue to grow from strength to strength, in the interests of our two peoples, and to the benefit of peace and development in the region and the world,” the Vietnamese official also stated.

The Philippines and Vietnam are also celebrating the 47^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relationships this year, with two-way trade reaching USD7.8 billion in 2022. Vietnam is likewise the only Strategic Partner of the Philippines in the ASEAN region since 2015.

H.E. Ambassador Meynardo LB. Montealegre (right) and H.E. Vice Foreign Minister Do Hung Viet (left) sharing a toast during the diplomatic reception hosted by the Philippine Embassy in Hanoi, Vietnam on 12 June 2023.

Ambassador Montealegre (center, front) with Vietnamese Vice Foreign Minister Viet joined by Ambassadors and Heads of International Organizations in Vietnam.

The officers and staff of the Philippine Embassy in Hanoi.

Commemoration of the 125th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence with Filipino Community

Ambassador Meynardo LB. Montealagre Leads the Filipino Community in Vietnam in the Commemoration of the 125^th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence

On the morning of 12 June 2023, H.E. Ambassador Meynardo LB. Montealegre led the members of the Filipino community in Vietnam in the commemoration of the 125^th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence at the Chancery’s grounds in Hanoi, Vietnam.

Around 50 members of the Filipino Community from Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Thai Nguyen City and surrounding provinces joined the Ambassador and Embassy personnel in the unfurling of the Philippine flag as well as in the singing of LupangHinirang.

Inspirational messages from President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo, and Defense Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr. were also read by the Ambassador and Embassy officials before the members of the Filipino community.

Ambassador Montealegre also gave a speech before the members of the Filipino Community recognizing the sacrifices of Philippine heroes. The Ambassador also encouraged Filipinos in Vietnam to remember the Philippines’ vibrant history and culture and to always strive to exemplify the positive values of our country’s heroes.

“I do believe that the Overseas Filipinos are poised to contribute to a better future for our country. Like many of the illustrados that made up many of our founding fathers, you are equipped with different perspectives that can help further advance our nation building. You experience firsthand the successes and failures of the different peoples you’ve encountered in the countries that you’ve lived in. It is incumbent upon you to take lessons from these perspectives to help create a better future not only for your family and loved ones but also for the rest of the country when you return home.”

Towards the end of the program, Embassy personnel and some members of the Filipino community shared a light moment with Filipino songs while enjoying the traditional Filipino almusal menu of pandesal, queso, corned beef guisado, tsokolate de batirol, coffee and fruits.

Ambassador Meynardo LB. Montealegre assisted by Defense and Armed Forces Attache Col. Ulysses S. Mancao, re-enacts the unfurling of the Philippine flag in Kawit, Cavite 125 years ago on the balcony of the Chancery of the Philippine Embassy in Hanoi on 12 June 2023.

Philippine Embassy in Hanoi officers and staff together with the members of the Filipino Community in Vietnam and their family members after a flag raising ceremony during the commemoration of the 125^th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence and Nationhood.

The Philippine Embassy officers and staff together with the members of the Filipino Community during the flag raising ceremony on 12 June 2023.