PH Ambassador H.E. Meynardo Montealegre called on Mr. Tran Sy Thanh, Member of the Party Central Committee, Deputy Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee, and Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee on 8 May 2025.

During the meeting, the Ambassador conveyed appreciation for Hanoi’s impressive economic and urban development, and thanked the city for the warm and thoughtful reception accorded during the visit of H.E. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in January 2024.

The Ambassador also informed Chairman Thanh of several forthcoming cultural exchange activities to be organized by the Embassy in Hanoi, including the Filipino Food Festival in June, a joint art exhibit with Philippine and Vietnamese artists in October and the annual Christmas Parol Lighting at the Embassy in December, and invited the Chairman to attend the events.

Significantly, the Ambassador proposed the establishment of Sister City Relations between Hanoi and Quezon City*, one of the Philippines’ key political and economic centers. Chairman Thanh expressed strong support for enhancing relations between Hanoi and Quezon City and welcomed the proposal to institutionalize the partnership. He likewise recommended that both sides begin drafting a cooperation agreement, identify key areas of collaboration, and aim for the signing and implementation by 2026.

This proposed timeline also aligns with the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the Philippines and Vietnam (12 July 1976 – 12 July 2026). Chairman Thanh also extended a formal invitation to the leaders of Quezon City to visit Hanoi at a mutually convenient time, and suggested to return the visit in 2026 where the agreement may be then signed.

Chairman Tran Sy Thanh presents a souvenir to Ambassador Montealegre at the Hanoi People’s Committee Hall

Accompanying the Ambassador during the call are First Secretary and Consul Shirley O. Nuevo (2nd from left) and Third Secretary and Vice Consul Ysobel M. Pareja (leftmost) and Embassy Interpreter Nguyen Tran Kim Ngoc (rightmost)