The Philippine Embassy in Hanoi, headed by Ambassador Meynardo LB. Montealegre, hosted a
reception and concert to commemorate the 127 th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine
Independence and the 10 th Anniversary of Philippine-Vietnam Strategic Partnership yesterday, 10
June 2025, at the Vietnam National Academy of Music.
More than 250 individuals attended the event headed by Vietnam Communist Party Central
Committee member and Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Manh Cuong, as well as officials from
different ministries, local governments, representatives from the defense and public security of
Vietnam, ambassadors and charge d’affaires from various diplomatic missions from ASEAN
member states and other countries, heads and representatives of regional offices of international
organizations, military attaches, local union of friendship organizations, representatives of
Vietnamese and Philippine companies, and members of the Filipino community.
In his welcome remarks, Ambassador Montealegre highlighted the growth of the relations
between Vietnam and the Philippines through the years. “On July 12, 1976, we established our
diplomatic relations with Vietnam. Ten years ago, in November 2015, our diplomatic relation with
Vietnam was elevated to that of a Strategic Partnership – a relationship that has been deeply
nurtured through mutual respect and meaningful cooperation across all levels in various fields.”
“From a bilateral trade of just US$5.87 million in 1980, two-way trade between the Philippines
and Vietnam as of 2024 stood between US$7 billion and US$8 billion. Both sides are working to
foster more beneficial market access to reach an agreed target of US$10 billion.”
Ambassador Montealegre also mentioned that both countries have active cooperation in defense
and security, trade and investment, agriculture, tourism, education, cultural cooperation, and
people-to-people relations which intensified following President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. 's State
Visit to Vietnam in January last year.
“As maritime nations sharing not just a common boundary but a mutual desire to build a maritime
space of peace in line with international law and the UNCLOS, the Philippines puts primary
importance in maintaining robust and intensive maritime relations with Vietnam, the objective of
maintaining freedom of navigation, ensuring safety of life and property and promoting peace and
good order at sea.”

Meanwhile, Deputy Foreign Minister Cuong emphasized: “For Vietnam, the Philippines is not
only an important strategic partner but also a close friend and fellow member of the ASEAN
family. Vietnam-Philippines relationship has developed robustly across all sectors: political-
diplomatic, economic-commercial, cultural-social, and defense-security cooperation.
“Vietnam is proud to be the Philippines' only Strategic Partner within ASEAN. Looking to the
future, I am confident that Vietnam-Philippine relations will continue to develop more robustly and
comprehensively,” the Deputy Foreign Minister concluded.
The highlight of the event was the performance of two groups of vocal artists from the
Philippines, namely “The Nightingales” (the soprano duo of the Philippine Madrigal Singers
Company of Artists) and “The Song Weavers” composed of 11 members.
Both groups performed OPM classics, kundiman, and Philippine folksong medley. Two
Vietnamese songs entitled “Việt Nam Quê Hương Tôi” (Vietnam My Homeland) and “Tôi Yêu” (I

Love) were also performed, bringing much delight and pride to the members of the audience,
especially the Vietnamese attendees.
The reception and musical night are part of the week-long event organized by the Philippine
Embassy in Hanoi. On Sunday, 8 June, the Embassy also inaugurated the Philippine Food
Festival at Sheraton Hanoi Hotel featuring Philippine dishes cooked and prepared by Filipino
chef Geramarie Dianzon of Sheraton Manila Bay. The said event will culminate on 12 June 2025.
On 12 June, the Embassy will also lead the traditional flag-raising event at the Embassy ground
in Hanoi which will feature the re-enactment of the first unfurling of the Philippine flag in Kawit,
Cavite and unveil the replica of the 1734 Murillo Map donated by educator and businessman Mr.
Mel V. Velarde.
END