Speech by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. at the Viet Nam-Philippines Business Forum

General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Viet Nam and President of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam

His Excellency To Lam,

The esteemed members of the Diplomatic Corps,

Minister of Finance of Viet Nam His Excellency Ngo Van Tuan,

Trade and Industry Secretary Maria Cristina Roque,

Agriculture Secretary Kiko Laurel Jr.,

Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Mr. Ferdinand Ferrer,

Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry Vice Executive President Nguyen Quang Vinh,

Fellow workers in government,

Our partners from the private sector,

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Good afternoon.

It is my pleasure to welcome you to the Viet Nam–Philippines Business Forum.

Today’s gathering is an affirmation of our shared conviction: that nations prosper when they work together, when they build trust, and when they create opportunities that allow their people to realize their full potential.

At a time when the global economy is being reshaped by rapid technological change, evolving supply chains, and emerging challenges, cooperation among like-minded partners has become increasingly essential.

This is why our relationship with the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam continues to grow in importance.

Allow me to extend our sincere appreciation to His Excellency, To Lam, for joining us here today. Your presence, Sir, underscores the enduring strength of the relationship between our two countries and reflects our shared determination to deepen cooperation across a wide range of sectors.

This year carries a special significance. The Philippines and Viet Nam are celebrating a Golden Jubilee—fifty (50) years of diplomatic relations.

The ties between our countries were formally established during the presidency of my father, President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr. It was likewise through my mother, then First Lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos, that the foundations for peace, understanding, and cooperation between our two nations were first laid.

Over the decades, that relationship has steadily evolved. In 2015, it was elevated to a Strategic Partnership, making Viet Nam our only formal strategic partner within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Today, that partnership continues to flourish.

The Philippines and Viet Nam have built a relationship founded on economic resilience, mutual growth, and a shared commitment to a strong, sovereign, and integrated ASEAN.

Viet Nam has become an indispensable partner in trade and investment. Last year, Viet Nam was the Philippines’ 11th largest trading partner. And that year, our bilateral trade reached a remarkable US$7.17 billion.

The Philippines has also become a key contributor to Viet Nam’s technological advancement. In 2025, we exported over US$424 million in digital monolithic integrated circuits and over US$200 million in electric motors.

At the same time, Viet Nam remains a vital partner in strengthening our food security and industrial supply chains, providing more than US$1.32 billion in high-quality rice, alongside essential electronic apparatuses.

As encouraging as these achievements are, they also point us towards the next stage of our partnership.

While trade continues to reach new heights, we see even greater opportunities in investment.

This forum provides an avenue for us to discuss the exciting developments in the Philippine investment landscape and the opportunities we seek to unlock to grow our businesses.

We have enacted sweeping, business-friendly structural reforms designed to give you a globally competitive edge.

Among these is the CREATE MORE Act, which grants incentives to qualified projects.

Through the Amended Foreign Investments Act, we have lowered capital requirements for qualified start-ups and investment activities.

To further improve the ease of doing business, we have implemented the Amended Retail Trade Liberalization Act of 2000, reducing the minimum paid-up capital requirement for foreign retail enterprises.

We have likewise enacted the Act Liberalizing the Lease of Private Lands by Foreign Investors, establishing the stability of long-term lease contracts, thereby providing greater certainty for long-term investments.

Complementing these reforms is our Green Lanes for Strategic Investments to facilitate high-impact projects.

This forum takes on an even more profound significance as the Philippines chairs ASEAN 2026. As we steer the region toward deeper connectivity and inclusive growth, Viet Nam remains our steadfast partner. Together, we will advance boosting MSME development, unlocking digital innovation, and enhancing regional supply chain resilience.

Among our priorities during our Chairship is the swift implementation of the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA). The digital economy is the engine of our future growth. Viet Nam’s collaboration is absolutely crucial as we establish the world’s first region-wide, legally binding digital economy pact.

Our message to the region is clear: The Philippines is positioning itself as a premier destination for smart, sustainable manufacturing and high-value services.
We are open to partnership, ready for investment, and eager to work with you in creating new opportunities for growth.

Beyond these policy reforms, we are focused on industries that will shape the future.

The Philippines seeks to maximize the value of its vast green metal resources and its operating nickel mines to support electric vehicle production, battery manufacturing, and digital infrastructure supply chains.

Our goal is to pursue economic growth while upholding environmental sustainability and responsible resource development.

We are likewise strengthening our shipbuilding industry and defense-related manufacturing capabilities, reinforcing our commitment to maritime security, regional stability, and sustainable industrial growth.

Ladies and gentlemen, governments can only provide direction. We can build institutions, we can enact reforms, and invest in infrastructure.

But progress ultimately depends on people who are willing to seize opportunities and transform these ideas into reality.

So, I hope that you will turn the conversations today
into strategic plans, meaningful investments, and commercially significant agreements.

More importantly, may they contribute to a future where our peoples enjoy greater opportunities, greater prosperity, and greater security.

Together, let us shape a more progressive, prosperous, and sustainable future for the Philippines, for Viet Nam, and for the entire ASEAN community.

Xin cảm ơn. (Thank you.)

Thank you very much. Good afternoon. [applause]

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