Philippines, Vietnam strengthen military ties during Army chief's visit  

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April 11, 2025 | 4:50pm

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Army and the Vietnam People's Army are exploring deeper military cooperation following a four-day official visit by Philippine Army Chief Lt. Gen. Roy M. Galido to Vietnam that concluded on Thursday, April 10.

From April 7 to April 10, Galido met with senior Vietnamese military leaders, including Gen. Nguyen Tan Cuong, Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army (VPA), and Lt. Gen. Nguyen Van Nghia, Deputy Chief of the General Staff, at the Ministry of Defense Headquarters in Hanoi.

During their bilateral meetings, Galido and the Vietnamese army's leaders from both countries discussed topics of mutual interest, "including the exchange of experience, knowledge, and information," according to a statement by the Philippine Army's public affairs.

The talks also identified opportunities for "capability development" that could potentially lead to the establishment of a formal Terms of Reference to guide future military partnerships.

As part of his visit, Galido observed a capability demonstration at the VPA's Special Forces Academy and toured Viettel High Tech Company, which "plays a key role in enhancing Vietnam's military technology and defense capabilities."

"The Army Chief's official visit aims to foster camaraderie and strengthen bilateral engagements between the two armies, building upon the foundation established by the 2015 Joint Statement on the Establishment of a Strategic Partnership between the Philippines and Vietnam," the Philippine Army's public affairs statement read.

In 2024, the Philippines and Vietnam held their first joint coast guard training exercises near Manila Bay — the first between two Southeast Asian countries that are also co-claimants in the disputed South China Sea. 

After inking deals on maritime cooperation, both countries vowed to explore "new areas of cooperation" in October last year.

Vietnam is the Philippines' only strategic partner in Southeast Asia.