PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday reiterated his administration's commitment to strengthening ties with Vietnam, particularly in defense and security and trade, as he met with Vietnamese Defense Minister General Phan Van Giang in Malacañang.

"This [visit] is actually a very significant point in the history between our two countries, between Vietnam and the Philippines," Marcos told Phan.

It was Phan's first visit to the Philippines since he was named defense chief on April 8, 2021.

During their meeting, the President underscored the Philippines and Vietnam's significant ties, which now span decades.

"The Philippines and Vietnam have enjoyed good relations, and we have continued to progress in those relationships, whereas before comprised only with our diplomatic connection," he said.

"We now talk about defense cooperation, security cooperation, maritime cooperation, and certainly, on the area of trade as well. Your visit, I think, will serve as further impetus, further push to increase that — the depth and the range of our relationship," the President said.

In response, Phan extended his government's greetings to Marcos.

He said the President's state visit to Vietnam last January "opened up new opportunities to further promote and innovate the strategic partnership between Vietnam and the Philippines in various areas..."

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. welcomes Vietnam National Defense Minister Gen. Phan Van Giang during a courtesy call in Malacañan Palace on Aug 30, 2024. The Vietnamese official’s visit comes amid the escalating tension in the SouthChina Sea, where Vietnam, like the Philippines, is also a claimant in several disputed islands with China. PHOTOS BY NOEL B. PABALATE/PPA POOL President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. welcomes Vietnam National Defense Minister Gen. Phan Van Giang during a courtesy call in Malacañan Palace on Aug 30, 2024. The Vietnamese official’s visit comes amid the escalating tension in the SouthChina Sea, where Vietnam, like the Philippines, is also a claimant in several disputed islands with China. PHOTOS BY NOEL B. PABALATE/PPA POOL President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. welcomes Vietnam National Defense Minister Gen. Phan Van Giang during a courtesy call in Malacañan Palace on Aug 30, 2024. The Vietnamese official’s visit comes amid the escalating tension in the SouthChina Sea, where Vietnam, like the Philippines, is also a claimant in several disputed islands with China. PHOTOS BY NOEL B. PABALATE/PPA POOL President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. welcomes Vietnam National Defense Minister Gen. Phan Van Giang during a courtesy call in Malacañan Palace on Aug 30, 2024. The Vietnamese official’s visit comes amid the escalating tension in the SouthChina Sea, where Vietnam, like the Philippines, is also a claimant in several disputed islands with China. PHOTOS BY NOEL B. PABALATE/PPA POOL President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. welcomes Vietnam National Defense Minister Gen. Phan Van Giang during a courtesy call in Malacañan Palace on Aug 30, 2024. The Vietnamese official’s visit comes amid the escalating tension in the SouthChina Sea, where Vietnam, like the Philippines, is also a claimant in several disputed islands with China. PHOTOS BY NOEL B. PABALATE/PPA POOL President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. welcomes Vietnam National Defense Minister Gen. Phan Van Giang during a courtesy call in Malacañan Palace on Aug 30, 2024. The Vietnamese official’s visit comes amid the escalating tension in the SouthChina Sea, where Vietnam, like the Philippines, is also a claimant in several disputed islands with China. PHOTOS BY NOEL B. PABALATE/PPA POOL President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. welcomes Vietnam National Defense Minister Gen. Phan Van Giang during a courtesy call in Malacañan Palace on Aug 30, 2024. The Vietnamese official’s visit comes amid the escalating tension in the SouthChina Sea, where Vietnam, like the Philippines, is also a claimant in several disputed islands with China. PHOTOS BY NOEL B. PABALATE/PPA POOL

Phan was invited to the Philippines by Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. for the signing of defense cooperation agreements between Manila and Hanoi.

The Philippines and Vietnam formally established diplomatic relations on July 12, 1976.

Their relations have led to agreements on rice trade cooperation, incident prevention and management in the South China Sea, agriculture, maritime and cultural cooperation were signed during Marcos' visit to Hanoi in January this year.