Vietnamese President To Lam visited Thailand on May 28, marking his first trip to an ASEAN member state since becoming president and party chief [1, 2]. During the visit, Vietnam and Thailand agreed to deepen their cooperation in security, defence, technology sharing, green energy, and trade [2]. To Lam described the agreements as a way to “continue to deepen political trust, considering this as the foundation for a long-term close relationship between the two countries” [2]. Vietnam sees Thailand as its largest trading partner in Southeast Asia, with significant Thai investments in Vietnam [2]. The two nations are targeting a trade volume of $25 billion [1].
On May 30, To Lam delivered the keynote address at the Shangri-La Dialogue security forum in Singapore as part of his Southeast Asia tour, which also includes Singapore and the Philippines [2, 3, 4]. His focus has been on shoring up regional security and economic partnerships amid mounting geopolitical tensions.
To Lam began his inaugural visit to the Philippines on May 31 [4]. He was welcomed by Agriculture Secretary Ferdinand Romualdez Jr. and engaged in talks to deepen cooperation across trade, investment, food security, defence, maritime issues, education, and tourism [4]. On June 1, Vietnam and the Philippines elevated their diplomatic relationship to an enhanced strategic partnership, renewing a memorandum of agreement on defence cooperation aimed at boosting maritime security capabilities [3, 5, 6].
The two countries reaffirmed the importance of peace, stability, and freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea amid ongoing tensions with China. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said, “As fellow claimant states, we reaffirm that maintaining peace, stability and the freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea remains non-negotiable” [3]. He also emphasized their shared interest in a rules-based regional order anchored on international law [3]. To Lam highlighted the need to “coordinate more closely to respond more effectively to the changing circumstances of both countries for the sake of peace, stability and development” [3].
The Philippines plans to open a consulate general in Ho Chi Minh City by mid-2026 as part of expanding cooperation. The year 2026 marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the Philippines as well as a decade since they established their strategic partnership [5, 4]. Vietnam remains the Philippines’ only strategic partner in Southeast Asia and a key economic and security ally [4].
Vietnamese economic growth has recently outpaced Thailand’s and is expected to surpass it in the near future [2]. The tour reflects Vietnam’s effort to strengthen ties with key neighbors in the region. President To Lam’s next scheduled engagements include further Singapore meetings later this week [3].
